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Yamaha YAS-408 vs JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Yamaha YAS-408
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:51 PM
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Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
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Channels2.1
Channels5.1
Variants
- YAS-408BL
- Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
Our Verdict
Yamaha YAS-408
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Yamaha YAS-408 or the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Yamaha is a 2.1 setup with a better soundstage. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume. However, the 5.1 JBL is better built, with better surround and center performances. It comes with room correction and Chromecast built-in support, unlike the Yamaha.
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Standard
YAS-408BL
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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YAS-408BL
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Finding storeBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Finding storeStandard
YAS-408BL
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Finding storeBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Finding storeStandard
YAS-408BL
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Finding storeBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Finding storeStandard
YAS-408BL
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Finding storeBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Finding storeNotice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.2
6.9
Audio Format Support - ARC
7.1
3.1
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
38.6" (98.0 cm)
40.0" (101.6 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
4.1" (10.3 cm)
3.9" (9.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.1" (18.1 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Height
16.5" (41.8 cm)
17.3" (44.0 cm)
Depth
15.7" (40.0 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.5
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.0
7.8
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Stereo
Standard
Slope
-0.09
-0.89
Std. Err.
2.35 dB
3.56 dB
Channels
2.1
5.1
Low-Frequency Extension
38.9 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
17.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.0
7.8
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Stereo
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.09
-0.89
Std. Err.
2.35 dB
3.56 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
38.9 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
17.7 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
6.5
Crosstalk Error
1.61 dB
2.92 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.8
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.8 dB SPL
94.9 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.15 dB
3.44 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
6.7
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.50
0.26
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
7.88
1.18
Center
7.1
8.1
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Discrete
Slope
-0.14
-0.44
Std. Err.
2.32 dB
3.76 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
95.8 dB SPL
92.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.49
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
7.86
0.98
Surround 5.1
4.6
6.0
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.14
-0.92
Std. Err.
2.32 dB
3.54 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
95.7 dB SPL
94.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.48
0.24
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
7.88
1.16
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Not Supported
Slope
N/A
N/A
Std. Err.
N/A
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
3.8
5.6
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
No
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
No
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
ARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
7.1
3.1
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Incorrect Implementation
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Incorrect Implementation
Dolby TrueHD
No
Not Supported
DTS
Yes
Not Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
8.3
2.6
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Incorrect Implementation
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Not Supported
DTS
Yes
Not Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
4.3
Dolby Digital
Yes
Incorrect Implementation
DTS
Yes
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
8.8
7.2
Latency Video
ARC
42 ms
121 ms
Optical
30 ms
98 ms
Full HDMI In
38 ms
-14 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
7.8
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
Yes
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
Yamaha MusicCast Controller
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
Some
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Standby
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Standard
YAS-408BL
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Finding storeBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Finding storeStandard
YAS-408BL
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Finding storeBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Finding storeStandard
YAS-408BL
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Finding storeBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Finding storeStandard
YAS-408BL
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Finding storeBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Finding storeStandard
YAS-408BL
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Finding storeBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Yamaha YAS-408
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
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Yamaha YAS-408 vs JBL Bar 5.1 Surround: Main Discussion
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