Customer Reviews

Yamaha HTR-5660 6-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm not a hardcore audiophile, but I did a fair amount of research before buying this receiver. I found this unit has all of the features I was looking for, and at an exceptional price.

This receiver is basically the new version of the 5560. It adds 10 watts per channel for 85 watts each. It also now has digital audio inputs and s-video inputs for every video input including the front one. This receiver is also basically identical to the RX-V640 that Yamaha sells through it's retail channels. According the Yamaha website, the only difference is the coloring of the lettering on the front of the receiver.

There was a list of features I was looking for in a receiver and this met all my criteria. Support for both 6.1 channel Dolby Digital and DTS were a must. For my particular application 7.1 channel surround was overkill, and there currently aren't that many sources for it. Discrete circuitry for each speaker is a must. No spring clips for speaker connections. All support banana clips. I use a DVR and a VCR, so I wanted 2 AV in/out hookups. I have an oddly shaped room with less than optimal speaker placement, so I wanted the ability to adjust each speaker volume level independently. I don't have a HDTV compatible TV yet, but I wanted composite video support for when I get one. This receiver has 2 composite inputs and 1 output. Size was also a consideration for me as the receiver would have to fit into an entertainment center. The Onkyo I was looking at had similar features, but was just too massive to fit. The Yamaha was a more reasonable size.

Performance wise, I have been very impressed with the Yamaha. With the ability to adjust each speaker volume level independently, I was able to set it up to create impressive surround effects despite my less than optimal room. The Dolby Digital and DTS effects are impressive. When the receiver detects a DD or DTS source, it switches to those modes automatically. There are 40+ additional surround modes. Yamaha apparently went to a lot of trouble to develop them, but in my opinion they are mostly useless. I've settled on Dolby Surround II for most of my non-Dolby Digital AV viewing which is very impressive so far. 6 channel stereo is great for listening to music and really allows you to take advantage of your surround system. I've tried most of the other surround modes. Some are interesting, but I haven't found that I use them much. The included antennas for AM and FM reception are adequate and I found that my reception was much improved over my last receiver (Sony).

I found the remote and manual to be adequate and simple to use. I was able to adjust most of the settings on the receiver with minimal hassle. I was able to map all of the remote features to my Sony learning remote and it works fine.

If you are looking for a step above entry level receiver with many of the features and quality of the high end models, I highly recommend this model. I did a search on the internet and found many stores offering it at very attractive prices. I called J&R and they matched the lowest internet price and I had the receiver in 2 days. They also have a very reasonable return policy though I haven't had to test it yet.

Most of what I have to say is covered in the other reviews, although I have to say that the reviewer who gave a 1 star rating just because of the remote was not doing this receiver any justice.

Setup was quite nice and simple. Now anyone who has never used a 5.1 or 6.1 receiver before might not find it that easy. But it's still quite straight forward if you read the manual. You can choose how many speakers you want to set up, anywhere from 2 to 6. Setting the volume for each speaker is also easy. The best part is that you can even change each speaker volume while listening to an audio input - makes it easier to choose a setting you really like.
Regarding the remote - yes, it can be a little intimidating at first. There's a LOT of functionality in the remote. And a lot of the buttons actually have double functionality (similar to a 'SHIFT' function on calculators). But after using it for a while, you'll get used to it. I certainly wouldn't condemn this receiver just because of the remote. In fact, it looks nice and even grows on you after a while.

As for sound - this receiver is absolutely awesome! I had a Denon AVR-2800 earlier that went bad. I loved the Denon. But this Yamaha receiver is even better - didn't think it possible. Of course, to be fair, I'm using the Yamaha in 6.1 mode while the Denon was only a 5.1 receiver. The extra 6th speaker (Rear Center) really sounds nice. Also, the simulation modes that this receiver has are fantastic. For those who are not aware, a simulation mode is needed to convert a 2 channel audio source (like broadcast TV, Tuner, etc.) or a 5.1 audio source into a 6.1 output. The extra channels are 'simulated'. I myself didn't understand the importance of simulation till I used this receiver. Typical simulation effects are 'Hall', 'Rock Concert', etc. and they're all fun to play with and sound great!

