the design goal for flat panel tv be to manufacture they to be as thin as possible and to minimize the boarder to optimize the view area . unfortunately , this leave very little room for built-in speaker and the consequence be `` tinny '' or `` shrill '' sound from the tv 's tiny speaker . even though a soundbar be relatively small , the sound quality be rich and full . add in the subwoofer , and you will hear the bass that you be \* suppose \* to hear . after listen to the Yamaha yht-400bl sound system , I can barely believe I do not notice the tv 's poor sound quality earlier . pro : 1 -rrb- once you know what configuration you wish to setup , put it together be very simple 2 -rrb- the soundbar be stylish and look like it be part of the tv . con : 1 -rrb- the instruction manual do not specify the configuration where the tv be the central point for the video input source -lrb- dvd player or Set Top box such as appletv -rrb- . 2 -rrb- do not come with hdmus cable or Optical Audio cable . this sort of make sense , as you configuration determine which cable be require -lrb- but not both -rrb- 3 -rrb- yet another remote control to clutter up the coffee table -lrb- or where ever you keep they -rrb- 4 -rrb- the subwoofer be somewhat large and the expose speaker be not very aesthetically please . you also have to make room for the subwoofer . 5 -rrb- the soundbar slightly block the IR remote control receiver on the tv , so I have to raise the remote control high enough to hit the sensor . 6 -rrb- for my configuration -lrb- tv be central point for input -rrb- , the tv speaker must be off , otherwise there be a annoying `` echo '' effect . Yamaha claim this be a extended surround sound , but the echo effect and the mismatch in speaker quality make it , in my opinion , useless . 7 -rrb- if you configure the Yamaha as I do , the result be there be a bunch of electronics in the subwoofer that be not be use . I think Yamaha should have offer a simple configuration , such as the one I be use , and save the customer some money . instead of follow the instruction manual , which suggest have the Yamaha system be the central point for the video input source , I choose to have the tv to be the central point . for this configuration : 1 -rrb- I need to purchase a Optical Audio cable -lrb- I go to Radio shack , pn 15-239 for $ 25.99 -rrb- 2 -rrb- a side benefit be I do not have to move hdmus cabling from the tv to the Yamaha system . conclusion : I buy the Yamaha yht-400bl for ~ $ 300 -lrb- they be clear the channel -rrb- and for that price , I would absolutely buy it again . the latest model -lrb- yht-401bl -rrb- retail for $ 699 , and while not the value what I pay , it be worth consider if you absolutely must have great sound .