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Yamaha R-S500

Yamaha R-S500
alaScore 84

369 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 369 reviews of Yamaha R-S500. The average rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the reliability and size. The design and price also get good feedback.

usability, price, design, size, reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Yamaha R-S500 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 84/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 369 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Showing 257 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 244 of 257 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (112)

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Yamaha R-S500

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 234 user reviews of Yamaha R-S500 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. Views about the reliability and design are on the whole positive. The price and usability also get good feedback, whereas reviews are divided on the size.

usability, price, design, reliability

95% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Great Buy!

 

I can't say how it sounds cranked way up, but if you're just looking for a decently priced stereo this unit works perfectly and sounds great. If it's anything like the other Yamaha components I own (2 surround sounds systems) I expect it to last a long...

Great price, good value. Does exactly what I wanted it to do, which is to drive 4 speakers (2 very large late-70's era, Pioneer 8 ohm units - "A", and 2 mid-sized Bose-Interaudio speakers - "B', all with replacement woofers) with it's four speaker...

Absolutely No Cons so far. I leave this thing running 24/7/365 and once I turned off the auto-shut-off feature, it's worked flawlessly. If there is a con, it's that the auto-shut-off is set to "On" by default, but it's not a big deal to change, I just...

Apr, 2016

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Great Buy!

 

I can't say how it sounds cranked way up, but if you're just looking for a decently priced stereo this unit works perfectly and sounds great. If it's anything like the other Yamaha components I own (2 surround sounds systems) I expect it to last a long...

Great price, good value. Does exactly what I wanted it to do, which is to drive 4 speakers (2 very large late-70's era, Pioneer 8 ohm units - "A", and 2 mid-sized Bose-Interaudio speakers - "B', all with replacement woofers) with it's four speaker...

Absolutely No Cons so far. I leave this thing running 24/7/365 and once I turned off the auto-shut-off feature, it's worked flawlessly. If there is a con, it's that the auto-shut-off is set to "On" by default, but it's not a big deal to change, I just...

Jan, 2016

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Absolute garbage (Awful distortion)

 

I'm not sure who the intended consumer for this would be. Typically, people who listen with two-channel systems are looking for quality, while people who are looking for features in their electronics (and not necessarily precision or sound quality) are...

Has some basic tone controls and you can plug a decent number of sources in.

I tried using this to drive a pair of sensitive speakers (95db) and even at medium-high volume, it starts to distort unreasonably. It actually sounds worlds worse than a no-name 50w power amp I had been using prior. Turned up any louder, and it's the...

Aug, 2015

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Not sure if I believe 100w

 

I use this to power my Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 350s for my computer, which means that they're much closer to me than they'd be for a typical stereo or home theater setup. Even when played loudly for this range, there is significant...

Clean at low volumes, and a nice basic set of features. I didn't want a lot of features, so that's positive for me.

Distortion comes fast and hard, like an ex-boyfriend. Even medium volume sees the treble start to shrill out, and it's just about impossible to jam out at all at high volumes, because the sound turns miserable and featureless. I'm decently certain that...

Jan, 2015

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Great Amp for Keepin it Simple

 

After 20+ years of loyal service, my Nakamichi RE-1 died. I don't really care for home theaters, but needed to drive a Bose Acoustimass system and 4 pairs of in-wall Polks. I wired all of the speakers into the A jacks via a 6-way speaker selector &...

For $150 it's a solid little "SUV" for an old-time receiver replacement. No tech on the inside = no tech problems. No need to "configure" any bull droppings. Easier to run than an ipod. Just hook up your speakers & away you go.

It's ugly, but who cares. It needs to get cranked up to fire up my Bose speakers adequately, but who cares. It's not worth my time to even bother with comparisons or details for something that costs less than a car tire.

Jul, 2014

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Probably not bad...

 

I'm a big fan of building budget stereos, so I got this to power my pair of Pioneer SP-BS22LR speakers I got on the cheap. Judging by the specifications given on newegg.com and yamaha.com, it appeared that it wouldn't have any trouble with the...

Inexpensive, simple, a little smaller than a HT receiver

Much lower power than stated, the specs are very deceiving

Jun, 2014

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Not too shabby

 

I can't ding the rating for no sub out cause I knew exactly what I was buying and why. This is my bedroom/mancave amp that also powers my outdoor speakers on the B channel. Great effect having music "housewide". For a simple two channel head I...

It's super simple, high output levels of clean power, and I mean the THD on the outputs doesn't start clipping on 6 ohm speakers until 75% max volume. I sampled the wave output on a digital oscilloscope and found very few patterns of distortion or...

It's a 2 channel amp so no sub output, but all the headers are on board already, all they needed to do was wire it and add it to the firmware menu. Line out to sub, always include one.

May, 2014

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Very Minimal, Very Good

 

My "tech knowledge", as they ask, is high in IT, but average on audio. And I bought this receiver to be the amp for my desktop sound. I was sick of stupid little speakers, even the ones that were supposedly "big sound". So I went old school and pulled...

Very clear sound. Very powerful volume and richness of sound. No gimmiky features to cause trouble - just great sound. It turns off on its own after a few hours.

RCA-only inputs. And that's perfectly fine. But a optical audio in would have been nice.

Mar, 2014

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Very happy w/ purchase

 

If you want a simple, uncluttered and easy to use stereo receiver, I recommend this one highly. It sounds great in my living room. This stereo has no graphic / n-channel equalizer, which in my book is a plus as I'd never use it. This makes the front...

Very simple. 2 channels, 2 sets of speakers, a couple inputs and outputs. Front panel is uncluttered and elegant. Remote works fine. Sound quality to my Bose 301 IVs is excellent. For the price, couldn't be happier.

None for my use.

Dec, 2013

Consumer review (newegg.com)

YAMAHA R-S500 Natural Sound Stereo Receiver

 

Yamaha -- not much else to say. great sound, easy to use and it shipped quickly

only con is radio station set-up as I need the manual to add stattions to pre-set but I can't believe this is the only receiver to have this issue, nor me be the only user with this "issue" minor as it is

Dec, 2011

Price comparison for Yamaha R-S500

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