features Dolby Atmos, nine channels of amplification and two HDMI outputs that
can be assigned for multiple zones in a whole house audio system, and streaming
audio from Pandora, Spotify, or your DLNA Home Network. We spent several months with the RX-A2040 to
see if could transform our home theater with object-oriented audio and
high-resolution audio. We compare Dolby Prologic II with the new Dolby Upsampler and discrete vs Dolby reflection speakers.
Yamaha RX-A2040 Video Review
Yamaha's RX-A2040 is a high-end AVR, second only to the
top-of-the-line $2,200 RX-3040. A few
prime differentiators between the two include the number of speaker posts
(though both are 9-channel amps) and power per channel, which isn't to say that
the RX-A2040 is any kind of slouch.
Featuring nine assignable channels and 155 watts of power with any two
channels driven by a 1kHz signal into 8 ohms at 0.9% THD, the RX-A2040 stands
toe-to-toe with competing receivers like the Denon AVR-X5200W which retails for
$300 more than the Yamaha.
Yamaha RX-A2040
The RX-A2040 supports object-oriented Dolby Atmos, up to a
5.1.4 configuration, as well as Yamaha's own "presence" speaker technology
which incorporates height channels along the front and rear walls, instead of
the ceiling, to create a 3-dimensional soundfield. All of these technologies promise a more
immersive experience. We'll have more
about our listening experience using these playback modes later, and a full
impression of Dolby Atmos in a separate article.
Those nine channels of amplification are mated with eight
total HDMI 2.0 inputs and more digital audio and analog inputs than should be
reasonably necessary in modern society, including 7.1 multichannel inputs and
7.2 outputs. Two HDMI outputs allow for
up to two zones of video, and you can combine the built-in amplifiers with
external amplifiers for up to two additional zones of audio only. Other custom-install features like 12v
trigger outputs and RS-232C are included.
In other words, 99% of people will never use all these features, but if
you're in that last 1% looking to use the RX-A2040 as the central brain of an
elaborate whole-home audio system, it will likely meet your needs as well.
Yamaha RX-A2040 Rear
The RX-A2040 features the trademark Aventage 5th foot at the
center of the chassis to help support the nearly 38lbs of bulk contained in its
17-1/8" x 7-1/2" x 18-3/8" (W x H x D) mass.
Note the depth is over 18", so if you're looking to fit the RX-A2040
into an existing entertainment center, you'll want to make sure you have the
space. A brushed aluminum front panel
features an attractive bevel that serves up simple physical controls. On that front panel, you have a power button,
one large knob for selecting the input, one large knob for volume, a small
"pure direct" button, and a smooth fold-down aluminum panel covering more
advanced controls like four "scene" buttons that save specific inputs and
surround modes for quick retrieval.
After a little setup, any member of your family should be able to run
the system with very minimal training, which is very welcome. Importantly, all key remote functions,
including menu navigation, are available under the panel. If the remote is ever damaged or unavailable,
you should be able to control every setup function from the unit itself.
RX-A2040 Front Panel
Speaking of the remote, anyone who's watched my videos knows
that I'm a remote-stickler. The RX-A2040
remote is perfectly on par with most every other remote included with AVRs
these days, which is to say, it's close to terrible. The Yamaha remote gets a solid "D" for
cramming in many identically-sized buttons that will rarely see use. Even the larger, commonly used buttons like
volume and D-pad are molded as separate, smaller buttons instead of a solid,
rocker-style button which makes them more difficult to distinguish by touch
alone. Whoever was in charge of the
great front panel design should spend a week with the remote control
division. I'm making a solemn vow: the
first AVR manufacturer that wows me with their remote design and interface is
getting sent homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Good news: the bar is low.
Yamaha also offers a web app that can be accessed through a
web browser, and smartphone app that can be used to replace some remote
functions. Here again, for all AVR
manufacturers, there is much promise.
There's no excuse for on-screen keyboards when we all have a touchscreen
in our pockets. It's also much easier to
swipe and touch through setup menus on a phone than navigate through multiple
levels in a clunky on-screen menu.
Yamaha Remote Phone App
Yamaha's smartphone app is beautifully graphic, had no
connection problems, offers simple navigation of inputs and sound modes, allows
some control of features like subwoofer trim and dynamic range control, and
offers very usable control over the 4 zones.
However, there are still some warts.
Renaming inputs on the smartphone app only impacts the smartphone
display, not the display on the AVR itself.
On the Android app, there is a "3-dot" menu key in the lower right that
doesn't do anything. It's far too easy
to accidentally switch to the internet radio mode, and the "surround decoder"
doesn't let you switch between modes like PLIIx Movie and Music; it only
remembers the last surround mode that you selected. For a free add-on, it's difficult to fault with
Yamaha here, as everything they provide is a value-add. That said, the first AVR manufacturer that
allows me to rename inputs on the AVR, set speaker crossover frequencies, and
assign amp channels, all from a smartphone, also gets cookies.
Setup was straightforward with Yamaha's on-screen menu
walkthrough. I remember the tediousness
of setting up my first AVR using only the dot-matrix display on the front of
the box. The first-time I experienced an
on-screen GUI, it was a revelation.
Yamaha features a fantastically easy to navigate on-screen menu with
common settings at the forefront, and less commonly accessed settings
appropriately shelved deep in the GUI.
That said, Yamaha may have taken the on-screen menu to far. Many times, the built-in display would simply
read "View On Screen," which isn't particularly helpful when you're trying to
make a quick change without firing up your overhead projector. Even if navigating via the built-in display wasn't
completely intuitive, I'd like the on-screen menu objects to be mirrored on the
front panel.
