TechRadar Verdict
The Yamaha True X Surround 90A offers extremely impressive audio performance, delivering exceptional power, precision, and detail for both movies and music. While its sound and design are premium, the system carries a high price tag that exceeds many competitors. Mixed speech performance and sometimes underwhelming rear speakers mean the Surround 90A struggles to fully justify its cost. It is an impressive soundbar, but certain aspects prevent it from achieving perfection.
- +
Superb power and detail
- +
Accurate and precise sound mapping
- +
Very good musical performance
- –
Pricey
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Mixed speech performance
- –
Rear speakers can be overshadowed
Yamaha True X Surround 90A Review: Two-Minute Summary
The Yamaha True X Surround 90A is a 5.1.2-channel soundbar system entering a competitive market dominated by brands like Samsung, JBL, and Sonos. Despite its impressive capabilities, its price and a few minor drawbacks prevent it from surpassing the top soundbars.
The Surround 90A includes features such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro-3D support, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for music streaming, and several sound modes. While it offers a solid range of connections, the absence of 4K at 120Hz support for its HDMI passthrough is a notable omission at this price point.
Overall sound performance is excellent, delivering remarkable power and detail. Surround effects are rendered with clarity, and sound is mapped with precise accuracy. For music, it provides a wide soundstage with ample clarity and balance. However, speech, though generally good, can occasionally be indistinct, and the compact rear speakers may struggle to keep up with the powerful main soundbar and subwoofer. Nevertheless, the performance is largely impressive.
The Surround 90A presents a premium aesthetic, featuring a metal finish and fabric grille that contribute to its high-end feel. It is quite heavy, reflecting its robust construction. The subwoofer performs effectively, but its size is considerable; a more compact design, similar to Samsung’s HW-Q990F, would have been beneficial. The rear speakers feel premium, but a larger, more capable pair would have been preferable.
Initial setup of the Surround 90A can be somewhat complex. Pairing the rear speakers and configuring HDMI settings can be more cumbersome compared to the seamless setup processes offered by Samsung or JBL. Once configured, however, controlling the Surround 90A and adjusting settings is straightforward and responsive.
The most significant drawback of the Surround 90A is its price. At $3,499 for the complete system, or $2,799 for just the soundbar and subwoofer, it is considerably more expensive than competing soundbars such as the Samsung HW-Q990F, JBL 1300Mk2, or even a comprehensive Sonos system comprising a Sonos Arc Ultra, Sonos Sub 4, and two Sonos Era 100 speakers. While its performance may surpass some of these alternatives, the difference is not substantial enough to warrant the significant price disparity.
Yamaha True X Surround 90A Review: Prices & Release Date
The Yamaha True X Surround 90A, released in November 2025, serves as the brand’s flagship soundbar surround system for that year. In the US, the full system, including optional rear speakers, is priced at $3,499. A version with just the soundbar and subwoofer is available for $2,799.
In the UK, it is available for £2,199, though availability is highly restricted, reportedly only through a single physical retail store. Since its launch, prices have remained consistent, positioning this system firmly at the premium end of the soundbar market.
Yamaha True X Surround 90A Review: Specs
The Yamaha True X Surround 90A system includes:
- Soundbar Dimensions: 1180 x 85 x 143mm (46.4 x 3.3 x 5.6in)
- Subwoofer Dimensions: 241 x 378 x 414 mm (9.4 x 14.8 x 16.2in)
- Rear Speakers Dimensions: 88 x 220 x 88 (3.4 x 8.6 x 3.4in)
- Speaker Channels: 5.1.2
- Connections: 1x HDMI eARC, 1x HDMI in, 1x digital optical output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Auro-3D
- Dolby Atmos / DTS:X Support: Yes / Yes
- Subwoofer Included: Yes
- Rear Speakers Included: Yes (standard in UK, optional in US)
Yamaha True X Surround 90A Review: Features
The Yamaha True X Surround 90A operates with 5.1.2 channels, which is a step down from some similarly priced competitors like the Samsung HW-Q990F, which offers 9.1.4 channels. The soundbar unit itself incorporates 19 drivers: seven for the front left, right, and center channels, and an impressive twelve drivers dedicated to the height channels (six speakers per height channel).
Each rear speaker features two front-facing drivers, supported by two passive radiators, but notably lacks up-firing drivers. The subwoofer utilizes a 17cm main driver.
Connectivity options include an HDMI eARC port and an HDMI In port, both supporting 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ passthrough. However, it does not support 120Hz passthrough for gaming, a feature found in some rivals. Additional connections include an optical out and a USB port, which is solely for updates.
