Find more product details here: https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/audio_visual/sound_bar/sr-…
The reviews online look good! I was searching for a soundbar and suddenly spotted this deal at midnight when Prime Day started so I pulled the trigger. Guess one can't go wrong at this price, hopefully. RRP is $499.
CamelCamelCamel.
I got the YAS-109 too but sometimes I miss the aux cable connection, otherwise happy. Wondering if this is worthy upgrade.
Hmm, lots of similar specs for sound and performance. Main differences are 2x 5.5cm drivers on the YAS, 4x4.6cm drivers on the SR-B30A (tweeter array & "subwoofers" are the same for both), SR-B30A has eARC (YAS only has ARC), SR-B30A now has Atmos processing (although wouldn't be able to produce a true Atmos effect), SR-B30A does NOT have wireless music streaming or WiFi (YAS does have WiFi & streaming), but both have Bluetooth.
Honestly, unless you really need the updated eARC or Atmos processing, your older YAS is pretty damned close to the new one, and doesn't cost you anything (except power)!
Edit - And I should say, for anyone who needs a basic soundbar, the SR-B30A seems pretty decent, and my very brief listening test is along the lines of "yeah, that's a soundbar without a real sub, definitely sounds better than 95% of TV speakers". Plus, it has a line out for a powered sub, so you could get a deal on a NS-SW050 or NS-SW100 to round out the system, or another brand like Earthquake, Polk, or even a second hand SVS (although those are more likely to push you to spending more on a better/bigger soundbar).
Thanks. Very helpful. Which one would be a better soundbar in your opinion? Referring to the last line in your comment.
It's almost a "how long is a piece of string" style question, because it's all about the features, budget, and design that you need. Soundbars aren't my favourite type of "better than TV sound" package, either, as I'd rather have a good pair of active or self-powered speakers, or opt for the full in-wall system instead. A soundbar's physical size is its biggest limitation to sound good, but I understand completely why people prefer the look of a bar.
I have never found a soundbar that has the kind of rich, detailed bass that I prefer, so none of the ones below are perfect, just a decent step up from the entry-level Yamaha.
For around the same money as the Yamaha, you can get the Polk Signa S2 which comes with a wireless subwoofer. Sound is similar to the Yamaha, maybe slightly better overall, but I quite like the "VoiceAdjust" tech that attempts to clarify speech and make it more understandable. Great for those with a slight hearing issue, but also for those movies & TV shows with crowded audio channels.
If you jump to the $700-1000 range, and just want something simple that sounds good, then the Sony HT-S2000 is a beast. It makes a reasonable effort of producing Atmos sound too, but only in smaller spaces.
If you're already into the Sonos/HEOS/Bluesound/BluOS or similar ecosystem, just buy the appropriate soundbar from their range for your budget. They're all decent enough, and you pay only a slight premium for the brand & integration.
Between $1k and $2k you're in the "wireless surround" range, and most of the options from Samsung, Sony, LG, and so on are fine. There are some benefits in keeping with the same brand as your TV (often unified controls or using HDMI-CEC more effectively), so just look for a deal. The Samsung HW-Q990D is a decent one.
Beyond that, you're in the realm where cutting holes, running in-wall speakers, and so on would be a better value option. But hey, if you have to have a soundbar, then I have two that are geniunely amazing. Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar (discontinued, but worth it if you find one 2nd hand or on clearance at a dealer) particularly when coupled with the Foundation Bass was a beautiful sounding, and your-mileage-may-vary stylish option. And the other is the $4k Sennheiser Ambeo Max soundbar. This is the only example where you may not want a sub, with true performance down into the 30-40Hz range. It's not the best-looking soundbar, but it sounds fantastic for what it is.
Judging by the reviews on Reddit, the Dolby Atmos on these bars has been received poorly.
Tried to order a SR-B40A to multiple addresses (Perth, Brisbane) even Amazon locker addresses. Said it can't be shipped to the address you selected. Help guy said it's coming from further away than usual and to explore other options :'(
It's likely too long to fit in an Amazon locker.
Same issue here… Need to replace my dead soundbar!
sr-b40a would be a better option considering the price difference is miniscule
No space for that extra speaker.
does it include the optical cable or Arc HDMI or whichever is better??
I don't know what's better but it does include an HDMI cable, which doesn't look any different, so I am not sure if Arc HDMI cable is supposed to be different from standard HDMI one. There's a dedicated eArc HDMI port in tv though is supposed to be connected with the soundbar through this cable.
So no optical cable in the box?
No.. not needed.
same price at Costco all the time.
Costco model is SRB30AB which is a bit older. I am not sure what exact differences are though.
![[Prime] Yamaha SR-B30A Sound Bar with Virtual Dolby Atmos, Built-in Subwoofers $349 Delivered @ Amazon AU](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/14/914114.jpg?h=9b1960cf)
I have a Yamaha Yas-109 that, wonder if it's time for an upgrade. It has served me well for $100