Audio Reviews

Gorgeous may be subjective but the sound of this radio says it all. I find it very pleasing to listen to and very balanced between the highs, lows and the mid-range. I listen to jazz and can hear all the nuances that other radios were either missing or blurring. Super clarity. Surprising volume. High quality. Let me say it...for the discriminating listener! Small footprint. Can be used in RVs and boats (can use DC). I also listen to CD recordings using my CD player and its great. The only thing I find myself missing are the little digital buttons which allow you to move between stations. But if I have to give that up for quality...hey! I am more than willing. Everything went into the building of this fine component and I am thankful that it is available at such an unbelievable reasonable price.

This is my first review of any product but I am so impressed by this radio I've been moved to do so. It is rare to find a product today with beautiful anolog design and quality materials/ craftsmanship. this radio is heavy, probably a combination of the metal/real wood and 3" magnet. The sound is very impressive for a mono, small speaker device. The radio this one replaced could not get half of the stations this one can.. Really, this thing pulls in stations from 60-80 miles away and the local stations here in SF no longer have the loud static & cutting out. I wish all products were this refined, instead of the disposable plastic landfill most companies dish out. This radio will become a family heirloom. Seriously, treat yourself to the kind of quality that has been almost forgotten.

I own two of these and have given many as gifts. This is, simply put, the standard against which other table radios should be judged. There are no "bells and whistles," just the things you need for great reception and great sound. This radio will pull in stations you didn't even know you could get and will make your favorite stations come in better. On top of that, it will make any radio station you listen to have the fullest sound possible. Too often, radio listening gets tiring because the sound is so harsh and tinny. No more! The Model One is an absolute pleasure to listen to and will fill even a good-sized room with crisp, full, realistic sound. On top of that, the styling is beautiful and will add a touch of class to any room. This is the best [item price] you will ever spend.

I was very impressed with this unit as I am not an audiophile but this is bringing me closer to being one. This is not one for the faint of heart of for those with no patience as it does take a bit of time and manual reading to set it up for your personal preferences. Once done it will be well worth the time and effort because the punch that it packs and the sound quality in my opinion are superb. The other reviews I agree with except the remote one. I highly recommend!!!

Most of what I have to say is covered in the other reviews, although I have to say that the reviewer who gave a 1 star rating just because of the remote was not doing this receiver any justice.

Setup was quite nice and simple. Now anyone who has never used a 5.1 or 6.1 receiver before might not find it that easy. But it's still quite straight forward if you read the manual. You can choose how many speakers you want to set up, anywhere from 2 to 6. Setting the volume for each speaker is also easy. The best part is that you can even change each speaker volume while listening to an audio input - makes it easier to choose a setting you really like.
Regarding the remote - yes, it can be a little intimidating at first. There's a LOT of functionality in the remote. And a lot of the buttons actually have double functionality (similar to a 'SHIFT' function on calculators). But after using it for a while, you'll get used to it. I certainly wouldn't condemn this receiver just because of the remote. In fact, it looks nice and even grows on you after a while.

As for sound - this receiver is absolutely awesome! I had a Denon AVR-2800 earlier that went bad. I loved the Denon. But this Yamaha receiver is even better - didn't think it possible. Of course, to be fair, I'm using the Yamaha in 6.1 mode while the Denon was only a 5.1 receiver. The extra 6th speaker (Rear Center) really sounds nice. Also, the simulation modes that this receiver has are fantastic. For those who are not aware, a simulation mode is needed to convert a 2 channel audio source (like broadcast TV, Tuner, etc.) or a 5.1 audio source into a 6.1 output. The extra channels are 'simulated'. I myself didn't understand the importance of simulation till I used this receiver. Typical simulation effects are 'Hall', 'Rock Concert', etc. and they're all fun to play with and sound great!

The only complaint I had at first was that the bass didn't seem to sound as deep as my previous Denon receiver (everything else like speakers and DVD player remained the same). The sound was (and still is) crystal clear, but only the bass seemed lacking. So at first I had to turn up the volume on my powered subwoofer. But then I played with some settings on the receiver - like making the bass come out of both subwoofer and all speakers and it sounded much better. In fact I had to end up turning down the volume on the subwoofer. But the point is that you have a LOT of control. There's even a graphic equalizer that lets you set 5 different frequencies, a bass and treble control, a LFE (Low Freqeuncy Effect) Level adjustment, etc.

