Main trade-off
Yamaha RX300A
Its height, surround and Zone B pairs share the same two channels. The extra layout choices cannot be used together.
Head-to-head
Yamaha RX300A vs Denon AVR-S570BT: Yamaha trades rear channels for heights, neither powers a full 5.1.2 layout
The short answer
Choose RX300A if you specifically want three front speakers plus two heights, or three main speakers plus a same-source stereo Zone B. Choose AVR-S570BT when a conventional 5.1 setup is the final plan and its complete new-condition offer is better. Both have four HDMI inputs. Neither can preserve a five-speaker surround layout and add two powered height speakers at the same time.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A blocked surround position can make Yamaha’s unusual Atmos layout useful
In a small living room, the space beside the sofa may also be a doorway or the path children take across the room. If surround speakers cannot go there, RX300A offers a documented arrangement of three front speakers plus two heights. S570BT does not process that height layout. This makes Yamaha useful for a specific placement problem, provided suitable overhead or front-height positions are possible. It does not make RX300A a seven-channel receiver. A household with good surround positions may reasonably keep ordinary 5.1 and choose the better complete offer.
What this is based on
RX300A explicitly supports 3.1.2 using five amplifiers. S570BT’s exact model specification excludes Atmos processing. Placement suitability is conditional, with no claim that the alternative layout sounds equivalent to 5.1.2.
Main trade-off
Denon AVR-S570BT
The exact US model table explicitly excludes Atmos processing and Zone 2 output. eARC does not add either capability.
Yamaha RX300A
- Choose it for
- You cannot place surround speakers and deliberately want a supported 3.1.2 Atmos layout instead.
- You want same-program Zone B and accept that its two speakers leave only three main-room amplifier channels.
- Main trade-off
- Its height, surround and Zone B pairs share the same two channels. The extra layout choices cannot be used together.
Denon AVR-S570BT
- Choose it for
- Your five-speaker surround layout is settled and the current complete S570BT offer is more attractive.
- You do not need height processing or powered second-room speakers and prefer to keep the existing installation unchanged.
- Main trade-off
- The exact US model table explicitly excludes Atmos processing and Zone 2 output. eARC does not add either capability.
About this comparison
RX300A or AVR-S570BT for a simple home theater? Compare front-focused Atmos, reused surround speakers and same-program kitchen audio before choosing.
Both are entry-level five-amplifier receivers with Bluetooth and four HDMI inputs. RX300A adds alternative uses for its final speaker pair, while S570BT remains a straightforward choice for a settled five-speaker surround system.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
No usable surround positions, but suitable height positions
RX300A supports the deliberate 3.1.2 alternative.
- Yamaha RX300A
- Better fit
- Denon AVR-S570BT
- Caution
A settled 5.1 system and a better new S570BT offer
Denon covers the intended layout without paying for unused alternatives.
- Yamaha RX300A
- Similar
- Denon AVR-S570BT
- Better fit
The same TV audio in another room with three main speakers
Yamaha has a powered Zone B route with this channel trade-off.
- Yamaha RX300A
- Better fit
- Denon AVR-S570BT
- Caution
Existing 5.1 speakers plus two new heights
Seven amplifier channels are required, and both have five.
- Yamaha RX300A
- Caution
- Denon AVR-S570BT
- Caution
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A blocked surround position can make Yamaha’s unusual Atmos layout useful
In a small living room, the space beside the sofa may also be a doorway or the path children take across the room. If surround speakers cannot go there, RX300A offers a documented arrangement of three front speakers plus two heights. S570BT does not process that height layout. This makes Yamaha useful for a specific placement problem, provided suitable overhead or front-height positions are possible. It does not make RX300A a seven-channel receiver. A household with good surround positions may reasonably keep ordinary 5.1 and choose the better complete offer.
How we reached this conclusion
RX300A explicitly supports 3.1.2 using five amplifiers. S570BT’s exact model specification excludes Atmos processing. Placement suitability is conditional, with no claim that the alternative layout sounds equivalent to 5.1.2.
Following the TV while cooking can cost the people on the sofa their surrounds
RX300A can send the same program to a stereo Zone B, which suits someone preparing food while a game continues by the TV. Those two kitchen speakers use the receiver’s surround/height amplifier pair. The main room is left with three powered channels, so the people watching lose the surround pair during that arrangement. S570BT lacks the zone route altogether. Choose Yamaha if this trade-off is acceptable and used often. If both a full surround film and kitchen speakers must run together, neither is the right amplifier layout.
