Yamaha RX-V457 Receiver Reviewed

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter Print this article

HTR Product Rating

Performance: 4 Stars
Value: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Disagree with our product rating? Email us and tell us why you think this product should receive a higher rating.

Page 1 | Page 2

As I have stepped in to oversee the direction of this magazine, I find myself tempted to play with the gear again. We have an incredible team of qualified veteran editors putting the latest entries in our industry to the test, but the temptation to participate is overwhelming. So I hired myself to grab one of this issue's gems.

Additional Resources
• Read more high performance AV Receiver Reviews from Yamaha, Samsung, Sony ES, Onkyo, Integra and many other brands.

Now as a thirty-five-year audiophile who built tube amp kits back in the late '60s, you would think I would challenge Manoj and tackle one of the latest tweaky toys. One thing that I have found over these many years is the older I get, the less complicated I want my gear. I haven't owned a receiver in about twenty years now. From receiver to integrated amplifier to separates is the path of most addicted geeks like me. What has happened to most of us is that we own multiple systems: our high-end sound system, our theater or multi-purpose entertainment room and some other office, den or game room system. Today, there are smart home systems that do it all, but me, I have different desires for each listening experience. Today the family needs to be able to operate the home theater, and that is where an all-purpose, quality receiver dominates.

This was an easy assignment, since I already have a small theater set up in my den and own a Yamaha relic, the A780 integrated amplifier. Don't get me wrong, this has been a workhorse for over 10 years. It has entertained us in three different homes, and today drives my gameroom theater. So, let's get the new RX-V457 out of this box and swap pieces! The RX series consists of eleven powerful, versatile 5-, 6- and 7-channel home theater receivers. RX-V series receivers range from affordable units starting with 85 watts per channel (our unit today), to units with 130 watts per channel, and feature Digital ToP-ART Technology to assure the purest circuits and transmission.

Unique Features
This full-function, high power 510-watt (85W x 6) 6.1-channel receiver with special features and multiple Surround Realism is a steal at an entry price point in this RX lineup. Every surround mode known to man, like Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, Dolby Pro Logic IIx and DTS 96/24 Compatibility Quad-Field CINEMA DSP Programs, 14 Surround Programs Night Listening Enhancer (Cinema/Music), and SILENT CINEMA Audio Delay for Adjusting Lip-Sync (0-160 ms) complement this unit, and it is XM Satellite Radio ready, too. Now, I don't know if you have had any experience with satellite radio (XM or Sirius) but I am having a blast and will cover these technologies next issue. The selectable nine-band subwoofer crossover/phase select, HDTV-compatible component video out, two component video inputs and three digital inputs, plus three S-Video inputs, are just a few of the luxury items on an entry-level receiver - not common on many brands. What my wife likes about it already is the uncomplicated front panel. I didn't have to give her training on operation. The remote control, now that's another story, but it has everything and more. I could sit here and copy all the features from the owner's manual, but go to www.yamaha.com and check out this excellent web site. How did we ever exist before the Internet?

Installation/Setup/Ease of Use
I'm sure you and I (men) are no different. I popped open the carton and began to hook up this beauty without reading the owner's manual. I also assemble things that way and end up with leftover parts. Thankfully, this thing came assembled. Within 30 minutes, I had the A780 integrated out and the new RX-V457 hooked up and running. Now was a good time to peruse the manual and check out the cool stuff it does while enjoying the music. (I am using a V, Inc. HD 42-inch plasma, a Sony CX-985V, multi-function CD/DVD player and my trusty M&K MX 150 subwoofer with a Monitor Audio surround system for fronts, center and rears.) The back panel is excellent. It wasn't cluttered or with connectors so close to one another you couldn't get your fingers in to install cables. The binding posts were of good quality for a receiver at this price, allowing me to use high-end cables and speaker wire.

Read more on Page 2

Page 1 | Page 2

Featured Audio-Video News

Are AV Retailers To Blame For Lofty High End AV Prices? -

The audio video has been in a state of flux or some time, splitting sales up between specialty dealers, big box stores, and online sellers. However, the dealers may have had more to do with this than they think.

Latest AV Receiver Reviews

Onkyo TX-NR5009 AV Receiver Reviewed -

Onkyo has pulled out all the stops with the TX-NR5009 AV receiver, packing the unit with features such as 3D and 4K video scaling. But how well do these features perform? HomeTheaterReview.com reviewer Dr. Ken Taraszka investigates.

NAD T 757 A/V Surround Sound Receiver Reviewed -

Andrew Robinson, editor of HomeTheaterReview.com, got the NAD T 757 AV receiver in for review and went about connecting to his system, including a variety of speakers, as he prepared to put the receiver to the test.

Home Theater Review's 2011 Best Of Awards -

For a third time, the editorial staff of Home Theater Review have examined the year's offerings in AV gear and decided what they deem to be the best in every category. Find out who is the best of the best.

NAD T 748 AV Receiver Reviewed -

NAD has taken a novel approach with the NAD T 748, meaning that they have decided to neglect all the bells and whistles of modern receivers and concentrate on performance. Andrew Robinson evaluates the T 748 to see how that idea paid off.

Anthem MRX 700 AV Receiver Reviewed -

Andrew Robinson was a little skeptical about the Anthem MRX 700 AV receiver, thinking that the price and features didn't quite add up. But after he put the receiver through its paces, he saw that the MRX 700 is greater than the sum of its parts.

Samsung HW-D7000 Receiver/Blu-ray Combination Unit -

Samsung offers a home theater solution more unique than many of their other offerings. The Samsung HW-D7000 is a combination AV receiver and Blu-ray player. Convenient? Yes. But does it perform? Adrienne Maxwell finds out.

Pioneer SC-37 Elite AV Receiver Reviewed -

The Pioneer SC-37 Elite AV receiver is a receiver that brings the goods. Not only does the receiver produces impressive sound, it comes packed with a wide range of features to trick out any theater.

Pioneer Elite SC-35 AV Receiver Reviewed -

The Pioneer Elite SC-35 suffers from a problem that can be common amongst many consumer electronics. Reviewer Andrew Robinson investigates this problem as he reviews the Pioneer Elite SC-35 AV receiver.

Arcam AVR500 AV Receiver Reviewed -

The AVR500 is designed to reproduce movie theater sound and studio music inside your home. For performance when compared to $8,000 separates, our reviewer noted it "comes pretty damn close for a lot less money." It has "more than ample power" and is "brilliantly designed and engineered"...

Sony STR-DA3600ES AV Receiver Reviewed -

The sound on this Sony possesses more than adequate power and finesse and like most Sony's, it is very reliable. In addition, the Auto Calibration on the STR-DA3600 "was by far the smoothest, fastest and also one of the most accurate I've ever had with a receiver," according to our reviewer...