Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 (YAS-408)

Audio Section
Video Section
Wireless Multiroom Audio
App/Voice/Remote Control
Mounting Options

Audio Section

Active Soundbar Speaker: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) active soundbar speaker features a 2ch driver configuration with one 1" dome tweeter and two 1.75" mid-woofers for each of the left & right channels (for a total of two 1" tweeters and four 1.75" mid-woofers). The active soundbar speaker utilizes a 50 watt x 2 channel amplifier to power the enclosed drivers for a 100 watts of total power.

Wireless Powered Subwoofer: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) includes a wireless powered subwoofer that features a side-firing 6.25" woofer powered by a built-in 100 watt amplifier for dynamic bass response. A front-firing port aids in deeper, bigger bass response. Since the powered sub is wireless, you don't have to connect a cable between the soundbar and the sub (you still will need to plug the sub's AC power cord into a wall). The powered sub's wireless range is 33'.

Dolby Digital & DTS Compatible: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) soundbar decodes 2ch PCM, multi-channel PCM, Dolby Digital, & DTS audio signals. You can listen to these audio formats in a virtual surround mode or a 2ch stereo mode. The 2ch stereo mode is ideal for music, while the virtual surround mode provides a much more immersive soundfield for movies.

DTS Virtual:X + 3D Surround: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) can deliver immersive 3D surround sound, simulating sound effects that seem to move around the listener and even have a sense of height. Thanks to DTS Virtual:X & 3D Surround the MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) allows surround sound to be heard not only from horizontal directions, but also from varying heights. DTS Virtual:X can be used with any content (from 2ch to 5.1ch soundtracks), while delivering virtual height & virtual surround processing based on psychoacoustics (not reflective surfaces).  Ideal for use with any multichannel content (including DTS- and Dolby-encoded soundtracks) it creates more spacious, lifelike sound for all of your favorite TV shows, movies and games.

Audio Enhancements: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) offers a variety of audio settings to enhance your listening experience, so you can enjoy your movies and music even more.

• Surround Presets: From Yamaha's free MusicCast Controller app on your Apple iOS or Android device you can select between different surround modes - TV Program, Stereo, Movie, Music, Sports, & Game. Or, you can simply select a 2ch stereo mode.
• Clear Voice: Clear Voice raises the level of dialog and narrations while maintaining overall sound quality. Movies and TV shows, sports commentary and news broadcasts are more clearly audible.
• Bass Extension: Yamaha's exclusive Bass Extension technology boosts the bass from the wireless powered sub to produce a bigger, fuller sound. You an also adjust the wireless powered subwoofer's volume level independently from the system's overall volume.
• Compressed Music Enhancer: The Compressed Music Enhancer restores frequency response lost during digital compression, so your music sounds the way it should. Optimized for Bluetooth audio transmission, you'll enjoy vivid, lively sound quality during wireless playback. When a compressed source is played, the Compressed Music Enhancer engages automatically.

Wireless Surround: You can combine the MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) with a pair of MusicCast 20 (WX-021) speakers, a pair of MusicCast 50 (WX-051) speakers, or a single MusicCast50 (WX-051) speaker and enjoy the convenience of creating a home theater system with wireless rear speakers in a 4.1-channel configuration. From the MusicCast Controller app you can adjust the distance and level of each surround speaker. The MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) and the MusicCast 20 (WX-021) or MusicCast 50 (WX-051) speakers must be on the same wireless network.

Analog & Digital Audio Inputs: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) is outfitted with both analog & digital audio inputs to connect to your TV. There is one optical (toslink) digital input that supports 2Ch PCM, 5.1ch Dolby Digital, and 5.1ch DTS audio signals (up to 24-bit/32-48kHz). There is also one stereo minijack (3.5mm) audio input for televisions without an optical digital out.

Note: The digital optical output terminals of some flat-panel TVs only send an audio signal in 5.1ch when receiving Dolby Digital/DTS surround sound from the TV's built-in tuner, network connection, or connected USB device; and will output only 2ch stereo from sources connected to the TV via HDMI, or RCA (like your Blue-ray/DVD player or satellite/cable box).

Bluetooth Audio: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) offers built-in Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless music streaming (A2DP) & control (AVRCP). This allows you to stream stored music, music apps, and other audio content on your Bluetooth-enabled source devices (such as your smartphone, tablet, desktop computer, or laptop) to the MusicCast WX-021 speaker. The speaker has a wireless Bluetooth range of approximately 33'.

