Reflecting on a Fulfilling 2024

Today, we're taking a moment to reflect on a year of personal growth and development across five key themes: Family, Volunteering and Community, Career and Skills, Financials, Hobbies, and Health.

Family

This year, our family embarked on an unforgettable trip to Japan, immersing ourselves in its rich culture and scenic beauty. 

Back home in Singapore, my elder daughter continued to develop her skills in art (drawing), table tennis, swimming, and music through the Yamaha Music School. It's been heartening to see her growth and the joy she derives from these activities. Our younger son also started his Yamaha lessons, marking the beginning of his own musical journey. 

We've also enjoyed cycling on park connectors, a fun and healthy family activity that we've come to love.

In December, I've started to re-organise the home layout, in preparation for creating a more conducive environment for my daughter's studying.

Volunteering and Community 

This year, I've committed to volunteering more regularly, including grocery delivery and food rescue. It's been a humbling experience, reminding me of the privileges we enjoy and the importance of giving back to our community. It's also instilled a deeper sense of gratitude for what we have.

Career and Skills 

In terms of career and skills, I've kept up with developments in my field and endeavoured to use Generative AI and GPT more in my daily work. I've also completed a few Coursera courses, further enhancing my skills and knowledge in my professional domain.

Financials 

On the financial front, I've made some strategic moves to optimize my savings. I maxed out my Singapore Savings Bonds $200k limit and locked in fairly good interest rates during the earlier part of 2024. This has provided a secure and stable return on my savings.

In addition, I started using Wise interest accounts for SGD and USD. This move has helped improve cash yields, providing a higher return compared to traditional savings accounts. It's a simple and efficient way to make my money work harder for me.

These financial strategies have not only enhanced my savings but also provided a solid foundation for future financial planning. It's a reminder of the importance of proactive financial management and the power of compound interest.

Hobbies 

My hobbies have added variety to my life. I've kept up with piano playing, finding joy and relaxation in music. I've also continued with my audio hi-fi hobby, experimenting with loudspeakers and in-ear monitors (IEMs) to enhance my music listening experience.

Health 

Despite persistent knee pain, I've managed to maintain good health overall, with minimal illness. Regular cycling has not only helped manage my knee pain but also kept me active and fit.

Looking back, it's been a year of growth and learning across various aspects of life. I encourage you to share your experiences and ask questions in the comments. Let's learn and grow together in this journey of life.

For more personal stories and insights on a variety of topics, subscribe to our blog and share this post with your fellow readers. Stay tuned to Real Value SG, and let's embrace the journey of lifelong learning together!

Roglic at Singapore Criterium

Cavendish at Singapore Criterium

cycling at 4.30am while most folks are asleep!

The Perfect 3D2N Da Nang & Hoi An Itinerary for Singaporean Families

Finding that perfect short getaway during the school holidays can be a real challenge for Singaporean parents. We've all been there: scrolling endlessly, trying to find a destination that pleases both the adults and the kids. My wife and I were looking for that perfect mix: somewhere close to Singapore, packed with culture, but with enough fun to stop our six-year-old daughter and four-year-old son from getting bored.

The answer? A quick 3-day, 2-night hop over to Da Nang and Hoi An in Central Vietnam. It was the perfect, stress-free solution—a short flight away, offering a magical blend of resort relaxation and vibrant cultural experiences that our whole family loved.

PSA: Buchardt Audio - Black Weekend Sale

In Singapore, a majority of the population resides in apartments (HDBs or condos). With interior space at a premium, compact yet high-quality audio equipment is in demand. Active speakers, known for their excellent sound output and space-saving design, have become a popular choice.

The Appeal of Active Speakers 

Active speakers like the Anniversary 10 model or the A700 model are examples of compact audio solutions that do not compromise on sound quality. These models are designed to deliver superior audio performance, making them a perfect fit for Singapore's apartment living.

A Market for Quality Sound 

The Singaporean market presents a unique opportunity for manufacturers of high-quality active speakers. The discerning Singaporean audiophile values excellent sound and sleek design, making this market a perfect match for top-tier active speakers.

A Platform for Collaboration 

At Real Value SG, we aim to connect our readers with the best audio solutions to suit their needs. We regularly share insights and reviews on a variety of topics, including audio equipment. Our platform could be an ideal space for showcasing high-quality active speakers to a keen and engaged audience.

In conclusion, the trend towards quality active speakers in Singapore's compact living spaces presents exciting opportunities. It's a testament to the pursuit of exceptional sound, even when space is at a premium.

Waiting with bated breath!
Anniversary 10 has been on my mind for ages!
Starts: Thursday, 12:00 PM CET

Link to website

Yamaha YAS-209 Review: Still a Top Soundbar Choice in Singapore?