Other 21st century features include wireless and wired network
connections, Apple Airplay, DLNA, and apps from Pandora, Spotify, and
more. Bluetooth is noticeably absent,
but is present in Yamaha's matching BD-A1040 Blu-ray Player, so maybe Yamaha
just figured that you wouldn't need redundant Bluetooth radios.
Yamaha's YPAO auto-setup nailed the proper distance, levels and crossover settings every time.
When it comes to connected apps, my personal opinion is that
99% of folks will be much happier with the broad app support and ease of use in
a $50 Roku than with most any configuration of apps built into a smart AVR or
TV. The only exception to this is when
an AVR's apps can be started and easily navigated from a remote or smartphone
using the built-in display. Yamaha's
implementation, after a slight learning curve, might have me forgoing my Roku
for something simple like Pandora streaming.
It's nice to be able to call up some streaming audio without having to
turn on a video display, and instead, using a smartphone to navigate.
The included microphone is used to run the YPAO setup that
sets distance and crossover for your speakers, as well as Parametric EQ and a
"Reflected Sound Control" which is said to reduce unwanted reflections. The auto-setup utilized up to 8 measurement
positions, and in my system as confirmed by my SPL meter and tape measure, with
a wide variety of speakers and placement, nailed the levels, distance, and
crossover every time. The EQ offers
three target curves to choose from: "Flat" which targets a neutral response for
all speakers, "Front" which matches all other speakers to the response of your
front speakers, and "Natural" which rolls off high frequencies a little to
compensate for smaller rooms in a home that reflects back a lot of
high-frequency energy. The EQ can also
be adjusted manually, or disabled altogether.
Generally, I found the resulting auto-EQ to be a matter of taste with no
crazy adjustments that I could see or hear.
For my listening, I left it off.
YPAO Volume works as an advanced loudness control, adjusting
key frequencies at low volume level to give a perception of even frequency
response by matching how our ears perceive the loudness of various frequencies
at various volume levels.
The RX-A2040 also includes a total of 22 Stereoscopic Sound
Fields delivered via their Cinema DSP 3D chip: 11 for movies/TV and 11 for
music. They are based on models created
from famous spaces like a gothic monastery in Royaumont, France and not so
famous spaces like "some lofts in Soho" with concrete walls. I found them to be a lot of fun...for about 5
seconds. A little more on that in the
listening section.
Yamaha leverages some
of that processing power to incorporate some of the technology found in their YSP-2500 which I reviewed and found to be very
adept at creating a surround field without speakers behind you. By moving five speakers to the front of the
room, the Yamaha RX-A2040 can create a "Virtual Cinema Front", though I wonder
about the type of consumer who buys a $1700, 9-channel AVR, but can only
accommodate five speakers in the front of their room. Still, it's a nice feature that might find
use in some homes.
wshuff posts on June 18, 2015 08:05
Are you conducting your usual measurements? I'm looking to see what the output voltage is on the pre-amp outputs. I'm running a Crown XLS 1500 with my 2040 and I want to know how close I can get to getting full power.
3db posts on June 17, 2015 21:17
nickboros, post: 1086732, member: 19021
I don't know if Marshal saying that Yamaha's presence height speakers sounding very close to Dolby Atmos is a good thing. From reviews that I have read, it was mentioned that Yamaha's height speakers aren't worth the time and effort, because of the minimal added effect.
I don't want to get into a quoting argument with you but I suggest you reread page two of the review. It clearly states that Yamaha comes close but Atmos still holds the advantage.
nickboros posts on June 17, 2015 16:02
3db, post: 1086566, member: 3560
With this review, you are beginning to change my mind about the value add of Dolby Atmos. Maybe I will have to upgrade my receiver one more time but finding the financial means will be difficult
I also found it interesting that Yamaha's proprietary height speaker settings came very close in performance to that of Dolby Atmos.
I don't know if Marshal saying that Yamaha's presence height speakers sounding very close to Dolby Atmos is a good thing. From reviews that I have read, it was mentioned that Yamaha's height speakers aren't worth the time and effort, because of the minimal added effect.
I'm still a little lost and trying to understand what Marshall was saying in another place though:
"I found the experience dizzying on many of the clips, which is probably why I came back to a clip called 'leaf' where more subtle wind and insect noises rustles through the trees while a seed pod whirls around the listening position."
"I'm pretty convinced that, for those few who can squeeze the requisite speakers into the requisite positions in their room, Atmos is a worthy upgrade."
I don't think of "dizzying" as a positive attribute though. I know some people like 3D video, but for me it gives me a headache after about 45 minutes, so if listening 3D audio can induce a "dizzying" effect, it may really divide people in the same way. Then again, perhaps Marshall was wan't using the word "dizzying" in a literal sense. Honestly though, I am excited about the possibility of having an improvement in the home theater experience and I need to go and audition a system with Dolby Atmos for myself to see if it is something I think will add to the experience.
gene posts on June 16, 2015 18:44
AllanMarcus, post: 1086511, member: 68182
"That said, the first AVR manufacturer that allows me to rename inputs on the AVR, set speaker crossover frequencies, and assign amp channels, all from a smartphone, also gets cookies."
I believe you can do those things in the set up Web App, which should work on a Smart phone. I do it from my iPad.
The web amp isn't that great to be honest. The smartphone app is much more intuitive and should allow more flexibility of user settings like Marshall said regarding bass management and EQ, etc.
3db posts on June 16, 2015 15:36
With this review, you are beginning to change my mind about the value add of Dolby Atmos. Maybe I will have to upgrade my receiver one more time but finding the financial means will be difficult
I also found it interesting that Yamaha's proprietary height speaker settings came very close in performance to that of Dolby Atmos.
http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/yamaha-rx-a2040
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