• SBC + AAC Codecs: In addition to support for the standard SBC Bluetooth audio codec, the MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) speaker offers support of AAC. By supporting AAC, the MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) offers better audio performance of the music streamed from your Apple iOS device.
• Multi-Device Pairing: The MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) can be paired with multiple Bluetooth source devices, but only one device can be connected and used at a time. If one or Bluetooth devices had been connected to the speaker before, the speaker will automatically connect to the last connected device when Bluetooth is enabled.
• Linked Playback Mode: With Linked Playback Mode, music streamed via Bluetooth to one MusicCast device can then be wirelessly streamed to multiple MusicCast devices for multiroom audio. Bluetooth is limited to the SBC codec during Linked Playback mode.

Note: The MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) does not support Bluetooth hands-free communication for making and answering phone calls.

ARC (Audio Return Channel): This feature of the Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408)'s HDMI output allows audio to be sent from your compatible TV to the soundbar through the same HDMI cable already being used to send audio and video to your TV. This eliminates the need for extra cables connected to your television.

Note: The ARC-enabled HDMI input on some TVs will only pass 2ch PCM from devices connected to the TV via HDMI or analog, so we recommend that you connect your Blu-ray player or Satellite/Cable box to the Yamaha soundbar directly; and then connect the MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408)'s ARC-enabled HDMI output to your TV's ARC-enabled HDMI input. This setup will give you with the best overall sound performance.

Video Section

HDMI 2.0b: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) is outfitted with one HDMI input and one HDMI ARC output that support the latest HDMI 2.0b specifications; including 4K/60Hz, HDCP 2.3, HDR (High Dynamic Range), 4:4:4 color subsampling, & Wide Color Gamut (BT.2020) for full support of today's 4K content from Ultra HD Blu-ray & online video services (like Amazon & Netflix).

• 4K/60Hz + HDCP 2.3: The MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) supports up to 4K (3840x2160 pixels) video @ 60 frames per second through its HDMI input and output. It also supports a 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p video signal. The HDMI input and output also support HDCP 2.3 (available firmware update), which fully complies with the latest copyright protection standard for 4K video transmission.
• 4:4:4 Color Subsampling: In addition, the HDMI input and output support RGB, YCbCr 4:4:4, YCbCr 4:2:2, and YCbCr 4:2:0 color subsampling (@ 60Hz or 50Hz). With 4:4:4 color subsampling, luminance (brightness) and chroma (color) are sampled at the same rate; resulting in an RGB color palette as big as the video sampling rate for a video image with more colors, plus greater color accuracy and detail.
• Wide Color Gamut (BT.2020): The BT.2020 color standard delivers a much wider color gamut and represents about 75% of the total visual color spectrum, while the current Rec. 709 color standard selected as the color space for HDTVs and early generation 4K Ultra HDTVs covers only 35% of the total visual color spectrum.

HDR (High Dynamic Range): The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) supports HDR (high dynamic range) Video - including HDR 10, Dolby Vision, and Hybrid Log-Gamma. HDR (High Dynamic Range Video) provides enhanced picture quality by simultaneously enabling greater detail for both the dark and bright parts of an image. HDR reproduces a greater dynamic range of luminosity or brightness levels, creating greater contrast. This increased contrast reveals the subtle nuances of the image, from detailed blacks and shadows to the brightest whites and colors, plus greater depth.

• HDR 10: HDR 10 is an open standard and currently the most popular HDR format on the market. It uses static metadata at the start of a movie to tell the soundbar system and your TV that the video content is encoded using HDR.
• Hybrid-Log Gamma: HLG (Hybrid-Log Gamma) is primarily designed for live video feed and over-the-air broadcasts. It uses no pre-encoded metadata and is backwards compatible with SDR. HLG's native compatibility allows much of today's existing SDR infrastructure to be re-used for HDR in the future.
• Dolby Vision: Unlike HDR 10 which contains static metadata and HLG which uses no metadata, Dolby Vision uses dynamic metadata technology which sets individual color and brightness levels for each and every scene. Dolby works directly with filmmakers at major Hollywood studios to create superior HDR video masters of blockbuster movies.

Other HDMI Features: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) also offers 3D video pass-through, Deep Color & x.v.Color support, as well as an auto LipSync function via HDMI.

• 3D Ready: The MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) soundbar supports 3D video pass-through (720p/1080p only) from connected 3D-compatible Blu-ray, games and broadcast devices to 3D-compatible HDTVs (all 3D components must be connected via HDMI). Special eyewear will be required for viewing 3D content.
• Deep Color & x.v.Color: The soundbar's HDMI jacks support Deep Color & x.v.Color content, which can display a larger color range than standard-definition schemes. The result is a more lifelike, vibrant picture.
• Auto Lip-Sync: The soundbar speaker system automatically adjusts the delay in output timing between video signals and audio signals so they match when you are watching a movie. You can also manually adjust the audio delay between 0 to 500 ms.

