Yamaha RX-V363BL 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this Yamaha (RXV363) unit because a lightning storm burned out the Sony, which I was happy with. This unit resides in my bedroom - which consists of an HDTV, FIOS, DVD and Sony 5.1 satellite speaker system - and is not my main HT system, which reside in the basement and consist of the higher end components. I looked at the Yamaha RXC463, Onkyo TX-SR506, 606, Sony STR-DG720 but did not want to spend the extra cash for the satellite ready capability. Nor was I interested in the video switching capabilities since I connect all video source directly to the TV and all audio sources to the receiver. For switching, I use my Harmony 880 - one button operation.
Connectivity:
For my situation, the Yamaha has all the connections I need (DVD and FIOS). Setup is simple and straight forward. Remember, you get HD quality from both HDMI and Component connections.
As far as connecting video components thru the receiver, I can't give an opinion on that because I do not go thru the receiver for video connections, up conversion and all that stuff. I always connect my video source directly to the TV- always. I just believe that you lose picture quality going thru a receiver. Remember, the most direct path between 2 points is a straight line. I only use the receiver for the audio connections because to me that's its main purpose - audio and TV is video. Besides connecting thru the receiver, in my opinion, is mainly for convenience and possibly (emphasis) saving a few bucks on cables.
As stated by other reviewers, the HDMI ports (video pass-thru) do not output sound (manual specifically states this fact as well as other sources on the internet) so you must connect separate audio cables. Having HDMI output audio is good if you are using the speakers in the TV (but why would you do that if you want a HT quality sound) but if you have surround speakers then you should use either the digital or optical audio connections.
Now with that said, I know that there are some that have many components to connect in their system or want the convenience of having the least amount of cables connected to the TV, receiver etc. For those you either have to dig a little deeper in the pockets or get a separate switching device for all of the components. This unit, at $200, is an entry level HT receiver so don't expect it to do what the high end units can.
Remote Control
The remote control is a little tricky. What I found is that it's a little confusing on how to switch between sound stages at first but like anything new you get used to it.
As an alternative to those who want simplicity in switching between video sources do yourself a favor and get the Harmony 880 remote control - one remote, one button control bliss baby. Amazon seems to have the best prices on the remotes. Check it out.
Overall:
Overall this is a good unit. This is a nice entry level unit and it does well for the limited setup I have in the bedroom. This unit actually makes the Sony satellite speaker sound much better than the Sony receiver did. This unit has better sound fields than my older Sony unit - I like the Straight and Enhance and 5 channel speaker modes. My Sony did not have these.
TIP: Before purchasing any HT equipment you must do your research. You can go to the manufacturer's website and download the manual and determine if it contains all the connections etc you need for your system. What I've found in some of the previous reviews is that the unit was purchased without truly knowing its capabilities and then that person bashes it - which is unfair. The only problem is the individual did not do his/her research and/or know the true capabilities of the unit. The World Wide Web has all sorts of reviews on this unit - both professional and end user - so it baffles me that these people did not know the limits of the unit. Uhhh oh yeah they didn't do their research. So when you read these reviews, read between the lines of the comments, which many times will reveal that the person did not do the necessary homework prior to the purchase and/or did or do not understand the functions of a specific AV receiver. So please make sure the equipment has all you need before putting out negative reviews.
Also, remember if you have surround speakers you do not need to send the audio thru the HDMI just use the digital coax or optical audio connections. And don't believe much of the hype about the cables (i.e. the better ones are the most expensive ones). Just don't use the cables that come in the box and don't spend tons of money on cables either.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha RX-V363BL 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver

High-value receiver with an impressive array of features and technologies to enhance the audio/video experience, including HDMI switching with 1080p video pass-through, iPod and Bluetooth audio compatibility, CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, and four SCENE buttons.

Click here for more information about Yamaha RX-V363BL 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Read More...

Yamaha YMC-500BL NeoHD Media Controller/AV Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Dont be fooled by its size or lack of displays. This is a great unit and can control multiple units and the simplest remote I have ever seen. Easy to set up and very easy to use with good sound. Would recommend it but look for pricing outside Amazon as prices dropped but Amazon refuses price match

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha YMC-500BL NeoHD Media Controller/AV Receiver (Black)

Yamaha YMC-500BL NeoHD Controller

Click here for more information about Yamaha YMC-500BL NeoHD Media Controller/AV Receiver (Black)

Read More...

Yamaha HTR-3063BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This receiver sounds good, is very reasonably priced, but it's not quite what I was expecting.
Reading the description of this unit, and looking at its back panel pictures, left me with the impression it probably can output video to an HDMI TV, regardless of the input source selected ("upsampling"). It cannot. It does not upsample, and cannot send, say, your component video input source to your HDMI TV. Yamaha support (who got back to me quickly, I must admit), says "it does not do any up converting of video sources, you would have to run the component video out to [a component input] TV as well."
I also found the setup less than intuitive; others have commented on the lack of a printed manual, and I must agree that I found myself missing it as I tried to determine how best to configure my speakers and resolve my upsampling question.
So, bottom line, be aware of its limitations, but if you're fine with what it does and doesn't do, it seems to be a nice value.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha HTR-3063BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black)

Yamaha HTR-3063BL5.1 Channel 500 Watt AV Receiver is a great value-priced receiver to help take your home theater experience further. It features the latest HDMI specifications (4 inputs/1 output) with 3D-readiness (with firmware upgrade), 1080p HDMI repeating, and renowned Yamaha technologies like SCENE and CINEMA DSP. Expand your options even further with optional docks (sold separately) to add your iPod, iPhone, or Bluetooth sources.

