Yamaha RX-A1010 AVENTAGE A/V Receiver Bass Management

Menu System

Most of us like the new GUI Yamaha launched with the first generation AVENTAGE receivers.  You can see them in action in our Yamaha RX-A3000 Video Preview.  Personally I prefer the GUI of the older RX-Z7 but it may be because that is my reference receiver and I am quite familiar with its operation.

Yamaha has tried to simplify the setup process with their new GUI and most users will certainly appreciate it. Hitting the “On-Screen” button on the remote control takes you to the following options: System, Zone, Audio Signal, Video Signal, HDMI Monitor, Network.  Hitting the “Option” button on the remote takes you to DSP setting, Enhancer, DRC, input volume trim, dialogue lift and extended surround”.  This split approach is probably better for most users to not overwhelm them with too many options via a centralized GUI screen from a single menu button command like Yamaha used in prior receivers. 

An important feature that I initially thought was missing is the “Initial Volume” setting which allows the user to preset a volume level during power up to avoid being blasted off your couch by whomever last cranked up the system to rock concert levels.  The feature is located in the “Sound Menu” and I recommend setting it to -30dB as one of the first setup options when configuring your receiver.

Speaker Set-Up & Bass Management

This is where you engage the Auto setup using the included multi-point microphone, and also where you configure the speakers with the manual setup function. We’ve covered YPAO to death in the past, so we're not going to waste valuable real estate rehashing that system here.  The only thing I felt noting about YPAO was related to their lack of a manual PEQ option for the subwoofer channel on this model.  It's an omission I wish Yamaha wouldn't have done because having the ability to EQ the sub channel is arguably the most important and beneficial of any of the speakers in a home theater system.

Like the RX-A3000 previously reviewed, Yamaha gives you a very graphical representation of speaker configurations and sizes via their “advanced” GUI.  The on-screen GUI interface literally shows you what your options are, and you can pick and choose how you want to run your speakers though we NEVER recommend a situation where you would want to run the main channels on “small” and other channels on “large”.  It makes little sense why this option is even offered and we found using it also affects the slopes of the HPF and LPF of the bass management circuits. In my opinion once the user sets the main channels to “small”, the receiver should automatically default all other channels to “small” too.

Yamaha RX-A1010 Bass Management Response

Using our Audio Precision APx585 8-channel HDMI Audio Analyzer, we confirmed if you set the main channels to “small” and all other channels to” large”, and set the Xover to 80Hz, the LPF -3dB pt is actually 94Hz with a 20dB/Oct rolloff.  Only when you set ALL speakers to “small” do you actually get closer to the intended crossover frequency.  However, the slope of the LPF is a bit shallow as it should instead be 24dB/Oct like we’ve seen on Yamaha predecessors.  The HPF function worked as expected, with the correct -3dB point and 12dB/Oct slope.  In practice this likely won’t cause any audible issues but it’s probably a good idea to set all speakers to “small” or only the main channels to “large” to get the most accurate intended bass management response.  

Yamaha gives you multiple crossover options between 40Hz to 200Hz but it’s a global crossover affecting all speaker groups instead of independent settings for each speaker group like some of their higher model offerings provision for.  I recommend using the 80Hz setting for most installations.

Power Amplifier Assignability

Yamaha really gives you some great assignable amplifier options in the RX-A1010.  It doesn’t seem too long ago when we jury-rigged a Denon AVR-3805 into  bi-amping the main channels using the two idle amplifiers in a 5.1 installation.  This quickly became an Internet sensation resulting in all of the major A/V receiver manufacturers offering it as a standard option on most of their 7.1 A/V receivers shortly thereafter.

Yamaha RX-A1010 Speaker Assignability Chart

Yamaha makes this really simple by illustrating all of the possible assignable amplifier options in clear diagrams via their GUI interface.   The user is offered a basic 5.1 configuration, 7CH + Zone2 which they oddly label as 1Zone, 5CH Bi-amp and 5CH Bi-Amp + SB which allows you to use external amplification for the surround back channels while still bi-amping the front channels.

The Yamaha RX-A1010 isn’t as versatile as some of their higher end models.  You cannot use front presence and back surround speakers simultaneously even if you have external amplification.  You can however wire up both speaker configurations and the RX-A1010 will automatically switch between the two depending on the DSP mode selected.  The Presence speaker terminals can also be configured for Zone 2 or Bi-Amp duties as well.

Yamaha gives you the same precision for setting speaker levels in 0.5dB steps, distances (0.2 ft/.05m increments), and Extra Bass (where the receiver can send full range information to the front speakers and bass from the front speakers to the subwoofer simultaneously). You can also connect two subwoofers, but they are parallel connections and do not have independent level or delay control.  This is still handy for installers that don’t have a Y-splitter on hand when doing dual subwoofer installations though.

For more information, read:  Home Theater Multiple Subwoofer Set-Up Guide

Remote Control

I am a heavy user of the RX-Z7 remote control.  I find it very easy to program and navigate between zones, sources, etc.  The remote for the RX-A1010 (RAV448) shares many of its virtues but also has some misses.  For one, it’s not backlit.  The buttons seem more crammed in and I am so NOT a fan of labeling the inputs numerically as opposed to actual names.  Who really remembers that their Blu-ray player is on AV #1 input and their Cable box is on AV #2 input?  While you can rename the sources on the actual receiver, you obviously cannot do this on the remote so either you need to have a good memory or a cheat sheet on hand.  It seems every few year’s manufacturers love to toy with calling labeling the inputs numerically or by name.  Everyone I know (myself included) prefer the naming method so I hope Yamaha reverts back for the next generation of this receiver.  In all likelihood, most users will purchase a universal remote shortly after setting up their home theater and shelve this one.  I don’t blame them and I also don’t want to scold Yamaha too much on this remote given the price of this receiver.  I’d rather see them concentrate the bulk of the budget of this receiver on performance and features which, in my opinion, they have done quite nicely.