Overview

Here we are comparing Yamaha Aventage RX-A870 to Yamaha Aventage RX-A860 to reveal their common strengths and weaknesses as well as the differences between them which will help you in making a correct decision before the purchase. Both receivers have 7 channel and equally powerful amplifiers.

We have evaluated both receivers. Both receivers get equal overall score in our ranking system which is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and 4K passthrough, upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

Advantage of Yamaha Aventage RX-A870

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Yamaha Aventage RX-A870 over Yamaha Aventage RX-A860.

Only Yamaha Aventage RX-A870 supports Tidal and Deezer.

	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)		vs
Zone 2 Outs	Preout	vs	Line output
Tidal		vs
Deezer		vs

Advantage of Yamaha Aventage RX-A860

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Yamaha Aventage RX-A870 over Yamaha Aventage RX-A860.

Only Yamaha Aventage RX-A870 supports Tidal and Deezer.

	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Dolby Pro Logic		vs	PLIIx
Dolby Digital EX		vs
Component Video Maximum Resolution	480i/576i	vs	1080i
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	4 (1 front)	vs	5 (1 front)
More Composite Video Inputs	1	vs	5 (1 front)
More Composite Video Outputs		vs	1
More Component Video Inputs	1	vs	2
More Component Video Outputs		vs	1
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB, mini-jack Audio	vs	HDMI, USB, Analog Audio, Composite Video

Common Strengths and Weaknesses

Here we list common strengths and weaknesses of both receivers.

Amplifier

Yamaha Aventage RX-A870 and Yamaha Aventage RX-A860 have 7 channel amplifiers. They both deliver 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and have stable performance at 4 Ω load. Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support and these models are no exceptions.

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. They both do 4K upscaling up to 60p. The receivers support HDR10, Dolby Vision.

HDR10

High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is an update to HDR10 by adding dynamic metadata that can be used to more accurately adjust brightness levels up to 10,000 nits maximum brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis and supports up to 12-bit color depth (4096 shades of RGB) and 8K resolution.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround upmixer

Yamaha Aventage RX-A870 and Yamaha Aventage RX-A860 support Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. They can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

Dolby Atmos is the first cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound - the helicopter, a car screeching around a corner, a melodic bird call - can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. You'll feel like you're inside the action, in ways you've never experienced before.

Dolby Atmos for the home represents every sound in the original cinema mix as an audio object. Extensions to the Dolby Audio™ codecs, along with an advanced scalable algorithm, allow Dolby Atmos to be delivered via Blu-ray Disc and streaming media. A spatially-coded substream is added to Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus. A Dolby Atmos audio/video receiver (AVR) adapts the cinema experience to your home theater from seven speakers to as many as 34 in 24.1.10 configuration, recreating the original artistic concept. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X and Neural:X upmixer

Yamaha Aventage RX-A870 and Yamaha Aventage RX-A860 support DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. Both of them can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

DTS Neural:X is an upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

Adaptive DRC

Yamaha Aventage RX-A870 and Yamaha Aventage RX-A860 feature Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control) which automatically adjusts the dynamic range of the sound according to the volume level. This ensures that you hear clear dialog and vocals, and all sound effects at comfortable levels. There is no need to adjust the volume level as you listen; everything from whispers to big explosions will be heard clearly and comfortably at the same volume setting. It also tones down loud TV commercials, and is ideal for low-volume, late-night listening, when you do not want to disturb others.

Connectivity

Side by Side Comparison

And in the end let us list the detailed specifications of the receivers side-by-side.

Note: The following table shows only those details which are applicable for both models and excludes the ones that are applicable for only one model. If you want to see a full list of specs for each model please visit their individual pages here - Yamaha Aventage RX-A870 and here - Yamaha Aventage RX-A860.

BASICS	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Brand	Yamaha	vs	Yamaha
Series	Aventage	vs	Aventage
Model	RX-A870	vs	RX-A860
Type	A/V Receiver	vs	A/V Receiver
Country	Korea	vs	Korea
Release Year	2017	vs	2016

AMPLIFIER	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Channels	7.2	vs	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support		vs
THX™ Certification		vs
Continuous 6 Ω Rated		vs
Certified 4 Ω Performance		vs
Bi-amp Capability		vs

