Yamaha HTR-6130BL 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First I confess. I am technically challenged--I have trouble working a cell phone. But the manual was VERY detailed, if somewhat overwhelming, and the connections were easy because of labels and diagrams. As mentioned, the HDMI connection only passes the audio through to the TV--will not route it to the surround sound speakers.
So I knew I needed a second audio connection for my dvd and cable inputs, but I still had trouble getting any sound from the speakers from my DVD player and had to call tech support. They explained that this unit was designed before HDMI and that the connections were added later as a pass-through for convenience. I wondered why they would have designed it that way to start with--turns out they didn't! But all is well that ends well.
Tech support was EXCELLENT. Although I had connected everything properly (digital coax audio cable for DVD), they walked me through the set up menu choices to get the sound working properly. They even helped me with the settings on my Sony blue ray player! Saving the setup via scene buttons will allow me to to recover the settings without remembering the details.
The first movie I watched, I thought I was in a theater!

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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.

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Kenwood Kdc-Bt945U CD/AM/FM/USB Receiver with Bluetooth Review

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(More customer reviews)Like the previous review (which I didn't read), the bluetooth audio will only play on the front speakers, and the second tech support guy I spoke to gave me the same answer as in the previous review. Oddly enough, at first the unit worked great, with full sound for almost two days, when it switched to front speaker operation only. The first tech support guy I spoke to was unaware of the "front-speaker limit", and provided me with a long list of things to try to correct the issue. After trying them, without success, I called back and I was connected to the second tech guy who told me it shouldn't have worked in the first place. So buyer beware, but I'm hoping to return it.
EDIT: The above is my original review. It DOES work will all speakers, for BT audio and hands-free. It's just that the settings for this are somewhat hidden. After spending some more time with Kenwood tech reps, I was told that there must be a defect, so I was referred to a local repair facility. This was an authorized retailer/repair - Suburban Audio in NJ near Philly - and the repair guy there knew exactly what setting was off and I had it fixed within minutes.
The proper setting can be found only while the radio is in BT hands-free mode (page 48 of the pdf manual). The setting to adjust is "Bluetooth HF/Audio", where you can select "Front" or "All". Even though the manual describes this for voice, is applies to both voice and audio streaming.

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Kenwood Kdc-Bt945U CD/Am/Fm/USB Receiver With Bluetooth

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Yamaha HTR-6140BL 525 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)Since the time of my review, there are only two reviews, a 5 star and a 2 star, the 2 star being based on a supposed bad remote and manual. I thought I had to set things straight. I've owned many other brand receivers and both Yamahas I've owned are great. The sound quality is excellent and the only problem I might see with someone not liking the manual is that Yamaha has so many features and options it might scare away the type of person that likes to use it out of the box without barely any set up. As for the remote I see no problem with it... it's attractive, functional, all features on it work so I don't understand what's not to like. Sound quality and construction of the unit are also superior. After having other receivers in the past that burnt due to overheating and had a dry, radio like sound, I think I'll stick with Yamaha from now on. Their "music enhancement" setting makes all sound including voice sound so incredibly warm and rich that I use this setting for everything and prefer it to any other setting. Yamaha receivers are also extremely low distortion. You will be very plesantly surprised with this receiver as long as you can follow instrucions and read a manual, even if you don't like doing this, the pay-off is worth the initial effort.

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The Yamaha HTR-6140BL 5.1-channel digital home theater receiver offers a wealth of entertainment features that will enrich your audio and video experience. This high-performance home theater receiver boasts 1080p-compatible HDMI, and it’s ready for XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. The Yamaha HTR-6140BL is also iPod and Bluetooth compatible. Other innovative features include CINEMA DSP for full surround sound, YPAO sound optimization and speaker setup, and 4 SCENE buttons for quick setup of audio sources.

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Yamaha HTR-6160BL 665 Watt 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)Originally purchased the Onkyo 705 and it sounded good for a while and then all of its issues came out. I plugged this Yamaha into the same setup and WOW! The sound that this Yamaha puts out is so clear. The Onkyo at its best is not even close. The onkyo needs 8 inches of space above the receiver in order to not burn up. I have less then 2 inches of space above this receiver and it still runs extremely cool. A Yamaha fan for life now!

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Designed for the true audio/video connoisseur, the Yamaha HTR-6160BL 7.1-channel digital home theater receiver delivers the highest quality sound and image reproduction. This able receiver will work with your iPod and features 1080p compatible HDMI, high-definition video upconversion, de-interlacing, and is ready for XM Satellite Radio. The Yamaha HTR-6160BL also boasts upgraded CINEMA DSP for rich and full surround sound and improved YPAO sound optimization for the best listening experience in any room.

