Yamaha RX-V4A vs Yamaha RX-A870BL

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

RX-V4A vs RX-A870BL comparison chart

Yamaha RX-V4A vs Yamaha RX-A870BL review

Yamaha RX-V4A
vs
Yamaha RX-A870BL

To get informed with the specs of the receivers, we suggest you read the Yamaha RX-V4A and Yamaha RX-A870BL review. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V4A received 6.5 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-A870BL was rated 8.3 points. The release date of RX-V4A is 2020, and RX-A870BL is 2017. This review shows us that the RX-A870BL is a better choice as a home AV receiver than the RX-V4A.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V4A over Yamaha RX-A870BL

  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A870BL over Yamaha RX-V4A

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, RX-A870BL bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

RX-V4A
6
RX-A870BL
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-V4A supports 5.2-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-A870BL supports a 7.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced.

RX-V4A RX-A870BL
Channels5.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm80/6100/8
Output impedance, Ohm68
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.060.06

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V4A 7 out of 10, and the RX-A870BL - 8.

RX-V4A
7
RX-A870BL
8

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.

RX-V4A RX-A870BL
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/ABurr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationYPAOYPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONTCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT, Extra Bass

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V4A scored 9, and Yamaha RX-A870BL scored 8 out of 10.

RX-V4A
9
RX-A870BL
8

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Yamaha RX-A870BL.

RX-V4A RX-A870BL
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)11
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

RX-V4A RX-A870BL
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, QobuzDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM

Extensive connections

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, Yamaha RX-V4A got 5 points, but Yamaha RX-A870BL received 9 points.

RX-V4A
5
RX-A870BL
9

Yamaha RX-V4A is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A870BL has 8/2 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 only 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 Yamaha RX-V4A in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Yamaha RX-A870BL has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the RX-A870BL has a Phono interface.

RX-V4A RX-A870BL
HDMI input/output4/18/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)02
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input12
Composite input01
Component input/output0/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX
Multi channel preamp output

Video features

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 RX-V4A were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the RX-A870BL.

RX-V4A
7
RX-A870BL
10

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 RX-V4A works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the RX-A870BL has the 4K/60Hz.

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 only on Yamaha RX-V4A.

RX-V4A RX-A870BL
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/120Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V4A got 7 points, but the RX-A870BL has 10.

RX-V4A
7
RX-A870BL
10

RX-V4A RX-A870BL
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SiriAmazon Alexa
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDcolour OSD
TunerFMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)N/A
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featuresApp Controlhas not

Multi-room

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.

RX-V4A RX-A870BL
Multi-room zoneshas not2
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlMusicCastMusicCast
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)01

Multichannel surround

Yamaha RX-V4A got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-A870BL got 7.

RX-V4A
5
RX-A870BL
7

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Yamaha RX-A870BL can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available on the RX-A870BL.

RX-V4A RX-A870BL
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-EXPRESS, DTS Neo:6 Cinema, DTS Neo:6 Music
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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