Yamaha’s ATS 1080 and YAS 108 soundbars are very similar. You can waste money by purchasing the wrong one if you are unaware of the difference between the two.
Here is a complete comparison between the Yamaha ATS 1080 and the Yamaha AS 108 to end the debate: Which is the better soundbar?
Yamaha ATS 1080 VS YAS 108 Soundbar Comparison Chart
| Features | Yamaha ATS 1080 | Yamaha YAS 108 |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs. | 7.1 lbs. |
| Height | 5.13 in. | 5.13 in. |
| Width | 35 in. | 35 in. |
| Depth | 2.13 in. | 2.13 in. |
| Power Output | 120 Watt | 120 Watt |
| Type | Tabletop | Tabletop |
| Number of Channels | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Minimum Frequency Response | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Maximum Frequency Response | 20 kHz | 20 kHz |
| App-Controlled | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Sound Enhancing System | DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS Digital Surround | DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS Digital Surround |
| Interfaces | HDMI input x 1, HDMI Output x 1, Digital optical audio, Analog audio | Analog audio, Digital optical audio, HDMI Output x 1, HDMI input x 1 |
| Equalizer Settings | Music, Movie, Sports, Game, Clear voice, TV program | Music, TV program, Movie, Sports, Game, Clear voice |
| Installation Type | Stand-alone, Wall-mount | Stand-alone, Wall-mount |
| Extras | Auto Lip-Sync, 4K Pass-Through, 3D Pass-through, Compressed Music Enhancer, Dual Subwoofers Built-in, Bluetooth® Wireless Music Streaming from Your Smartphone or Tablet, Amazon Alexa via Bluetooth | Bluetooth® Wireless Music Streaming from Your Smartphone or Tablet, 4K Pass-Through, Compressed Music Enhancer, Auto Lip-Sync, 3D Pass-through, Dual Subwoofers Built-in, Amazon Alexa via Bluetooth |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 1 year(s) | 1 year(s) |
Yamaha ATS 1080 and YAS 108 Descriptive Comparison
Lets discuss Yamaha ATS 1080 and YAS 108 features in detail.
Size
There are no differences in the dimensions of the two soundbars; both measure 5.13 x 35 x 2.13 inches. As far as weight is concerned, both are 7.1 pounds.
Despite the same dimensions, we recommend the ATS 1080 over the YAS 108 simply because it sounds better for the size. While it is stable and sturdy, you’d better put it under your TV and not risk it with a wall mount. A soundbar of this size would be a bit heavier than average, and mounting it on the wall would be more challenging.
We have chosen Yamaha ATS 1080 as the winner.
Connectivity
Each soundbar supports HDMI ARC so you can connect your game consoles and Blu-ray players to the soundbar. Furthermore, HDMI supports a number of audio formats, such as Dolby Digital and DTS:X, which we will discuss in more detail later.
Both units lack an ethernet and a USB port for playback content from flash drives. These ports are not essential for everyone, though.
Bluetooth is supported by the ATS 1080 and YAS 108, like most top soundbars today. From your mobile device or tablet, you will be able to stream content through this feature.
Compared to the ATS 1080, we found the YAS 108 to maintain a slightly more stable connection over distance.
We have chosen Yamaha YAS 108 as the winner.
Sound Quality
Our audio tests have shown that the Yamaha ATS 1080 is the better soundbar due to its double subwoofers. The ATS 1080’s sound was richer and fuller, making up for the lack of a dedicated subwoofer.
Even though the soundbar boosts lower frequencies, its highs and mids are not compromised. 3D surround sound support is also outstanding.
The Yamaha YAS-108 boasts a 3D surround sound similar to the ATS 1080, but the bass isn’t as strong. In contrast, the Yamaha YAS-108 also produces excellent sound. The Clear Voice feature on the YAS-108 is another reason to consider it.
In some instances, the frequency response does not function as expected. The audio can sometimes sound muffled as opposed to being full.
We have chosen Yamaha ATS 1080 as the winner.
Inputs for Both Yamaha Soundbars
As for the inputs, the Yamaha soundbars also have the same. Besides analog and digital optical audio, both systems have HDMI input and output.
We have found that the YAS 108’s optical connection does not maintain a stable connection in our setups.
HDMI has many advantages over optical; however, this could be a problem if you are going to use digital optical cables for long distances.
