OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

Yamaha SR-C20A Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£200N. of audio channels:2.1Audio output power:100 WHDMI ARC type:ARC

Yamaha SR-C20A Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 3 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Yamaha SR-C20A
5.7/10

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 60% of models
Score components

95%

5.6

Technical score

5%

7.3

Reviews score ( 0 · 3)

Reviews score 5% · 7.3 · based on 3 videos
3 videos count as 1.3 of the 2 needed; the rest counts as 7/10. Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%. A video or a short review counts less than a full test.
▲Better than 60% of soundbars
6.8

Value for money

Value for money
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 51% of models
Score components

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

▲Better than 51%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 60% of models
Score components

25%

4.8

Audio

18%

4.8

Formats

16%

6.1

Connectivity

14%

7.7

Controls

12%

5.9

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

7.2

Design

▲Better than 60%
7.3

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 84% of models
Grades by review (3)
3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Share in the overall score: 5%, the same for every model in this category.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 84%
  • yamaha-sr-c20a
  • yamaha-sr-c20a
  • yamaha-sr-c20a
  • yamaha-sr-c20a
yamaha-sr-c20a
yamaha-sr-c20a
yamaha-sr-c20a
yamaha-sr-c20a
Where to buy
    N/A~ £200
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Soundbars model ranking

Ranked #126 of 189 models in Soundbars (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of soundbar Yamaha SR-C20A

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 60% of models
Score components:

25%

4.8

Audio

18%

4.8

Formats

16%

6.1

Connectivity

14%

7.7

Controls

12%

5.9

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

7.2

Design

5.6
Reviews score
7.3
Value for money
Value for money
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 51% of models
Score components:

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

6.8
Brand name
Yamaha
N. of audio channels
2.1
This soundbar offers 2.1 audio channels, more than 56.9% of soundbars and equal to 19.2% of soundbars.
Audio output power
100 W
Market range: <10 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 100 W of audio output power, more than 62.6% of soundbars and equal to 5.8% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
65 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 65 Hz, higher than 73.3% of soundbars and equal to 1.7% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 20.7% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 17.6% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 32.5% of soundbars and equal to 67.6% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 31.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
5
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 5, which is newer than that of 38.9% of soundbars and the same as that of 47.6% of soundbars.
Show more
Smartphone app
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 65.4% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 26.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 9.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 31.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
eARC
This soundbar uses HDMI eARC, which is newer than that of 73.9% of soundbars and the same as that of 17% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
ARC
This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 31.9% of soundbars and the same as what 46.3% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 37.4% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none, which is lower than that of 21.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 78.5% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 18.2% of soundbars and equal to 81.8% of soundbars.
Show more
AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 20.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 23.4% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 21.3% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
600 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 600 mm wide, narrower than 66% of soundbars and equal to 2.1% of soundbars.
Height
64 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 64 mm high, shorter than 59.4% of soundbars and equal to 7% of soundbars.
Thickness
102 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 102 mm thick, thicker than 67.9% of soundbars and equal to 1.6% of soundbars.
Weight
1,800 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 1,800 g, less than 58% of soundbars and equal to 2.7% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar uses plastic for the build material, which is different from that of 4.8% of soundbars and the same as that of 89.4% of soundbars.
Fabric-wrapped exterior.
Show more

