A Good Way to Enter 7.1 Surround Sound

The Yamaha RX-V661 is a good starting point to enter the world of 7.1 surround sound. It has the features you would need to not only have the best in surround sound (7.1), but also to drive speakers playing a different source in a second zone--although not both at the same time!

Starting with the set-up: this Yamaha has a thorough instruction book and a clear layout that makes the hook-up and initial use a snap. While the book runs over 100 pages (all in one language!), it is broken down into sections on a quick start, basic operation, and advanced operation. It only took me a few minutes to get started, and then I ran the optimizer, which is a great feature.

Many receivers of this quality (and higher) have an automatic system, using a microphone, to adjust (optimize) the speaker output to balance the sound so that, since most of us do not have a perfectly square audio room, the surround sound still works. In the Yamaha, this optimizer is easy to use and effective: it determines the size, spacing, dynamic range, and phasing of each of your speakers in Zone One, and adjusts them as needed. If you messed up the set up (like I did, in reversing one of the wires), it tells you. This only took about 15 minutes to do, following the instructions fully, and when I did it again (after buying new speakers) it only took about 5 minutes since I knew what to do.

The features available to too numerous to mention. Multitudes of listening options, including different sounds for Dramatic, Sci-Fi, or Spectacular movies, watching sports, playing video games, or hearing music as it would sound in Vienna or Germany. Using various electronic enhancements, the receiver claims to be able to make the CD you are listening to sound different based on a number of factors, and each of these can be tailored to your own tastes. This unit handles HDMI 1.2, which is the 2007 standard, but coming soon will be HDMI 1.3a. Either allows 1080P (High Def) signals.

One feature that we needed was the ability to drive speakers throughout the house, in addition to the TV room. This receiver can do this, although there is a limit. While it will allow us to listen to the same program on all 10 speakers throughout the house, if we want to listen to a different input (for instance, the radio) while someone also watches a movie, then the movie is provided in only 5.1 sound, as the receiver uses the second amp to power the speakers elsewhere. This seems to me to be a small limitation, considering this receiver cost only $450. You're going to pay more to avoid this kind of limitation.

One limitation in the support materials is in suggested speaker placement. It seems to me that a simple diagram would have been helpful, but was not there. I did some research on the web to find this information, and found a lot on the Polk speaker website.

If you're looking for a good entry amp at about $450, this receiver allows you to fiddle a lot with the settings, or just turn the thing on and watch a video. Whichever type of audiophile you are, the Yamaha RX-V661 works, and works well. True audiophiles will want more, but the rest of us will be very happy.