If you’re looking for a decent sound upgrade that won’t cost you an arm and leg, Yamaha may have just the thing you need. It has just announced two extremely competitively priced new AV receivers that are bursting with audio features,, on sale now for well under a grand.
The specifications of the Yamaha RX300A and the Yamaha RX500A Dolby Atmos AV receivers are pretty similar, with the biggest difference being the number of channels. While the RX300A delivers 5.2-channel sound with the option to go 3.1.2, the RX500A boosts this up to 7.2-channels, with the option to drop this down to a 5.1.2-channel Atmos setup.
As the name suggests, both of the receivers support Dolby Atmos surround sound, and the RX300A also supports DTS Virtual:X, while the RX500A gets Support for superior DTS:X audio.
The new products are designed for people who want to upgrade from a soundbar and create their first home theatre setup and enjoy the benefits of truly immersive sound that comes from every direction. Both products look pretty classy with a minimalist and streamlined design that features fewer buttons and simpler labels than what’s usually found on an AV receiver. The software also includes features like room correction to aid with speaker calibration.
They feature the company’s anti-resonance technology that’s found on its flagship AVENTAGE AV receivers, which helps to reduce the impact of vibration and enhance sound stability. Moreover, the software has been simplified to help users configure their speakers and get everything just right much faster.
Both models support 4K@120Hz and 8K@60Hz inputs and HDMI eARC, as well as Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG signals. For gamers, VRR and ALLM are also supported.
Other features include Bluetooth 5.3 Multipoint, which enables users to quickly switch between streaming devices, and there are also buttons for quick access to different listening modes. Other connectivity options including Wi-Fi and the ability to stream music directly from Spotify Connect, while Google Cast, AirPlay, TIDAL Connect and Qobuz Connect are all present to cast music from a range of mobile devices.
The Yamaha RX300A will go on sale in June priced at a very reasonable $399.95 (around £297), while the RX500A is set to launch in September at a cost of $599.95 (around £447). For those who require speakers, the company is also selling the RX300A as part of a bundle that provides everything you need to get set up with a thumping 5.1 speaker system, at a cost of just $699.95 (£522).
That is pretty cheap, considering that Samsung’s brand new HW-Q990H soundbar has just launched with an eye-watering £1,599 price tag.
