Yamaha RX-A6A vs Yamaha RX-A4A

yamaha rx-a6a vs yamaha rx-a4a

Are you a fan of Yamaha AV receivers? Do you want to find an honest opinion on Yamaha RX-A6A vs Yamaha RX-A4A? Look no further than this review. This Yamaha RX-A6A vs Yamaha RX-A4A comparative study covers everything you need to know about these two home theater receivers.

Yamaha RX-A6A vs Yamaha RX-A4A Comparison:

Yamaha RX-A6A


Yamaha RX-A4A

Preview

Best Choice

Best Value

Channels

9.2

7.2

Watts Per Channel

150

110

Audio

Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro 3D

Dolby Atmos, DTS:X

Video

HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4K Upscaling, 8K Passthrough

HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4K Upscaling, 8K Passthrough

HDMI Inputs

7

7

Wireless Connectivity

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, MusicCast

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, MusicCast

Today's Best Price

Design

Yamaha strives hard to make its products look attractive and elegant. This model does not make an exception. The overall design of RX A8A and A6A looks the same. However, you can find some differences as well. The weight of A6A is 41.2 lbs. This model comes with a refreshed chassis and a compact footprint. It is hard to find any difference in the front panel of this product compared to other Aventage models. The clean design and smooth finish lend an elegant look to A6A.

What about Yamaha RX A4A? The overall design closely resembles the look of A6A. This model is a bit lighter than A6A. The weight of this product is 35.7 lbs. The front gloss side looks fabulous. As mentioned above, this one is also a part of the popular Yamaha Aventage models. So, the design looks the same. That is to say, there is nothing to choose between the front panel and overall designs of these two products.

Winner: Tie

Channels

The Yamaha A6A model features 9 channels. The channel processing capability of this model is 11.2. If you look at the number of channels on A4A, you can find 7 channels. It supports 7.1 channel processing. You can change the RX-A6A receiver into a 5.1.4 system or a 7.1.2 setup without external amplifiers. If you use external amplifiers, you can make it a 7.1.4 system. Let us focus on the RX A4A model now. You can convert this model into a 5.1.2 system with internal amplifiers.

These facts and figures reveal that A6A offers more channels and better flexibility than the A4A model.

Winner: Yamaha RX-A6A

Connectivity

These two home theater receivers are equipped with 7 HDMI inputs. They also come with 3 HDMI outputs. However, AX A6A holds an edge over A4A with a higher number of Digital Coaxial inputs, Optical TOSLINK inputs, and stereo RCA inputs. Moreover, the former comes with an extra Stereo XLR feature to offer enhanced connectivity benefits.

The A6A receiver model also offers an increased number of Rear A/V outputs to outperform the A4A model. You can connect these receivers to the internet with the help of a Wi-Fi adapter or an Ethernet cable. There is also a Bluetooth adapter to help you connect these AV receivers to Bluetooth devices. Further, they also work perfectly with AirPlay2, MusicCast, and Amazon Alexa.

When you analyze all relevant facts with an unbiased approach, you must give more marks to RX-A6A.

Winner: Yamaha RX-A6A

Audio Capabilities

At 8 Ohms, the amplifier of A6A delivers 150 watts per channel. If you look at the amplifier performance of A4A, you can find it generating only 110 watts per channel. So, the former is the clear winner in terms of amplifier performance and power.

How do these AV receivers perform as far as surround sound formats are concerned? These models support DTS: X and DTS Neural: X. They are also compatible with Dolby Atmos. The Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization feature is made available by a firmware update. If you check the Dolby Digital features, both devices support DD, DD+, and TrueHD.

The Auro 3D feature available on the A6A model cannot be identified on the A4A device. The former also comes with an Independent Dual Subwoofer Output to deliver improved audio features for users. Overall, you can come across better audio features on the Yamaha RX A6A model.

Let us analyze the sound quality of these two home theater receivers to get a better idea of their overall performance. The unique sound field creation technology of Yamaha has always been a hot topic of discussion. Yamaha RX-A6A offers stunning sound quality to transform your listening experience. A different level of immersion is what you can expect with this model.

When it comes to watching movies, you can expect a perfect feast for ears. A6A offers exceptional depth and sideways extension to fill your room with music and optimize the immersion impact. The dialogues never interfere with the actions. The transitions become incredibly smooth to deliver detailed and precise sound. There is no need to worry about any stability issues. You can enjoy the powerful low-end sound, lively high-end sound, and robust mid-range sound.

Let us focus our attention on RX A4A. This model will never disappoint you as far as audio quality is concerned. The surround optimization effect of this model is truly commendable. It also excels in terms of ambient effects. When you watch action-filled movies, this AV receiver throws you in the middle of the action. That is to say, it creates a highly engaging surround bubble to make your experience optimally immersive.

A4A reproduces sound with impeccable clarity in subtle as well as heavy action scenes. The extraordinary bass of this receiver makes you feel everything natural. It delivers all details with pinpoint accuracy. The surround activity can be termed optimally dynamic. The soundstage stays flexible and provides what exactly the situation demands. RX A6A never loses its balance. It shows admirable stability to keep the user satisfied forever.

Winner: Yamaha RX-A6A

Video Capabilities

The pass-through support of these two receivers is 4K 60HZ. 8K pass-through can be achieved using a firmware update. The upscaling capability of A6A and A4A is 4K 60HZ. Both are compatible with Dolby Vision and HDR formats.

Winner: Tie

Value for Money

RX A6A or A4A – which receiver delivers the best value for money? It depends on individual preferences and budget. The former is $800 costlier than the latter. If you are satisfied with a home theater receiver that is priced under $1500 with good features and capabilities, you can opt for RX A4A.

Winner: Yamaha RX-A4A

Verdict

What is the final verdict? Yamaha RX-A6A vs Yamaha RX-A4A – which one should you choose? If you analyze the features and performance, A6A is the clear winner. It comes with better amplifier performance, channels, audio quality, connectivity, and multi-zone features than A4A. This model outweighs the price difference with improved capabilities and features to ensure optimal user satisfaction.

Yamaha RX-A6A

Yamaha RX-A4A

5/5
4.5/5
  • 9.2 Channels

  • 150 Watts

  • 7HDMI Inputs

  • 7.2 Channels

  • 110 Watts

  • 7 HDMI Inputs

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING:

Vivek Sehgal

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