Yamaha YAS-207 is the world's first sound bar with DTS Virtual:X

The Yamaha YAS-207 is a budget sound bar and subwoofer combo that includes HDMI connectivity and DTS' latest surround processing.

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Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.

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Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.

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Ty Pendlebury

June 5, 2017 5:30 p.m. PT

2 min read

hero-yamaha-yas-207-sound-bar-with-dts-virtual-x — The Yamaha YAS-207 is an affordable sound bar and subwoofer coming in July.
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Yamaha has unveiled details of its newest sound bar , the YAS-207, which is the first to feature DTS' latest surround processing, called Virtual:X. It also offers a wireless subwoofer.

The YAS-207 is a more affordable replacement for the YAS-203 and includes a cosmetic upgrade as well as some more up-to-date features. For example, while the '203 lacked HDMI inputs, the update includes them and throws in compatibility for 4K HDR. It also includes Bluetooth streaming and a phone app.

The main sound bar is slimmer than before at 2.38 inches (60 mm) high. This means it's less likely to block your IR port -- no word on whether it incorporates an IR flasher though. Also included is a wireless, rectangular subwoofer.

As far as DTS Virtual:X is concerned, it aims to replicate the surround information from modern soundtracks without dedicated speakers. You can expect to see the technology in stereo sound bars such as the YAS-207 from the middle of 2017 onward.

I heard the YAS-207 in combination with DTS Virtual:X at a closed-door demo at CES earlier this year, and also with a more expensive Paradigm bar at a DTS event in April. Of the two, the Yamaha demo was more impressive, as it was using affordable equipment to simulate a fairly convincing surround effect.

In addition to DTS Virtual:X the sound bar includes Clear Voice processing, designed to make dialogue more understandable.

The Yamaha YAS-207 will be available in the US in July for $300, with Australian and UK pricing and availability yet to be announced. Expect UK pricing to be the same number, but in pounds, while Australians will likely pay around AU$600.