The only complaint I had at first was that the bass didn't seem to sound as deep as my previous Denon receiver (everything else like speakers and DVD player remained the same). The sound was (and still is) crystal clear, but only the bass seemed lacking. So at first I had to turn up the volume on my powered subwoofer. But then I played with some settings on the receiver - like making the bass come out of both subwoofer and all speakers and it sounded much better. In fact I had to end up turning down the volume on the subwoofer. But the point is that you have a LOT of control. There's even a graphic equalizer that lets you set 5 different frequencies, a bass and treble control, a LFE (Low Freqeuncy Effect) Level adjustment, etc.

As far as choosing from the Yamaha family of receivers, here are some tips you might find useful:
1) The HTR-5660 is the same as the RXV-640, the HTR-5650 is the same as the RXV-540 and the HTR-5640 is the same as the RXV-440. Apparently Yamaha changes the product code only for purposes of channel distribution, or something like that. So shop around for whichever one gives you a better deal. In my experience, the HTR series was less expensive than the RXV series.
2) When deciding between the HTR-5660 or the HTR-5650 or the HTR-5640, be careful. The sound quality of the HTR-5640 and the HTR-5650 should be identical, and I'm sure very good. But the HTR-5660 steps up in output power and it uses a more powerful amplifier section. Apparently, this new amplifier also improves a little on sound quality. As far as requiring a powerful receiver, I thought I wouldn't really need the output power of the HTR-5660. But I find that I usually turn it up to -30db (it goes from -60db to 0). It's always good not to have to stress your amplifier. So with a HTR-5650 or HTR-5640, I'd probably have to turn the volume up even more - and I don't really listen to anything that loud. My room dimensions may have something to do with this, but still - choosing a more powerful receiver may be more important than you think.
3) Yamaha (and perhaps other manufacturers too) come out with new models around the summer. So retailers may start to try and get these HTR or RXV series off their shelves, should result in a price drop.

Hope this helps - if you ever see a good sale on this receiver, go for it. You'll be really glad you did!

This receiver is 2nd to none for sound quaility and price...I have had Dennon and Kenwood receivers but none can compare!! For richness of sound and bass this is a great receiver..and if you have Bose speakers this is the way to go..in this other review the guy can't figure out the remote..he is not very smart! And it takes two seconds to adjust the volume of the speakers!! There is simply no other receiver under 1000.00 dollars that is better than this one.

I have this A/V receiver paired with JBL E30 front satellites, JBL E C35 center, JBL E N24AWII for surrounds and JBL E250P sub.

This receiver is great! I use it 60% for listening to music (stereo) and 40% for a surround home theater system for movies.
This unit is very versatile, with the ablity to program different input connections, the ability to change zones for 2 sets of front speakers (same room or different zone), in addition the great programmable remote that can change your TV, Digital CBL box, and its own settings all at once. It also sounds great with many different surround programs to choose from, along with a processor bypass mode for stereo. The YPAO automated system is also very easy to use to set up your system to sound great (almost)!
I would have given this 5 stars, but I found that the YPAO system crossed over my front satellites speakers to high and the surround speakers where a little soft (to quiet). But it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to go through all the speaker settings manually (using the YPAO settings as a base) and slightly tweak them to my liking. The system sounded good with the automated settings, but sounds even better now that I have made these changes.

Bottom line - Yamaha makes great A/V receivers, I doubt you will find one as versatile and easy to use that sounds this good for the price. Buy this receiver, after you get it setup you will be happy with your purchase. This is the same model as RX-V757, now look for new Yamaha models RX-V659 or HTR5960.

The HTR 5660 furthers the Yamaha reputation of delivering maximum value. With robust clean power to spare, and switching that is logical and well labled, even a fairly large living room can be transformed into an adventure theater or your favorite music venue. This was my first foray into the digital receiver world and I was replacing a high priced analog Pro Logic system.
Mine sounds great in every mode---and there are many, with numerous adjustable parameters. The "Zone B" independently switched output is a convenient touch, and FM reception is much above average. Six channel direct inputs and six channel line- level outputs(plus sub out)put the HTR 5660 in a whole different league of flexibility. The lack of on-screen display is the one trivial annoyance.
Add good efficient speakers and a powered sub that will reach 30 hz and you will have a system that will thrill for years.

