Yamaha Yas-108 VS 109 Soundbar: Which one is Good?

Yamaha YAS-108 Soundbar and Yamaha YAS-109 Smart Soundbar are decent Soundbars at their respective price points.

Nevertheless, if you would like more information about the Yamaha YAS-108/ATS-1080 Soundbar (2018) and the Yamaha YAS-109 Smart Soundbar (2019), we put together a quick summary of what we know:

Yamaha Yas-108 VS 109 Soundbar Comparison Chart

DeviceYamaha YAS-108Yamaha YAS-109
Dimensions2-3/16H x 34-15/16W x 5-3/16D2-3/16H x 35-1/16W x 5-1/4 D
Weight7.1 lb / 3.2 kg7.5 lb / 3.4 kg
Wireless Audio ProtocolsBluetoothBluetooth
EthernetNot ApplicableLAN
Wi-FiNot ApplicableWi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Amplifier Output120 W RMS120 W
Built-in subwooferYesYes
Separate SubwooferNoNo
Separate subwoofer connectionsWired, wirelessWired, wireless
Wireless SurroundsNoNo
Number Of Channels2.02.0
Frequency Response60 Hz to 23 kHz62 Hz to 23 kHz
Supported File FormatsNot SpecifiedAAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA
Enclosure TypePortedSealed
Night ModeNoNo
Learns TV RemoteNoNo
Amazon MusicNoYes
Apple AirPlayNoNo
Chromecast built-inNoNO
SpotifyNoYes
Placement typeTable-top, wall-mountableTable-top, wall-mountable
Inputs1 x HDMI – Audio/Video1 x Optical TOSLINK – Audio1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm – Audio1 x HDMI – Audio/Video1 x Optical TOSLINK – Audio
Outputs1 x HDMI – ARC/Audio/Video1 x RCA – Subwoofer1 x HDMI – ARC/Audio/Video1 x RCA – Subwoofer
Dialogue EnhancementYesYes
Control by AppApple iOS, AndroidApple iOS, Android
Remote controlYesYes
MicrophoneYesYes
Audio DecodingDTS Digital Surround, DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIDTS Digital Surround, DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, LPCM
Voice ControlNoAlexa built-in
Soundbar ButtonsPower, volume down, volume up, input, microphoneInput, mute, volume down, volume up, power
Release year20182019
Wall MountableYesYes
User ManualOpenOpen

Lets discuss all the terms of Yamaha YAS-108 and 109 soundbar in detail.

Design and Size

Yamaha’s YAS-108 has a very plain design. Dimensions of YAS-108 are 34.4″ (87.5 cm) x 2.1″ (5.3 cm) x 4.8″ (12.2 cm). Except for the ports for the integrated subwoofers on the sides and the plastic covering on the back, the entire bar is almost entirely covered with fabric. This fabric is prone to attracting dirt or tearing. In this setup, there are two subwoofers integrated into the sub.

There is one opening on the back of the Yamaha YAS-108 for the input ports. The back of YAS-108 is made of good quality plastic. When mounted on the wall, the top side will face you. The bar isn’t too wide, and it may or may not fit between the legs of a 55″ TV, depending on the stand. Unless your TV has a small stand or sits flush on the table, it won’t obstruct the view of the bottom of the screen as it is not too tall.

Yamaha’s YAS-109 has a simple design. the Dimensions of YAS-109 are 34.9″ (88.7 cm) x 2.0″ (5.1 cm) x 5.3″ (13.4 cm). Black fabric covers most of the bar, which can easily become dirty or ripped. In addition to the rounded edges, it has two ports on the sides to enhance its bass reproduction since it lacks a dedicated subwoofer. Dual subwoofers are built into this soundbar.

You can also buy a dedicated subwoofer separately. This bar has two openings on the back: One for the power cable and another for the inputs. You can mount this soundbar on the wall using the universal holes on the underside. The Yamaha YAS-109 is a fairly compact soundbar. It will fit between the legs of most 55″ TVs. It’s also not tall, so it shouldn’t interfere with your view of the TV unless your TV is flush with the table.

Build Quality

Yamaha’s YAS-108 has a good build quality overall. There is an almost complete fabric covering, except for the ports on the sides, back, and underside, which are made of good quality plastic. The fabric can be dirty and ripped quickly and does not give the soundbar a premium appearance.

The Yamaha YAS-109 sound bar is well-built. The device is primarily constructed from plastic and has a fabric cover to protect its speakers. However, the fabric appears loose and may tear or collect dirt or hair over time.

Sound

The Yamaha YAS-108 provides a decent stereo frequency response. Since this soundbar doesn’t have extended bass, it is difficult to reproduce the full, deep rumble and punch of movies and music. This could be because it does not have a wireless subwoofer but rather two built-in subwoofers. A positive aspect of this audio system is the well-balanced mid-range that produces accurate voice reproduction. As a result of the lack of detail in the treble, the overall sound profile is a bit dark.

There is a satisfactory stereo frequency response on the Yamaha YAS-109. Despite its boomy sound profile, this player struggles to reproduce low-bass, leaving your mixes lacking thump and rumble. Despite this, its midrange is neutral, ensuring that vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present. There are six EQ presets that you can choose from if you want a different sound.

Sound Enhancement Features 

There are a few sound enhancement features on the Yamaha YAS108. Although this bar has a 3D surround mode, the sound isn’t as good as it could be. This soundbar does not have Room Correction, which means it may sound differently depending on the room. Also, there’s no auto-volume/night mode so it won’t normalize the sound between different types of content like TV shows and commercials.

