The new Yamaha True X Surround 90A soundbar is an interesting case study for a category that is currently undergoing a reset. Designed and promoted clearly as a flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar for movies, music, and games, the new design also evolves towards the overall concept for the living room, where soundbars now become the core of a streaming entertainment hub, supporting other wireless speakers and even multiroom systems.
The other critical trend is how soundbars are being redesigned to combine new levels of audio performance and features with ease of use. As consumers are increasingly frustrated with the lack of interoperability and struggling to set up and establish correct operation from all the connected sources and formats, manufacturers are trying to create systems that deliver maximum impact without forcing consumers to understand all the possible formats and configurations.
The Yamaha 90A is powered by Yamaha-developed technologies, featuring newly developed front-channel speakers, proprietary sound beam height speakers, and the exclusive Surround:AI mode for real-time spatial sound optimization, as well as MusicCast streaming, multiroom audio, and app control. As Yamaha emphasizes, the 90A is also the world's first soundbar to support Auro-3D - not because the immersive audio format is popular or even recognized by consumers, but because of the added possibilities it offers to expand up-mixing from stereo content directly to rich, 3D soundfields.
According to Rudy Van Duppen, CEO of Goer Dynamics (part of the Goertek Group) the 90A features Auro-Scene, Auro-3D's advanced speaker-virtualization engine, plus the Auro-Matic upmixer, both enabled as default settings. "This flagship soundbar line from Yamaha showcases AURO's ability to bring its latest and most advanced immersive audio technology to the premium soundbar category — raising the standard well beyond typical "3D sound" claims. This launch marks the beginning of Auro-3D's expansion into more high-performance soundbars and smart speakers, making truly immersive audio more accessible to a broader audience."
As Yamaha recognizes, when most of the content is originated and available in Dolby Atmos, abruptly changing to anything else can be frustrating for the majority of consumers who have no interest in learning about formats and spend time configuring their systems. This requires making sure that the system offers the best possible experience with any type of content, making sure that sounds emanate from connected speakers and deliver maximum impact, independently of the source.
While other high-end soundbars accept a bulky enclosure in pursuit of audio performance, the 90A tries to strike a balance, achieving clear, dynamic, and spacious sound from a slim format that can be placed on a stand in front of most TVs without blocking the screen, or can be elegantly wall-mounted under a TV without adding unsightly visual mass. It stands a mere 3.3” tall, 2.8” when wall-mounted.
Achieving this feat required the development of new, eye-shaped front left/center/right full-range speaker drivers. By refining the driver structure and magnetic circuitry, Yamaha addressed issues such as cone strength and high-frequency clarity. The drivers deliver rich midrange tones and powerful volume with fewer units, reducing acoustic interference. The result: high-fidelity sound from a low-profile bar enclosure.
Taking Height Channels to New Heights
Over 20 years ago, Yamaha revolutionized home theater with the YSP-1 soundbar and has been refining its unique sound beam technology ever since. In this latest model, Yamaha used twelve high-performance amplifier channels (six on each side) with ultra-precise beam speakers that are DSP-controlled to create height channel effects that surpass traditional height speaker approaches. As a result, the 90A provides a realistic soundfield for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro-3D playback.
Unlike most wireless surround speakers, the two units included with the 90A are truly portable — they can operate on wired power or from their built-in rechargeable batteries — and they can switch from Surround to Solo mode at the push of a button, transforming them into standalone Bluetooth speakers that users can take anywhere.
The included wireless subwoofer uses a new Yamaha-exclusive Symmetrical Flare Port technology, developed through detailed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements, to deliver powerful, deeply resonant bass. The symmetrical horizontal and vertical port design ensures a smooth release of airflow during bass playback. As a result, port noise is reduced by 20dB compared to standard models, leading to pure and powerful bass reproduction.
In addition to supporting Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and AURO-3D, the 90A supports Yamaha Surround:AI, an intelligent optimization mode that analyzes audio content in real-time (five times per second) to enhance key elements such as dialogue, music, ambient sounds, and effects. This dynamic optimization is powered by the same high-performance Qualcomm processor used in Yamaha flagship AVENTAGE AV receivers.
The 90A features MusicCast, Yamaha's powerful platform that supports a suite of wireless technologies — including Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect, and Bluetooth — and supports streaming numerous music services — including Spotify, Apple Music (via AirPlay), Amazon Music HD, TIDAL, Qobuz, Pandora, SiriusXM, Deezer, Internet Radio, and more — all controlled from a free, easy-to-use app. The 90A can be linked with other MusicCast devices for whole-home audio streaming.
The Yamaha True X Surround 90A is launching in September 2025 and retails at $3,499.95 MSRP.
www.yamaha.com