Wireless Multiroom Audio

MusicCast: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) is part of Yamaha's MusicCast multiroom audio eco-system. MusicCast from Yamaha, brings music to every room in your home wirelessly with control provided by the free MusicCast Controller app for Apple iOS 10.0+ and Android OS 4.1+. Designed to easily work with your existing home WiFi network, MusicCast offers access to a wide range of audio content from your downloaded music library, Internet radio, and select online music services. MusicCast is enabled on many 2015-up Yamaha components like their AV receivers, wireless speakers, soundbars, and other HiFi components.

Wired or Wireless Network Connection: With MusicCast you can choose to build a wireless or wired network, or a combination of both if desired. The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) supports both wireless and wired network connectivity through its built-in dual-band (2.4/5GHz) WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) and wired Ethernet (RJ-45) port. Network setup is completed through the free MusicCast Controller app on your compatible Apple iOS or Android device.

Note: If you want to install a MusicCast device to a location that is out of range of your wireless router, connect another MusicCast device to the router with a network cable to extend the range ("Extend Mode").

High Resolution Audio: The MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) supports true high-resolution audio formats to deliver more accurate reproduction of sonic details. The MusicCast eco-system is compatible with high resolution FLAC, AIFF and WAV music files up to 192kHz/24-bit; as well as Apple Lossless (ALAC) up to 96kHz/24-bit. It also supports lower resolution music files like MP3, WMA, and AAC up to 48kHz.

Note: When multiple MusicCast devices are "linked" for multiroom audio playback, the Master room device's playback is at the native sampling rate (up to 192kHz/24-bit), while the other rooms and MusicCast devices are down-converted to 48kHz.

Online Music Services: The Yamaha MuiscCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) offers access to Internet Radio through built-in Airable by TuneIn; your Spotify account through Spotify Connect on your Apple iOS or Android device; and your Pandora, TIDAL, Amazon, SiriusXM, Qobuz, Napster, or Deezer music account through Yamaha's MusicCast Controller app.

• Airable by TuneIn: You can listen to Internet radio stations using Airable by TuneIn. Search worldwide internet radio content by Genre, Language, Location, Quality, Popularity, or do a keyword search.
• Spotify Connect: Anyone with a Spotify account (whether free or premium) can enjoy the wireless freedom of streaming the Spotify app (for Apple iOS or Android) to to the MusicCast-enabled soundbar. All files on Spotify can stream up to 320kbps, which is MP3 quality.
• Pandora: Pandora is accessible through the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app for Apple iOS & Android. Pandora is personalized radio that plays music and comedy you'll love. Just start with the name of one of your favorite artists, songs, comedians or composers and Pandora will create a custom station that plays similar tracks. You can also rate (thumbs up/thumbs down) songs as they play, and Pandora will adapt stations to your feedback. You can even bookmark stations and easily switch between favorites.
• Amazon: Through an available firmware update, Amazon Music can now be accessed through Yamaha MusicCast. Enjoy Amazon Prime or Amazon Unlimited. Amazon Prime gives you access to 2 million songs with an Amazon Prime prime membership, while Amazon Unlimited gives you access to 50 million songs with with a $9.99 per month subscription.
• TIDAL: Tidal is accessible through the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app for Apple iOS & Android. TIDAL is a global streaming service that offers over 30 million songs in high-fidelity CD sound quality. TIDAL has two pricing tiers; either $9.99 or $19.99 a month. Both pricing levels allow you to access TIDAL's entire music library. The $19.99 tier has the added benefit of high-fidelity sound at CD-level quality.
• SiriusXM: SiriusXM Internet Radio is accessible through the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app and lets you listen to over 120 channels of commercial-free music, talk radio, news, sports, entertainment, and more. Subscription fees will apply.
• Qobuz: Qobuz offers the biggest catalog of Hi-Fi and Hi-Res albums in the world, both for new releases and specialized genres. For hundreds of thousands of albums, Qobuz includes all the information you need to recreate the appeal of a real CD - the names of musicians, producers, lyrics (everything you need to know to appreciate your favorite albums).  Qobuz offers MP3, CD, and Hi-Res quality subscriptions.
• Napster: Napster is also accessible through the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app. This streaming music subscription service (starting a $10 per month) allows you to play the full-length songs you choose on demand from a collection of over 10 million songs, without ads and without having to purchase or download the music.
• Deezer: Deezer is an online music service offering over 43 million tracks starting at $9.99 a month and is accessible through the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app. Discover the perfect playlist or make your own, as well as browse curated collections by genre.