We have chosen Yamaha ATS 1080 as the winner.
Number of Channels
Soundbars Yamaha ATS 1080 and Yamaha YAS 108 have 2.2 and 2.1 channels, respectively. The ATS 1080, however, has double the number of subwoofers built into its system, while both have the same number of main drivers.
In contrast, the YAS 108 has just one bass channel, which results in a significant difference in the sound quality of the low tones.
We have chosen Yamaha ATS 1080 as the winner.
Bass Performance
It’s no surprise that the Yamaha ATS 1080 has better bass than the Yamaha YAS 108 since it has two subwoofers built-in. Low-frequency frequencies are deep, rich, and punchy, making the soundbar an excellent choice for movies, music, and games.
Both the ATS 1080 and YAS 108 can connect to a separate subwoofer. It’s always better to have a dedicated subwoofer than a built-in one since soundbars can’t produce the low frequencies a sub can. It is also possible to enable Enhanced Boost for a deeper bass effect.
We have chosen Yamaha ATS 1080 as the winner.
DTS Virtual:X
In addition to DTS Virtual:X, both soundbars can handle other audio formats, including Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital, and DTS Surround Sound. As a whole, the sound quality is excellent for most users.
Despite this, the soundbar’s configuration downmixes 5.1 surround sound to stereo. The audio is downmixed to 2.1 for the YAS 108 and 2.2 for the ATS 1080 – still giving the ATS 1080 the best results and a slight advantage.
However, you can play uncompressed 5.1 PCM through Full HDMI In, while you can’t play object-based or lossless formats through HDMI ARC.
We have chosen Yamaha ATS 1080 as the winner.
Voice Clarity
The enhanced dialogue feature is one of the most important things we consider when using a soundbar. Yamaha YAS 108 produces more precise and clear dialogues compared to ATS 1080. Human voices are more accurate due to this clear voice option making movies, news, TV, and shows experience more enjoyable.
We have chosen YamahaYAS 108 as the winner.
Installation of the Yamaha ATS 1080 and YAS 108
Both Yamaha ATS 1080 and YAS 108 are easy to set up and install as both have the same inputs.
It will take only one connection to install these soundbars, especially if your TV is HDMI ARC compatible.
The ATS 1080 wins in this round, despite the fact that its digital optical port is faulty. Both the remote and the Yamaha Home Theater Controller App work well. You can make adjustments easily with the straightforward interface of the app. You cannot cast music tracks to the soundbar, however, using the app.
Both soundbars are also Alexa-compatible, so you can easily issue simple voice commands.
We have chosen Yamaha ATS 1080 as the winner.
Warranty of Yamaha Soundbars
You should get a warranty on any gadget you purchase. There is a one-year warranty on the ATS 1080 and the YAS 108.
While it’s not great, this period is the same as the one you get with other entry-level soundbars, such as the Samsung HW-M360, Bose Solo 5, and the Sonos Beam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the pairing process for the Yamaha ATS 1080?
In your phone’s Bluetooth settings, choose the Yamaha sound bar (your model name or “Yamaha AV”). On the Yamaha remote, press the BLUETOOTH button. You will see the BLUETOOTH indicator on your sound bar flashing.
Is Yamaha soundbar better than Bose?
Both models sound similar, but the Yamaha YAS-108/ATS-1080 is slightly better. Yamaha’s sound gets louder and doesn’t compress much like Bose’s. In addition, two subwoofers are built-in, and more connectivity options are available.
What is the best method to connect my subwoofer to my Yamaha soundbar?
You can easily connect your sound bar to a subwoofer. Let us see how:
- You will need to find the Subwoofer Out jack on your sound bar.
- On your subwoofer, locate the input.
- You should plug one end of the cable into the subwoofer’s input jack and the other into the soundbar’s subwoofer out jack.
Also read: Best Settings for VIZIO 5-1 Soundbar
Conclusion
ATS 1080 is the winner of this comparison. Its two subwoofers produce deep bass, can be controlled via Alexa, supports HDMI ARC and 3D surround sound, and has superb overall performance. Although it has some disadvantages, it is an excellent entry-level system for its price.
Read also: Samsung Soundbar Equalizer Settings
Mia Evelyn is a soundbar specialist and she love to test and review different soundbar brands. She shares her neutral and in-depth reviews through the Soundbar Mag.