Yamaha has taken the wraps off a pair of new Home Theater AV receivers that it claims are “designed to deliver immersive home-theatre sound and the latest video and streaming capabilities to a wider range of entertainment lovers”. Which means, in other words, that the new RX300A and RX500A are updated additions to the relatively affordable end of the brand’s AV sound offering.
Helping the two new models stand out from any previous Yamaha release – including the RX-V385 that the RX300A is a direct replacement for – is an all-new cosmetic design intended, according to Yamaha, to reflect a more modern, streamlined approach to home theatre components. So the two new units get a cleaner, more intuitive front panel fitted with fewer buttons and simpler labelling, making it easier to find and access the most important controls.
Yamaha is keen to stress, though, that the two new receivers’ insides are still very much what we’ve come to expect over the brand’s 40-year AV receiver history. Its True Sound design philosophy is present in their internal circuit layout, signal paths and vibration control – including the proprietary Anti-Resonance Technology Wedge (a centre-mounted “fifth foot”) adopted from Yamaha’s flagship AVENTAGE models – resulting, hopefully, in better clarity, dynamics and spatial accuracy for the Dolby Atmos and DTS soundtrack formats they’re able to play.
Both receivers carry HDMI loop through systems capable of passing through both game-friendly 4K/120Hz and (largely unnecessary now!) 8K/60Hz signals, as well as both the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ premium HDR formats, variable refresh rates and Auto Low Latency Mode switching signals so that compatible TVs know when you’re playing a game and can switch into their Game presets automatically.
Both receivers also include a setup mic for automatic room correction, as well as programmable Scene buttons that make day to day use easier by allowing users to recall complete system settings with a single button press.
Looking at the specifics of each new model, the $399.95 RX300A is set to launch in June, and will support 3.2.2-channel set ups with up-firing or in-ceiling height speakers, as we as 5.2-channel setups with virtual height processing. It also carries dual subwoofer outputs, Bluetooth Multipoint support, and playback of Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X soundtracks.
The $599.95 RX500A is set to arrive in September, and ups the channel count to 7.2 channels, which can again be arranged in multiple configurations. The Dolby Atmos support is joined on the RX500A by full DTS:X support, and the mode also adds built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, enabling high-quality music-streaming via Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, net radio and more.
Yamaha is also going to be launching a new complete 5.1-channel Home Theater system featuring the RX300A. The $699.95 YHT-4970U home theater in a box is a successor to the YHT-4950U, adding a matched 5.1-channel speaker system to the RX300A along with speaker wire and a subwoofer cable. The YHT-4970U will be available from July.
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