Let's take a look at the comparison between Denon HEOS BAR and Yamaha YAS-108. It will become clear that among these two devices, the HEOS BAR is more suitable for the role of a home soundbar. According to the results of our comparison, HEOS BAR received 7 points out of 10 possible, and YAS-108 was rated 6.2 points.
The HEOS BAR is rated 6 of 10 against 7 for the YAS-108 according to the audio features rating.
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 HEOS BAR and the YAS-108.
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 HEOS BAR has 3.0 channels, while the YAS-108 has 2.0 channels.
HEOS BAR | YAS-108 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in channels | 3.0 | 2.0 |
Amplification type | active | active |
Output power, W | N/A | 120 |
Separate speaker (in package) | 0 | 0 |
Separate speaker connections | wireless | wired, wireless |
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 YAS-108. Both are not equipped with an external subwoofer. Denon HEOS BAR has the ability to handle wireless connections from an external subwoofer, while Yamaha YAS-108 only has wired and wireless connections.
HEOS BAR | YAS-108 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in subwoofer | ✖ | ✔ |
Separate subwoofer (in package) | ✖ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer connections | wireless | wired, wireless |
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 multichannel sound reproduction capabilities of the soundbars were rated 5 out of 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. 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.
HEOS BAR | YAS-108 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | has not | Dolby Digital |
DTS:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS HD | DTS Digital Surround, DTS Virtual:X |
The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. For the ability to work with streaming services, the HEOS BAR received 7 points, and the YAS-108 - 4 on a 10-point scale.
None of the two models is not implemented AirPlay function. The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.
HEOS BAR | YAS-108 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | ✖ |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Pandora, Deezer, TIDAL, Napster, SiriusXM, iHeart | has not |
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. Connectivity of competitors was rated 7 out of 10.
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 HEOS BAR has 4/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the YAS-108 got 1/1 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.
HEOS BAR | YAS-108 | |
---|---|---|
WI-FI | ✖ | ✖ |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 0 |
NFC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI input/output | 4/1 | 1/1 |
HDMI ARC | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Optical digital input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Coaxial digital input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Analog audio input/output (RCA) | 1/0 | 1/0 |
Headphone output | 0 | 0 |
Subwoofer output | 0 | 1 |
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. The ability to control the soundbar using the application is implemented in each of the competitors. Both 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. The HEOS BAR has the ability to use a multiroom system.
HEOS BAR | YAS-108 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa |
App control | ✔ | ✔ |
Microphone | ✔ | ✔ |
Remote control | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room | ✔ | ✖ |
HEOS BAR | YAS-108 | |
---|---|---|
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in | 109.8 x 7.1 x 14.7/43.3 x 2.8 x 5.8 | 88.9 x 5.3 x 12.9/35 x 2.1 x 5.1 |
Weight, kg/pounds | 4.8/10.5 | 3.1/7.1 |