Customer Reviews

Yamaha HTR-5890 7.1-Channel A/V Surround Receiver (Black)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I won't go into all the terrific functions of this receiver, you can read them in the product description. What I will say is that the pure power and sound quality of this unit is exceptional. The included sound analyzer microphone included with the unit calibrates the sound to the dimensions of your room, size and quality of all connected speakers and compensates for the acustical liveliness of the listening environment. The end result in my case was that it sounded like in addition to a new receiver, I had all new speakers as well! My home theater never sounded so good. A good friend of mine who just finished with his 60k+ sound room commented "wow, this really sounds terrific". If you like connections, this units has a gazillion of them and is should be a challenge to try to fill them all up. Most of the added sound fields are so-so but in DTS or Dolby digital the sound is just golden. If you are a home theater buff, do yourself a favor and spend the couple of extra hundred dollors and move up to a great receiver. The price is actually quite resonalble for what you get and you will have no buyers remorse. Enjoy!

Finally, someone put together a unit that does video and audio the way I want to do it. It may not be for everyone, but the basics I've mastered on this puppy in an evening exceeded my wildest expectations. I have a really difficult audio room so I skeptically placed the YPAO microphone right where my head would be on the couch. I ran setup and it checked my speakers and wiring and then went through all the various settings (I recommend plugging your ears when it "listens" to each speaker. It's not the volume but the shrill test tones made my eardrums rattle, literally). When it got done it reported correctly the exact distance of each speaker. (I checked them with a measuring tape!) When I was done I hooked up Baba O'Reily (by the Who) for a tough-as-nails systems test. I cranked the 980 watt volume to half and it blew me out of my chair. It was the clearest sound I'd ever heard and was as good or better than a professional setup done by a friend who has spent years building systems. My poor head was at the center of each speaker. Dead on! Next I went to the video. Again, finally a system that has TONS of inputs including a whole row of audio/composite/SVideo for all my stuff, PLUS 3 component plugs and allot of optical and coxial plugs too. And the best thing is what I wished my old amp did...it finally sends out Video, SVideo, and Component regardless of your input. It simply dumbs it down, or emulates the upgrade to the higher quality. It doesn't make it better, but who cares, it finally makes it POSSIBLE. I always was puzzled when my old AV amp would only send out the lower quality signal (or none at all unless it matched). This baby is going to replace a bag full of switches, cables, converters, and redundant wiring. But lets not forget the AV audio, it was awesome. I can't believe how much better my Klipsch speakers sounded and the separation and presence of my Center was dead on. No more anemic DVD digital sound tracks. (Where there's too much soundtrack and I'm straining for dialog) And I can finally hear my rear speakers distinctly in surround! Almost forgot, the OSD from the unit. Another thing I always wished my old amp would do. When I switch inputs, change volume, mute, etc. it reports it for a few seconds on the TV sending it down whatever my output mode is. At last, a unit that will control it all and sound great!

I purchased this receiver back in 05-06ish. Prior to purchasing this model. I owned the HTR-5240 "home theater in a box" model. I along with anyone who came over to watch movies, etc. Would love coming to my house, because of the theater system. From that experience i am a die hard Yamaha customer.

My Home Theater Setup at the Present time:
Yamaha HTR-5890 receiver
Sony CDP-CE375 5 disc cd changer
Sony DVP-NS700H DVD player
JVC HR-S5000U HIFI Super-VHS player. (yes i still have a VCR integrated into my system). Very High End VCR though.
JVC iART 32 inch CRT television.

All video signals are connected via Component RGB cables.
All audio signals are connected via Fiber optic cables.

I purchased the 5890 model due to the fact that I learned the hard way, that the 5240 "theater-in-a-box" setup was internally designed for the speakers that it came with. lol. Found this out by hooking up a pair of Cerwin-Vega 3 way cabinet speakers with 12 inch subs 6 inch mids and a tweeter. i basically fried the power supply within a day of having it.

So went to local Electronics retailer. Learned the fact listed above and sought after an upgrade. The 5890 was on sale, and so it was mine. I had drooled over it, a couple times upon window shopping. So i immediately decided to treat myself to it.

Upon getting it home, and my buddy chomping at the bit, for me to get it hooked up and operating. I discovered one of my most favorite features of the 5890. Behold the YPAO optimizer program. I had found the microphone, while unpacking and was like what the heck is this?
After trying to set it up, and reading the owners manual. I hooked up the YPAO mic, followed the directions, and within 10 minutes, and a few other things. We were watching the new Batman in THX sound mode.
Let's just say I and my fellow friends were soo just over the top impressed with it. We were just speechless and in awe.
You could hear the individual rain drops falling from all different speakers while hitting the cave floor in the movie. Since that night, and many many hundreds of movies, and cd's later. I am still astounded at the high quality of performance, reliability, sound reproduction, etc., of the 5890.