Get 6% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha HTR-3063BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black)

Read More...

Yamaha RX-V367BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We had a very old audio only receiver and were looking to replace it (almost 10 year old technics). We picked up the Yamaha RX-V367, even though there were no reviews, since the receiver was just released, and it was in our price range (200 to 300). So far we are happy with the new receiver; it is connected to the satellite box, xbox, and blu ray.
Speaker set up: Set of Polk Rti8 (left right and center), and klipsch Klipsch Synergy Series SS.5 rear surround (left and right). The sound coming from the speakers was MUCH better than from our ancient receiver.
Not a fan of the Sound Field Programs, seems too much like a gimmick, and only adds an echo depending on what setting (one setting might effect the vocals more, or another setting might effect the music), but I imagine some people would enjoy that. Has many audio processing options, works great with Netflix streaming, set it to 5ch stereo and it will work great; can clearly listen to what's playing (netflix only streams in 2ch stereo). Mainly use the "Straight" audio processing setting (for xbox and blu ray), I assume the receiver doesn't add any extra "audio goo", and plays direct from the source.
Good video quality, no noticeable video deterioration. Yamaha says it's compatible with HDMI 1.4 and will support 3D (with a firmware upgrade). Not that interested in 3d TVs anyways.
Clear and easy to use menu system (compared to my old technics receiver), competent directions, fairly user friendly.
Has 4 HDMI inputs which was much better than many of the competitors in the same price range. We didn't test the FM/AM tuner, and only connected HDMI and RCA from computer. We were also swayed by the extra bluetooth adapter so we can listen to music (and hopefully stream Hulu audio) wirelessly from the computer (and get rid of the airport express). Will update review after getting bluetooth.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha RX-V367BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black)

The Yamaha RX-V367BL 5.1-Channel AV Receiver is a great value-priced receiver to help take your home theater experience further. It features the latest HDMI specifications (4 inputs/1 output) with 3D-readiness (with firmware upgrade), 1080p HDMI repeating, and renowned Yamaha technologies like SCENE and CINEMA DSP. Expand your options even further with optional docks (sold separately) to add your iPod, iPhone, or Bluetooth sources.

Get 28% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha RX-V367BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black)

Read More...

Yamaha RX-V467BL 5.1 Channel 525 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this receiver based on other reviews of Yamaha receivers. I chose this over Samsung's current 5.1 and 7.1 receiver, because the Samsung units had lackluster reviews. I was curious about the Samsung receiver line because our television is a Samsung LED.
I'm thrilled with the RX-V467. First, the quality is topnotch, which is something you can always expect from Yamaha gear. It's solidly built and feels that way. There's a huge heatsink inside, visible through the top vent. Second, it's feature-rich and surprisingly easy to operate given all the options at hand.
I bought Polk Audio's SurroundBar and Polk Audio's PSW10 Subwoofer for this unit: What fantastic sound when you merge these items! For Blu-ray--also based on user ratings--I purchased the Sony BDP-360, and it works great with the Yamaha RX-V467 via HDMI-CEC.
My Samsung UN55C6500 LED LCD television works great with this receiver. I'm even able to get some HDMI-CEC functionality between the receiver, TV, and Sony Blu-ray.
The remote control looks scary at first, but once I stared into it for a few seconds, I realized the forethought that went into it. I was able to set most functions in the receiver without cracking the manual. If you've used a receiver before, you'll likely find this unit and remote easy to operate. The remote can be programmed to operate other components in your HES.
The auto calibration microphone starts the process when you plug it in. A few remote clicks and you're done. Had to set the speaker size back to Large for the SurroundBar, however, as this is what Polk Audio recommends.
I love that you can name the inputs of the unit based on what you plug in; this makes it easy to see what AV input you've selected.
I've only scratched the surface. This unit has plenty of features to keep you busy if you like that kind of stuff.
This receiver is $329 on Amazon and other places; great deal!!!!
Downsides:
My Pace HD cable box (Time Warner) did not work well via HDMI cable, but I'm not sure if this was the fault of the Pace, the receiver, or the television (or some combination). Sound and picture would blink or stutter on-and-off for about 30 seconds with each channel change (changed via the cable box). That was just unacceptable, so I went to Component and TOSLINK cables for the Pace without issue. HD cable sounds and looks great now, without "blinking," using these cable selections connected to the receiver. This unfortunately means I have both Component and HDMI cables connected to the TV.
Does not include an iPhone or iPod dock like the Samsung. The new iPhone/iPod dock should be available within the next month or so, but you'll have to buy that as an option. Starting retail price to be $99. The receiver does have a mini-plug on the front to connect your mp3 device right away, however. There is currently an iPod-only dock available for the unit ($40-$70 online); I understand it has some iPhone compatibility, but I'm waiting for the new dock.
This unit offers ZERO conversion options. In other words, it will not up-convert or down-convert one format to another (e.g., Composite to Component, Component to HDMI, etc.). Most of the reviews I've read on units from other manufacturers that do offer conversion options have been poor, which leads me to believe that it's the conversion process itself that sucks--not the receivers. No idea if the unit will do the conversion for the iPhone dock...hope it does.
Conclusion:
I recommend this receiver. As with all things, better units are available for MORE money; this unit delivers for the amount paid. If you're like me (moderate audio junkie) and need a unit for a medium-sized room (5.1 surround), I think you'll like this receiver. If you fancy yourself an audiophile and like to buy expensive audio and video cables because you think it helps, buy something more expensive.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha RX-V467BL 5.1 Channel 525 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black)