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Clarion FZ709 MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with USB Port Review

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(More customer reviews)UPDATE: After using this for a week I had to lower my review by a star. The lack of physical buttons has really made this receiver difficult to use while driving. With no station preset buttons you have to fumble around with the controls in multiple steps just to change the station. Unfortunately, you won't find a cheaper receiver with bluetooth and A2DP streaming. There's no dedicated Phone button, so once again you have to fumble around to make a call and because of the lack of a control knob, dialing a number is a lesson in frustration.
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This receiver is an unbelievable deal. Everywhere else it's almost $300 but I got it for $129 here.
This is a cd-less receiver and because there are no moving parts it generates little heat. I have not used a CD in years and I bought this unit because of that and because it has A2DP wireless bluetooth audio streaming. No more wires connected to my iPhone! If you have an internet audio App (I use TuneIn Radio) you can listen to any station on the internet.
It looks great and there are no physical buttons but unfortunately you have to actually look at the unit to see where the volume control is. I would have appreciated some sort of tactile feedback such as a texture so I can keep my eyes on the road.
As with most receivers these days, the FZ709 comes with a pointless remote control. What are you supposed to do with it? Tape it to the steering wheel?
Pro's: Great-looking, a bargain, sounds fantastic, A2DP bluetooth wireless audio streaming, no mechanical parts to break, packed with features.
Con's: No physical volume knob, can't change the OLED color to match your gauges, "buttons" are sometimes unresponsive, can't change the display during A2DP streaming, clock is barely visible.

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If you've given up CDs for the convenience and economy of MP3, WMA or AAC files, then Clarion's future-forward FZ709 is for you. Why bother carrying around CDs if you've already ripped them to your PC anyway? The FZ709 does away with the standard CD player and instead offers a USB port for direct control of your iPod or streaming of your digital audio files from a USB device. Connect your iPod or thumb drive and enjoy hours of music and a clean touch-sensitive interface. What's more, the FZ709 features built-in Bluetooth, for hands-free calling or streaming of audio from compatible devices. Expand your options even further by adding SAT radio, connecting your steering wheel remote, or adding more power via the three preamp outputs. And if you really want to spin a scratched-up old CD, connect a portable player to the unit's auxiliary input.

Sleek Touch-Sensitive Front Panel The FZ709 features a clean, multi-line OEL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) display that responds to your touch. Only the buttons you need for your current task are displayed, so there's less fumbling for the right button.
Digital--Not Physical--Media The FZ709 plays MP3, WMA and iTunes AAC Compatible files directly from USB devices, complete with ID3-TAG display for track information like artist and song title.
AM/FM Radio No matter how futuristic everything else gets, sometimes you just want to listen to the radio. Store your favorite radio stations on the 18 FM and six AM presets.
Built-in Bluetooth Connect with various devices such as mobile phones, PDAs and MP3 Players via the unit's built-in wireless Bluetooth interface. Supports popular Bluetooth profiles including A2DP/AVRCP for audio streaming and HFP/OPP for hands-free operation, so you can easily communicate and listen to your favorite music to your vehicle�s audio system. Wired microphone is supplied for crystal clear telephony.
Direct USB iPod Control and USB Audio Streaming No adapter box required. Just connect the USB cable that's included with your iPod to the Clarion source unit's rear USB input and you get complete control of your iPod including genre/album/song title search using iPod's control wheel, with high quality sound reproduction through the car speakers. The same connection can also be used to play back audio files stored on USB memory.
What's more, using the optional CCA723 iPod video cable and additional monitor, your passengers can enjoy iPod video.
BBE MP for Better Sounding MP3/WMA/AAC Files BBE MP (Minimized Polynomial Non-Linear Saturation) Process improves digitally compressed sound such as MP3/WMA/ AAC by restoring the harmonics that are lost through compression, thereby reproducing the warmth, details and nuances that you would otherwise miss. BBE MP enhanced harmonics even serve to make regular CDs sound better.
Beat EQ for User Customizable Sound In addition to providing 3 preset equalization patterns--BASS BOOST, IMPACT, and EXCITE--Clarion's BeatEQ even lets you freely customize the level and range of the bass, midrange and treble portions of each pattern. You can tune the sound to your liking, depending on the category of music, for a more fulfilling listening experience.
Auxiliary Input With a rear auxiliary input, it's easy to plug-in a portable audio device, portable satellite radio, or other external audio gadgets (yes, including CD players) for instantaneous enjoyment.
Built-in High Pass/Low Pass Crossovers Crossover settings of 50Hz, 80Hz and 120Hz are available, letting you optimize the signal for high or low frequency reproduction when a subwoofer or tweeters are part of the system.
Ready to Expand The FZ709 gives you a 50W x 4 built-in amplifier to begin with, but if you'd like to add additional power to your system, three RCA preamp outs are provided.
It's also ready for an OEM steering wheel remote or XM/SIRIUS satellite radio, or Bluetooth to enjoy crystal clear sound and hands-free calling with supported devices.
Remote Control Included Control the action with the included wireless remote.
What's in the Box Clarion FZ709, trim ring, wiring harness, remote control, wired microphone for Bluetooth, installation hardware, owner's manual, installation guide.

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