Will the RX500A damage the A4.2?

No. The RX500A is rated for the A4.2's 6 Ω load as it comes.

What impedance setting should I use for the A4.2 on the RX500A?

None: the A4.2 is 6 Ω, and the RX500A needs no change for it.

Is the RX500A powerful enough for the A4.2?

Comfortable. From a seat 2 m away, loud 95 dB movie peaks take about 41 W per speaker, and the RX500A is rated 70 W per channel. Cinema reference level, 105 dB peaks, takes about 401 W.

Does the ELAC A4.2 work with the Yamaha RX500A?

Verdict

Yes

The A4.2 is 6 Ω, and the RX500A is rated for speakers down to 4 Ω, so it drives them as is.

Speaker load

6 Ω speaker, rated down to 4 Ω

Power

70 W

Comfortable. About 41 W gives 95 dB peaks at 2 m

Height decoding

Yes

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

How to connect them

Connect the A4.2 speakers to the RX500A's height terminals with speaker wire.
In the RX500A's speaker setup, set speaker impedance to 6 Ω.
Run Room Correction with its microphone at your seat.

Plan the A4.2 and RX500A in your own room.

Draw your room in 3D, place both, and see every connection checked and how loud they play at your seat. Designing is free.

Build it in your room

The specs that decide it

ELAC A4.2

Impedance: 6 Ω
Sensitivity: 85 dB (2.83 V, 1 m)
Recommended amplifier power: 20–80 W
MSRP: $399 a pair (MSRP, September 2026)

All A4.2 specs and pairings

Yamaha RX500A

Amplifier channels: 7
Height formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Lowest speaker impedance: 4 Ω
MSRP: $600 each (MSRP, May 2026)

All RX500A specs and pairings

Questions about the A4.2 and RX500A

Does the A4.2 work with the RX500A?: Yes. The A4.2 is 6 Ω, and the RX500A is rated for speakers down to 4 Ω, so it drives them as is.
Will the RX500A damage the A4.2?: No. The RX500A is rated for the A4.2's 6 Ω load as it comes.
What impedance setting should I use for the A4.2 on the RX500A?: None: the A4.2 is 6 Ω, and the RX500A needs no change for it.
Is the RX500A powerful enough for the A4.2?: Comfortable. From a seat 2 m away, loud 95 dB movie peaks take about 41 W per speaker, and the RX500A is rated 70 W per channel. Cinema reference level, 105 dB peaks, takes about 401 W.

Swap one of them

ELAC A4.2 + Denon AVR-S670HNot recommended
ELAC A4.2 + Denon AVR-X1700HWorks
ELAC B6.2 + Yamaha RX500AWorks
Klipsch RP-500M II + Yamaha RX500AWorks

References

Specs verified against the manufacturer's published data. Last checked September 15, 2026.

Brand names are trademarks of their owners. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any manufacturer. 3D models are our approximations. Prices are manufacturer list prices (MSRP) as of the month shown. How we earn from buy links: affiliate disclosure.