The Surround 90A supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for both movies and music. It is also one of the first soundbars to support Auro-3D, an alternative to Atmos. Auro-3D has its own dedicated button on the remote, labeled “3D Music,” which functions as an upmixer for stereo content.
Other available sound modes include Straight, Surround:AI, and All, along with a Stereo mode for traditional stereo audio. Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are supported for music streaming, with direct integration for services such as Spotify, Amazon Music HD, Deezer, and QuBoz. Other streaming services like Tidal can be managed through the MusicCast app. AirPlay 2 is supported, but Google Cast is not.
The MusicCast app allows for EQ and volume adjustments for individual speakers, as well as activation of features like Clear Voice and Bass Extension. A notable omission for a soundbar in this price range is a room calibration feature, which is offered by competitors like the Samsung HW-Q990F and Sonos systems.
- Features score: 4 / 5
Yamaha True X Surround 90A Review: Performance
While the Surround 90A may not match its rivals in terms of features, its performance is certainly strong. The system effectively utilizes all its 5.1.2 channels to deliver an outstanding sonic experience.
A key strength of the Surround 90A is its positional accuracy. During scenes in The Mask, as the character moves like a tornado, sound is precisely mapped to each channel, moving in sync with the on-screen action. Other effects, such as ricocheting bullets and a runaway cartoon clock, are delivered with accurate directionality. In The Batman, the sounds of screeching tires and blaring car horns during the Batmobile chase transition across the front and rear channels with remarkable precision. While the ‘Straight’ sound mode offers a solid experience, the Surround:AI mode surprisingly enhances the positional feel and expands the soundstage even further.
Power is another significant attribute of the Surround 90A. The subwoofer delivers impactful and controlled bass, accurately conveying the rumble of the Batmobile’s engine. Bass response feels tightly managed, with each tonal shift of the engine rendered clearly.
The soundstage of the Surround 90A is wide and immersive. During the Darkstar flight test sequence in Top Gun: Maverick, the sounds of wind and creaking metal create a highly realistic in-cockpit sensation. Dolby Atmos effects are well-presented, with overhead jet sounds delivered authentically. Height channels can be fine-tuned within the MusicCast app, allowing users to optimize the sweet spot for their room, despite the absence of automatic room calibration.
Speech performance is generally good, particularly for vocals in music. Julie Andrews’ vocals in The Sound of Music, for instance, are crystal clear, powerful, and beautifully rendered. However, in some busy movie scenes, dialogue can occasionally become difficult to discern. For example, during the Batmobile chase in The Batman, dialogue was harder to pick up compared to soundbars like the Samsung HW-Q990F.
The rear speakers present another minor drawback. While they offer solid detail, the lack of up-firing drivers feels like a missed opportunity, resulting in less distinct Atmos height effects compared to the HW-Q990F or Sonos setups with Era 300 rear speakers. Additionally, the rear speakers often required a volume boost in the MusicCast app and could still sometimes be overshadowed by the main soundbar.
For music, the Surround 90A excels. Playing Bad Bunny’s Baile INoLVIDABLE in Dolby Atmos reveals a wide soundstage with precise detail, where percussion, horns, and vocals are delivered with clarity and room-filling power. With stereo tracks like Dir en Grey’s Un Deux, the drums, guitars, bass, and vocals all exhibit significant punch. Activating the 3D Music setting adds another layer, widening the soundstage and creating a dome-like effect that enhances the overall scale. The Surround 90A also performs admirably with more delicate genres such as jazz, with the subwoofer providing excellent, precise bass timing throughout.
- Performance score: 4.5 / 5
Yamaha True X Surround 90A Review: Design
The main soundbar unit of the Surround 90A measures 1180 x 85 x 143mm (46.4 x 3.3 x 5.6in), which is a typical size for a large soundbar. The subwoofer, however, is on the bulkier side at 241 x 378 x 414 mm (9.4 x 14.8 x 16.2in). Despite its powerful and controlled output, the Samsung HW-Q990F demonstrates that a smaller subwoofer can achieve equally impressive performance.
The rear speakers, known as the WS-X30A, can also function as individual Bluetooth speakers and measure 88 x 220 x 88 (3.4 x 8.6 x 3.4in).
The soundbar itself features a burnished black metal finish, giving it a substantial weight of 11kg (24.3lbs). It includes a clear front LED display for easy source identification and a fabric grille. These elements combine to create a premium-looking soundbar that aligns with its price point.
The subwoofer is constructed with a more conventional plastic finish and, at 12.7kg (28lbs) with its bulky dimensions, can be challenging to conceal. The rear speakers have a pleasant fabric material, contributing to their premium feel, and their portable size makes them convenient for use as standalone Bluetooth speakers.