Yamaha SR-C20A vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • Bluetooth multipoint
    This soundbar supports Bluetooth multipoint, the average soundbar does not.
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (2.1 vs 2). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
    2.1 vs 2.0
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 1 more supported Bluetooth codecs
    This soundbar supports more Bluetooth codecs than the average soundbar (2 vs 1). The average soundbar supports 1 Bluetooth codecs.
    sbc, aac
    2 vs 1
  • 2,000 Hz higher max frequency
    This soundbar has a higher maximum frequency than the average soundbar (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average soundbar has a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (2.1 vs 2). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
    2.1 vs 2.0
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 2,000 Hz higher max frequency
    This soundbar has a higher maximum frequency than the average soundbar (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average soundbar has a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 42.9% more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (100 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    100 W vs 70 W
  • 1 more supported Bluetooth codecs
    This soundbar supports more Bluetooth codecs than the average soundbar (2 vs 1). The average soundbar supports 1 Bluetooth codecs.
    sbc, aac
    2 vs 1
  • AAC support
    This soundbar supports AAC, the average soundbar does not.
  • Bluetooth multipoint
    This soundbar supports Bluetooth multipoint, the average soundbar does not.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • 162 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (600 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    600 mm vs 762 mm
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    No (USB port is for service/firmware updates only) If you'd like to explore other compact soundbars that do support direct USB audio playback, I can look into m
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    no (USB port is for firmware updates only)
  • 1 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    3 vs 4
  • 2 fewer supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports fewer audio formats than the average soundbar (0 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    0 vs 2
  • 16 mm thicker design
    This soundbar is thicker than the average soundbar (102 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    102 mm vs 86 mm
  • 4.29x less popular
    Yamaha SR-C20A is less popular than the average soundbar (1 vs 4.3).
    1 vs 4.29
  • 13 Hz higher min frequency
    This soundbar has a higher minimum frequency than the average soundbar (65 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    65 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • 4.29x less popular
    Yamaha SR-C20A is less popular than the average soundbar (1 vs 4.3).
    1 vs 4.29
  • 2.11x more expensive
    Yamaha SR-C20A is more expensive than the average soundbar (£200 vs £95).
    £200 vs £95
  • 1 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    3 vs 4
  • 13 Hz higher min frequency
    This soundbar has a higher minimum frequency than the average soundbar (65 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    65 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • 2 fewer supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports fewer audio formats than the average soundbar (0 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    0 vs 2
  • Limited music format support
    This soundbar supports fewer music formats than the average soundbar (none vs MP3).
    none vs MP3
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    No (USB port is for service/firmware updates only) If you'd like to explore other compact soundbars that do support direct USB audio playback, I can look into m
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    no (USB port is for firmware updates only)
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC
  • 16 mm thicker design
    This soundbar is thicker than the average soundbar (102 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    102 mm vs 86 mm
  • 1 years older release
    This soundbar is older than the average soundbar (2020 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    August 19, 2020
    2,020 vs 2,021

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

5.0
TotallydubbedHD
≈ estimated
15/08/2021
Full review · sound tests and rival comparison
Verdict
Yamaha SR-C20A delivers decent sound for its size, but is hard to justify at its price against stronger rivals.
9.0
CampingFamily
≈ estimated
09/07/2021
Installation · wall mounting and Bluetooth setup
Verdict
Yamaha SR-C20A is clearly better than TV speakers and a good pick for a compact soundbar.
Shop video
Not graded
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

playsense.nl
11/09/2021
Not graded yet

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Yamaha SR-C20A

  • Very compact 2.1 form factor that is easy to place in tight spaces
  • Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, optical and AUX give it flexible everyday connectivity
  • Dialogue enhancement, night mode and a remote help casual TV listening

What customers don't like about Yamaha SR-C20A

  • No subwoofer, Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
  • No HDMI input, USB audio, Wi‑Fi or streaming platform
  • Designed for convenience and size rather than bigger-room power

Verdict

The Yamaha SR-C20A is an ultra-compact 2.1-channel soundbar measuring 600 x 64 x 94 mm and weighing 1.8 kg, designed for small TVs or desktop gaming setups. It features 100W of total output power, driven by two 4.6 cm full-range drivers and a built-in 7.5 cm subwoofer with dual passive radiators. Key characteristics include Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, HDMI ARC, dual optical inputs, and support for Dolby Audio with four sound modes (Stereo, Standard, Movie, Game). Main pros are its space-saving design, Clear Voice technology for enhanced dialogue, and simple app-based control; however, it lacks Wi-Fi, does not include a dedicated subwoofer output for expansion, and may experience slight distortion at maximum volume levels.

Compare Yamaha SR-C20A with other soundbars

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of Yamaha SR-C20A and other soundbars

No results found