Yamaha Home Theater
Entered CNET Catalog: 10/06/2005
SKU: 0027108922683
Manufacturer: Yamaha Corp. of America
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Manufacturer description
The RX-V4600 is a receiver designed for the digital era. It sets the standard for a new generation of receivers that will increase home theater enjoyment with more vivid images and richly detailed sound, plus greater versatility and convenience. For movies and music, multi-channel surround sound and stereo, the RX-V4600 will ensure that your entertainment is totally enjoyable.Product summary
The good: High-end 7.1-channel A/V receiver; 130 watts per channel; HD Radio; High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) switching; advanced autosetup capabilities; iLink single cable connection for compatible DVD-A/SACD players; three-zone multiroom capability; THX Select2 certified; two remote controls.
The bad: Confusing autosetup regimen; doesn't upconvert composite, component, or S-Video to HDMI.
The bottom line: Yamaha's jam-packed RX-V4600 receiver looks and sounds great and boasts something altogether new: HD Radio.
Average user rating: from 7 users
3.5 stars
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 10/11/2005
The receiver's Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO) system uses a microphone and equalization to automatically set up your speakers. Unlike some of the better autosetup systems we've used, Yamaha's latest system requires a lot of button pushing and menu navigation that we fear will stymie novices or even fairly experienced home-theater buyers. This new version of YPAO is more versatile than its predecessors, found in models such as the VX-1500, but the added complexity seems to negate the appeal of autosetup. We recommend knowledgeable buyers use the V4600's all-manual setup routine to get the best sound.
On the other hand, HD Radio couldn't be easier to set up and use. There's no separate HD antenna to install--just tune to any AM and FM station broadcasting in HD, and you get HD Radio. HD Radio is just like standard radio, except that stations broadcast digital as opposed to their usual AM and FM analog signals, which improves audio quality and reduces bandwidth. The V4600 can display the song title, the artist's name, the album title, and the music genre--if the station supports that feature. That didn't seem to be the case for any of our 10 New York/metro area stations, most of which are FM outlets. iBiquity Digital Corporation, HD Radio's parent licensing company, claims thousands of local stations are jumping on the HD Radio bandwagon nationwide. This seven-times-130-watt receiver is fully loaded with all of the latest surround processing modes: Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Neo:6, and 96/24, plus THX Select2 processing. What's more, the Yamaha RX-V4600 also features the company's proprietary Cinema DSP technology, with which you can create customizable surround effects from CDs, DVDs, FM or HD Radio, and so forth. Silent Cinema produces surroundlike sound over conventional stereo headphones. Audiophiles will appreciate the V4600's Pure Direct switch; it shuts down all of the receiver's digital and video processing and front-panel display circuitry, all in an effort to provide the best possible sound quality.
Abundant connectivity options include six A/V inputs, two A/V outputs, and three component inputs with upconversion to component output for your composite- and S-Video sources such as VCRs or cable boxes. That's nice, but since the V4600 offers switching for two HDMI (version 1.1) sources, we're wondering why the receiver doesn't offer upconversion to HDMI (Sony's STR-DA7100ES receiver offers that extremely useful feature). On the upside, you get eight digital inputs (five optical and three coaxial) and two optical outputs--so we doubt you'll run out of digital connections. Audiophiles will appreciate the turntable and analog SACD/DVD-Audio inputs or the two iLink (IEEE 1394) single-wire, all-digital cable connections for use with compatible SACD/DVD-A players. The receiver also has 7.1-channel preamp connections to hook up a separate power amplifier.
The V4600 is a 7-channel receiver, but it has an extra set of spring clip connectors for use with a pair of front "presence" speakers that can produce a larger front soundstage. Zone 2 and 3 (multiroom) capabilities are available, as well as A/B speaker switching for a second set of front-channel speakers in another room. The RS-232C interface is provided for future factory-installed software updates. The Fight Club DVD is a perennial favorite around here--first, because it's a great film and, second, because its soundtrack is loaded with all sorts of hidden treasures. The Yamaha RX-V4600 revealed subtle details buried in the mix, including montages of ticking clock noises, and the 9/11-esque collapsing building with the Pixies wailing "Where Is My Mind?" at the end took on even more fearsome proportions. The V4600's heightened aural resolution made the DVD scarier than ever.