- Design & build score 4 / 5
Yamaha True X Surround 90A Review: Setup & Usability
The initial setup experience for the Surround 90A is somewhat inconsistent. While powering on the soundbar and connecting it to the subwoofer is straightforward, connecting and configuring the rear speakers proves more intricate. They require activation into pairing mode by holding a connect button, then pressing it again to designate them as left or right rear, and finally, registering them through a menu accessed on the TV.
After this process, the TV source (HDMI eARC) initially did not function. Accessing the same settings menu revealed the need to enable HDMI Control and Pass-through in the HDMI settings. Once these adjustments were made, the LG G5 TV used for testing and the connected Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player operated correctly through the soundbar. This process was not as plug-and-play as experienced with the Samsung HW-Q990F.
Once the system is fully connected, basic operation—such as changing sound modes, volume, and source—can be managed using the supplied remote control. For more advanced adjustments, the MusicCast app provides intuitive control, allowing easy changes to EQ and volume levels, including height channels. Streaming music and linking associated streaming apps are also straightforward through the app.
- Setup & usability score: 3.5 / 5
Yamaha True X Surround 90A Review: Value
The most significant drawback of the Surround 90A is its price. At $3,499 for the complete system, it is positioned as a premium soundbar system, considerably more expensive than rivals such as the Samsung HW-Q990F ($1,699), JBL Bar 1300Mk2 ($1,699), and even a Sonos setup (Sonos Arc Ultra, Sonos Sub 4, and two Sonos Era 100 speakers), which totals $1,976.
While the Surround 90A’s overall performance is impressive, offering great power, control, and accuracy for both movies and music, it does not sufficiently justify the performance gap with systems like the Samsung HW-Q990F. The Samsung model, for instance, offers superior height channels due to its more robust rear speakers.
Despite its excellent musical performance, it is challenging to justify the price difference when compared to a full Sonos system, especially if that system includes Sonos Era 300s as rear speakers.
- Value score: 3 / 5
Should You Buy the Yamaha True X Surround 90A?
Buy it if:
- You want a powerful, detailed soundbar: The Surround 90A delivers significant power with strong bass and impressive detail, creating a wide soundstage with pinpoint precision.
- You want a premium-looking soundbar: The Surround 90A features burnished metal construction that feels solid and sleek. Its rear speakers, which can also function as standalone Bluetooth units, also boast an attractive design.
- You want a soundbar optimized for music: Whether streaming stereo or Atmos music, the Surround 90A excels. Its expansive soundstage provides an immersive listening experience, allowing music to breathe.
Don’t buy it if:
- You want the best value flagship soundbar: The Surround 90A is considerably more expensive than other top-tier soundbar systems like the Samsung HW-Q990F and JBL 1300MK2, and its performance does not offer a sufficient advantage to justify this price difference.
- You want the best soundbar for gaming: The Surround 90A has only one HDMI input, and while it supports 4K passthrough, it lacks 4K 120Hz support. For this feature, consider alternatives like the Samsung HW-Q990F.
- You want the most complete surround sound experience: While the Surround 90A provides very good overall sound that is powerful and accurate, its rear speakers can sometimes be overshadowed, and dialogue may occasionally be indistinct.
Also Consider
When considering the Yamaha True X Surround 90A, several alternatives offer compelling features and performance:
- JBL Bar 1300MK2: This system features detachable rear speakers, ample power, and accuracy, along with three HDMI inputs. Its performance is comparable to the Yamaha Surround 90A, but it is significantly more affordable and offers more features.
- Samsung HW-Q990F: Considered one of the best value soundbar systems, the HW-Q990F delivers an immersive and powerful home cinema experience with features like 4K 120Hz passthrough. While the Yamaha might offer slightly better musical performance, it is considerably more expensive, and the Samsung system provides a strong balance of performance and features for its price.
How the Yamaha True X Surround 90A Was Tested
The Yamaha True X Surround 90A was tested in TechRadar’s TV testing lab. It was connected to an LG G5 OLED TV and a Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player for the duration of the evaluation.
Testing began with casual listening to identify the most suitable sound modes for critical assessment. For movies, Standard and Surround:AI modes were primarily used, while 3D Music mode was selected for music. Critical testing involved reference scenes from movies commonly used for evaluating sound on high-end TVs and other soundbars, including The Batman, Top Gun: Maverick, and The Sound of Music.
For music evaluation, Tidal was used for both Stereo and Atmos music, covering a diverse range of genres such as Metal, Jazz, R’n’B, and Pop. The testing period extended over a week.
