Yamaha RX-V385BL vs Denon AVR-S540BT

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

RX-V385BL vs AVR-S540BT comparison chart

Yamaha RX-V385BL vs Denon AVR-S540BT review

Yamaha RX-V385BL
vs
Denon AVR-S540BT

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Yamaha RX-V385BL and Denon AVR-S540BT takes place. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V385BL received 4.7 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S540BT was rated 5.5 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that AVR-S540BT has better performance than RX-V385BL.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V385BL over Denon AVR-S540BT

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S540BT over Yamaha RX-V385BL

  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 6 points out of 10.

RX-V385BL
6
AVR-S540BT
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-V385BL supports 5.1-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S540BT 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. In terms of RMS power, the models have the same characteristics - 70/8, 145/6/8 W/Ohm.

RX-V385BL AVR-S540BT
Channels5.15.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 145/670/8, 90/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V385BL 5 out of 10, and the AVR-S540BT - 6.

RX-V385BL
5
AVR-S540BT
6

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-V385BL AVR-S540BT
Digital to analog converter (DAC)Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONTCompressed Audio Restorer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V385BL scored 6, and Denon AVR-S540BT scored 5 out of 10.

RX-V385BL
6
AVR-S540BT
5

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

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the RX-V385BL only.

RX-V385BL AVR-S540BT
Wi-Fi
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)1
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-V385BL AVR-S540BT
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notTIDAL, Pandora

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-V385BL got 7 points, but Denon AVR-S540BT received 6 points.

RX-V385BL
7
AVR-S540BT
6

Yamaha RX-V385BL is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S540BT has 5/1 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 only on Yamaha RX-V385BL.

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-V385BL in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Denon AVR-S540BT has the HDCP 2.2 version.

RX-V385BL AVR-S540BT
HDMI input/output4/15/1
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)12
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input22
Component input/output0/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, AUXUSB, phones, setup mic
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-V385BL were rated 9 out of 10 against the 6 for the AVR-S540BT.

RX-V385BL
9
AVR-S540BT
6

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 only with Yamaha RX-V385BL.

RX-V385BL AVR-S540BT
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
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 featuresHLG, BT.2020HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V385BL got 5 points, but the AVR-S540BT has 8.

RX-V385BL
5
AVR-S540BT
8

RX-V385BL AVR-S540BT
Voice control
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
Displaycolour OSDcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBUSB
Other additional featureshas nothas 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-V385BL AVR-S540BT
Multi-room zoneshas nothas not
Zone audio outputhas nothas not
Zone HDMI outputhas nothas not
Multi-room controlhas nothas not
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 5 points out of 10.

RX-V385BL
5
AVR-S540BT
5

RX-V385BL AVR-S540BT
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-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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