YAMAHA YSP-5600BL 7.1.2-Channel Dolby Atmos MusicCast Sound Bar

Bullet Points:-Great for filling large irregularly shaped rooms with immersive sound without having to have multiple speakers set up (biggest plus)-Connects wirelessly to your phone and devices, but requires the ARC HDMI feature for video and sound-Definitely listen to the reviews and complement this with a subwoofer-While large for a soundbar, complements a large TV rather well-Full manual is available online, and was actually very user friendly in helping set up.-If you have an irregularly shaped room I would recommend skipping the intelligent tuning feature as suggested in the manual and setting the speaker to stereo mode. NOTE - the speaker won't work until you manually disable the intelligent tuning feature as it automatically initiates this on first-time start up if you don't plan on using that feature.-Press Settings button twice for more menu options.-Can set up to perform basic functions with TV remote so you don't have to have two remotes out all the time.I sprung for this rather expensive sound bar for a few reasons. I wanted a more immersive sound experience watching movies and playing video-games in my living room, and I wanted to get rid of a lot of cords as well. I did not want to have to set up a ton of speakers - whether around the TV or behind my couch, and really wanted to get a good sound experience but in a one-stop-shop type deal - which considering my size and type of living room I soon realized after a bit of research was asking a lot.My living room has a slanted lodge type ceiling with a 45 degree angle which is somewhere around 20' at its height. Its also a very open living area concept, in that the living room opens up to a side room and the dining room/kitchen. The orientation of the living room also made it so the slanted ceiling projects any sound bouncing off the ceiling to the side. Basically, a horrible setup for surround sound, with the irregular shape and massive volume of space.This speaker solved this problem for me. I did not use the intelligent tuner which comes with the speaker, and followed the recommendation given in the manual to just put the speaker in stereo mode (full size manual available online).Thankfully, I was not disappointed by the many reviews for this speaker saying as a sound bar it was unparalleled in being able to fill a space. It does so wonderfully. It is a rather large soundbar, but personally I rather like the style and I think it complements a large TV rather well (I have a Sony 85".Setup was for the most part painless, I do recommend viewing the full manual on-line as the one sent with the product is an abridged version. My biggest struggles were figuring out I had to disable the intelligent tuning feature if not using it (otherwise the speaker just spits out an error code), and then also getting TV audio to play on the speaker when watching Netflix or Hulu on a TV App - the manual was useful resolving this in adjusting the HDMI control settings as well as the TV settings.The ARC HDMI feature is invaluable, and makes it so I only have the power cord and single HDMI cord going to the TV, and then the speaker (I just have mine sitting on top of my TV stand and my TV mounted on the wall), acts as the new hub of HDMI cords for bluray players, consoles, and so on. I did adjust the setting to allow my TV remote to control the volume of the speaker which is very convenient, however you'll want to keep the speaker remote on hand if you need to change HDMI inputs.Overall, very happy I made this purchase and satisfied with the sound quality of this speaker.

This unit isn't working for CEC and HDMI control with Vizio M75 TV. It was working and then after a firmware update, I can no longer control the volyme/power of sound bar using single remotely. Sure, I can set up a harmony but I want to use ARC, CEC, and HDMI features. When I tried to get support from Yamaha, they escalated to level 2 support who never called. I contacted Amazon Support who connected me with Yamaha support and I was told level 2 would cal me back. Then, they called the caller ID number rather than contact infromation. After further follow up, I still have no support on the matter so I will have to return this device because the support is just non-existent . Too bad....I am strong Yamaha brand advocate but this situation has really changed my impression of the company and their products. I will follow up again should this get resolved but right now I am planning on returning the unit.

I was only a little surprised to learn that this heavy, complex, under featured now relatively ancient soundbar is still selling for almost full original retail price and I haven’t found it discounted anywhere. But as I said, only a little surprised.With a couple of tweaks and additions it’s probably still the best Atmos bar on the market but JOB ONE — you need to solve the HDR/4k/Atmos pass through flaw with an hdmi splitter (firmware solution never arrived and possibly can’t ever) - I bought an HD Fury splitter, set it up once and never had to deal with it once in four years of use. Complete and perfect solution.And of course you need to add a wireless sub. I use a low profile one with the Yamaha wireless adapter because I want it hidden a d punching under my couch — but the paired recommended one is bigger and better if it fits your room.I’ve tried, used and owned several soundbars since - the Samsung Q90, JBL 9.1 (? The one with the docking wireless speakers) and the top of the line Meridian LG are close but still not as performant across the board.The audio fidelity on Atmos and surround sources is peerless for a bar-only solution (as opposed to bar plus satellites) and is accurate enough for vertical and rear audio gameplay cues- movies are easier and therefore even more impressive. Music is a delight and frankly this is the best stereo source I own - although MusicCast, AirPlay and Bluetooth have some quirks- and you’ll need RCA to 3.5mm “y” splitter to connect phones and MP3 players via cable. Weird that there’s no 3.5mm in.It’s also extremely tall and you should get a tape measure out if you intend to sit this under a TV on a tabletop or entertainment center. It can be wall mounted- but it’s extremely heavy and because my TV/gaming room is set up with pretty specific built ins, I opted for a lanky vesa stand for my 65 inch Sony tv to create the right angle so the tall speaker doesn’t block the bottom of the screen if I’m sitting on the floor. I know- this all sounds like a LOT of hassle for one component in a home theater- and yes it would have been cheaper and easier to go with the Samsung Q90 etc.But they don’t sound as good. And it was worth every hassle. In fact the slight Stockholm syndrome of getting it all working reminded me of the satisfaction of building a gaming PC.Listening to Tidal lossless (lol free trial I’m not THAT crazy) or Amazon Ultra HD music through this thing is a delight. I’m not a hifi nerd but I even listen to stuff I don’t care about as demo material- and yeah I could regale you with subjective nonsense like “sensing the warm rosin scented wood of a perfectly tuned cello” or “I got the Led out like an angry pitbull on a frayed rope gets out of a yard across from the post office “I still check Yamaha firmware site with the forlorn hope a miracle Hdr passthrough will bump the version number into the 5s - but that would probably make the prices in the new and used market even more weirdly stable than they are already.It’s the soundbar equivalent of a Pioneer Kuro- or a Sony Grand Wega crt—and for a few folks like myself— it will take on near mythic status despite being difficult to live with.