The Yamaha RX-V467BL 5.1-Channel AV Receiver is a versatile and capable receiver to help take your home theater experience further. It features the latest HDMI specifications (4 inputs/1 output) with Audio Return Channel and 3D-readiness (with firmware upgrade). 1080p HDMI compatibility, and renowned Yamaha technologies like SCENE and CINEMA DSP. Expand your options even further with optional docks (sold separately) to add your iPod, iPhone, or Bluetooth sources.

Get 34% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha RX-V467BL 5.1 Channel 525 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black)

Read More...

Yamaha YHT-591BL Home Theater in a Box (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I own and operate a LifeStyle tech firm and home theater installation is a part of what I do. I researched quite a few systems for my own home that fit my particular application and selected the YHT-591IBL (HTR-6240) for a couple of reasons. The system was going into a small cabinet without a lot of venting so it needed to run cool, especially with a laptop, Wii, speaker control system, sub-woofer and IR receiver in the same cabinet. I did not want to see any wires or devices on the deck of my custom built-in wall unit. I also did not want overpowering aesthetics of the speakers themselves--but was unwilling to sacrifice the sound quality. After everything was installed, configured and tuned for the space, I sat down and watched "The Dark Night on my 55" Samsung 8000 LED. It was as if I was holding a video recorder on set, filming it--wow! When the building blew near the end of the movie, the sub-woofer kicked in and I lost a few chochkas off the shelf of the wall unit and subsequently needed to ratchet that speaker down a bit. I love it.
I will agree on the instruction set. I am technical so was able to get through it, but I do not think that any Home Theater System--aside from the Yamaha neoHD Media Controller is for the faint hearted. Yes, you can take it out of the box, follow the pictures and get it to work well, but like any system, these platforms need configuration and tuning to make them sing--and they sing beautifully.
A couple of notes:
- I needed to upgrade the Yamaha receiver (HTR-6240) firmware to get my Wii to work through the HDMI out of the receiver (hi geek factor on that) instead of running separate USB cable to LED Monitor.
- Added Xantech IR receiver (drilled a hole in between my cabinet doors an placed a beautiful brass eye to receive the IR signal). It is way cool looking and sleek.
- Added Logitech Harmony One Universal.
- Added the Yamaha iPod doc.

Once you figure out how to attach the Yamaha speaker tuner antenna and take the time to set it up on a camera tripod so you can get it at perfect ear level. The test itself is a piece of cake. I did not even need to balance beyond the test. Make sure you do not have obstructions in front of the speakers or any other music, TV or family members talking during the test.

Remotes that come with any manufacturer's product are great for that product and maybe the STB and DVD, so go get a universal remote, such as Logitech Harmony series. The Yamaha neoHD looks promising, but was overkill for my Yamaha and Xantech IR Receivers (LCD/CFL Proof Micro Link IR Receiver).


Are there better systems out there--absolutely, but for this application, this is as good as it gets. My guests all want the same rigs in their homes....

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha YHT-591BL Home Theater in a Box (Black)

Yamaha YHT-691BL Home Theater in a Box (Black)

Get 39% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha YHT-591BL Home Theater in a Box (Black)

Read More...

Yamaha A-S500BL Integrated Stereo Home Theater Amplifier (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Let me first say, I like the simple, retro, understated look of the A-S500. Photos on the web make it look solid, sturdy, well made, etc.
I did read reviews re: plastic knobs. So upon opening the box the first thing I checked were the knobs. I can't fault their movement characteristics (the way volume knob rotates or selector knobs click) but the plastic material used for the knobs makes the unit both appear and especially feel cheap. This is not the type of plastic that comes pretty close to simulating metal (like my Harman Kardon A/V receiver), these knobs don't even try to pretend to be anything but plastic.
A few other 'design' features disappoint as well. The power button is a small square; hard to see, and feels cheap. And, the sound that occurs when the A-S500 is turned on (that typical internal click sound that occurs 2-3 seconds after pressing power button)is very loud and "clunky" sounding. Also, LED lights on face are tiny, too tiny IMO. Very little effort spent designing remote either.
Now the good. Enabling the Pure Direct feature (bypasses tonal and loudness controls; prevents amp from altering audio signal) yields the best quality output. With Pure Direct enabled, there is a noticeable increase in sound stage, roundness to the sound and more clarity. If like me, your music source is your computer's media player that includes a volume control and EQ for adjusting tone, you'll want to enable Pure Direct and ignore the front dials.
With my speakers, I did not find the sound to be on the bright side as others mentioned. Not at all. Compared to my Harman Kardon receiver, the A-S500 cleaned up and brought out more lows and lower mid-range. That's where I saw the biggest difference - resulting in a fuller sound :-).
In my opinion, the A-S500 is lacking in fit and finish, even for its low price, but shines in sound quality, especially with Pure Direct enabled.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha A-S500BL Integrated Stereo Home Theater Amplifier (Black)

