Yamaha Unveils the World's First Auro-3D Soundbar at IFA

At the IFA press conference, Yamaha has introduced its latest flagship soundbar model, the True X Surround 90A, marking a significant milestone as the first soundbar globally compatible with Auro-3D technology.

This cutting-edge soundbar is capable of decoding the Auro-3D codec, commonly found on Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray discs, which has seen decreased popularity in the film industry in recent years. To revitalize interest, Pure Audio Streaming aims to establish Auro-3D as a standard in music streaming. A noteworthy feature of this soundbar is the included Auro-Matic upmixer, which enriches standard stereo and multi-channel audio by adding height channels.

In addition to Auro-3D, the True X Surround 90A supports other leading 3D audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Yamaha's proprietary Surround:AI technology is also integrated into the soundbar. This feature utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze the audio elements within each scene--such as dialogue, background music, and sound effects--to dynamically adjust the sound field for an optimal listening experience.

The impressive 3D audio is achieved through an innovative arrangement of speakers within the soundbar's sturdy 1.6 mm metal chassis. The front of the device is equipped with three tweeters and four uniquely designed oval-shaped drivers, which are engineered to deliver a clear and distortion-free sound despite the limited space of the slim soundbar design. Additionally, twelve beam speakers, arranged six on each side, are positioned on the top to reproduce height information through ceiling reflections, creating a two-channel height output.

To enhance low-frequency performance, the soundbar comes with a newly developed wireless subwoofer. The package also includes two wireless surround speakers, completing the immersive surround sound setup. These components communicate wirelessly via the 5 GHz band to receive audio data. Notably, the surround speakers do not transmit height information, ensuring a focused audio experience.

The surround speakers are accompanied by charging docks for their built-in batteries, allowing users to utilize them as portable Bluetooth speakers when needed. The True X Surround 90A is compatible with Yamaha's MusicCast multiroom system and supports music streaming services such as AirPlay 2, Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music. It features HDMI connections, including one input and one output (with enhanced audio return channel eARC), as well as a digital audio input in optical format.

Scheduled to hit the market at the end of September 2025, the True X Surround 90A--complete with the subwoofer and surround speakers--will retail for an estimated price of EUR2500. A wall mount is also included, allowing for flexible installation options.