How we reached this conclusion
RX300A’s manual makes surround, height and Zone B mutually exclusive. Five amplifiers minus the two assigned to Zone B leaves three. S570BT’s model table lists no Zone audio output.
An eARC or Atmos label should not drive an unnecessary replacement
Someone replacing an older receiver for a newer TV might assume RX300A will also create space for more speakers or players. In this pair, both stop at four HDMI sources and five amplifiers. If the existing five-speaker layout is already right, the useful question is whether a specific supported signal or alternate speaker arrangement is missing. Buying RX300A solely because its listing says Atmos does not preserve 5.1 and add heights. Likewise, S570BT’s eARC connection carries supported TV audio but does not create an Atmos decoder. Choose against the actual missing function.
How we reached this conclusion
Both models have four HDMI inputs and five amplifiers. RX300A supports only 3.1.2 for physical heights. S570BT’s detailed table explicitly states no Atmos despite generic eARC format language elsewhere.
Plan your receiver connectionsPlan my setup
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
Yamaha RX300A
Does not support this setup
This layout is outside the documented speaker configurations.
Denon AVR-S570BT
Does not support this setup
This layout is outside the documented speaker configurations.
A powered subwoofer is separate from the speaker-channel count. This checks one main room. Zone 2, bi-amping and unusual speaker assignments need another manual check. Allow ventilation space and confirm HDMI settings, cables and speaker impedance before installing.
Choice A
Yamaha, RX300ABL
RX300A
You cannot place surround speakers and deliberately want a supported 3.1.2 Atmos layout instead.
- Best matched use
- You cannot place surround speakers and deliberately want a supported 3.1.2 Atmos layout instead.
Checked facts
- Built-in amplifiers: Five
- Conventional surround: 5.1 supported
- Physical height layout: 3.1.2 supported instead of the surround pair
- Same-program second room: Powered Zone B, leaving three main channels
Choice B
Denon, AVR-S570BT
AVR-S570BT
Your five-speaker surround layout is settled and the current complete S570BT offer is more attractive.
- Best matched use
- Your five-speaker surround layout is settled and the current complete S570BT offer is more attractive.
Checked facts
- Built-in amplifiers: Five
- Conventional surround: 5.1 supported
- Physical height layout: No Atmos height processing
- Same-program second room: No Zone audio output in the model table
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Yamaha RX300A | Denon AVR-S570BT | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in amplifiers | Five | Five | Neither has seven powered channels for 5.1.2. |
| Conventional surround | 5.1 supported | 5.1 supported | Both can reuse a suitable five-speaker surround arrangement. |
| Physical height layout | 3.1.2 supported instead of the surround pair | No Atmos height processing | Yamaha offers a front-focused alternative, not a larger simultaneous layout. |
| Same-program second room | Powered Zone B, leaving three main channels | No Zone audio output in the model table | RX300A can follow the TV program elsewhere at the expense of the main surround pair. |
| HDMI source count | Four inputs and one display output | Four inputs and one display output | Neither solves a crowded five-player system without another route. |
| Music source | Bluetooth Multipoint, no built-in network streaming | Bluetooth, no built-in network streaming | Check the actual music source. An internet-service blurb is not proof of network hardware. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Yamaha RX300A
- Four HDMI inputs and five amplifiers are still the ceiling. The upgrade is useful only when an alternate layout solves your problem.
If you choose Denon AVR-S570BT
- Adding heights to an existing 5.1 system requires a different receiver rather than a pair of speakers alone.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
A 3.1.2 layout or shared-source Zone B solves a real need
Choose Yamaha RX300A. RX300A provides these alternate assignments, used one at a time.
Conventional 5.1 is final and Denon has the better complete offer
Choose Denon AVR-S570BT. S570BT’s simpler layout meets that requirement.
You want to keep 5.1 and add heights or a powered second room
Choose neither. That needs more than the five built-in amplifier channels.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want an affordable receiver that can adapt to the room, but adding an Atmos badge does not add the amplifier channels needed to keep every speaker.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No sound-quality winner is inferred from claimed power or product age.
- Generic S570BT network and eARC marketing is not used to override the exact model’s network and Atmos specification table.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current AV receivers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha RX300A |
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| Denon AVR-S570BT |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Yamaha RX300A
You cannot place surround speakers and deliberately want a supported 3.1.2 Atmos layout instead.
You want same-program Zone B and accept that its two speakers leave only three main-room amplifier channels.
See price & reviews on AmazonDenon AVR-S570BT
Your five-speaker surround layout is settled and the current complete S570BT offer is more attractive.
You do not need height processing or powered second-room speakers and prefer to keep the existing installation unchanged.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.