I was surprised to see this listed as a 7.1 receiver. Since it is technically i believe in actuality an 11.1 receiver, being that it has 11 channels plus the Sub woofer output.
I simply cannot say enough good things about this receiver. I have yet to even utilize all the features that this model offers.
From the many many options of Sound stages, Remote Control capabilities, fine tuning of the sound field, and the channels. The expandability and the control features for 2 other "zones". Not to mention the absolutely astounding amount of NOMINAL wattage output this thing has. That allows you to "return the favor" to annoying neighbors above, below, to side, or even the neighbors of those neighbors if you live in an apartment building.

I have only found 3 things that immediately come to mind that could be considered "cons" to me.

1: It only has 2 Component Video Inputs.
Not a big deal to me. Just means I have to run the video feed from my PS2 into the video input in the rear of the TV, and the audio into the receiver via a Digital Input. Just a minor setup issue that takes a minute extra.

If I could i would add only 1 or 2 more Component Inputs. 1 for my specific needs. 2 if i were the Manufacturer and just wanted to top it off.

2: The lack of HDMI input.
This does not effect my situation.
***If it does or might. Just run your HDMI video source i.e. Cable/Satellite Provider, DVD, etc., directly to the TV. Then run the audio feed into the corresponding inputs of the receiver. Problem solved.
I do believe that there was a model that directly replaced this one. That offered the HDMI and a Satellite Radio inputs. Not sure as to if it offered the same nominal power output of the 5890 though.

3: This "con" is more of a compliment, in that it is hard to find "wallet friendly" speakers that can actually handle the wattage output of the 5890. LOL.

I think i have made my point. So in closing. I will summarize that if you are looking for a Home Theater receiver that will not cost you too much and has a lot of setup options, and built in features, and will most likely meet most anyone's needs or wants. Look no further.

I have had this amp for a few years now. My old Sony amp fried, so Best Buy gave me $600 to play with, so I bought the most expensive amp in the store (this one at the time). It pushed my KX-12's, a Sony Center and Polk surrounds all through college.

I now have upgraded to Definitive Technology BP7006 fronts, the Def Tech 2300 Center, and still have the bipolar Fxi3 Polk surrounds, and it sounds incredible. Absolutely NO distortion at +10db volume. I have subwoofer cable hooked in to each front (built in subs in the fronts and center) and the bass is very accurate and clear (no need for a separate subwoofer when you have three built in).

So Dolby True HD and DTS-HD have come out. I have yet to listen to a system with HD sound, but why fix it if it's not broken? Dolby Digital and DTS sound amazing with my current set up.

This quality of an amp with 980 watts is a steal in my opinion. I will use it until it melts in to my sideboard.

THIS IS VERY INCREDIABLE RECIEVER WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH POWER FOR MOST.
IT ROCKS MY 4 DEVINCI TOWER SPEAKS. I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANY ONE THAT
WOULD LIKE CLEAN POWER WITH NO DISTORTION EVEN IF IT'S ALL THE WAY UP.
MUST USE THE MONSTER WIRE FOR IT THOUGH. OR YOU WILL NOT GET THE CLEANEST
SOUND POSSIBLE.

They don't make them like they used to. I had just purchased the Onkyo 809 which was wonderful unit when it worked. This 5890 will just about blow any other receiver in its dust. It is very powerful and clean sounding. Dolby digital and dts digital using optical sounds better than hd audio with hdmi for sound. The hd format is actually a compressed pcm format to save space. There has been too much advertising about this new hd format and hdmi. Fiber optics is still the way of the future. We were just watching Wind talkers in dts digital selecting straight sound. It was hard to describe how powerful this unit sounds. It may not have all the bells and gadgets of the newer receivers, but its the quality of sound that matters the most. Some people were saying how confusing the manual was. Well it is but common sense with trial and error and patience of course was a breeze getting it set up . Forget the microphone, just do it manually. A word of advice , when you have a good blue ray player like the Oppo bd93, or a Toshiba xa2 they have better upscalers than the 0nkyo Qdeo. Some blue ray units offer Qdeo 2 which for now converts lower resolutions better than anything out there. By running your hdmi cables directly to your TV. is the best way to go instead of using through. Through is another selling gimmick. Newer models do have more to offer, but are not built like the older units. I have this 5890 in my home theater system in the basement powering 11 speakers, one 12-inch sub and a second sub. by returning the front and left speaker wires to the powered amp. By using this system the existing sub will produce more bass. My final 2 cents opinion is worth trying. you can get one used from amazon and never regret the purchase. Ps., forgot to mention, if the unit runs a bit warm you can get a small 3 speed ac dc fan and plug it in to your ac switched outlet which is located near the power cord,Just use some black stick on tape to hold it and mount it near dead center and when the unit turns on the fan automatically comes on. The ones I use have a 3 speed setting for different rpms. I use these on all my 3 receivers and they will never get even warm. Instal it with the fan pulling the air out of the unit not pushing air in. You can search Google and get them for for about 29 bucks, and your unit will work 4 ever. Heat kills every thing eventually. Another thing that is beneficial is to get a 5th foot support and put it dead center and this reduces vibration.

This is a great product for this price. Especailly impressed by its 140W/channel. The sound quality is superb.

