We spend a lot of time reviewing the latest and greatest A/V receivers with high channel counts and endless features, but sometimes that can be overkill. For those who wanted to listen to music on something better than a boombox or small speaker, the Yamaha R-S201 was the perfect blend of low price and great sound. Now, it’s getting an upgrade that makes it even better.
Today the company announced the R-S202 receiver, which is a simple update of last year’s hit model in many ways, but sports one feature that is starting to become essential to many customers: Bluetooth connectivity. For some this might be a small feature, but if the majority of your music listening is done via Spotify or another streaming service, it’s a key addition.
“The R-S202 is designed to offer a rich and full Hi-Fi audio experience and adds Bluetooth connectivity for both the streaming music lover and the consumer looking to get serious about Hi-Fi,” Yamaha Corporation of America A/V general manager Bob Goedken said. “This is the perfect match for anyone buying an entry-level Hi-Fi system. Just add a pair of Yamaha NS-6490 bookshelf speakers, a Yamaha YST-SW216 subwoofer and you can have an amazing sounding system for under $500.”
Like the previous model, the R-S202 features two channels at 8 ohms and a claimed 100 watts per channel, with a frequency range of 40Hz to 20kHz. While this is only a stereo receiver, it does feature A and B speaker pairs that can be run in tandem for a basic multiroom setup.
With such a basic feature set, there is no need for complex controls, with simple bass, treble, volume, and input switching controls on the front of the receiver. For easy access, a headphone jack is included on the front panel as well. While this is an entry-level model, the brushed-metal front panel ensures it will fit in with any of the other products in Yamaha’s Hi-Fi catalog.
The Yamaha R-S202 sells for $180 and is available starting today. For more information, see the company’s website.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.