Yamaha’s soundbar bundle delivers all you could need, including one of the best subwoofers at this price
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Yamaha)
(Image credit: Yamaha)
T3 VerdictGood looks and punchily controlled sound carry the Yamaha SR-X50A so far - but it’s not as Atmos-y as is ideal, and music demonstrates it’s not a true all-rounder. But if you’re after wide, energetic and impactful movie sound, the Yamaha is a system with plenty to recommend it - and its standard of build and finish, along with its understated good looks, will win admirers too.
T3 Verdict
Good looks and punchily controlled sound carry the Yamaha SR-X50A so far - but it’s not as Atmos-y as is ideal, and music demonstrates it’s not a true all-rounder. But if you’re after wide, energetic and impactful movie sound, the Yamaha is a system with plenty to recommend it - and its standard of build and finish, along with its understated good looks, will win admirers too.
Reasons to buy+Wide, poised and quite dynamic sound+Expressive, disciplined subwoofer+Great standard of build and finish
Wide, poised and quite dynamic sound
Expressive, disciplined subwoofer
Great standard of build and finish
Not a lot of sonic height despite dedicated up-firing drivers
Underwhelming app and remote control
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Yamaha SR-X50A: Price & Availability
The Yamaha True X SRX-50A soundbar-plus-wireless-subwoofer combo is on sale now, and in the United Kingdom it will set you back £799 or thereabouts. In the United States it’s priced at $899. Meanwhile in Australia you’re looking at AU$1299 or so.
Yamaha SR-X50A review: Features & What’s New?
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
So the soundbar is fitted with a pair of 46x66mm full-range ‘racetrack’ drivers firing forwards from the very ends of the soundbar. Just inside them, but angled upwards to create the sonic height that’s basically the whole point of spatial audio soundtracks, are a pair of 52mm cones. Further inside still, and firing straight upwards, are a couple of 75mm bass drivers. Each pair of drivers gets 30 watts of power between them with which to do their thing.
Image1of5(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of5(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of5
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
This arrangement delivers a frequency response of 55Hz - 22kHz if the soundbar is being used alone. Once wirelessly paired with the subwoofer, that number shifts to 100Hz - 22kHz, with the subwoofer using its 160mm driver and 100 watts of power to reach down to 35Hz.
The connection between the subwoofer and the soundbar is wireless, but there are of course some physical connections on the rear of the soundbar. A pair of HDMI sockets, one of which iseARC-enabled, create a passthrough, and there’s an Ethernet socket in case your Wi-Fi isn’t up to the task. A digital optical input is handy for use with older TVs, and there’s also a USB-A slot that’s for updates only.
Yamaha SR-X50A review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Let’s deal with the first thing first: the lack of a dedicated centre channel doesn’t seem to hold the Yamaha SXR-X40A soundbar back in the slightest. No matter if the scene is purely dialogue, or if it’s a verbal exchange in the midst of a colossal fire-fight, the Yamaha projects and defines voices with complete positivity. Speech is detailed and distinct, and it sits securely at the front of a well-defined and expansive soundstage.
As well as being capable of creating a convincing facsimile of a centre channel, those full-range racetrack drivers serve up impressive width too. The Yamaha can spread sound far beyond its physical limitations, and can keep them organised and convincingly positioned at the same time. And there’s sufficient bite and shine at the top of the frequency range to make you forget there are no dedicated tweeters in this soundbar, too: when that glass shatters or those bullet-casings tumble to the floor, the SR-X40A’s treble response is never less than persuasive.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The soundbar’s overall tonality when dealing with movie soundtracks is nicely neutral, and it keeps detail levels up at an impressive level. The handover to the subwoofer is achieved without alarms, and the sub itself controls low-frequency impacts well. The world isn’t short of subwoofers that just grumble along in a monotone, but this is not one of them - the SR-X100A is observant where the attack of bass sounds is concerned, and offers worthwhile variation in bass information should it be required.
Yamaha SR-X50A review: Design & Usability
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
A company as pragmatic and level-headed as Yamaha is never going to get carried away where the design of its soundbars and/or subwoofers is concerned - and so the SR-X50A looks exactly as you’d expect. And it’s built and finished to the sort of standard you’d expect of Yamaha, too.
Each element of the ‘True X’ range is available in one of three finishes: black, carbon grey or light grey. The soundbar is a purposeful-yet-tidy 63 x 1015 x 112mm (HxWxD) - which makes it a very nice match, in terms of width, for one ofthe best 48in TVs, but won’t look underpowered beneath anything up to, say, 75in.
The subwoofer, meanwhile, is an equally manageable 407 x 187 x 409mm (HxWxD) - and, of course, the nature of its connectivity means you can position it pretty much anywhere it has access to mains power and remains within wireless range of the soundbar. Its forward-facing reflex port makes it a little more relaxed about positioning than it otherwise would be, too.
The acoustic cloth that covers the majority of the soundbar and the subwoofer’s driver looks and feels good, and is applied flawlessly. The rest of the subwoofer is fairly prosaic vinyl-wrapped MDF, but let’s be honest: you’re unlikely to want or need to touch it once you’ve got it positioned. The overall quality of finish is easily appropriate for the asking price, and Yamaha’s decision to use a sort of bronze/copper colour both for the soundbar’s physical controls and the discreet branding is a good one. The same colour is used for the labelling above the little row of lights that indicate exactly what the system is up to.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Control - up to a point - is available via the Yamaha Sound Bar Controller app that’s free foriOSandAndroid. It’s useful for accessing your Spotify, Tidal and QQ Music accounts, controlling volume and balancing subwoofer output against soundbar output, and selecting your sound mode (choose from ‘stereo’, ‘standard’, ‘movie’ or ‘game’). You can also switch the ‘bass extension’ and ‘clear voice’ options on or off. In truth it’s not the most logical app around, and not especially exciting to look at - but it’s got what you need, and that’s what’s most important.
All of these functions are duplicated on the system’s remote control handset. It’s made of hard, cheap-feeling plastic, goes without backlighting and could be more logically laid out - but it’s functional. It’s not unlike the control app inasmuch as it’s got everything you need, yet you’ve seen it done better.
Yamaha SR-X50A review: Verdict
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
If you’re after wide, energetic and impactful movie sound, the Yamaha SR-X50A is a system with plenty to recommend it - and its standard of build and finish, along with its understated good looks, will win admirers too.
Also consider
Samsung’s HW-Q800Bis very similar to the Yamaha SR-X50A in configuration (apart from the lack of centre channel, of course), creates good sonic width and has tremendous low-frequency presence - almost too much, in fact.
Today’s best Samsung HW-Q800B, Sonos Arc, Yamaha SR-X50A, Yamaha True X SR-X50A, Yamaha SR-X40A, Yamaha SR-X100A and Yamaha WS-X1A dealsSonos Arc$899$785.11ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung HW-Q800B, Sonos Arc, Yamaha SR-X50A, Yamaha True X SR-X50A, Yamaha SR-X40A, Yamaha SR-X100A and Yamaha WS-X1A dealsSonos Arc$899$785.11ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung HW-Q800B, Sonos Arc, Yamaha SR-X50A, Yamaha True X SR-X50A, Yamaha SR-X40A, Yamaha SR-X100A and Yamaha WS-X1A dealsSonos Arc$899$785.11ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung HW-Q800B, Sonos Arc, Yamaha SR-X50A, Yamaha True X SR-X50A, Yamaha SR-X40A, Yamaha SR-X100A and Yamaha WS-X1A deals
Sonos Arc$899$785.11ViewSee all prices
Sonos Arc$899$785.11ViewSee all prices
Sonos Arc$899$785.11ViewSee all prices
Sonos Arc
Sonos Arc
$899$785.11View
$899$785.11
$785.11
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
The new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is drop-top perfectionHave we already found the most beautiful car of 2025?
Have we already found the most beautiful car of 2025?
Amazon surprisingly removing one of the best ever sci-fi shows of all time from Prime VideoNot only was the show cancelled, it’s now being ditched from the streaming service
Not only was the show cancelled, it’s now being ditched from the streaming service
Campfire’s new premium buds put Nine Inch Nails into your earsCampfire’s cutting-edge IEMs are not something you can never have
Campfire’s cutting-edge IEMs are not something you can never have
