YAMAHA SR-B20A
A compact yet punchy, budget yet bold soundbar with big ambitions. This is a great addition to a mid-size TV
Got a mid-size screen and not much cash? This may be the soundbar for you
The Yamaha SR-B20A intends to offer a compact, high-achieving upgrade to your TV’s sound without hitting the wallet too hard. And it delivers.
It packs 120 watts of power, half of which is given over to the 75mm subwoofers. The remaining 60 watts is split between two 55mm mid-range drivers and two 25mm tweeters. When connected to a mid-range TV over HDMI, the Yamaha wastes little time in establishing just how much more full-bodied, expansive and detailed a listen it is compared to the average TV’s integrated sound system.
Put on a movie and your sonic experience goes up a notch. At the ‘standard’ EQ preset, there’s greater low-frequency presence, more detail through the midrange and a more substantial top end. Switch to the ‘movie’ preset and the sound gains greater width, although a little of its focus falls away at the same time. But that focus snaps back into place when using the ‘game’ setting. It’s a good match for the best gaming TVs, and makes a good alternative to the Panasonic Soundslayer.
Tonally, the Yamaha’s something of a mixed bag. Treble sounds have just enough bite to go along with their substance, while the midrange is naturalistic. At the bottom end, though, the SR-B20A is rather monotonic – punch and presence to spare, but not a great deal of differentiation on bass sounds. And make sure you avoid the ‘bass ext’ button, unless you want your TV sound to be swamped by bass. In the design stakes, ‘compact’ is the word we’d go with. It measures a tidy 35.9x5.1x2.1 inches, about the same width as a 43-inch TV, so you can use it happily from that size up to 55 inches. And the build quality and finish is every bit as good as you’d expect from Yamaha.
The SR-B20A can be used in two different orientations thanks to its driver layout. On its feet the subwoofers face upwards; on a wall they face forward. It’s most impressive with its ‘3D Surround’, serving up a sound that’s wider and taller than you’re expecting.
Physical connectivity runs to a single HDMI ARC output, a couple of digital optical sockets and a pre-out for an off-board subwoofer. There’s also Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
Control of the soundbar is via the small, slippy and pretty cheap-feeling remote control handset, or the well-realised Sound Bar Remote app. It’s here where input selection, volume control, subwoofer level and EQ presets can be dealt with. Also, on the handset is a big button marked ‘3D Surround’ (the soundbar features DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Audio and DTS Digital Surround, but no Dolby Atmos). Alternatively, there’s also a very brief display on the surface of the soundbar itself, which is functional rather than sensational.
Ultimately, the Yamaha SR-B20A offers a good deal of bang for not much buck. There’s a lot of competition for fine soundbars in this price range, but if budget price is what you’re looking for, put the SR-B20A on your shortlist.