Yamaha SR-B20A vs Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SR-B20A vs Shockwafe Pro 7.1 comparison chart

Overall
Yamaha SR-B20A
3.8
Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1
7.8
4
4
Multichannel surround
6
10

Yamaha SR-B20A vs Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 review

Yamaha SR-B20A
vs
Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1

Comparison of Yamaha SR-B20A and Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 will allow us to get comprehensive information about the features of these two devices. And as a result of the comparison, it becomes clear that SR-B20A is inferior in all characteristics to Shockwafe Pro 7.1. According to the results of our comparison, SR-B20A received 3.8 points out of 10 possible, and Shockwafe Pro 7.1 was rated 7.8 points.

Advantages Yamaha SR-B20A over Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1

  • Has an integrated subwoofer

Advantages Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 over Yamaha SR-B20A

  • Comes with 2 separate speakers
  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Available the Amazon Music service
  • Stream music with Spotify
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support

Audio features

The SR-B20A is rated 5 of 10 against 8 for the Shockwafe Pro 7.1 according to the audio features rating.

SR-B20A
5
Shockwafe Pro 7.1
8

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 Shockwafe Pro 7.1.

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 Shockwafe Pro 7.1 has 7.1.4 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 Shockwafe Pro 7.1
Built-in channels2.17.1.4
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W100 (overall)600 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)02
Separate speaker connectionshas notwired

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 Shockwafe Pro 7.1 comes with an external subwoofer.

SR-B20A Shockwafe Pro 7.1
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswireless

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 Shockwafe Pro 7.1, in the same category, earned 10 out of 10 points.

SR-B20A
6
Shockwafe Pro 7.1
10

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. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.

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. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in Shockwafe Pro 7.1.

SR-B20A Shockwafe Pro 7.1
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIDolby Digital, Dolby Digital, Dolby TruHD
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS Digital Surround, DTS HD

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
Shockwafe Pro 7.1
9

None of the two models is not implemented AirPlay function. The popular Spotify service is available on the Shockwafe Pro 7.1.

SR-B20A Shockwafe Pro 7.1
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notPandora, SoundCloud

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 Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 was rated 8 out of 10.

SR-B20A
4
Shockwafe Pro 7.1
8

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 SR-B20A has 0/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the Shockwafe Pro 7.1 got 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.

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 Shockwafe Pro 7.1
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output0/13/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output2/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/01/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/01/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

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 Shockwafe Pro 7.1
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

SR-B20A Shockwafe Pro 7.1
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in91x5.3x13.1/35.7x2.2x5.2114.3 x 7.6 x 7.6/45.5 x 3 x 3.5
Weight, kg/pounds3.2/7.13.1/7.2
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