As far as choosing from the Yamaha family of receivers, here are some tips you might find useful:
1) The HTR-5660 is the same as the RXV-640, the HTR-5650 is the same as the RXV-540 and the HTR-5640 is the same as the RXV-440. Apparently Yamaha changes the product code only for purposes of channel distribution, or something like that. So shop around for whichever one gives you a better deal. In my experience, the HTR series was less expensive than the RXV series.
2) When deciding between the HTR-5660 or the HTR-5650 or the HTR-5640, be careful. The sound quality of the HTR-5640 and the HTR-5650 should be identical, and I'm sure very good. But the HTR-5660 steps up in output power and it uses a more powerful amplifier section. Apparently, this new amplifier also improves a little on sound quality. As far as requiring a powerful receiver, I thought I wouldn't really need the output power of the HTR-5660. But I find that I usually turn it up to -30db (it goes from -60db to 0). It's always good not to have to stress your amplifier. So with a HTR-5650 or HTR-5640, I'd probably have to turn the volume up even more - and I don't really listen to anything that loud. My room dimensions may have something to do with this, but still - choosing a more powerful receiver may be more important than you think.
3) Yamaha (and perhaps other manufacturers too) come out with new models around the summer. So retailers may start to try and get these HTR or RXV series off their shelves, should result in a price drop.

Hope this helps - if you ever see a good sale on this receiver, go for it. You'll be really glad you did!

This receiver is 2nd to none for sound quaility and price...I have had Dennon and Kenwood receivers but none can compare!! For richness of sound and bass this is a great receiver..and if you have Bose speakers this is the way to go..in this other review the guy can't figure out the remote..he is not very smart! And it takes two seconds to adjust the volume of the speakers!! There is simply no other receiver under 1000.00 dollars that is better than this one.

The unique texture of this product caught my eye and persuaded me to seek more. After doing my "research" I dealt myself to buy one and drifted towards a new unit. When received in the mail, I assembled the unit and after 24 hours, only 50 pounds of force, the unit collapsed. Now, feeling that this must be an unknown error, I returned it and received another unit. The same thing happened, yet again.

So, this may just be a "luck of the darn draw", but it sure was some bad luck.

Becareful when you unpack the shelving materials. There are 8 circular styrofoam spacers on two square sheets of styrofoam that look like packing material. You could easily damage the styrofoam if you don't notice them. Other than that, the table was very easy to assemble. It looks great and seems to be very strong.

Very easy to assemble, has very classic lines, lets stereo equipment have plenty of ventilation, hard to find add-on shelf in maple. Holds a lot of equipment.

The unique texture of this product caught my eye and persuaded me to seek more. After doing my "research" I dealt myself to buy one and drifted towards a new unit. When received in the mail, I assembled the unit and after 24 hours, only 50 pounds of force, the unit collapsed. Now, feeling that this must be an unknown error, I returned it and received another unit. The same thing happened, yet again.

So, this may just be a "luck of the darn draw", but it sure was some bad luck.

Becareful when you unpack the shelving materials. There are 8 circular styrofoam spacers on two square sheets of styrofoam that look like packing material. You could easily damage the styrofoam if you don't notice them. Other than that, the table was very easy to assemble. It looks great and seems to be very strong.

Very easy to assemble, has very classic lines, lets stereo equipment have plenty of ventilation, hard to find add-on shelf in maple. Holds a lot of equipment.

These are horrible. I wouldn't recommend them to anybody. A lot of people I know don't even fit into these. I have a friend name Carly, she has a very awkward-shaped head. Her head won't fit into these and when she puts them on they just fall off her head.

These new model Sennheiser headphones HD-515 sound have a sound that has much depth and richness. There are no others in their price range that sound as good. These are really very comfortable, lightweight, and reasonably priced. They are easily adjustable to comfortably fit any type of head!. The quality of the HD-515 construction is an obvious upgrade when compared to many less expensive models of headphones. The headband pad on the HD-515 is a comfy foam padded cover. At 9oz the Sennheiser HD-515 headphones are fairly light-weight. The ear paddings are comfortably large and are made of soft velour. Long use comfort of the HD-515 is very high. Thanks to the new ultra-efficient drivers it doesn't take much amp power to drive these Headphones to give you a full loud sound. So they should work well with portable audio devices. They are perfect for the high demands of audiophiles who listen to CD,SACD,DVD Audio. Sennheiser is right to call the HD-515 audiophile quality. These headphones are also the first to incorporate a new feature that Sennheiser calls Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement system. Which slightly angles the acoustic baffle within each ear cup to assure that sound projects precisely parallel to the ear. This improved acoustic coupling is meant to help optimize the ergonomic participation of ears in the listening process. The bass is very clear and not muddy like some headphones in this price range. But it is not really deep sounding bass. Treble is sharp, crisp and clean,not too forward. For best results I really recommend giving any headphones a break in period of a minmum of 40 hours. After this break in period you will fully appreciate these headphones outstanding sound quality.