AUDIO	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Surround:AI™		vs
DAC	Burr-Brown	vs	Burr-Brown
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1	vs	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification		vs
Dolby Atmos	up to 5.1.2	vs	up to 5.1.2
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization		vs
Dolby TrueHD		vs
Dolby Digital Plus		vs
Dolby Surround Upmixer		vs
Dolby Pro Logic		vs	PLIIx
Dolby Digital EX		vs
DTS:X	up to 5.1.2	vs	up to 5.1.2
DTS Neural:X		vs
DTS Virtual:X		vs
DTS Neo	Neo:6	vs	Neo:6
DTS-HD Master Audio		vs
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio		vs
DTS 96/24		vs
DTS Express		vs
DTS-ES	Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1	vs	Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
IMAX Enhanced		vs
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer		vs
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input	vs	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD	vs	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	up to 192 kHz	vs	up to 192 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD	vs	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB		vs
Gapless Playback		vs
DSD via HDMI	2-ch/Multi-ch Input	vs	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	2-ch Input	vs	2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter		vs
USB DAC		vs
DTS Dialog Control		vs
Dialog Level Adjustment		vs
Dialog Normalization		vs
Dialogue Lift	no presence speakers required	vs	no presence speakers required
Compressed Music Enhancer	including enhancer for Bluetooth®	vs	including for Bluetooth®
High-resolution Music Enhancer		vs
Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control)		vs
Initial Volume & Maximum Volume Setting		vs
Audyssey Dynamic EQ		vs
Audyssey Dynamic Volume		vs
Audyssey LFC		vs
Audyssey Sub EQ HT		vs
Audyssey DSX		vs
Straight Decoding Mode		vs
Pure Direct Mode	with Video On mode	vs	with Video On mode
CINEMA DSP	3D	vs	3D
DSP Programs	17	vs	17
SILENT CINEMA / Virtual CINEMA DSP	Virtual CINEMA FRONT	vs	Virtual CINEMA FRONT
Virtual Speakers	including surround back	vs	including surround back
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output		vs

CALIBRATION	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C. with Multipoint measurement)	vs	YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C. with Multipoint measurement)
YPAO Volume		vs
PEQ for SUB	Down to 15.6 Hz	vs	Down to 15.6 Hz

VIDEO	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Video Signal Type	NTSC/PAL/SECAM	vs	NTSC/PAL/SECAM
HDR10		vs
HDR10+		vs
BT.2020 color space		vs
Dolby Vision		vs
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)		vs
QMS (Quick Media Switching)		vs
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)		vs
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)		vs
QFT (Quick Frame transport)		vs
3-D Ready		vs
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K 60p 4:4:4	vs	up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 4K 60p 4:4:4	vs	up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component**, Composite	vs	Component**, Composite
Component Video Upscaling		vs
Analog to Analog Video conversion		vs
Component Video Maximum Resolution	480i/576i	vs	1080i
Video Parameter Adjustments		vs
isf Certified Calibration Control		vs

CONNECTIVITY	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
MHL Input		vs
DLNA 1.5		vs
FireConnect		vs
FlareConnect		vs
MusicCast		vs
Chromecast Built-In		vs
DTS Play-Fi		vs
Works with Amazon Alexa	on MusicCast (Voice control using your Alexa device like Echo or Echo Dot)	vs	on MusicCast (Voice control using your Alexa device like Echo, Dot, Tap and Show)
Works with SONOS		vs
AirPlay	AirPlay	vs	AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	iPod, iPhone and iPad	vs	iPod, iPhone and iPad
Remote App	(iPhone® / iPad® / Android™ phone / tablet)	vs	(iPhone® / iPad® / Android™ phone / tablet)
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue		vs
Ethernet		vs
Ethernet Switch		vs
Wi-Fi	with Wireless Direct	vs	with Wireless Direct
Bluetooth	SBC, AAC	vs	SBC, AAC
HDBaseT Compatible		vs
Enhanced ARC		vs
HDCP Version	2.3	vs	2.2
HDMI Input	8 (1 front)	vs	8 (1 front)
HDMI Output	2	vs	2
USB Input	USB memory, portable audio player	vs	USB memory, portable audio player
USB DC Out Port		vs
Analog Audio Line Input	4 (1 front)	vs	5 (1 front)
Analog Audio Line Output		vs
Phono Input		vs
Optical In	2	vs	2
Optical Out		vs
Coaxial In/Out	2 /	vs	2 /
Composite Video Input	1	vs	5 (1 front)
Composite Video Output		vs	1
S-Video Input		vs
S-Video Output		vs
Component Video Input	1	vs	2
Component Video Output		vs	1
PC In		vs
Multi-Channel Input		vs
Analog Pre-Outs	7.2	vs	7.2
XLR Inputs		vs
XLR Pre-outs		vs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB, mini-jack Audio	vs	HDMI, USB, Analog Audio, Composite Video
Speaker A/B		vs
Headphone Out	6.3 mm	vs	6.3 mm

ZONES	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Zones	2	vs	2
Powered Zones	Zone 2	vs	Zone 2
Zone 2	Preout	vs	Line output
Zone B Video Output	HDMI	vs	HDMI
Zone GUI		vs
RS-232		vs
+12V Trigger Output	1	vs	1
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1	vs	1 / 1
Party Mode		vs

