12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
exactly what I was looking for, HDMI-CEC disappointing
Just received from Amazon today... My primary requirements were a low profile, black unobtrusive sound bar to go in the 3 inches of space I have under my wall mounted Panasonic TCP-65S1. Other options from Samsung and other manufacturers that fit my space requirement had fewer features, only 2.1 channels, and reviews indicating sound quality not quite up to snuff. It is...
Best Soundbar (for saving space), Just OK Sound
We bought (and returned) this Yamaha YHT-S400. In comparison, we also bought/returned these products:
- Samsung HT-C6500
- LG LHB335
- LG LHB535
- Sony E570
- Sony HT-CT150
We also listened to 6 other soundbars in the store.
If your PRIMARY goal is to save space and have HDMI inputs, the $500 Yamaha YHT-S400 delivers...
This review is from: Yamaha YHT-S400BL Front Surround Unique Home Theater Package (Black) (Electronics)
Just received from Amazon today... My primary requirements were a low profile, black unobtrusive sound bar to go in the 3 inches of space I have under my wall mounted Panasonic TCP-65S1. Other options from Samsung and other manufacturers that fit my space requirement had fewer features, only 2.1 channels, and reviews indicating sound quality not quite up to snuff. It is replacing a Yamaha YSP-800 that works fine but simply takes up too much space.
I understand there is some doubt out there about the sub combined with the receiver but so far it sounds fine.
In fact the whole setup sounds better than good... very crisp clean surround 7.1ch emulation, louder and better quality/separation than the 5ch YSP-800 it is replacing.
Time (and a bunch of Blu Ray movies) will tell, and I will update this review with further observations as I further evaluate the unit.
Very easy to install and setup, the setup menus are easy to use. I am not a huge picky audiophile so the minimal setup options are plenty for me... and if I were an audiophile I probably wouldn't be getting a soundbar.
I was curious to see how the HDMI-CEC would work with my VieraLink panny, and this was the one area I was disappointed... First off it loses the VieraLink "HD Theater sound control" setting when the TV turns off and back on. Secondly while the input button works to change inputs on the receiver, it doesn't change it to the right HDMI input to match the panny onscreen display. Not sure how much these are the panny's fault and how much the receiver.
On the plus side for controls, since my DVR control can turn the TV power off and on, using the HDMI inputs on the receiver instead of the TV does the trick... I control inputs and volume with the receiver control and am able to eliminate one control (the TV remote) from my coffee table. I know, I know, I should just get a universal/programmable remote but I haven't had good experiences with them, and two remotes is fine for me.
Since the HDMI-CEC wasn't a requirement for me and the HDMI input handling solves my needs, and everything else is great, I'll tip over the edge from four stars and make it five... since this is a subjective review and I am not rating it against higher end solutions, just $500 or lower sound bars.
Anyways, I hope this account helps anyone with similar needs considering this product.
UPDATE 2.11.2010
Still love it, happy with the sound quality but I really like the little remote... just enough buttons not too many, HDMI passthrough works well and let me ditch my TV remote. So the HDMI-CEC complaint is less now, the only reason I cared about that was to ditch a remote... mission accomplished.
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This review is from: Yamaha YHT-S400BL Front Surround Unique Home Theater Package (Black) (Electronics)
I was looking for a Home Theater in a box solution that is minimalist in appearance, without compromising on sound quality or available features. I tried the Bose 3-2-1 system and Cinemate speakers prior to this. I ended up returning both the products. For about $500 less, Yamaha delivers amazing sound quality in a very small footprint ! I highly recommend this product for apartment dwellers or someone who appreciates minimalism.
PROS:
- 3 HDMI Inputs + 1 Analog
- Solid Build Quality + Yamaha reputation
- One-of-a-kind receiver that has a built-in subwoofer
- Great price & fast shipping on amazon.com
CONS:
-The speaker bar sometimes blocks the infrared port on the TV, thereby making it difficult to use the TV remote.
(This is really not a con, as you can dismount the legs to lower the height or position the speaker appropriately)
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This review is from: Yamaha YHT-S400BL Front Surround Unique Home Theater Package (Black) (Electronics)
I was entirely ready to purchase the Sony HT-CT500 from Amazon when I decided to go into the local HHGregg to hear it first. When I went got there, I was very underwhelmed by the Sony system. I started to look around at other options in the $400 - $500 range and found the Yamaha YHT-S400. I saw it on the internet a few days earlier but was reluctant to pursue it due to lack of customer reviews. Once I saw the very sleek soundbar in person, and heard the exceptional sound quality customary with Yamaha products, I just had to have it.
Setup was a breeze on my Mitsubishi LT46244 Television. I connected my home theater PC and satellite box using HDMI. I left my Wii connected to the a component input on my television. Then, I came back out of my TV with a standard RCA audio patch cable so the Wii and Antenna sound could be routed to the receiver. Unfortunately, the unit does not have a digital coaxial audio input, as that is the only digital out on my television. I used the NET Command system built in to my television to control the power and source switching on the Yamaha receiver unit. Everything works great together with using only the remote from my television.
The sound quality is exactly what you would expect from Yamaha. The highs are very crisp and clean. The lows are nice and really add a punch to a good action sequence. The surround sound simulation is actually pretty good as well. I wasn't expecting much in this department so I was pleasantly surprised when it actually gave a sense of surround sound.