You’ve just settled onto your sofa, ready for the season finale of the latest hit series. The 4K picture on your new prism-thin TV is breathtakingly sharp, but the sound? It’s thin, tinny, and completely underwhelming. The dramatic dialogue gets lost in the background music, and the explosive action scenes sound more like a pop than a bang. It’s a common problem in many Singaporean homes, where fantastic visuals are let down by lacklustre built-in TV speakers.

Enter the Yamaha YAS-209. For years, this soundbar has been a go-to recommendation for those seeking a massive audio upgrade without a complex setup or a hefty price tag. But in 2025, with newer models on the market, is it still a wise investment for your HDB or condo living room? In this definitive review, we’ll break down why the YAS-209 remains a powerful contender for your dollar.

Unboxing and First Impressions: 15 Minutes to Cinematic Sound

First impressions matter, and the YAS-209 makes a great one. The packaging is robust and thoughtfully laid out. Pulling out the sleek, fabric-covered soundbar and the minimalist wireless subwoofer, you immediately feel the quality of the build.

I had the entire system unboxed and connected in my BTO living room in under 15 minutes. The process was incredibly intuitive: one power cord for the soundbar, one for the subwoofer, and a single HDMI cable from the soundbar's ARC (Audio Return Channel) port to the corresponding port on my TV. The subwoofer connected to the main unit automatically and wirelessly. The most challenging part was simply deciding where to place it for the best bass response—a testament to its user-friendly design.

Diving Deep into the YAS-209's Features

The Yamaha YAS-209 is more than just a speaker; it's an intelligent audio hub packed with technology that genuinely enhances your viewing experience.

Immersive 3D Surround Sound with DTS Virtual:X

This is the YAS-209’s star feature. While a true surround sound system requires multiple speakers placed around your room, DTS Virtual:X cleverly creates a virtual 3D soundscape from just the soundbar itself. The effect is startlingly effective. You’ll hear raindrops that seem to fall from your ceiling and spaceships that sound like they're flying overhead. It elevates movie night by adding a dimension of height and space to the audio, pulling you deeper into the action.

"Alexa, Turn it Up": A Genuinely Smart Speaker

With Amazon Alexa built-in, the YAS-209 becomes the control centre for your entertainment. You can ask Alexa to lower the volume, switch inputs, or play your favourite Spotify playlist without ever reaching for the remote. As a tech reviewer noted, "The microphone array on the YAS-209 is impressively sensitive, picking up voice commands accurately even when a movie is playing. It's a seamless and practical smart home integration."

Deep, Rich Bass from a Wireless Subwoofer

The separate wireless subwoofer is what truly separates this system from TV speakers. It delivers the deep, rumbling bass that brings weight and impact to movie explosions and musical basslines. Because it's wireless, you have the freedom to place it anywhere in the room for optimal acoustics without a single ugly cable trailing across your floor. This preference for clean, wireless setups has seen the market for them grow by over 20% in recent years, and the YAS-209 is a perfect example of why.

Never Miss a Word with Clear Voice

Have you ever had to turn on subtitles during a quiet, dialogue-heavy scene? Yamaha’s Clear Voice technology is the solution. With the press of a button, it specifically enhances the frequencies of human speech, lifting dialogue out of the background noise and making it crisp and easy to understand. It's a must-have feature for watching local dramas or complex narrative films.

The Verdict: Is the Yamaha YAS-209 a Smart Buy in 2025?

Even as a discontinued model, the Yamaha YAS-209 offers an incredible package that punches far above its weight. Its combination of powerful, immersive sound, built-in Alexa smarts, and dead-simple setup makes it a formidable choice.

If you find this model on sale or as a certified refurbished unit, it represents some of the best value for money on the market. It easily outperforms many newer, entry-level soundbars and delivers a feature set that is genuinely useful. For anyone in Singapore looking to make a significant, immediate, and cost-effective upgrade to their home entertainment audio, the Yamaha YAS-209 remains a resounding recommendation.

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FAQ Section:

1. Can I connect my phone to the Yamaha YAS-209 to play music?

Yes, absolutely. The YAS-209 features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to easily stream music, audiobooks, and podcasts directly from your smartphone or any other Bluetooth-enabled device.

2. Does the YAS-209 support 4K video?

Yes, it does. The HDMI port supports 4K HDR passthrough. This means you can connect a device like a PS5, Xbox Series X, or 4K Blu-ray player to the soundbar, and it will pass the full 4K video signal to your TV without any degradation in quality.

3. Since it's a discontinued model, is it still easy to find and is it worth it?

While you won't find it in every major retail store, the YAS-209 is often available from online retailers, authorised dealers with remaining stock, or on marketplaces like Carousell. It is absolutely worth it if you find a good deal. Its audio performance and feature set are still highly competitive and offer better value than many brand-new soundbars in the same price bracket.