MISC	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
On-Screen Display	Graphical User Interface	vs	Graphical User Interface
SCENE	SCENE (4 sets)	vs	SCENE (4 sets)
Web Browser Control		vs
PreAmp Mode		vs
Remote Controller		vs
Detachable Power Cord		vs
dockport		vs

RADIO	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Analog Tuner	FM/AM	vs	FM/AM
Presets	40	vs	40
Digital Radio		vs
Internet Radio		vs	vTuner
Pandora		vs
Spotify		vs
Tidal		vs
Deezer		vs
Napster		vs
SiriusXM Internet Radio		vs

CONSTRUCTION	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
A.R.T. Wedge		vs
Speaker Terminals	9	vs	9
Large Speaker Terminals	9	vs	9
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals		vs
Gold plated RCA terminals		vs

POWER	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Power Supply	AC 220 V, 60 Hz	vs	AC 220 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	300 W	vs	300 W
Standby Power	0.1 W	vs	0.1 W

GENERAL	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function		vs
Auto Power Standby		vs
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 171 mm x 380 mm (with antenna: 435 mm x 234 mm x 380 mm)	vs	435 mm x 171 mm x 380 mm (with antenna: 435 mm x 234 mm x 380 mm)
Weight	10.5 kg (23.1 lbs)	vs	10.5 kg (23.2 lbs)
Warranty	3 Years	vs	3 Years

SPECS	Yamaha Aventage RX-A870	vs	Yamaha Aventage RX-A860
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	100 W (0.06% THD)	vs	100 W (0.06% THD)
Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	110 W (0.9% THD)	vs	110 W (0.9% THD)
Rated Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven)	130 W (0.9% THD)	vs	130 W (0.9% THD)
Maximum Effective Output Power (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven, JEITA)	160 W (10% THD)	vs	160 W (10% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (2	240 W	vs	240 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)	195 W	vs	195 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (6 Ω, Front)	170 W	vs	170 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)	130 W	vs	130 W
THD	0.06% (AV 2 etc. to Front, Pure Direct, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 50 W, 8 Ω)	vs	0.06% (AV 5 etc. to Front, Pure Direct, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 50 W, 8 Ω)
THD (Phono)	0.02% (Phono to SPEAKER OUT (Front), 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 1 V)	vs	0.02% (Phono to SPEAKER OUT (Front), 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 1 V)
Damping Factor	100 (Front, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 Ω)	vs	100 (Front, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 Ω)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ	vs	200 mV/47 kΩ
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Phono MM)	3.5 mV/47 kΩ	vs	3.5 mV/47 kΩ
Maximum Input Sensitivity (Line)	2.3 V (1 kHz, 0.5% THD)	vs	2.3 V (1 kHz, 0.5% THD)
Maximum Input Sensitivity (Phono)	60 mV (1 kHz, 0.1% THD)	vs	60 mV (1 kHz, 0.1% THD)
Rated Preout Level and Impedance	1.0 V/2.7 kΩ (Front)	vs	1.0 V/1.2 kΩ
Maximum Preout Level and Impedance	1.6 V	vs	1.6 V
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	110 dB	vs	110 dB
S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A)	95 dB	vs	95 dB
Phono RIAA Deviation	±0.5 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)	vs	±0.5 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	+0/-3 dB (AV 2 etc. to Front, 10 Hz to 100 kHz)	vs	+0/-3 dB (AV 5 etc. to Front, 10 Hz to 100 kHz)
Residual Noise (IHF-A Network)	150 µV (Speaker Out)	vs	150 µV (Speaker Out)
Channel Separation at 1 kHz/10 kHz (LINE)	75 dB/50 dB	vs	75 dB/50 dB
Channel Separation at 1 kHz/10 kHz (PHONO)	60 dB/55 dB	vs	60 dB/55 dB
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz	vs	2.8 MHz
DSD Sampling Rates via USB	5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz	vs	5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)	vs	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Video Maximum Input	1.5 Vp-p	vs	1.5 Vp-p
Ethernet Standard	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX	vs	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
Wi-Fi Standard	IEEE 802.11 b/g/n	vs	IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency	2.4 GHz	vs	2.4 GHz
Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	vs	2.1 + EDR
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz	vs	2.4 GHz
USB Terminal	USB2.0 5 V, 1 A	vs	USB2.0 5 V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.50 MHz - 108.00 MHz	vs	87.50 MHz - 108.00 MHz
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.)	Mono: 3 µV (20.8 dBf)	vs	Mono: 3 µV (20.8 dBf)
FM S/N Ratio	Mono/Stereo: 69 dB/67 dB	vs	Mono/Stereo: 69 dB/67 dB
FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz)	Mono/Stereo: 0.5%/0.6%	vs	Mono/Stereo: 0.5%/0.6%
AM Frequency	531 kHz - 1611 kHz	vs	531 kHz - 1611 kHz

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted