Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

I've had this now for one month and have been very pleased. It has 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs so I was able to easily connect my Direct TV DVR, Xbox 360, Panasonic Blu-Ray player and Panasonic DVD/VHS recorder. I'm using it as a preamp so I'm not using the built in amps. I like the HDMI pass through feature so I can watch normal TV with the receiver and sound system turned off and just use the normal TV speakers. You don't really need 7.1 surround sound for watching the news. The sound quality is really super. Very clear and detailed. I've been very pleased with my purchase. Only con is the remote is hard to read and confusing.

I am very pleased to have purchased this receiver as it met all my expectations. I did get leary at 1st after ordering it, before it had actually arrived I read the CNet review & was also a little discouraged by some other reviews on the net of a few complaints of the fact that it weighs less then the previous model (Yamaha 663)and that the wattage has been lowered from 665 to 630. For those reasons I was going to cancel the order and purchase the Yamaha 765 model which is a bit heavier and has 665 watts, 95 per channel. I then read somewhere that this model weighs less because yamaha removed some of the analog decoders and that it also runs alot cooler. So, I decided to stay with my 1st decision and test the receiver out since I had already purchased it anyway....To my amazement this thing really cranks and has crystal clear sound. Absolutely no distorton, and the video quality via HDMI is excellent. I have an xbox 360, sony 360 bluray player, and an hd cable box provided by verizon cable connected to the receiver. Again this receiver is excellent, provides high quality sound & video and is loud enough to push all of my Klipsch Synergy SL's & 10inch Klipsch Sub with ease.

There have been complaints about the analog resolution, however the options menu allows the user to adjust the video quality output so really there should be no issues wth that.

The universal remote is subpar at best and can be a bit confusing for users that are not tech advanced! I do suggest a logitech harmony if that becomes an issue. Overall I highy recommend this unit!

This is a nice receiver. It is a good balance of power, features and price. It is really designed for someone who doesn't needs any analog video connections (RCA or SVideo). It does have analog audio inputs.

I purchased it for our bedroom. We have a 32" LCD HD, HD Tivo, AppleTV and a DVD player. All of these connect to the receiver via an HDMI cable. For me, I don't need any analog video connections. So for my needs, this is perfect. Also, because all of the analog video decoders are not built in, the receiver is lighter and draws less power. The remote leaves a lot to be desired.... but I am using a harmony remote, so it didn't matter to me.

Obviously, this one won't be for everyone. But if all you need is HDMI or Component Video, this may be a good choice for you.

Pros:
4 HDMI Inputs
Easy to Setup
Automatic Speaker Calibration
Lots of nice features
Great Sound
HDMI will carry sound and video

Cons:
Remote stinks
Lack of Analog Video inputs (Though for many this may not be an issue)
Can't customize audio and video inputs (again this may not be an issue)
Doesn't connect to network audio sources

All in all for the price this is a great receiver. The cons listed above don't apply to me, but are listed becouse someone else may be interested in them.

EDIT:
This receiver does have RCA video inputs but does not have s-video

This receiver has been a wonderful piece of machinery. It has done everything that i needed it to do and more. It passes the HD cable to my television, and it runs my new DVD player flawlessly. The audio is amazing. It pushes my Floor standing Cerwin Vegas (4Ohms) beautifully. I got this thing for about 400 bucks at hhgregg, they were having a killer sale. This is the first Brand New receiver i have purchased in a long time. My brother and my father have pioneers and mine is much more advanced. I haven't tried the Zone 2 but i am thinking about putting some wireless speakers outside and trying out the zone 2. There are too many features to talk about but i love this receiver.

I purchased this receiver for $350.00 in April 2009 from Electronics Expo (through Amazon). I researched many models looking mainly at lower-cost receivers that have HDMI. I originally ordered the RX-V663 but EE mailed me this one telling me that at the time, the '663 was sold out and that the '665 is it's replacement. I was a bit miffed at this switch without EE notifying me first, but since the '665 was my second choice I went ahead and accepted this receiver. I'm happy I did.


My main goal was to have a reasonably priced receiver that will allow me to playback SACDs using HDMI. All other reasons were secondary. And this little box does this in spades. Naturally, if it can do more I'm all for that. So far, this '665 has handled everything I've thrown at it.


Before going any further, I need to point out a few things first. I'm old school living in the digital world. I embraced the digital revolution many years ago and I have absolutely no analog equipment (short of my speakers) in my system.

My Sony HDTV is a 36" CRT with HDMI input with an optical-out back to the '665 at AV-1 input for television viewing.....which, by the way, is a simple antenna signal. I feel for you folks having problems in this area but since I don't subscribe to cable or satellite, I can't make a judgment call on that subject. I can tell you that the '665 poses no conversion problems for me.

Yamaha CDX-860 at AV-3 input for CD playback. OPPO DV-980H at HDMI-3 for SACD playback exclusively. Sony DVP-NS90V at HDMI-2 for DVD. Soon I expect to add Blu-ray at HDMI-1 (probably the new OPPO).



I love this receiver. SACDs sound so good now that they're heard digitally with no A/D/A conversion getting in the way. No matter what disc I play, I hear the music and not the technology. No level differences between SACDs, and the distance remains current to the setting I've chosen in set-up. If you love SACD, listening to your collection using DSD through HDMI is the only way to go. CD playback is excellent with the '665. So many option are available to bring the sound alive. Same can be said for DVD playback as well. Even if you insist on simple native signal playback for CD and DVD, you will not be disappointed. But enhancing the signal is where the fun really begins.


