An overview of Yamaha RX-V385BL and Yamaha RX-V485 will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V385BL received 4.7 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-V485 was rated 7.4 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that RX-V385BL is inferior in audio processing features to RX-V485.
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. Both receivers can handle the 5.1-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-V485 this value is 80/8 W/Ohm, and for the RX-V385BL it is 70/8 W/Ohm.
RX-V385BL | RX-V485 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 5.1 | 5.1 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 70/8, 145/6 | 80/8, 145/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.09 | 0.09 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V385BL 5 out of 10, and the RX-V485 - 9.
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-V485.
Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Yamaha RX-V485 has Pure Direct mode.
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 | RX-V485 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit | Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✖ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | ✖ | YPAO |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT | CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V385BL scored 6, and Yamaha RX-V485 scored 7 out of 10.
Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Yamaha RX-V485.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
RX-V385BL | RX-V485 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✖ | ✔ |
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.
RX-V385BL | RX-V485 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM |
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 Yamaha RX-V485 received 8 points.
Competitors in our review have 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
RX-V385BL | RX-V485 | |
---|---|---|
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 2.3 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 1 | 1 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 2 |
Composite input | 2 | 3 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, AUX | USB, phones, AUX |
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 rivals in our comparison were rated 9 out of 10.
RX-V385BL | RX-V485 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/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 features | HLG, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color, BT.2020, HLG |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V385BL got 5 points, but the RX-V485 has 9.
Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The RX-V485 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri.
RX-V385BL | RX-V485 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri |
App control | ✖ | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✖ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✖ | ✖ |
Setup assistant | ✖ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | has not |
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 | RX-V485 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | has not | 2 |
Zone audio output | has not | speaker |
Zone HDMI output | has not | ✖ |
Multi-room control | has not | MusicCast |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 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.
RX-V385BL | RX-V485 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic |
DTS:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS Neo:6 |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |