Diagnosis
The "hollow" or "metallic" sound you are experiencing is caused by the Yamaha Clear Voice DSP (Digital Signal Processing) algorithm. This feature is designed to isolate the human voice by aggressively boosting the 1kHz to 4kHz frequency range while simultaneously applying a narrow-band notch filter to the surrounding frequencies. When this is active, the soundbar essentially "carves out" a hole in the audio spectrum to make speech pop, which often results in a thin, phased, or echoing quality—especially in rooms with hard surfaces like hardwood floors or large windows where sound reflections are already high. You can confirm this is the root cause if the "hollow" effect is most prominent during dialogue-heavy scenes but disappears during music-only tracks or high-action sequences where the DSP struggles to isolate a single voice. If the audio sounds like it is coming through a tin pipe or if the background ambiance (like wind or rain) sounds muffled while the voices sound piercing, the Clear Voice setting is over-processing the signal and creating destructive interference.
How to Fix It
To eliminate the unnatural processing and restore a full-bodied soundstage, follow these precise steps to disable the feature and manually balance the audio:
- Power on the YAS-209 and your connected source (TV or Blu-ray player).
- Locate the Clear Voice button on the YAS-209 remote control.
- Press the button repeatedly until the LED indicator on the front of the soundbar turns off or the display indicates the feature is disabled.
- To compensate for the loss of clarity without the "hollow" effect, use the Subwoofer Level buttons on the remote to lower the bass slightly (try -2 or -3). Excessive bass often masks dialogue, making users turn on Clear Voice when they actually just need less low-end.
- Adjust the Bass Extension setting. If you are using the wireless subwoofer, ensure Bass Extension is set to "Off" or "Standard" to prevent the low frequencies from bleeding into the mid-range and muddying the vocals.
- Test the audio with a known high-quality source, such as a 5.1 surround sound movie track, to ensure the frequency response has returned to a natural state.
If That Didn't Work
- Check the TV Audio Output Format: Navigate to your TV's sound settings and change the Digital Audio Output from "Auto" or "Dolby Digital" to "PCM." The YAS-209 sometimes struggles with certain bitstream formats, which can cause a phase shift that sounds identical to the "hollow" Clear Voice effect.
- Reposition the Wireless Subwoofer: If the subwoofer is placed in a corner or too close to the soundbar, it can create a "standing wave" or acoustic null. Move the subwoofer at least 2 feet away from walls and ensure it is not tucked inside a cabinet, which can cause boomy resonance that makes the mid-range voices sound distant.
- Verify Optical Cable Seating: A loose or damaged Toslink optical cable can cause intermittent signal loss in specific frequency bands. Unplug the cable from both the TV and the soundbar, check for any debris or bent plastic tips, and click it firmly back into place until you hear a physical snap.
- Perform a Factory Reset: If a firmware glitch has locked the DSP settings, reset the unit. While the unit is on, press and hold the Power button on the main unit (not the remote) for 5 seconds until the display flashes and the unit restarts.
Heads Up
- Avoid placing the soundbar inside a closed media console; the YAS-209 relies on forward-firing drivers that require a clear line of sight to your ears to avoid "boxy" sound.
- If you find dialogue is still hard to hear without Clear Voice, try tilting the soundbar slightly upward (about 2-5 degrees) toward the listening position using small rubber adhesive feet.
- Keep the wireless subwoofer away from other 2.4GHz wireless devices, such as Wi-Fi routers or cordless phones, to prevent audible pops or synchronization lag.
- Regularly dust the speaker grilles with a soft brush to prevent buildup that can muffle the high-frequency clarity of the dialogue.