Pros:
Great Sound
Very Stylish (Wife loves the look)
Easy to setup
Small, non-intrusive visually
Cons:
Can't stack components on receiver due to integrated sub
No digital coaxial inputs
This is a great product. I would definitely buy it again.
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This review is from: Yamaha YHT-S400BL Front Surround Unique Home Theater Package (Black) (Electronics)
After waiting several weeks to receive this, I am very happy with it. First and foremost, the "bar" itself is very small...so much so, that when I took it out of the box I was convinced is was not going to have enough sound...luckily, this is NOT THE CASE.
In my 20x25 living room, the unit is plenty loud enough for TV, movies, and music....I'm very pleased with the sound as a stereo with the live stream Pandora function on my Samsung BD-C5500 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player. The sub works well, and the "surround effect" does exactly as it claims.
So, the Soundbar is currently hooked up to my Samsung UN55C6300 55-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV (Black) via optical cable.....just go into settings and change to "external speaker" and thats about it get all your cable, any hdmi hookups, etc to run out of the bar.......Long and short, setup is very easy and took me about 15 minutes....more time hiding cables than anything else.
If you are looking for a very easy, minimalistic. (ie, no speaker cables, etc) this is, in my opinion, the best option within the $500 range of soundbars.
Cool to note, the above noted samsung blue ray is small enough to slide underneath the soundbar with just a couple of centimeters clearance (when the legs are on the bar....) very cool look. I'll try to attach a photo that shows this....
Also, the unit looks really easy to wall mount, due to its suprisingly small size and the fact that the box comes with a cardboard template you just hold up against the whole to lineup your drill holes....looks really easy
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This review is from: Yamaha YHT-S400BL Front Surround Unique Home Theater Package (Black) (Electronics)
We bought (and returned) this Yamaha YHT-S400. In comparison, we also bought/returned these products:
- Samsung HT-C6500
- LG LHB335
- LG LHB535
- Sony E570
- Sony HT-CT150
We also listened to 6 other soundbars in the store.
If your PRIMARY goal is to save space and have HDMI inputs, the $500 Yamaha YHT-S400 delivers the best sound of the soundbars. You just have to be OK with the horizontal sub. If price is a concern, the $255 Sony HT-CT150 would be my second choice here.
If you don't need HDMI input and want internal Blu-Ray with streaming content (netflix, youtube, etc.), I recommend the $450 Sony E570 as the best option. Simply use your TV's HDMI inputs as your hub, and run the TV's optical out to the Sony, and you're set. If space is an issue, just run it 3.1 (don't hook up the rear speakers).
If you do want HDMI inputs, internal Blu-Ray and streaming content, I would suggest you do NOT get the $542 Samsung HT-C6500 or either of the low-end LGs. They have issues. Instead, assuming you have more vertical component space, I humbly recommend you get a decent HDMI receiver and grab the $135 Panasonic BD65 (Blu-Ray with streaming).
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This review is from: Yamaha YHT-S400BL Front Surround Unique Home Theater Package (Black) (Electronics)
Absolutely A Unique Experience. This Yamaha Soundbar exceeded my expectations with tremendous sound quality. Hook it up to a Blu-Ray player with great soundtracks like The Eagles and be prepared to be impressed. I did have to set-up the Sony Blu-Ray player by connecting it directly to my Samsung LCD and then once that was done it worked great through the HDMI on the amp/receiver/subwoofer. Very compact system with big sound and plenty of adjustments. You won't be disappointed.
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This review is from: Yamaha YHT-S400BL Front Surround Unique Home Theater Package (Black) (Electronics)
I shopped around a lot before deciding on the Yamaha YHT-S400BL. I looked at the Denon sound bar system, the Vizio sound bar system and the Boston Acoustic sound bar system with separate sub woofer. While I didn't hear all of these in person, I read extensive reviews. I decided to spend a little more money and go with this system, it sounds amazing. Sound separation is really high, and this tiny sound bar provides a deep immersive sound that is completely amazing. I've been very pleased, the simulated surround sound works great and I've been watching a lot more action movies lately just to experience the sound.
I highly recommend this if you want a quality sound option without all the speakers and wires around your living room. The thing goes very loud and provides great sound. The only thing I worry about it my neighbors getting upset with the noise. So far no complaints though.
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This review is from: Yamaha YHT-S400BL Front Surround Unique Home Theater Package (Black) (Electronics)
I just bought it, and I can tell you it sounds as good as the Bose Cinemate, except that is 100 bucks cheaper.
The Subwoofer also sounds terrific. The NFL channel , with Sports mode, sounds amazing.
it is a Good Deal.
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This review is from: Yamaha YHT-S400BL Front Surround Unique Home Theater Package (Black) (Electronics)
I wasted 4 hours yesterday trying to get this system to work properly with TiVo HD and a Samsung 8500 LCD TV. The worst issue is that every time you turn the TV off then back on, the Yamaha forces TiVo to switch video output mode to 720p, (should be either "native" or 1080p). With TiVo hooked up directly to the TV, there is never a problem. Searching the TiVo community forums, I found that other TiVo owners have had similar issues with Yamaha receivers.
The system also makes a clicking/ticking sound when changing channels or inputs.
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