The Yamaha A-S500BL Integrated Amplifier offers clear sound in the Yamaha A-S2000 tradition, with 85 watts per channel of pure, clean power, ToP-ART stability, Continuously Variable Loudness Control, automatic power management, and a built-in port for supported Yamaha iPod docks (sold separately).

Get 11% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha A-S500BL Integrated Stereo Home Theater Amplifier (Black)

Read More...

Yamaha HTR-6250BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There are two model numbers for this AV Receiver as disclosed on CNET. One model number is the RX-V565BL, the other is the HTR-6250BL, which I purchased. At various times, the prices of the two vary on Amazon, so I just went with the cheaper one. I coupled the receiver with the Energy Take Classic 5.1 and was able to get two satellites on Ebay to complete a 7.1 speaker system. To round out the system I have the Mitsubishi DLP 73". I also have the PS3, xbox360 and Wii hooked up.
Unlike another reviewer who had a problem with his Tivo Series 3 with RX-V565 version of the receiver, I had no problem at all. Iif you have a problem with the HDMI, just use the Tivo component out and digital optical out direct into the Yamaha. It works perfectly.
The biggest problem I had in hook up was my inability to connect the Wii directly through the Yamaha. I use the component video cable for the Wii. This Wii cable has two rca connectors for audio.
There are two composite inputs on the Yamaha. One has a coaxial audio and the other has digital optical audio. There is no connection for composite video plus two rca female audio inputs. I ended up connecting the Wii output video straight to the tv, without the benefit of the 1080p upscaling of the Yamaha, and the audio only to the receiver. Because of this I can only give the receiver 4 stars.
The sound from the system is very clear. I am still playing with all of its sound options and will update the review after I have more experience with the sound options.
UPDATE I found this inexpensive work around for the Wii audio hookup on Amazon: RCA DT2AD 2-Way Signal Converter DT2AD. It allows conversion of the analog audio to digital audio.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha HTR-6250BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Yamaha HTR-6250BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Click here for more information about Yamaha HTR-6250BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Read More...

Yamaha RX-V765BL 665 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had been looking at several of the Yamaha models through the spring of 2009, as well as its competitor's (Sony, Onkyo, Denon), for an upgrade of my ancient Sony receiver (one of the first Pro-logic receivers). I just installed a set of Definitive Technology Mythos speakers ordered through Amazon.com, including a power-hungry Mythos Three center channel. I wanted this receiver to be the core of my Home Theater as it's primarily use for improving my Sony Blu-ray and TiVo Series3 HD DVR experience.
Sports, such a baseball is vivid with the upscale feature from 1080i to 1080p (although it has not yet improved the performance of my Seattle Mariners). 1080i broadcast shows such as Chuck, both sound and look great.
The optional YDS-11SL iPod dock works well with both a 4th generation Nano and an 80G iPod Classic, including the videos.
What is worth the wait is the clean layout on the back, the heft of the discrete amp, and the Blu-ray friendly support with both the scene button and the Decoders for HD audio formats: Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Yes they do make a difference in your home theater experience.
The audio calibration microphone works as advertised. Silent Cinema (headphone mode) is also a nice feature.
What could be improved - You need to keep the manual next to you for the first week to figure out some of the controls such as accessing all of the iPod controls with the dock. I was also sorry to see HD Radio(tm) missing from this "top of the mid-range" Yamaha's. The older RX-V863 has it, but this one doesn't. Also the four scene buttons are not programmable. I wanted to program the TV scene button for my TiVo (HDMI #2), no luck.
In the end, if you are looking for a quality receiver that performs well on both movies and music, and can drive your amp hungry speakers to their potential, look no farther that this RX-V765. It really was worth the wait.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha RX-V765BL 665 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Yamaha RX-V765BL 665 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Get 15% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha RX-V765BL 665 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Read More...