Peter Gabriel's Play DVD collects his best videos and presents them with all-new 5.1-surround mixes. The sound was remarkably alive, with strong dynamics and gutsy bass lines. We listened to the surround mixes in 5.1 and were completely impressed with the receiver's seamless imaging. Even with the volume cranked way up, the V4600 never sounded strained.
Traditionalists that we are, we prefer listen to CDs in stereo, and the Persuasions Sing U2 CD demonstrated the receiver's refinement. The naturalness of the group's five vocalists was truly breathtaking; we felt as if the guys were right in front of us.
The V4600's HD Radio performance exceeded our expectations. FM stations broadcasting in HD were dramatically quieter, with much greater stereo separation than broadcast FM, or even XM or Sirius satellite radio. Still, HD Radio isn't fully up to CD-quality standards. We noted that FM-HD stations we received with fairly marginal signal strength were quiet and sounded awfully good. HD Radio proponents claim that its signals are immune to the most common form of FM interference, multipath distortion, so HD Radio has significantly reduced background noise. We found those claims to be mostly accurate, but we heard an annoying swish on one tough-to-receive FM station as the HD and standard FM signals alternately went in and out. AM stations employing HD technology sounded much improved, but at least here in Brooklyn, we found AM-HD signals to be trickier to receive. We noted a good mix of mainstream rock, urban, NPR, and college stations were using HD technology in our area. You can check which AM or FM stations in your area have HD at iBiquity's Web site.
Finally, we compared the Yamaha RX-V4600 to Sony's flagship receiver, the STR-DA7100ES. The Sony seemed more powerful yet more laid back, while the Yamaha sounded livelier and more precise, with tighter bass. We like both receivers for different reasons, so we'll call it a draw.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 User Rating: 
9/10
Excellent for a A/V Receiver with audio being the primary technology
Pros: HD Radio, HDMI, the AUDIO...is well..rich..deep excellent..
Cons: no 1080p HDMI but if you have a 720p HDTV like I do...it isn't a con...
Review: Many here are comparing the RX-V4600 to the RX-V2600 and complaining that the 4600 doesn't upconvert to 1080p via HDMI...and most are missing the point of the RX-V4600 it is an AUDIO receiver first and a video receiver second...the RX-V2600 was made to be a VIDEO receiver first and audio secondary. I had the opportunity of trying both thanks to the home theater installers from Tweeter...I was making the same assumption and mistake as everyone else...comparing capacitors...weight...etc...but in an "AUDIO" only comparison...the audio on the RX-4600 is richer than the bright sound of the 2600...so I kept my 4600...I let my displays and HD DVD player do the upconversions...now...the new RX-V2700 is another story...it has an ethernet port to connect to your mp3 files...nice touch but I already do that with my DLink DSM-520 HD media player...my 2 cents...
User Rating: 9/10
Top Notch!
Pros: Connectivity Options, Easy Audio Setup, HDMI switching, Sound Quality, Features, HD Radio
Cons: None worthy of mention.
Review: This is a quality receiver and one of the finest pieces of audio equipment I have ever owned. I have owned many receivers throughout my many years of audio appreciation (Beginning with the old quad days. Do you remember those days?) The reproduction of Select 2 material and SACD is awesome. In regard to the lack of upconverting I do not think it should be the job of the receiver to upconvert. One should rest that responsibility on buying other quality components, like DVD players, etc. that do the upconverting themselves. Quality components should be the only things connected to a receiver of this quality. I also thought the audio setup was extemely easy with the microphone YPAO and produced very accurate results, except for defining two of my four rear surrounds as large. However, this was easy to override. They are Polk Audio speakers and the receiver probably thought they had sounded so good it had mistaken them for large. 