I've never been one to enhance any playback signals in the past before, instead relying on straight 2-channel for CD and Dolby/dts for movies. Even back in old Pro-Logic only days did I rarely add anything to the sound. But I installed a pair of Presence speakers above my L/R speakers and the difference is amazing. The added speakers created a "wall of sound" in my front soundstage that was never there before. I recommend everyone who has this capability to try it. One minor issue: Presence speakers can't playback while using Back-Surround speakers. You must choose one or the other. Since I feel that having Presence speakers outweighs the Back-Surrounds in overall importance and benefits, I kept the Presence speakers installed. But if you already have Back-Surrounds, keep them for certain DVDs and Blu-ray (this Yamaha doesn't offer DSP for BD).


I have no issues concerning total watts or THD with this '665. This receiver plays LOUD and CLEAN and has never ran out of gas even on my most demanding titles. If I need more power, I can always add more since the '665 has pre-outs for all channels, which is a big plus. But so far, I haven't felt the need so power has never been a factor here.


I can't comment on any of the other options such as iPod, Bluetooth, Sirius, or XM or AM/FM as I don't use them. I'm sure that they work as advertised. I never listen to radio (I didn't even hook-up the antenna). I have Sirius and XM at work and I don't own an iPod.


What is so wrong with this remote? It works just fine for me. It takes a bit getting used to (what remote doesn't?), but it works the way it's supposed to work after reading the manual. I like how I don't need to power-up the TV just to make an adjustment while listening. Also, if I decide to watch a DVD without the receiver, I simply press the DVD input anyway (HDMI-2) and the TV sound takes over. It was also very simple to program thus allowing me to put all my other remotes into a drawer. All other remote issues I discovered were trial-and-error but nothing that couldn't be overcome with a quick study in the manual. In fact, compared with remotes of my past this one is easy to use. And it's not too big either - fits nice in my hand.


I tried the SCENE inputs and they work but I don't use them often. Usually whatever setting I left any given input on last is what I want anyway, so I really find this option merely okay. Still, it's nice to have it I suppose.


YPAO works like a charm although I still tweaked the unit after calibration with my trusty Radio Shack sound-pressure meter. My L/R and LS/RS are large with 12" woofers so they needed to be changed to Large instead of Small. Other than that minor problem, the YPAO is great to have and real easy to use.


The Yamaha RX-V665 is a sweet little receiver and has nearly everything a person could want thrown in. Granted, it isn't a high-end receiver with all the bells and whistles those models offer but it doesn't have the high price they have either. It's pluses far outweigh any minuses anyone can mention about it and after living with it for almost a year, I can honestly say that I've never regretted owning it for something more. I highly recommended giving the '665 a serious look as your next receiver purchase.

I purchased this receiver for the pre-outs, HDMI switching and the relatively cheap price, I think I paid $289. It works even better than I had hoped as far as passing the HDMI signal straihgt to the TV speakers when the receiver is not turned on, a feature that works great if you have someone who also uses the TV, video, Wii etc and don't ever learn how to make things work. In this case, my wife did not even know we had a receiver. I have not used the amplifier in this receiver, just a old 5 channel amp connected to the pre-outs. It has surpassed my expectations.

I've been looking to buy a receiver and overall great surround sound for my home theater and I've personally been eyeing this Yamaha RXV665 receiver for a while now. Not only did i come across a deal on the receiver itself, but included was a deal as a whole bundle, which would complete my home theater stereo setup which included two Energy CF-30 Floorstanding/Tower Speakers, a CC-5 Center Channel Speaker, a pair of CR-10 Surround Speakers, a ESW-C8 8-Inch 240 Watt Subwoofer, and a Yamaha YDS-11SL iPod Dock, all to go along with the Yamaha RXV-665 receiver that would start me off on my home entertainment center. I ended up spending around $1,370 as a whole after shipping; given that the bundle as a whole weighs about 120 lbs. The receiver included in the bundle turned out to be a great investment for me and the rest of my family, as we enjoy everything that every piece had to offer in its excellence.
http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Floorstanding-Subwoofer-RX-V665BL-7-Channel/dp/B002QWWD1Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1281126134&sr=1-1

I bought a place several months back and decided spending $475 was too much to spend updating my old Bose media center for Blu-Ray and HDMI. This receiver was a nice, cheap solution and it's got a ton of connectivity options. Most importantly, it's got multiple HDMI inputs for my FiOS DVR, Blu-Ray player, HD video camera/DSLR. You could spend a lot more on a receiver, but the average user won't notice significant difference with the sound.

If you're planning to go with this receiver for your home entertainment system, I recommend getting a Logitech Harmony One remote to go with it. Monster makes a nice cable management product for keeping cords and cables neat. Regarding speaker wire, HDMI cables, etc., Amazon has great prices--much cheaper than paying thru the nose at the big box stores.

I read review after review in research for my new receiver, and am happy to say that I decided on this one. I LOVE it! The surround sound is much more profound than my old Aiwa, the volume gets uncomfortably loud if need be, and it all seems crystal clear!