As an upside, it offers dialogue enhancement features that allow you to hear the dialogue more clearly, even at low volumes. The option to adjust the subwoofer level separately is also helpful since the two built-in subwoofers don’t perform very well. This will sound better if you use the normal surround mode.

The sound enhancement features on the Yahama YAS-109 soundbar are poor. You can choose from six EQ presets, including ‘Movies‘, ‘Music‘, ‘TV‘, ‘Sports‘, ‘Game‘, and ‘Stereo‘. There is also a dialogue enhancement feature called ‘Clear Voice’ and a virtual surround feature called 3D Surround. The subwoofer level can also be adjusted to control the bass response of the bar, even if you do not have a connected subwoofer.

Connectivity

A good set of inputs is included in the Yamaha YAS-108. With the Optical Audio In, you can enjoy surround sound. At the same time, with the Full HDMI In and HDMI ARC, you can relay video signals from your game consoles and Blu-ray players to your TV, improving both the visual and auditory experience. Furthermore, the soundbar provides a 3.5mm Audio In jack for direct connection to the Audio Out jack of older devices with limited connectivity.

To enhance your bass experience, You can connect a ‘Subwoofer Out’ port to an external subwoofer with an RCA mono cable. A USB port is not present for playing music from a USB key, nor is there an Ethernet port to connect to your network.

There are a few inputs on the YAS-109 bar. In addition to two HDMI ARC and HDMI Out ports, there is a Full HDMI In port. In addition, you can connect an external subwoofer using an RCA cable to the ‘Subwoofer Out‘ port of your setup. There is no AUX port on the bar, so you cannot connect a mobile device to it with a 3.5mm input cable.

Wireless Playback

Through its Bluetooth connection, the Yamaha YAS-108 can play content wirelessly. Although this is great for connecting your smartphone or tablet, you will not be able to cast content to the TV if you cannot use Wi-Fi or cast through Chromecast built-in or AirPlay. Consider the Yamaha YAS-109 soundbar if you want a Yamaha soundbar with Wi-Fi.

Wireless playback is an excellent feature of the Yahama YAS-109. The device supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, providing wireless audio streaming from a smartphone or tablet. You cannot cast audio with Chromecast or Apple AirPlay, however.

Interface

The YAS-108 bar has a basic interface. It only includes lights at the top of the bar to show you what settings you’re using. In our testing, we observed no lags or hangs.

YAS-109’s interface is located at the soundbar’s top and does not come with a display screen. There is a light that indicates which settings you are using.

Bar Controls

You can control the power or input source, mute the soundbar, or change the volume using the touch-sensitive surface on YAS-108. 

Touch-sensitive controls are located on top of the YAS-109. You can activate Alexa, switch inputs, adjust the volume, mute or unmute the mic, and turn the soundbar on or off.

Remote

The remote control of the YAS-108 is relatively small and fits perfectly within your hand. Despite its size, it is very versatile and can perform various functions. Additionally, You can enable preset modes and adjust the subwoofer level independently of the volume.

Yamaha’s YAS-109 soundbar has a remote control that lets you control all of the device’s features.

Voice Assistants Support

There is no voice assistant support on the YAS-108. You can, however, use it with an Amazon Alexa device from a third party. You need to set it up in the Amazon Alexa app to do this.

There is a built-in Amazon Alexa on the Yamaha YAS-109. Additionally, the soundbar has a mute mic button located on the top.

App 

The Yamaha YAS-108 uses the same app as the Yamaha YAS-207. It is a fairly basic app that offers most of the remote features but lacks features like the home theater controller. It does not support the direct casting of audio files to the soundbar.

Yamaha Sound Bar Controller companion app is compatible with this YAS-109. Using one of its six EQ presets, you can control the soundbar and adjust its sound profile.

What’s In the Box?

Lets see that what we will get in the boxes.

Yamaha YAS-108 Unboxing

  • Digital optical cable of length 1.5 m (4.9 ft)
  • Remote
  • Spacers (x2) for wall-mounting
  • Power cable
  • Manuals
  • Analog Audio In adapter
  • Optical cable

Yamaha YAS-109 Unboxing

  • Digital optical cable of length 1.5 m (4.9 ft)
  • Manuals
  • Remote
  • Battery for remote
  • Power cable
  • Rubber feet for mounting
  • Optical cable
  • Mounting template
Yamaha YAS-108 and YAS-109 soundbar infographic

Read also: Best Settings For Bose Soundbar 700

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Yamaha sound bars good?

I am bringing it all together. The Yamaha YAS-209 smart soundbar provides excellent sound quality, whether you’re watching movies or listening to music.

What is the difference between Yamaha YAS-108 and 109?

Yamaha YAS-109 is the successor to Yamaha YAS-108/ATS-1080. With an Ethernet port instead of an AUX port, wireless playback via Wi-Fi, and EQ presets, the YAS-109 comes with many features. With fewer compression artifacts, the YAS-108 can get a bit louder.

Is Yamaha sound bar better than Bose?

Our Verdict. Smart Soundbar 700 from Bose has better performance than the Yamaha YAS-209. It supports a room correction feature and gets louder. Boss soundbars have a better build quality with better soundstage and center channel performances.

Also read: Best Settings for VIZIO 5-1 Soundbar

Conclusion

Yamaha’s new YAS-109 is a successor to the Yamaha YAS-108/ATS-1080. Instead of an AUX port, it has an Ethernet port, supports wireless playback through Wi-Fi, and has EQ presets. With fewer compression artifacts, the YAS-108 can get a bit louder.

Read also: Samsung Soundbar Equalizer Settings

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