Yamaha R-S202 Review

The Yamaha R-S202 hit the market in 2018 to replace the R-S201. The company promotes the R-S202 as an affordable option for people who want enough sound quality but are tight on funds. The Yamaha R-S202 review will let you know if this model is right for you or if you should look for other options.

If we directly compare the R-S201 to the older R-S202 model, it is immediately apparent that the latter has improved connectivity and audio. Moreover, compared to other models in its category, the R-S202 is less expensive. But can these upgrades elevate it to the top offer in its price range? You will learn more in this article.

The Yamaha R-S202 sports an elegant black finish and a traditional, uncomplicated design. To put it another way, it is a standard black box with controls on the front, a screen as a supplement, and a back panel loaded with different connectors. The build quality is decent, and the control layout is simple. The Yamaha R-S202 has the following measurements (HxWxD): 17-1/8″ x 5-1/2″ x 13-3/16″ and weighs 14.8 lbs. This model does not differ from most analogs in size and design.

The Yamaha R-S202 2-channel receiver can only be used with stereo speakers and supports speakers with different impedances. According to the R-S202 specifications, It can deliver 125 W at 8 ohms at 40 Hz to 20 kHz with 0.02% THD. The device provides approximately 150 W per two channels with 6-ohm speakers. With 4-ohm speakers, it produces 165 W at 1 kHz with a THD of 0.7%. It can also work with 2-ohm speakers delivering 180 watts. With 8-ohm speakers, it has a power output of more than 140 W but 10% THD. Be aware that the manufacturer guarantees that the unit will only provide quality sound with 8-ohm speakers.

The Yamaha R-S202 features a phono stage, two RCA inputs, one RCA output, and a single-out for headphones. It also includes FM/AM radio, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. The presence of wireless features is especially nice for me, and I think many users will appreciate it.

Indeed, sound in movies is not what the R-S202 is famous for, but I still put it to the test there. It offered no incredible experiences, but the distortion, power, and balance were beyond good.

As for the music, well, even during peaks, the R-S202 showed enough power to fill my audio room with sound. At the same time, it also kept the original quality of the audio regardless of how hard I tried to overload it. Similar to how it performed on the prior unit generation, Audyssey MultEQ XT accurately and successfully adjusted the settings to my listening situation.