Yamaha SR-B20A vs Sony HT-S40R

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SR-B20A vs HT-S40R comparison chart

Overall
Yamaha SR-B20A
3.8
Sony HT-S40R
5.2
4
4
Multichannel surround
6
8

Yamaha SR-B20A vs Sony HT-S40R review

Yamaha SR-B20A
vs
Sony HT-S40R

Let's compare Yamaha SR-B20A and Sony HT-S40R for an overview of all their audio functions. And according to the comparison results, we can see that HT-S40R is superior to SR-B20A in quality and number of functions. According to the results of our comparison, SR-B20A received 3.8 points out of 10 possible, and HT-S40R was rated 5.2 points.

Advantages Yamaha SR-B20A over Sony HT-S40R

  • Has an integrated subwoofer

Advantages Sony HT-S40R over Yamaha SR-B20A

  • Comes with 2 separate speakers
  • Separate subwoofer provided

Audio features

The SR-B20A is rated 5 of 10 against 7 for the HT-S40R according to the audio features rating.

SR-B20A
5
HT-S40R
7

It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the SR-B20A and the HT-S40R.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the SR-B20A has 2.1 channels, while the HT-S40R has 5.1 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Yamaha SR-B20A has 100 (overall) W, and 600 (overall) W has the competitor.

SR-B20A HT-S40R
Built-in channels2.15.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W100 (overall)600 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)02
Separate speaker connectionshas notwireless

Subwoofers

Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. A built-in subwoofer is only present in the SR-B20A. The HT-S40R comes with an external subwoofer.

SR-B20A HT-S40R
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswired

Multichannel surround

Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The SR-B20A received rating 6 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HT-S40R, in the same category, earned 8 out of 10 points.

SR-B20A
6
HT-S40R
8

The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. If we look at the models in terms of Dolby Atmos support, then none of these soundbars can work with this technology.

DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. This ability to reproduce surround sound with DTS:X technology is not implemented in any of the soundbars in this comparison.

SR-B20A HT-S40R
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIDolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono
DTS:X
DTS (other)

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.

SR-B20A
0
HT-S40R
0

None of the two models is not implemented AirPlay function. The popular Spotify service cannot be used on both soundbars.

SR-B20A HT-S40R
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas nothas not

Connectivity

The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Yamaha SR-B20A was rated 4 out of 10, and Sony HT-S40R was rated 7 out of 10.

SR-B20A
4
HT-S40R
7

The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Such connection as via Wi-Fi is not possible on any of the devices in comparison.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The competitors in this comparison has 0/1 HDMI inputs/outputs.

HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.

SR-B20A HT-S40R
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output0/10/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output2/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output01

Features

Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. In our case, the ability to control the soundbar using the app is not implemented in any of the competitors. None of these soundbars have a built-in microphone.

Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

SR-B20A HT-S40R
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

SR-B20A HT-S40R
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in91x5.3x13.1/35.7x2.2x5.290.1x5.3x7.6/35.5x2.1x3
Weight, kg/pounds3.2/7.11.8/4.1
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