I just got these a couple days ago. Wo!!!!!!!!! This was good stuff. Let me tell U. The sound is incredible like your really at a concert. I used them for this one classical song and I could have sworn I heard people pressing down the valves of their instruments. These are great for the price!

There are several "video enhancement" gizmos on the market these days, the majority of them made by Sima. Basically, you want one of these things so that you can transfer a VHS cassette which is copy protected to a DVD-R. However, not many people realize that there are two types of Macrovision--type 1 and type 2. Most of these units ONLY remove "type one" macrovision, leaving "type 2" still fully functional (and you S.O.L.).

So what you really need is a unit which will fully override both types of Macrovision, and to my knowledge, the only thing available is the SIMA SCC-2 Color Corrector 2. This thing is expensive ($150-200 bucks), but it's worth it if you have a big video collection you'd like to transfer to DVD-R. I hope this helps anyone out there who bought a bunch of VHS tapes and simply wants to transfer a few to DVD. Jeez.....

This item is great for backing up your old video tapes to DVD. Especially those videos that will never be released on DVD. I was skeptical at first but when I hooked up the Sima to my DVD recorder I was able to back up a VHS tape that I couldn't before. Heck you can even back up your DVD's to DVD. I must mention this device is so easy to use pretty much a no brainer. Worth the money.

Forget about using those cumbersome and illegal computer programs! The Sima CT-2 signal processor will allow you to easily make "fair use" back-up copies of your store bought DVD's. Simply plug it in between your DVD recorder and DVD player and you'll be good to go. Works with either a S-Video cable or RCA connector. Although not true digital, the DVD images will transfer nicely and are very crisp looking. I've been extremely satisfied with the results. Well worth the price.

This product is the worst thing invented. I am a huge fan of Sony but this wasnt there best invention.<br /> The first problem is i bought this product in july and it is broken only after 6 month of use. <br /> The second problem is its VERY heavy. thats 2 pounds of metal in your pocket. compared to most mp3's taht are about 5 oz or less.<br /> The third problem is mini disc gets annoying. having to keep up with them and not breaking em. also its hard to remeber which songs are one which disc.<br /> Another problem is compared to other mp3 players it stands no chance. if i were you id get an ipod or another type of ipod

My husband bought me a Sony minidisc walkman for Christmas last year, because I wanted something that I could use for my work outs. I found this to be perfect for that purpose, because it is small, and skip free. It is very easy to put together your own custom mix of music for whatever purpose, whether it be for the gym or just for relaxing. I can fit close to 70-75 songs (on LP4 mode, I really don't notice much reduced sound quality) on one minidisc. Use the shuffle mode and it's like your own private radio station. You never know what's coming next....a feature that is especially great for working out. Keeps the boredom out of it.<br />
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So, for Christmas this year, I bought him his own. The only thing that I was somewhat disappointed about was that unlike the MD player he gave me last year, this model doesn't come with the cable that allows you to recharge the player. I don't use batteries in mine. I just plug it back into the wall and recharge it, just like you would a cell phone. Even so, you still get plenty of playing time out of ONE double AA battery. <br />
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The remote control is especially great for ease of use while running, etc. I've heard people mention that they wish it came with a belt clip. The walkman I received and the one I purchased came with an arm band as part of the promotion. Sony has this on their website too. <br />
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As far as the headphones, I would agree that they suck. I went out and bought the Sony headphones that wrap around your ear and have the bud that goes into your ear. Those stay put.<br />
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Overall, I would say this is definitely a quality product I would definitely recommend.

I bought the Sony Net MD at Walmart and it's great and also worth the money. On one disc(which is provided)I can easily fit 5 CD's in LP4 mode. In LP2 mode the sound quality is a little better but you cannot fit that many CD's. The remote is great except for one minor thing... in the picture, it shows the remote with a light up screen, but mine does not light up at all. After the first day of using the remote, I already knew how to work it. The only thing I would add to this MD is a belt clip or something to make carrying it around easier. Overall, I think this is a great product.

None of the receivers sold here say if they are turntable compatable. Obviously, they don't care. Just want to make a sale. It's a good receiver,I hated to return it.

This is a good entry-level a/v receiver, that has the basic works one would need: DTS, 5.1, digital inputs, and a good selection of preset sound effects.
It is rated with 80watts of power, but again, this is more than enough for the average user. Paired with a good set of speakers, this set really gives good quality sound.
I wanted to rate it 5 stars, but one thing I noticed it lacks is more digital inputs. It has 1 optical and 1 coaxial digital input - it would've been better is Sony put it at least 3 inputs (1 coax, 2 optical). Other than that, this set is right on the money and worth every penny :-)

For what it is, this is a wonderful receiver. Yes, it's only 80W per speaker, etc, etc. But unless you have REALLY good sound insulation or are trying to anger your neighbors, it has plenty of power. Sounds are crisp and clear in 5.1 my lower end Bose speakers. It certainly made a difference when I hooked up the DVD to the digital input (coaxial is DVD on this receiver) and played The Matrix for the first time. It certainly didn't need to be anywhere near the top volume for that to impress me. Definately one to look at if appreciate good sound, but don't want to pay the multiple $K for the top of the line. There are plenty of good speakers that this will power just fine.

