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Yamaha RX-V481BL review
A modern AV receiver is perhaps one of the most sought after categories of home electronics. We've got one of these receivers for review - Yamaha RX-V481BL. Based on the characteristics and features considered, the model received a score of 5.6 on a 10-point scale. In 2016, this receiver was released. An amplifier with 5.1 channels is one of the main model’s feature.
Yamaha RX-V481BL Pros
- ✔The receiver has a function of wireless connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
- ✔Bluetooth is now one of the key wireless communication protocols. In AV receivers, it is used for audio signal transmission or remote control. And it is in the model under review that Bluetooth support is implemented.
- ✔The presence of a USB port allows the receiver to play content from external media.
- ✔DLNA is a feature that gives the receiver the ability to transmit and receive various media content over the home network, as well as display it in real time.
- ✔With HDR pass-through support, it is possible to transfer data over RX-V481BL with a much wider range of colors.
- ✔With 4K/60Hz pass-through support, it is possible to pass data through this model without degrading image quality.
- ✔ARC feature eliminates the need for an additional composite or optical cable when connecting this unit to a TV.
- ✔The manufacturer claims support for CEC in Yamaha RX-V481BL and therefore you can control any HDMI-connected device using one remote control.
- ✔This receiver supports the data encryption protocol HDCP 2.2 which allows licensed devices to play high definition audio and video.
- ✔Can stream audio using the AirPlay protocol.
- ✔Stream music from one of the most popular services Spotify directly on the Yamaha RX-V481BL.
- ✔This receiver consumes less power thanks to ECO mode.
- ✔Yamaha RX-V481BL uses bi-amping to amplify each dynamic in a speaker separately, resulting in clearer, better sound.
- ✔The reviewed receiver has a Pure Direct mode, when used it feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.
- ✔With the included microphone, the Yamaha RX-V481BL can use the auto speaker calibration mechanism to create the most suitable soundstage.
Yamaha RX-V481BL Cons
- ✖The RX-V481BL has not a phono (MM) input for connecting a phonographer or turntable.
- ✖Dolby Atmos technology has not been included.
- ✖Can not manage the DTS:X surround format.
- ✖HDMI eARC function not implemented.
- ✖Yamaha RX-V481BL is unable to use Amazon Music.
- ✖There is no voice control function.
- ✖Has no speaker A/B switching function.
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Yamaha RX-V481BL back and front view
Yamaha RX-V481BL specs and features
Amplifier
| Channels | 5.1 |
| Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 80/6 |
| Output impedance, Ohm | 6 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz |
| THD in stereo, % | 0.09 |
Audio features
| Digital to analog converter (DAC) | Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-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, Extra Bass |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | ✔ |
| USB | 1 (USB 2.0) |
| Bluetooth | ✔ |
| Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 |
| DLNA | ✔ |
| MHL | ✖ |
Streaming services
| Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay |
| Amazon Music | ✖ |
| Spotify | ✔ |
| Other streaming services | Pandora, Qobuz, JUKE |
Extensive connection
| HDMI input/output | 4/1 |
| HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ |
| HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ |
| HDMI CEC | ✔ |
| Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 |
| Subwoofer output (LFE) | 1 |
| Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 |
| Optical digital input | 1 |
| Coaxial digital input | 2 |
| Composite input | 3 |
| Component input/output | 0/0 |
| Phono (MM) input | ✖ |
| Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic, AUX |
| Multi channel preamp output | ✖ |
Video features
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✔ |
| 4K signal pass-through | 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 | DeepColor, x.v.Color |
Additional features
| Voice control | ✖ |
| App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
| Display | colour OSD |
| Tuner | AM, FM |
| Sleep timer | ✔ |
| Auto power off | ✔ |
| ECO mode | ✔ |
| Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✖ |
| Setup assistant | ✔ |
| Firmware update | network, USB |
| Other additional features | has not |
Multi-room
| Multi-room zones | has not |
| Zone audio output | has not |
| Zone HDMI output | has not |
| Multi-room control | has not |
| RS-232 | 0 |
| Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 |
| DC trigger output (12V) | 0 |
Multichannel surround
| Dolby Atmos | ✖ |
| Dolby TrueHD | ✔ |
| Dolby Surround | ✔ |
| Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic |
| DTS:X | ✖ |
| DTS HD Master | ✔ |
| DTS Virtual:X | ✖ |
| DTS Neural:X | ✖ |
| DTS (other) | DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS-Neo:6 |
| Auro-3D | ✖ |
| IMAX Enhanced | ✖ |
| Multichannel stereo | ✖ |
Audio file formats
| MP3 | ✔ |
| WMA | ✔ |
| AAC | ✔ |
| WAV | ✔ |
| FLAC | ✔ |
| ALAC | ✔ |
| Other audio file formats | AIFF |
Power
| Operational power consumption, W | 260 |
| Standby consumption, W | 0.1 |
| Removable power cord | ✖ |
Dimensions
| Size W x H x D, cm/inches | 43.5 x 16.1 x 32.7/17 x 6.3 x 12.6 |
| Weight, kg/lbs | 8.1/17.9 |
Other
| Release year | 2016 |