Buy the Yamaha RX-A4A for the connectivity: a curated 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth vs 24, and three stated HDMI outputs vs one. The amplifier step (110 vs 100W, identical context) is ~0.4 dB — real on paper, irrelevant in a room.
As tracked by Home Theater Builder: the Yamaha RX-A4A tracks at $1,600; the Yamaha RX-A2A at $1,210.How we verify this data →
Both wear the AVENTAGE badge, both run YPAO RSC, both are 7.2 designs. The step-up money buys three stated things — and one of them is the HDMI spec most buyers assume both have.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED
Spec
Yamaha RX-A4A
Yamaha RX-A2A
Price
$1,600
$1,210
Brand
Yamaha
Yamaha
Channel configuration
7.2
7.2
Main channels
7
7
Processing channels
7
7
Subwoofer pre-outs
2
2
Height channels
2
not stated
Zone 2 capable
Yes
Yes
Watts per channel (8 Ω)
110
100
THD (%)
0.06
0.06
Channels driven (power rating)
two channels driven
unstated
Impedance range
Front: 4 Ω or more; Other: 6 Ω or more (default 8 Ω)
Front: 4 Ω or more; Other: 6 Ω or more (default 8 Ω)
Speaker impedance, min (Ω)
4
4
Speaker impedance, max (Ω)
8
8
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Yes
DTS:X
Yes
Yes
Auro-3D
No
No
Room correction system
YPAO RSC
YPAO RSC
Measurement mic included
Yes
not stated
HDMI inputs
7
7
HDMI outputs
3
1
HDMI version
2.1
not stated
HDMI max bandwidth (Gbps)
40
24
HDMI eARC ports
1
1
Max passthrough resolution
4K 60
8K 60
HDR support
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+
Dolby Vision, HDR10+
VRR passthrough
Yes
Yes
ALLM passthrough
Yes
Yes
Phono input
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
AirPlay 2
Yes
Yes
MusicCast
Yes
Yes
Streaming services
Spotify Connect, Pandora, Deezer, Qobuz
not stated
12 V trigger outputs
1
1
Form factor
full size
not stated
Width (in)
17.1
17.1
Height (in)
7.5
6.8
Depth (in)
17.4
14.6
Weight (lbs)
35.7
22.5
Zone 3 capable
not stated
No
Shaded rows differ · green dot = lab-measured · amber = manufacturer-verified · blue = retailer/community-reported · grey = estimated · “not stated” means exactly that
Reading the numbers honestly
Power is like-for-like: 110W (RX-A4A) vs 100W (RX-A2A), both at 8Ω, two channels driven, 0.06% THD — about 0.4 dB. The stated differences that matter: the A4A carries a curated 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth where the A2A's curated figure is 24 Gbps, and the A4A states three HDMI outputs to the A2A's one. Both share the same curated 7-channel processing count — the step-up does not add height channels.
Compatibility · computed, not written
Checked against a bookshelf that dips to a stated 3.5Ω like the KEF LS50 Meta: KEF LS50 Meta
Can the Yamaha RX-A4A drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Yamaha RX-A4A states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Can the Yamaha RX-A2A drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Yamaha RX-A2A states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Computed from the catalog's normalized fields — the same fields the builder's compatibility engine reads. A missing field reads as "can't check", never as a pass.
Gaming & connectivity · answered from the spec sheets
Can the Yamaha RX-A4A and Yamaha RX-A2A pass 4K/120 through?
The Yamaha RX-A4A states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120; the Yamaha RX-A2A states 24 Gbps HDMI bandwidth, below the ~40 Gbps full 4K/120 needs.
The verdict
Buy the Yamaha RX-A4A for the connectivity: a curated 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth vs 24, and three stated HDMI outputs vs one. The amplifier step (110 vs 100W, identical context) is ~0.4 dB — real on paper, irrelevant in a room.
4K/120 gaming sourcesYamaha RX-A4A — Curated 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth vs the A2A's 24 — the spec that actually gates full-rate 4K/120.
TV + projector + zone displayYamaha RX-A4A — 3 stated HDMI outputs vs 1.
A 5.1.2 that will never growYamaha RX-A2A — Same YPAO RSC, same 7-channel processing, 0.4 dB less power — the lower rung does the same job for less as tracked today.
Where to buy
CHEAPEST FIRST · NOT COMMISSION-RANKED
Yamaha RX-A4A
Tracked at PC Richard & Son · price not quotable from a search page
Like-for-like power: 110W vs 100W, both stated at 8Ω / two channels driven / 0.06% THD (~0.4 dB).
The HDMI bandwidth fork inside one badge: curated 40 Gbps (A4A) vs 24 Gbps (A2A) — the AVENTAGE name alone doesn't tell you which side of the 4K/120 line you're on.
3 vs 1 stated HDMI outputs.
Both state YPAO RSC and 7 curated processing channels — correction and channel count don't move with the price.
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