This is an excellent little radio. Its diminutive dimensions belie the extremely rich, full sound that the Model One produces. Unadorned by all of the knobs, switches, levers, lights and other inputs that clutter most modern radios, it has an appearance that could be described as retro, even austere by the standards of today's gadgets. With just three knobs to tinker with (Off/FM/AM; volume, and an analog tuner), it's refreshingly simple to operate, a fact reflected by the Owner's Manual being not much more than the size of a postcard. Tuning is extremely easy and accurate, facilitated both by a 5:1 gear ratio on the tuning dial - allowing you to make very fine adjustments - and by a light on the front panel that gradually brightens to indicate the best signal strength. Tuning on this radio is actually a pleasure - I find myself spinning the dial for the sheer enjoyment of seeing what I can find.

Anybody interested in the Model One should also take into account what it is not. First off, it's not stereo but mono. Those who simply cannot tolerate a radio without stereo should consider its big brother, the Model Two (essentially the same radio with an extra speaker). But the Model One being in mono is not so much of a limitation as a deliberate design choice: excellent sound in a single, small package. That being the case, this is the perfect radio to unobtrusively fill space-starved locations, like the kitchen or office, with superb sound.

Unfortunately, a few flaws in the Model One prevent my giving it 5 stars (I'd give it 4.5 if I could). As another reviewer has noted but I think is worth reiterating, the volume dial is extremely sensitive on the low end. This can be pretty frustrating, as the slightest twitch of the finger on the dial makes for significant volume variations at the lower volume settings. As a result, I spend more time than I think I should making tiny adjustments in the bottom 10% of the dial, while the remaining 90% remains largely ignored. My only other complaint, albeit very minor, is that plugging a CD or MP3 player into the unit disables the radio, and the only way to reinstate radio play is to physically unplug it. This seems to be a function that could and should have been on the front dial and would have avoided unnecessary wear and tear on the rear inputs. As I understand it, this was remedied on the Model Two.

Despite its minor shortcomings, the Model One is a fantastic little table radio. If you're looking for a compact radio that delivers amazingly full and rich sound at a reasonable price, it's a fine choice.

The Pros: Great sound, small, retro-looking, easy tuning, easy on the ears and eyes, back panel connectors so you can patch in your iPod or CD player, use with headphones, even has a record-out if you want a nice clean mono signal to record, accepts either 117V AC house current with supplied cord, or can be powered by 12 VDC. Sounds good with everything from jazz, classical, rock, country and voice.

The One Small Flaw? The volume control isn't consistent at lower volume levels. If you're trying play this really softly, it's hard to adjust between very very low volume and slighly louder very low volume.

(Note: I own the black/silver version, but didn't see it listed elsewhere.)

Quite simply, the Model One is a good little table radio. It won't wash your clothes or even play a CD, but it does one thing and does it very well.

Perhaps more important than the sound, the Model One has a very nice FM tuner. Reception is superb (Better than anything I have seen without a large antenna), and the tuner is very accurate, so you can easily tune in on as station as best as possible.

The sound is good for something so small: quite full, and no major flaws for such a small unit, although it does sound unspectacular by any means when compared with a full sized stereo, it was never meant to compete with that.

If you are looking for a little radio for the bathroom, home office, or kitchen (It'd even be a fine addition to the office at work, if some soft music is acceptable), or anywhere else you might want the addition of some music without a hassle, the Model One is a nice little radio, and I'd strongly reccomend it.

I take this MP3 player to the gym each day and I've been very happy with it. It's got great sound (with different sound settings to choose from), as well as quality earphones. It's also easy to change songs and volume level while running. I don't like how the artists and song titles don't fit onto the display, which makes it hard to distinguish between different songs. But overall, it's a great MP3 player that I would recommend.

This mp3 player has all the functions i need. Sometimes, a song won't play but then i re formatted the player and it worked fine. Sound quality is ok, it is only 85dB.I wouldn't get this one if the price is over $130. You'd be much better going with an iRiver.

I was looking for an mp3 player that would hold other data types for transferring between school and home, and this is working really well. lots of play modes, you can create playlists within the player, and the backlight choices are kinda cool. it's holding a lot of music in addition to files so it's working great.