Yamaha $600 RX500A 7.2 channel, $400 RX300A 5.2 channel, AVRs

[Power Pop 23]

Yamaha announced two 'budget' AVR's in May 2026:

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx500a/index.html

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx300a/index.html

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

Striking change of looks!

 

[TonyJZX]

yeah the RX-V6a series of receivers were UGLY

the big difference with the 300 vs 500 is the 300 lacks any network so you can scratch that off

we will see how good their room correction is

they also still have a 'pure direct' mode but does it even have an analog pathway?

 

[Prana Ferox]

They make the knobs smaller and pass the savings on to you

Their 2-channel R line looks perfectly fine. I don't know why they need to keep making the RX AVRs look like a child's scribble of a stereo.

I guess we should be glad they even still sell 'budget' AVRs, I have to think the bottom has fallen out of this market.

 

[Miker 1102]

The budget lets you use two ceiling speakers for a 3.2.2 which I think is quite useful for a smaller space. I like the change.