Multiroom Audio: Start with the Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) in your living room or bedroom and add other MusicCast products from Yamaha (like wireless speakers, AV receiver, and HiFi components) over time to create a multiroom audio, whole-house experience. Up to 32MusicCast devices and 10 groups can be connected. You can play the same audio source throughout your home or different audio sources on grouped MusicCast components.

• Compatible Sources:
  • All MusicCast music services (including Airable by TuneIn, Pandora, Tidal, Spotify, SiriusXM, Deezer, and Napster).
  • Music libraries on your Apple iOS or Android smartphone running the MusicCast Controller app, as well as on your DLNA compliant computer, laptop, or NAS drive.
  • Bluetooth audio (SBC codec only).
  • Yamaha AV receivers, soundbars, and other Hi-Fi components which feature MusicCast offer multiroom streaming of connected external analog & digital sources - including HDMI, Optical/Coax, USB, RCA/Aux, and Phono inputs.
  • A radio station from a MusiCast AV receiver's AM/FM tuner can even be distributed to multiple rooms.
• Incompatible Sources:
  • AirPlay cannot be multiroom distributed via MusicCast.

Note: Yamaha's new MusicCast system is not compatible with Yamaha's older MusicCAST system.

DLNA: The MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) speaker supports DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) 1.5, allowing access to DLNA-compatible Windows 7/8/10 computers (with Windows Media Player 11 or 12) and network attached storage (NAS) devices. You'll be able to wirelessly stream the music libraries on your computer, laptop, or NAS to the Yamaha MusicCast speaker system.

Note: Digital Rights Management (DRM) content cannot be played back.

AirPlay 2 (via available firmware update): Through an available firmware update, the Yamaha MuiscCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) will support AirPlay 2. AirPlay 2 is an advanced and easy-to-use wireless multiroom audio platform for iTunes, Apple Music, and other compatible Apple iOS apps. With AirPlay 2 you can play any sound from your Apple iOS device (running iOS 11.4 or later) or Mac computer (running OS X 10.13.2) on the MuiscCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) and other compatible AirPlay 2 speakers throughout your home. You will also be able to ask Siri-enabled devices (like your Apple iPhone, iPad, or Watch) to control playback of your Apple Music on the Yamaha MuiscCast Bar 400 (YAS-408). You can choose to play audio in one room, play the same audio in grouped rooms, or play the same audio in every room (you can control and group directly from Apple's Music App and Home app on your Apple iOS device). You can even watch videos and movies from YouTube and Netflix on your compatible Apple iOS device or Mac computer with perfectly synced audio on the Yamaha MuiscCast Bar 400 (YAS-408).

Firmware Updates: Firmware updates for the MusicCast products can be made through their network connection and the MusicCast app on your Apple iOS or Android device. The app will notify you when a firmware update is available.

App/Voice/Remote Control

MusicCast Controller App: The free MusicCast Controller app for (Apple iOS 10.0+ and Android OS 4.1+) will need to be downloaded on your compatible smartphone or tablet device. The MusicCast Controller app puts control of your whole home listening experience in the palm of your hand from your Apple iOS or Android device. You'll be able to quickly select the room or rooms you want to listen to music in, select the source or sources you want to listen to, browse music content from your music library and online music services, listen to Internet Radio, plus control music playback functions.

• Rooms: Choose which room or rooms you want to listen to music in. You can select a different source for each room, group certain rooms together for playback of the same source, or link all rooms together so the same source is played back throughout the house.
• Source Selection: From the app you can select which source or sources you want to listen to. Choose from network-connected devices (such as your Apple iOS/Android device or DLNA server); select online music services, Internet Radio or Bluetooth, as well as analog & digital audio inputs (including HDMI). You can even select a AM/FM ratio station from a MusicCast AV receiver.
• Music Browsing: You can browse music libraries from your network-connected devices; like your smartphone, tablet, computer, or laptop. You can also browse music content from select online music services and search Internet Radio stations from the MusicCast Controller app. You can also browse music files on your USB-connected thumbdrive.
• Playback & Song/Artist Info: From the MusicCast Controller app on your compatible Apple iOS or Android device you get Volume Up/Down, Play/Pause, and Previous/Next Track; as well as song/artist information and album art.
• Favorites: Internet radio stations, content from select online music services, plus playlists and songs from your network-connected device's music library can be saved as "Favorites" for quick recall within the MusicCast Controller app. Up to 40 Favorites can be registered.
• Personalization & Customization: With the app's unique personalization features, you can choose from preloaded room images or change the color of buttons to represent each room in the home, or even take pictures of their own home and assign the images to each button. The content source buttons can also be customized to rename, remove or reorder selections for easier operation.

Alexa & Google Voice Control: Alexa and Google Home enabled devices (sold separately - see Accessories Tab) are able to control key functions of Yamaha's MusicCast system using voice commands. With Alexa & Google Home voice control integration, all you have to do is ask. The MuiscCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) offers full compatibility with Amazon's and Google's range of voice control devices. Yamaha offers two Skill platforms that work hand-in-hand to give you a wide range of voice command possibilities, allowing you to control either a single MusicCast product or a whole MusicCast system. The Yamaha MuiscCast Bar 400 (YAS-408), other MusicCast components, and Alexa/Google-enabled devices must be on the same WiFi network.

• MusicCast Smart Home Skill: The MusicCast Smart Home skill supports the most common, everyday voice commands you would use to control a single MusicCast component. These basic commands include power on/off, volume control, play/pause/skip/previous, mute/unmute and input selection. This skill supports simple, Alexa and Google standardized commands such as "Alexa" or "Ok Google", "turn up volume in the Kitchen." Through an available firmware update, you'll also be able to ask Alexa or Google to play specific songs/artists/albums on Amazon Music (Alexa only) , Spotify, Pandora, iHeart, TuneIn, SiriusXM, and Deezer.
• MusicCast Skill: The MusicCast skill goes beyond the basics, giving you enhanced control of unique MusicCast functions such as room linking, multiple room control, playback of MusicCast Favorites/Playlists and more. The commands are customized for MusicCast, for example "Alexa" or "Ok Google", "ask MusicCast to link the Kitchen with the Living Room."
• Echo Source Input: In addition or alternatively, an Echo device can be used as a music/audio source for a MusicCast system. All MusicCast devices offer a Bluetooth input. Just pair your Echo device with any MusicCast component and the sound will play from the MusicCast device. Many MusicCast products also offer inputs which can be connected to Echo Dot via its line output, if a wired connection is preferred over Bluetooth. Using the MusicCast Controller app, you can select the Bluetooth or wired input and link multiple MusicCast devices for playback, allowing you to hear sound from Echo Dot throughout your home.

Note: Click here for a more information regarding Amazon Alexa control. Click here for more information regarding Google Home Assistant control.

IR Remote + HDMI Control: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) comes with an easy-to-use IR remote control for wireless operation of the soundbar speaker system. Also, if your TV supports HDMI CEC and uses HDMI connectivity, it is possible to control many functions of the soundbar system using your TV's remote to simplify day-to-day operation. HDMI Control functions include Power On/Off, Input Source Selection, and Volume Up/Down.

Note: This soundbar does not allow you to program your TV remote to operate the speaker, but does offer HDMI control through your compatible TV's remote.

Top-Panel Controls: The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) features the following top-panel controls - Power On/Off, Input Select, Volume Up/Down, and Mute.

3 Preset (Favorite) Buttons: Three preset (favorite) buttons give you one-touch access to your music favorites (save a favorite music playlist, online music service, or Internet radio station). Simply press and hold the preset buttons (1/2/3) to store a music source. The 3 preset buttons are located on the IR remote control (not with top-panel controls).

Auto Power Standby: Enabling the Auto Power Standby function prevents the system from remaining on when not in use. The system will automatically turn off if there is no operation for 8 hours, or there is no audio input signal and no operation for 20 minutes.

Mounting Options

Tabletop or Wall-Mount The Soundbar: At only 2.375" tall, the soundbar fits neatly in front of most TVs or can be placed on the shelf of a TV stand. The built-in keyholes (18" apart) make it easy to wall-mount with a sleek look that perfectly complements almost any flat-panel TV. Sound equalization is automatically adjusted for tabletop or wall mount orientation.

Flexible Placement for Wireless Sub: The wireless powered subwoofer eliminates the need to connect cables, so setup and placement are faster and easier. You will still need to connect the powered sub's power cord to an AC outlet. The wireless sub can be positioned almost anywhere in the room (up to 33'). For best performance, it should be placed on the same wall as the soundbar.

Power Requirements: The active soundbar speaker and wireless powered subwoofer will need to be plugged into an AC wall outlet, surge protector or power conditioner (sold separately). Each comes with a detachable 6' AC power cord.