Review of Denon HEOS AVR versus Yamaha RX-V4A will reveal the best features offered by the devices. According to the results of our review, Denon HEOS AVR received 4.8 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-V4A was rated 6.5 points. The release date of HEOS AVR is 2017, and RX-V4A is 2020. RX-V4A is better suited for home theater use than the HEOS AVR. Its sound profile is better balanced.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 6 points out of 10.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon HEOS AVR supports 5.1-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-V4A supports a 5.2-channels configuration.
RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the RX-V4A this value is 80/6 W/Ohm, and for the HEOS AVR it is 65/6 W/Ohm.
HEOS AVR | RX-V4A | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 5.1 | 5.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 50/8, 65/6 | 80/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.05 | 0.06 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the HEOS AVR 5 out of 10, and the RX-V4A - 7.
Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible on the RX-V4A.
Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.
HEOS AVR | RX-V4A | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | N/A | N/A |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | ✖ | YPAO |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | has not | CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon HEOS AVR scored 7, and Yamaha RX-V4A scored 9 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
HEOS AVR | RX-V4A | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✔ | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
HEOS AVR | RX-V4A | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Qobuz |
The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, both receivers got 5 points on our 10-point scale.
Competitors in our review have 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available on Yamaha RX-V4A.
The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Denon HEOS AVR in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Yamaha RX-V4A has the HDCP 2.3 version.
HEOS AVR | RX-V4A | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 4/1 | 4/1 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 1 | 0 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 0 | 0 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | ✖ | USB, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✖ | ✖ |
The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the HEOS AVR were rated 5 out of 10 against the 7 for the RX-V4A.
HDR pass-through gives you the possibility to broadcast HDR content directly from source to TV without the processing of the receiver. HDR support is available on the Yamaha RX-V4A.
With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The HEOS AVR works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the RX-V4A has the 4K/120Hz.
The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Yamaha RX-V4A.
Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible with Yamaha RX-V4A.
HEOS AVR | RX-V4A | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✖ | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | 8K/60Hz |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | ✖ | ✖ |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✖ | ✔ |
Other video features | has not | x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the HEOS AVR got 4 points, but the RX-V4A has 7.
Yamaha RX-V4A has the ECO mode.
HEOS AVR | RX-V4A | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | ✖ | colour OSD |
Tuner | ✖ | FM |
Sleep timer | ✖ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✖ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✖ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✖ | N/A |
Setup assistant | ✖ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | App Control |
As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.
HEOS AVR | RX-V4A | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | has not | has not |
Zone audio output | has not | has not |
Zone HDMI output | has not | has not |
Multi-room control | HEOS App | MusicCast |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/0 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 5 points out of 10.
HEOS AVR | RX-V4A | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Pro Logic | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | has not | DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✖ |