Yamaha YHT-390BL Home Theater in a Box (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I spent months picking a stereo system; reading reviews, listening to different systems at big box stores, and ultimately settled on this one.
The reason is simple: this 5.1 system sounded better than any other I tested, even those that cost twice as much! The sound quality of this system is simply amazing at this price. You could drop 3x as much on a Bose system and be less satisfied.
Pros:
2 HDMI inputs with full 1080p pass through. Have a lot of devices? No worries. You can connect a game console, a cable box, and a DVD player, all with zero loss of resolution and picture quality. There are more expensive systems that lack this feature. However, the audio pass through from HDMI cable goes directly to your tv, meaning you have to run a separate digital sound cable from your DVD player or CableBox. Not that big a deal as optical and digital cables are cheap these days, but it does mean one more cable to worry about. Here is a very reasonable Optical Digital Audio Cable and here is a Digital Audio Cable - both of which would be perfect.
Amazing sound quality. This system has a powered sub woofer, which is a MUST for high quality, deep bass. Other systems in this price range lack this feature. The speakers are solid wood construction. Although not glamorous, they feel so much better than plastic, and will still be around when cheaply made plastic bodied speakers are in a land fill.
The speaker themselves produce accurate, high quality sound, from the highest highs to deep bass. I put them through their paces with both DVDs and music CDs, and everything I threw at them sounded wonderful. (My test included "Hero," "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi," to test the surround sound processing. For music quality, I tested "The Killers: Sam's Town," "Copeland's Clarinet Concerto," and "Metallica: S&M."). Surround sound processing was great in entertain: surround mode. This system has made watching movies and TV a new experience!
High quality build from the amp to the speakers. Some other systems I considered ran VERY hot (Like the Onkyo HT-SR800). You could feel the heat coming off the amp without even touching it. This system runs a lot cooler, and makes me less worried about it burning out. It also helps the other devices in my audio cabinet stay cool and happy.
Many pre-sets, and a reasonably well designed remote. The remote is functional but not exceptional. One of my few frustrations with the system is it's limited ability to change the speaker pre-sets. You can only switch between a few of them with the remote. I frequently have to change them by hand using the buttons on the front of the amp. I've adjusted to this my making use of the four presets for "DVD watching, TV Watching CD Listening, and Radio Listening" each of which you can assign your own audio presets. Now, depending on what I want to watch, I can hit 1 button and I'm done. My wife loves this feature as she can get a DVD going in about five seconds without headaches!
Cons:
The speaker wire that comes with the set is thin. Spend the cash to get some good 16 gauge wire (and by good, I don't mean overpriced Monster brand wiring!). Any solid 16 gauge wire will work. This speaker wire would be a reasonably priced option.
This system has exceeded my expectations. I have some quibbles with the remote design, but presets take care of the majority of them. If you want amazing sound from a 5.1 system for under $400, you can't do better. You can even spend twice as much and get less for your money than you do with the Yamaha YHT-390BL.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha YHT-390BL Home Theater in a Box (Black)

Click here for more information about Yamaha YHT-390BL Home Theater in a Box (Black)

Read More...

Yamaha RX-V665BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I chose the Yamaha V665 after careful comparison with other units, and was very impressed with ease of setup and features. The sound quality is excellent, and while I had initial concerns with power output, at 90 watts it demonstrates more useable power than my previous NAD unit at 100 watts. I particularly like the four "Scene" buttons which allow linked input sources and sound fields and switch the unit on with one action. Contrary to other reviews on Amazon you can easily assign whatever input you wish together with a preferred sound field and assign it to any of these buttons. On the downside, you cannot assign different tone adjustments to these four "Scenes" which means I have to manually attenuate the bass to listen to spoken radio broadcasts which tend to create disturbing bass reverberations at times.
However the one big disappointment, which because of its nature I only discovered too late to return the unit (and I would not have purchased this unit had I known beforehand) is evident when a TV input from some (possibly all?) cable boxes is connected to the unit and passed through using the receiver as a switching unit (one of the key features of any modern receiver after all). In this mode the signal is subject to frequent dropouts of sound and video. Some days these dropouts are hardly evident and only for a fraction of a second, other days they are frequent and last long enough to leave the screen blank for a second or two or to delete entire words on the audio track. This happens with every possible connection I have tried, whether HDMI or component video (I have also tried monster cables to no avail). I have since seen other reviews reporting this same problem on other Yamaha units. My cable box is Time Warner but there are similar reports with Verizon Fios, so the problem seems endemic. Updating the current Yamaha firmware seems to have no effect.
There are always so many variables that it is difficult to track down the source of the problem, and I would hate to criticize Yamaha unfairly, but as the problem apparently occurs throughout the Yamaha product range, it would seem wise to hesitate on purchasing Yamaha until this problem is resolved.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha RX-V665BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Yamaha RX-V665BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Get 36% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha RX-V665BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Read More...

