BUDGET BRILLIANCE SOUNDS

Want to put a rocket up your TV's sound without finding space for a big soundbar?

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JARGON BUSTER

DTS Virtual:X

This is an object-based surround-sound tech that, as its name suggests, is virtual. In other words, it pretends there are more speakers than there actually are.

Bluetooth 5

Like most new speakers, the SR-C20A has Bluetooth 5. This offers greater range and a more stable connection than older variants, making it reliable for music as well as TV.

1 Game on

Yamaha's gaming mode tweaks the sound profile so crucial elements like explosions and the sneaky footsteps of an approaching enemy are more prominent.

2 Bottom

The C20A's compact design allows it to comfortably nestle under your TV or monitor without dominating the room, leaving more space for other peripherals.

YAMAHA SR-C20A

Yamaha thinks it has the answer in the SR-C20A: a small and affordable (by Yamaha's standards) soundbar that's designed to be a solid all-rounder.

At a mere 60cm long, the discretion of its dimensions is enhanced by the anonymity of its looks: unassuming acoustic cloth, a few LEDs, and some touch-controls. You may not get an awful lot of stuff for your money, but the stuff you do get is flawless.

If you're used to the barebones sound of your TV or monitor when you watch films or enjoy games, the SR-C20A will take your experience to an entirely new level. Despite its size, it serves up a pretty big sound, with plenty of width and even a little height to its soundstage.

The bass is textured, controlled and properly varied, whether you're listening to music or the solid fist-on-jaw impact of a beat-'em-up game. Treble is properly crisp, without too much of the splashy hardness a less able soundbar might produce: it can really attack a soundtrack, but not at the expense of refinement. The midrange is nicely poised too.