I read the review about Yamaha having an "F" rating by the BBB and decided to check the actual "complaints" in detail. The complaints include people complaining about not receiving items they purchased from people selling items on ebay, retailers not honoring "extended" warranties they had purchased from retailers etc. Anyone claiming that Yamaha is somehow responsible for the actions of people selling items on ebay or insuring extra warranties beyond Yamaha's own warranty has to be missing a few screws. After viewing, in detail, the actual complaints I have now lost respect for the ratings of the BBB. After owning this receiver I have nothing but respect for Yamaha Audio Equipment. I will be buying more Yamaha components in the future.
I read the review about Yamaha having an "F" rating by the BBB and decided to check the actual "complaints" in detail. The complaints include people complaining about not receiving items they purchased from people selling items on ebay, retailers not honoring "extended" warranties they had purchased from retailers etc. Anyone claiming that Yamaha is somehow responsible for the actions of people selling items on ebay or insuring extra warranties beyond Yamaha's own warranty has to be missing a few screws. After viewing, in detail, the actual complaints I have now lost respect for the ratings of the BBB. After owning this receiver I have nothing but respect for Yamaha Audio Equipment. I will be buying more Yamaha components in the future. User Rating: 9/10
Top of the line
Pros: Awesome sound, automated set up
Cons: Complex and confusing for some
Review: This is a top quality piece of equipment and sounds great playing CDs, DVDs and HD cable via HDMI connections. I run it to a set of Definitive Technologies Mythos 4 (x2), Mythos 3(x1), Gem (x2) and SuperCube III (x1) speakers. Fantastic. The set up was confusing but once I figured out how to do things, the automated setup process of balancing speakers was a breeze. I'm very satisfied and recommend this receiver highly.
User Rating: 
2/10
Why Gamble?
Pros: Specs look good
Cons: Yamaha service is poor
Review: Please please please, consider other manufactures, not a Yamaha receiver. Many have had good luck, but those of us who have had problems will agree with the Better Business Bureau that Yamaha service is abysmal. The BBB gives Yamaha an F, look it up I wish I had before I made my purchase. Other receivers are comparable and take very good care of its customers like Harman Kardon and Denon, a bit more upscale than a Yamaha and I can personally vouch for Harman Kardon service.
If you don't a have problem with the Yamaha you have a fine receiver and you should be pleased. If you have a problem, well I'll be as nice as possible, use the dumpster and go buy another manufactures AV receiver. Don't gamble and buy a Yamaha receiver. My dead RX-V2500 is a testament to my words of caution. Why gamble?
Holographic
Seeing more of what is there
If you don't a have problem with the Yamaha you have a fine receiver and you should be pleased. If you have a problem, well I'll be as nice as possible, use the dumpster and go buy another manufactures AV receiver. Don't gamble and buy a Yamaha receiver. My dead RX-V2500 is a testament to my words of caution. Why gamble?
Holographic
Seeing more of what is there
User Rating: 
6/10
Excellent....but
Pros: Lots of features
Cons: Does not up/down convert HDMI
Review: I was ready to buy this receiver and Yamaha came out with the RX-V2600. A few less features, like HD Radio, but it up converts HDMI which the 4600 doesn't. Also down converts things like HDTV to a video tape. 2600 street price about $900 also.
User Rating: 9/10
Very good product
Pros: Excellent sound and features
Cons: Can be confusing for some beginners
Review: Solid sound and good features. HDMI rich. A good receiver for those wanting a pretty decent entertainment system.
User Rating: 6/10
Yamaha RX-V4600
Pros: HD Radio of Yamaha RX-V4600
Cons: the price of Yamaha RX-V4600
Review: overall it sounds like a great system, specially HD Radio, though I'm not really sure yet what it is... one more thing I'm not clear yet is how it would get along with a digital music management system such as the new phillips wacs 700 or the musica from olive products, www.olive.us , I haven't found much info available yet for these 2 products...