Yamaha RX-V663BL 665 Watt 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Before you go out and buy a fancy $1k+ AV receiver with all the bells and whistles, please ask yourself, do you really need all the extra little features like HD-radio, network connectivity, USB ports, a bazillion HDMI ports, fancy video processor, etc? If all you want is a basic receiver that will allow you to enjoy the latest lossless 5.1 or 7.1 audio codec from blu-ray movies (Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master), or even just multi-channel PCM tracks from movies or the latest generation game console, without having to pay for all the other extra stuff, look no further!
Yamaha did us all a favor with this unit. It does everything most people will ever need (unless you're the most technology-hungry of audiophiles) and does it all remarkably well. Sure, it is not the prettiest looking AVR out there and the OSD (on-screen display) will look like you just found that old Atari 2600 from childhood and plugged it in to your big 1080p plasma. The text and menu system looks prehistoric! Presentation and esthetics are definitely not this receiver's forte. But rest assured that in designing this receiver, Yamaha has skimped on such aspects only so they could splurge on components that count! Burr-Brown DACs and other high quality bits and pieces normally found on receivers that cost many times more are utilized in this budget AVR to deliver outstanding sound. Yamaha spent the money on things that count: the sweet sounds of music or the immersive 7.1 channels of your favorite movies delivered to your ears with uncompromising sonic quality. I also have the much pricier Onkyo NR905 and Denon 4308 that I use in my main home theater and living rooms respectively and this little Yamaha RX-V663 that costs a small fraction of those units rivals their sound. I originally picked this up so I could also have a home theater experience in the bedroom but have been floored at how it performs so much so that I will likely find myself watching more movies in bed.
It does have its limitations though. For one, it is probably not suitable for a very large room unless you use a separate multi-channel amplifier. Don't get me wrong, 95 watts per channels is probably suitable for many, but rooms upwards of 300+ square feet might be a stretch. Secondly, it only has 2 HDMI inputs (not a big deal for many, and is actually ideal for most who just have a PS3 or Xbox connected in addition to a Cable or Satellite box). Even if you needed more HD capable inputs, there are some component inputs that can still be transcoded to HDMI so you still retain the luxury of having a single HDMI cable going to the TV and use the receiver as a true AV hub. Thirdly, it has a cheap feeling and looking remote that lacks enough buttons to control other component functions (not a big deal if you use a Harmony). Lastly, it doesn't upconvert all video sources to full 1080p (again, not a big deal since most TVs do a better job at video scaling anyway). The only 1080p upconverting AVRs that are worth using for their upconverting/video-processing abilities are those with the HQV Reon or Realta chip like the higher end Onkyos and the $5000 Denon 5308. That all said, you really do get a hell of a lot in the box with this $500 Yamaha.
In conclusion, everything listed on the features list on Amazon's page about this receiver works as advertised. The YPAO automated sound optimization/calibration works flawlessly and in some ways even better than the Audyssey system used by Denon & Onkyo. Lossless audio decoding of DTS-HD Master and TrueHD works perfectly and even HDMI switching operates quick and smoothly unlike the long pauses and sometimes buggy HDMI handshaking issues Onkyos has with earlier firmware. I can confirm that there are no LFE flaws, DTS-HD Master issues, or other major problems that have often been discussed about the first batch of next generation "future-proof" receivers. It even has nice extras like a 12v trigger, and second subwoofer pre-out, speaker posts to accept banana plugs, and all the other ins and outs that you don't normally find on receiver under $500 are present. And of course I've already raved about the sound. This is the best bang for the buck in terms of AV receivers and the only thing that may be comparable is the upcoming Pioneer VSX-1018 or Sony DG-920 which will arrive summer of 2008. But based on my previous experience with the DG-910, they are definitely a step down from Sony's ES line and will probably not sound as good as the Yamaha but will have a nicer looking OSD.
I will give this product 5 stars simply because you get so much for so little. Sound quality being of higher priority than esthetics.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha RX-V663BL 665 Watt 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Yamaha's RX-V663BL high-performance home theater receiver features full support for HD audio formats, HDMI video upconversion and deinterlacing, iPod and Bluetooth audio compatibility, improved YPAO for sound optimization and speaker setup in any room.4 SCENE buttons make operating the receiver easier than ever when switching between audio sources. 2 volume-setting functions are included on this receiver for additional convenience. Initial volume setting allows you to set the volume level that will be heard each time the power is turned on. Maximum volume setting prevents unexpected loud sounds. You have a choice of 8 unique CINEMA DSP surround programs to bring out the full audio potential of your entertainment sources. The RX-V563BL receiver is capable of delivering large amounts of reserve power for accurate reproduction of high-energy peaks that are especially prevalent in digital audio sources. It is XM ready with XM HD surround sound powered by Neural Surround, and is also SIRIUS satellite radio ready. Other features include improved YPAO for automatic speaker setup, iPod compatibility via optional dock, Bluetooth A2DP compatibility with optional YBA-10 wireless audio receiver, 1080p-compatible HDMI (2 inputs, 1 output), analog video to HDMI digital video with upconversion and deinterlacing, CINEMA DSP and adaptive DSP level for accurate surround sound reproduction, an improved compressed music enhancer for compressed music files, adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control), 40-station preset tuning / Auto preset tuning, and a preset remote unit.

Click here for more information about Yamaha RX-V663BL 665 Watt 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Read More...