This is a good deal to get this quality with such a price.

I recently came acoss this Baby with no intention of buying a receiver. I had went from a marantz 5400, to a Pioneer elite 52 tx and was outing all my channels. My speaker's are a pair of thiels . a 2001 definative tech center channel and a pair of Jbl htr for my rear and a morduynt short sub. I thought all was well. But this Baby has taught me a lesson. It will drive i believe anything!! Great bass smooth highd and a wonderful sound stage. I had neve truly experienced THX until this wonder came into my life. The manual is fine ... it just requires reading!!! The remote is a no brainer and this baby sets it all up . All the input output are labeled... again read. I am sold on Yamaha for life. p.s Anyone who thinks the I pod is so special... for music that is, had there own seat on that short bus to school.

There is a little product called the iPod that is blowing away the competition by offering sophisticated functionality with simple operation. The need for simplicity is simply lost on the engineers and managers in the electronics industry, and Yamaha is no exception.

This is a very good receiver. For the money is offers superior sound and a rich variety of features. And it is far too complicated to operate. Sometimes it is hard to tell whether the problem is the receiver's design or the dismal manual (D+).

For instance, there are component video inputs on the back, but what are they for and how do you use them? The manual hints but doesn't say. Perhaps it would be a good idea to input from the cable box to the 5890, and then output to TV. So I tried it, and got no picture. The receiver's menu choices were displayed on the TV, but who would rather watch that instead of TV? There are three component video jack sets. One says "DVD," another says "DTV," and the third says "Monitor Out." Why does it say "Monitor" instead of "TV"? The manual does not explain. It appears to say that the "DVD" and "DTV" sets are inputs, and that is all the info provided. Apparently Yamaha thinks consumers like a good mystery.

I have 9 remotes in front of me. Heaven knows how many I've used and programmed over the years. The allegedly universal Yamaha remote has the most incoherent programming process I've ever encountered. Forget it! I'll continue to keep the remotes for the TV, DVD recorder, and cable box at my side.

The microphone-assisted auto-setup is reasonably simple, if unpolished. It is certainly much easier than the setup of the Denon amp I recently tried and returned. I would grade the 5890 manual an "F," but Denon sets such a low standard that the Yamaha manual seems comparatively refreshing.

Some things are so stupidly implemented that you want to heave the remote. There is a clear way to enter the Menu, but no clear way out. I resort to pushing an unrelated button, such as one that controls sound input. The process for remapping inputs is dumbfounding.

In respect to audio, I think the receiver exceeds three stars, but I also think I deserve to be able to understand all the functions of the receiver, and to have a manual that explains them in lucid English. I own a Canon digital 35mm camera, which is similarly complex, but it comes with a manual that is well-written and sensibly organized, and the camera itself is designed more logically. Why doesn't Yamaha offer the same? What can't the company learn from the iPod? (As a rule, the more a company caters to the "low end" of the market, the more rational are its product functions and manuals. Sony and Panasonic do considerably better than Yamaha or Denon. Do buyers who spend more money deserve more disorder and less comprehension? It must be admitted that there is a subset of consumers who are made proud by mastering nonsense, but must they be the target audience?)

This receiver has a combo of features and sound that is second-to-none in its price range, so by all means buy it. But then let Yamaha know that they could do a far better job of making it simple to use, and that consumers deserve a manual that isn't slipshod.

Here's what I would do if I were the CEO of Yamaha. I would have each new receiver delivered to my office, and if I couldn't entirely figure it out in a half-hour I would send it back for redesign. And I would have the manuals written by people who know little about electronics and have to ask the engineers to explain everything in simple terms. Most importantly, I would seed the receivers (and other products) to non-technical consumers to test driver for several months before they are marketed, as is done with software.

I have infinity beta 50's and beta 20's as surrounds beta 250 for center channel.I read good reviews about this receiver.Earlier one i had was Onkyo 702,which fried before it fried the center channel it was clipping with one scene from Transporter 2.This receiver sounds less clearer than the one onkyo.Music sounds better in this one.but when i was playing scenes from star wars (Revenge of the sith)I liked the Onkyo's Performance.I calibrated the system with different setting for equalizer(FRONT?FLAT/MID/LOW/High)I got good sound from Fronts.I dont know may be it is the Receiver speaker Combination that is not giving me the performance like the Onkyo.Compared to Onkyo the back panel speaker connections were easier.I will add more to the review after i calibrate with a sound meter.I just have a 5.1 set up(For those who think a good receiver and good speakers will give you a good sound think again .make sure the combination works)This receiver has so much more tweaking available.Another thing when i connected all the speakers the sound was so low.after the auto set up i got the sound to work better(May be it is a feature that is not mentioned anywhere to protect your speakers).My advice to every one is to try the receiver in your home and make sure you have a good return policy.There is no point in getting some thing after paying so much(699 little more for persons like me who is used to HTIB's).If Yamaha does not make these receivers more user friendly.I could see a lot of returns for this receiver.If you are switching from a HTIB this will be a good upgrade.