Yamaha SR-B40A
Entry-level Dolby Atmos soundbar with wireless subwoofer at 399 USD. Solid feature set (eARC, Atmos decoding, tone controls) but virtual height with no up-firing drivers, no DTS, and dialogue that can sound flat at times.
Overview
The Yamaha SR-B40A is a 2.1-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar with a wireless subwoofer released in 2023 [7]. The bar measures 910 × 68 × 133 mm (W×H×D) and uses four 1.8-inch cones and two 1-inch dome tweeters; the wireless sub packs a 6.25-inch driver [1][2]. Amplification is rated at 200 W total (50 W ×2 to L/R, 100 W to sub) [2]. HDMI connectivity is a single eARC/ARC output (no HDMI inputs) plus an optical input; Bluetooth 5.1 (SBC/AAC) is supported [1][2]. Yamaha’s Sound Bar Remote app provides basic EQ/tone controls and sound-mode selection [5]. This model targets affordable “Atmos” playback without separate surrounds.
Scientific Validity
\[\Large \text{0.6}\]Independent lab measurements specific to SR-B40A remain scarce. Manufacturer documentation specifies driver pass-bands (woofer 33–210 Hz, mid 210 Hz–22 kHz, tweeter 9 kHz–22 kHz), giving overall acoustic coverage of 33 Hz–22 kHz (spec data; not a flat FR claim) [1]. The bar supports lossless Dolby TrueHD/Atmos over eARC; with optical, it falls back to Dolby Digital only [3]. In hands-on testing, Tom’s Guide measured maximum loudness “around 95 dB,” and repeatedly noted that voices “can sound flat,” consistent with virtual-center limitations [4]. Absent third-party FR/THD distortion curves or crosstalk metrics, this score is provisional and based on manufacturer specs plus limited third-party observations.
Technology Level
\[\Large \text{0.6}\]SR-B40A implements Atmos via virtual surround processing (no up-firing height drivers) [2][4]. eARC handles Dolby TrueHD/Atmos bitstreams; DTS formats are not supported, narrowing compatibility versus rivals [2][3]. Bluetooth 5.1 with SBC/AAC and four sound modes (Stereo/Standard/Movie/Game) are present, and the companion app enables tone controls [2][5]. There’s no room auto-calibration or multi-mic tuning. Overall the platform is competent but conventional.
Cost-Performance
\[\Large \text{0.8}\]Comparator (cheapest equal-or-better): Samsung HW-Q600C (true 3.1.2 with up-firing height drivers, wireless sub, HDMI eARC, Atmos/TrueHD) listed at 329.99 USD on Samsung’s US store as of Aug 22, 2025 [6]. Third-party testing shows the Q600C’s height performance and low-bass output are strong for the class [8]. It thus qualifies as equal-or-better in user-visible functions and measured performance.
Calculation: 329.99 USD ÷ 399 USD = 0.827 → 0.8 (rounded to nearest 0.1).
Given the SR-B40A’s virtual Atmos and lack of DTS, its price competitiveness is fair but not class-leading.
Reliability & Support
\[\Large \text{0.5}\]Multiple US retailers state a 2-year limited manufacturer warranty for the SR-B40A [9]. Yamaha provides firmware/support pages, but this model’s feature set is mostly fixed-function (minimal update dependency) [2]. No widespread reliability issues are documented in credible sources as of this writing. Score reflects typical consumer-audio reliability with standard coverage.
Rationality of Design Philosophy
\[\Large \text{0.3}\]Prioritizing an “Atmos” label via virtualization (no up-firing units), omitting DTS decoding, and forgoing room auto-calibration limits measurable gains in spatial fidelity. The design optimizes simplicity and cost rather than transparency-level performance.
Advice
Choose the SR-B40A if you want simple setup, big bass, and basic Atmos playback via virtualization under 400 USD. If you specifically want convincing height effects and clearer dialog at similar or lower spend, the Samsung HW-Q600C (true 3.1.2 with up-firing) is the stronger value today [6][8]. If you stay with the SR-B40A, use eARC (not optical) for Atmos, enable/adjust Clear Voice sparingly, and fine-tune tone/sub levels in the app for dialogue-heavy content [3][5].
References
[1] Yamaha, SR-B40A User Guide (specifications, driver bands, I/O), https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/8/1624438/web_AV23-0002_SR-B40A_ug_UABGRIN_En_B0.pdf , published 11/2023 (accessed 2025-08-22).
[2] Yamaha USA, SR-B40A – Specs, https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/sound_bar/sr-b40a/specs.html (accessed 2025-08-22).
[3] Yamaha, Supported digital audio via eARC/ARC/Optical (in User Guide), see [1].
[4] Tom’s Guide, “Yamaha SR-B40A soundbar review”, https://www.tomsguide.com/audio/soundbars/yamaha-sr-b40a-soundbar , published Mar 28, 2024 (accessed 2025-08-22).
[5] Yamaha, SR-B40A Quick Guide (Sound Bar Remote app tone controls), https://jp.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/7/2142717/web_VGM6710_SR-B40A_qg_ABRIN_En_A0.pdf (accessed 2025-08-22).
[6] Samsung USA, HW-Q600C product page & price, https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/home-theater/sound-bars/q-series-3-1-2-ch-dolby-atmos-soundbar-w-q-symphony-hw-q600c-2023-hw-q600c-za/ (accessed 2025-08-22).
[7] Yamaha Japan, Press Release (SR-B40A/SR-B30A), https://www.yamaha.com/ja/news_release/2023/23072002/ (accessed 2025-08-22).
[8] RTINGS, Samsung HW-Q600C/Q60CC Review (measured performance), https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/samsung/hw-q600c-q60cc (accessed 2025-08-22).
[9] B&H Photo, SR-B40A listing (2-Year Manufacturer Warranty), https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1778562-REG/yamaha_sr_b40abl_sr_b40a_sound_bar_with.html (accessed 2025-08-22).
(2025.8.22)