Yamaha RX-V3900BL 7.1-Channel Network Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this unit a week after it went on sale. I had been investigating the device for some time prior to the actual release. I used this to replace a Yamahe DSP-A1 purchased about 10 years ago. I wanted to simplify my cabling by switching to an HDMI capable receiver. The availability of 4 HDMI inputs was a big selling point for me.
After initial setup I put the unit through it's paces with SACD recordings of Elton John's Madman Across the Water and the Alman Brothers Eat a Peach. The SACD 5.1 sound from my PS/3 over the HMDI was exceptional, wonderful depth to the soundfield. The video upscaling in this unit is far superior to that included in my 50" LG Flat Panel and has made watching non-HD signals much more palatable. Using blu-ray DTS HD and DD Pure HD both sound amazing. I also purchased a Rhapsody subscription account to use with the unit and love the virtual library of hundreds of thousands of CDs at my fingertips through the remote. I have found several albums on Rhapsody that result in a "unable to play" error, I am not sure if they are encoded in a format other than MP3 or if this error also occurs when using Rhapsody on a PC, these were usually extremely obscure recordings.
The onscreen Ipod controls are great and the album cover display is a great addition, now if they could only get the album, flip view from the iPhone or iPod touch working for scanning through and selecting albums/songs that would be truly fabulous.
The lack of inclusion of wireless networking is a big mistake in my view, how many people would have their ISP drop right next to their stereo system? I overcame this easily with the purchase of a "Wireless Gaming Adapter" which attaches to the Ethernet port on the receiver and connects it to my wireless network, this solution has worked well and runs about 50-100 dollars.
My biggest concern with the unit has been the adaptive sound leveling. This is a great feature to make sure you don't get blasted out of the room when commercials come on at twice the volume of your show. Usually this feature mutes the sound and makes the adjustment very quickly but every now and then it has difficulty setting the volume accordingly and drops the audio for as much as 10-20 seconds, very annoying when using DVR functions to skip commercials then having to go back 2-3 times to get the audio enabled again at the end of the commercials. Once the unit could not seem to set the audio at all and it required selecting a different source before sound was enabled again.
Overall I am quite happy with the unit and hope that a software/firmware upgrade may alleviate the audio level drop issues at some point in the future, while sometimes annoying this issue comes nowhere close to outweighing the great benefits of this receiver.
Pros:
Exceptional sound quality
Great video upscaling
Extensive features listing
Amazing array of device connections
Cons:
Not in everyones pricing range
Initial configuration not for the inexperienced
No built-in wireless networking (could have been a design decision to reduce potential degration of the audio signal)
Infrequent extended audio drop outs when relevelling the audio between programing and commercials or when changing stations
Some CDs visible through Rhapdosy cannot be played

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha RX-V3900BL 7.1-Channel Network Home Theater Receiver (Black)

Yamaha's next generation 7.1-channel Network AV receiver offers unsurpassed versatility, access to today's most popular music sources including Internet Radio, Rhapsody online music service, music streaming from PC, HD Radio with iTunes tagging, XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready, USB, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility, as well as extensive multi-zone custom installation and convenience features, plus a Web Browser Control.

Click here for more information about Yamaha RX-V3900BL 7.1-Channel Network Home Theater Receiver (Black)

Read More...

Yamaha YAS-71BL Front Surround System (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been searching for a simple budget out of the box home audio solution that had great sound, ease of use and set up, all the connections I needed and lastly esthetically pleasing and not an eyesore. I looked at all the recommended budget 5.1 and 7.1 system (Onkyo is the best deal for full 5.1 systems) and was frustrated by the price and the over engineered complexity of them all. Real surround sound would be cool but ultimately I just wanted a simple solution with strong, rich sound and any simulated surround would be nice too. I have a Samsung 630 and love the TV but the sound sucks. This YAS-71 sound bar and sub-woofer really have enhanced my home theater experience tremendously. I want to watch all the movies I've already seen in HD again now just to hear them in fuller sound. My wife even likes it, I don't think she's nearly as intimidated by it as much as 5.1 component systems would.
This unit has 4 audio inputs plus a connector for an ipod dock; 3 of the inputs are digital audio inputs (2 optical, 1 coaxial). 1 RCA audio input. I highly recommend using the digital audio inputs to get the best and clearest simulated surround sound. I have a PS3 (my Blu-Ray player), a Toshiba DVD player and my DVR hooked up to the digital inputs and the Yamaha ipod dock hooked up. The ipod dock works well and you can control the ipod to some extent with the remote, though the screen on the front of the bar gives you very minimal information and control for your ipod. There are times I'd rather just select my ipod manually on the ipod itself. My 3G iphone worked with it as well as a 30 gig ipod. They all sounded great.
I have a very boxy, enclosed small to medium sized living room (12' x 18') in an older home and it's perfect for that environment. At volume level 50 (halfway) it really fills the room up with rich sound, at the higher levels it gets surprisingly loud without distortion and blowout. Though If you have a very open or large contemporary living room I wouldn't recommend this system; I'd go with more powerful true surround system where you could space the speakers out to fit the room. This YAS-71 really works best in a room with defined walls to work off of. I wouldn't expect any true surround sound from the YAS-71 but there are times while watching 5.1 DVDs and Blu-rays I notice that some sounds really feel immersive and you can feel the simulated surround effect. Prices have dropped on these recently, they used to retail for $500-$600 and for around $300 this is an exceptional deal.
Positives:
* Easy to set up, there aren't a bunch of wires to run around your room.
* User friendly. Wife friendly.
* 4 audio inputs (3 digital) plus yamaha ipod connector
* Clear, surprisingly powerful, robust simulated 5.1 sound for such a contained unit.
* Great value for the money if you can find it at or under $300
* Looks nice in front of most HDTVs. It virtually matched my piano finished black Samsung.
* Great for enclosed rooms.Negatives:
* No onscreen information and controls on your TV screen, info is only on the soundbar screen. This does not have any video passthrough. (this hasn't been a problem for me though).
* It might not have have all the audio connections you need. Check your setup.
* All the inputs are on the sub woofer, so keep that in mind, you might need longer cables.
* Remote controlling ipod is very minimal.
* ipod dock sold separately ($50-100)
* Not so good for open areas.
Conclusion:
Powerful, clear sound and a good number of inputs for most needs. A simple solution for better home audio. I couldn't be happier with it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha YAS-71BL Front Surround System (Black)

Click here for more information about Yamaha YAS-71BL Front Surround System (Black)

Read More...

