Sound quality: Yamaha's SR-B30A has acceptable overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. In the Stereo sound mode with the bass extension set to off and the tone controls set to provide the most even tonal balance the bass has good impact and goes fairly deep but is a bit prominent and somewhat boomy. The midrange is fairly even, but is somewhat hazy and grainy. The treble is fairly extended, but is somewhat sizzly and a bit dry. This model only does a so-so job of recovering room ambience and the overall sound is somewhat congested. With stereo program material the two channel sound field extends somewhat above and a bit to the sides of the speaker array, and lacks depth. With multi-channel Dolby Digital material played in the Movie sound mode the sound field is wider and taller than with stereo program material. When playing Dolby Atmos material in the Movie mode the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; audio imaging can extend up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead depending on the program material, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. The other sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance regardless of the program material being played. There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth inputs. Dolby Atmos program material can only be played when the soundbar is used with a TV that has a HDMI ARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+, or a HDMI eARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ or Dolby Digital TrueHD.
TV ease of use: Very good overall.
Features ease of use: Very good overall.