This replaced a pioneer vsx-d411 5.1 channel receiver that had been the life of my home theater for three years; and ya' know it worked good, it gave me a start in H\T, but, I wanted something better, so I looked around a bit and it was ether this, or a Harman/Kardon 5.1, and (don't buy audio equipment from electronics people) a Sony 6.1 or Panasonic 6.1 and you know what? the Yamaha was the right choice.
The sound is beautiful; very natural ,warm, clear and powerful (the 85 high currant watts help with that), when you listen to something it just sounds RIGHT.
I have some other friends that are into H\T one has all Sony, Bose and Velodyne, the other is all Onkyo and Audiophile, and I have seen "Pirates of the Caribbean" on all three of ours and, maybe it's not objective, but, I like mine best; I'm not saying that their systems sound bad, each of our systems are on par with one another, I'm saying you have to pick what sound's good to your ears, and the Sony sounded like... well, a theater: on the hard side, lacking warmth, the Onkyo... rich, maybe a little too rich, but still easy to listen to. now, to be fair my living room is huge, and probably the best acoustics of the three.
One thing I was looking for was a lot of a/v ins and out's, and component video switching, and this has it all: two VCR loop's which is important for me because I have a DVD burner and a VCR, and the component switching is HD capable.
On the speaker side of things, I have mine hooked up to a pare of (kinda' old) Hitchi floor standing duel 12"s in front, Cambridge soundworks center, pioneer back center a pare Polk R15's for surrounds and a Yamaha yst-sw315 subwoofer, on the source side of things; it's hooked to a Toshiba DVD player, Magnavox DVD burner, Panasonic VCR, satellite box and a old Yamaha K-40 tape deck (it was six bucks, and I ,alarmingly, need a tape deck); the receiver makes a good switch between all the components.
and if you feel like it WILL rattle the windows.
A word on the remote; it's a universal, so that's useful but the multi-use buttons have tripped me up once or twice but I have not found it a real problem.
Sound is a beautiful thing, and good music is worth hearing right, a home theater in a box works great for movies, but, if you want to listen to more than movies (or to hear movies sound better), look no further.


p.s. being a bit of a perfectionist, this is about the third time I have rewritten this review since '04 and so this receiver is no longer in production, however, anything in the upper end of Yamaha's line will be a outstanding alterative to this one.
If your interested anything with model number like: HTR-_ _60, will be the current year's version of this.

I was very impressed with this unit as I am not an audiophile but this is bringing me closer to being one. This is not one for the faint of heart of for those with no patience as it does take a bit of time and manual reading to set it up for your personal preferences. Once done it will be well worth the time and effort because the punch that it packs and the sound quality in my opinion are superb. The other reviews I agree with except the remote one. I highly recommend!!!

The unit has good sound and works good but I dread even thinking about trying to set the settings on this thing. I have done it but they are very unintuitive. Also the remote has to be aimed so directly that I had to make the unit crooked on my shelf so that it points staight at where I sit. I can't even explain what I mean except everthing seems to be done out of sequence. It is so bad that I am thinking of selling it just to get someything with easier and more intuitive set ups.

This receiver must have spent a good deal of time on this product in 2 ways: 1) to make a very good stereo and 2) to make the worst remote and menu system ever devised. The other review spends time explaining the good features of the stereo, so I'll spend my time explaining what's wrong with the remote and menu system.

First, there are features to the stereo that can only be adjusted using the remote and not the buttons and knobs on the front. So drop your remote or run out of batteries and oh, well, I guess you'll just have to watch all the big games in Sci-Fi stereo mode. Second, it's not intuitive at all. I'm sure that the makers of the product might tell me to find a manual, but good remotes and good web browsers have one thing in common: they should be intuitive enough to use without refering to the manual. It took me 3 months before I figured out how to adjust the volume on individual speakers and now I seem to have gotten it into 6 ch mode and cannot get it back to normal. Arrgghhh!

So you're going to ask me - is it fair that I've downgraded this item all the way to one star, just because of a remote. Yes. Would you buy a luxury car if it didn't have a cupholder? I consider it a good lesson for Yamaha: your customers should determine the design of your product, not your engineers. No customer would ever design such a convoluted remote and menu system, but I can imagine a number of engineers that would.