Yamaha YHT-493BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt HTiB System (Each, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Got this one for Xmas. Took me less than an hour to set it up with my DirectV HD-DVR with HDMI cable. Has to order extra HDMI cable. Instruction is not very clear on the DVR hook up. It took some guessing but eventually hooking up with no problem. iPhone dock is not included and costs another $100. Ouch. We are enjoying the sound quality, especially for movie watching. Only minor complaint about the size of the subwoofer is a bit bigger than we thought (approx. 14 inches cube). The SCENE button for TV only work for using "component video cable" hook up. I used HDMI cable for my HD-DVR, therefore, I can't use the "TV" on the SCENE button. Very minor issue. Overall, it's a very enjoyable system.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha YHT-493BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt HTiB System (Each, Black)

Yamaha's YHT-493BL 5.1-Channel HTiB System is the easy way to enjoy the cinema experience at home. Featuring 500 watts of power (100Wx5), the latest HDMI specifications, and popular Yamaha technologies like SCENE and CINEMA DSP, you'll be sure to get the most out of your high-definition movies and music.

Get 32% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha YHT-493BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt HTiB System (Each, Black)

Read More...

Yamaha YHT-495BL Complete 5.1-Channel Home Theater System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Overall I'm pleased with the YHT-495. The receiver and sub make the cost justified and are nice units however as with most HTIB systems something has to be lacking to achieve the reasonable price and in this case its the speakers. While they do an pretty adequate job the claim of them being 100w thus matching the receiver's max output per channel is false as the box they come in clearly says 80w.
The center channel speaker could be a bit improved perhaps with settings but initially I would say that the front speakers and even surround/rears overpower the voice.
The sub-woofer does put out some nice bass and coupled with the receivers abilities make this a good buy when compared to other systems.
I can see a speaker (at least rear) upgrade in the future but overall this does offer an immersive sound for movie, music and TV in general when 5.1 is offered.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha YHT-495BL Complete 5.1-Channel Home Theater System

The Yamaha YHT-495 5.1-channel home theater system is a quality entry-level HTiB system with a 100-watt, 5-channel A/V receiver, 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility, 4 SCENE buttons, and a powerful 100-watt subwoofer. Supports the latest high-definition audio formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. Add your iPod or iPhone by connecting optional compatible Yamaha docks like the YDS-12 or Yamaha Bluetooth Wireless Audio Receiver (sold separately).

Get 13% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha YHT-495BL Complete 5.1-Channel Home Theater System

Read More...

Yamaha YHT-393BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt HTiB System (Each, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When I saw this receiver in the store, and then looked at the price (when compared to other "comparable" systems), I assumed it was going to sound like a tin-can. I'm so glad I was wrong...!
The receiver itself has a wealth of features, bells, and whistles. If you will be listening to your iPod through the system, go ahead and spend the money on the dock. The sound quality is excellent and you can control the iPod via Yamaha's excellent remote. One of my favorite features (being a classical musician/pianist) is that you can choose a sound mode that makes your music sound as if it's being heard in two of the best concert halls in Europe (Munich/ der Musikverein in Vienna), and some famous/typical American venues (The Roxy Theatre, The Bottom Line, Chamber, Cellar Club, etc...). It's really a neat effect!
I like that I can run all the HDMI signals from my DVD player, TV box, etc... through the receiver, so I never have to switch inputs on my TV, or run 10 different cords up behind the wall! The receiver does all the work of switching inputs-- you can even select a different audio input to pair with your HDMI signal just in case (like with a DVI to HDMI cable from your computer) there is a separate audio source.
If I had to brag on just ONE thing about the system, It would be: The subwoofer. The speakers that come with the system give a clear upper range, but if you were relying on them for the bass frequencies, you'd return the whole system the same day you bought it. Enter: the subwoofer... This speaker can punch out the lowest lows, even at the lowest volumes. Don't let the size fool you, either! It will fill your whole room with great, booming, clear bass!
To conclude this glowing review: If I were adding another TV in my den, I would buy another one of these systems to complete that home theatre as well!If you're looking for a great quality product that works and sounds even better than you'd expect, just hit the "Add to Cart" button now...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha YHT-393BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt HTiB System (Each, Black)

Yamaha's YHT-393BL 5.1-Channel HTiB System is the easy way to enjoy the cinema experience at home. Featuring 500 watts of power (100Wx5), the latest HDMI specifications, and popular Yamaha technologies like SCENE and CINEMA DSP, you'll be sure to get the most out of your high-definition movies and music.

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha YHT-393BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt HTiB System (Each, Black)

Read More...