18
Nov
2011
Electronista: Yamaha has introduced its latest home theater system, the BDX-610, which pairs an A/V receiver with six speakers. (more…)
Tag: yamaha
04
Nov
2011
16
Sep
2011
Newlaunches: Yamaha has unveiled a chic lineup of iPod docks called Restio that promise to bring beautiful audio experience packed in a never-seen-before slim design. (more…)
16
Sep
2011
16
Sep
2011
16
Sep
2011
Engadget HD: What can you get for $300 these days? A bunch of stuff, probably, including the latest soundbar from Yamaha. The YAS-101 Front Surround System offers up 7.1 sound, a built-on 60-watt subwoofer and support for Dolby Digital and DTS. (more…)
15
Jul
2011
What Hi-fi: Today Yamaha unveils its new (and newly-named) Aventage range of home cinema receivers, joining the rest of its 2011 line-up.
They replace the existing higher-end models from 2010 and as they use all-new designs and components, rather than just being a range refresh, they are being rebranded under the Aventage name.
There are four models: the RXA3010 (above, £1999), RXA2010 (£1499), RXA1010 (below, £999) and RXA810 (£849). They’ll go on sale in the UK this September.
12
Jul
2011
What Hi-fi: Yamaha is the latest manufacturer to develop a smartphone control app for its 2011 range of home cinema receivers and Blu-ray players.
The free app will be available for Android devices from October. (more…)
11
Feb
2011
Techradar: With a price that dips below £200 from some online retailers, the Yamaha RX-V367 is the cheapest AVR in our roundup and solid evidence that you don’t have to pay through the nose for 3D-readiness.
Support comes in the form of four HDMI v1.4 inputs and one output, which is generous enough to fit your 3D player, Sky box and games console, leaving one for future expansion. The look is classic Yamaha.
A moody black finish and sharp angled lines are the order of the day (it also comes in titanium and silver) while the front panel is a hive of activity, with buttons, displays and sockets aplenty.
Most noteworthy are the ‘Straight’ button, which bypasses the unit’s listening modes, and four Scene macro buttons. On the back, there’s evidence of cost-cutting in the shape of springclip terminals for the centre and surround channels and no iPod dock connection or surround back pre-outs.
But the lineup of other sockets is useful, with four digital audio inputs being a highlight. There’s no on-board HD audio decoding, though, which means Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks have to be decoded by your player beforehand. This isn’t a major problem if you trust your deck’s own abilities, but does make you wonder how the others managed it at a similar price.
Redeeming factors
Yamaha makes up for this with an obscene amount of sound modes and virtual surround processing, plus the YPAO auto calibration that makes it a cinch to optimise.
The lack of onscreen menus is a shame, but the logically structured front-panel display makes it easier to set up than you might expect. And, aside from a few undersized buttons, the remote is also terrific.
In general, there can be few complaints about the RX-V367′s sound quality for the money, although it inevitably lacks the sonic polish that turns a good receiver into a great one. The sound is dynamic and detailed; the receiver digs out the subtleties during Avatar’s many rainforest scenes, filling the soundstage with distant cries and swirling ambience.
Fluid rear-channel steering and crisp separation makes for an absorbing listen. Voices are prominent and cleanly detached from the rest of the action, while punchy bass response lends decent depth to the explosions and gunfire during the Battle for Pandora scene.
However, this scene also exposes brightness in loud high-frequencies that betrays its budget price tag. But if you can tolerate this and work around the lack of HD audio decoding, then the RX-V367 makes a decent purchase.
08
Dec
2010
T3: Blu-ray players should be big sellers this Christmas, helped by increased availability of films and lower prices – a state-of-the-art deck now comes in at under £300. With cutting-edge features such as media streaming, web access and 3D compatibility these ones are future-proofed and offer a genuine alternative to a PS3.
See below for our pick of the best decks available this festive season.
Best: Value for money
Toshiba BDX2100
£100
Love: Cheap. Easy to use. Fast disc loading
Hate: Light on features
Read the full review
Best: High-end features
Sony BDP-S570
£230
Love: Very strong picture quality. Quick disc loading. N Wi-Fi built in. 3D ready. Easy to use
Hate: Not cheap
Read the full review
Best: Media streaming
LG BD570
£170
Love: Well designed. N Wi-Fi. 2D picture quality. Extensive file support
Hate: Sluggish menus. Limited Net Cast content
Read the full review
Best: 3D deck
Panasonic DMP-BDT100
£250
Love: 3D ready. Picture quality. Ease of use.
Hate: No built-in Wi-Fi. Limited Viera Cast content. Expensive
Read the full review
Best: Sound quality
Yamaha BD-S667
£270
Love: Very good picture and sound quality
Hate: No Wi-Fi or 3D mean it feels expensive
Read the full review
03
Dec
2010
Engadget: Yamaha’s been the go-to company when it comes to iPod docks that are a notch above average, and the outfit’s latest is no different. It’s a me-too world out there, and somehow the TSX-140 manages to set itself apart by offering an eye-pleasing motif alongside an IntelliAlarm feature. Put simply, the latter allow users to be awoken by music on their iPod, but rather than blasting firmly at 11 when the clock strikes way-too-early, it gradually ups the volume until your brain is alert enough to obliterate the snooze button.
As expected, there’s an iPod docking port on the top as well as a USB port, and you’ll find a pair of 3.5-inch ported bass reflex speakers beneath the Earthy exterior. In addition to the illuminated buttons on the top panel, three front panel controls give access to source, volume, radio presets, alarm clock and equalizer functions, and while Yamaha claims that this guy provides “a gentle, stress-free feeling that makes waking up a pleasure,” we’re guessing it’ll still be a chore doing everything after.
29
Oct
2010
iPodNN: Yamaha has taken the wraps of its portable PDX-31 speaker dock for Apple’s iPhone and iPod. It also includes an auxiliary in (stereo mini-jack) for use by any media player. The premium sound system is built for durability with a dual-wall “box within a box” construction that houses a high quality amplifier with matched 3 ¼-inch speakers.
It is supplied with a small remote that approximates an iPod interface making for easy navigation of the device’s functions and allowing users to browse menus and select songs. To save power, it also incorporates an auto-off function.
Available in dark red, black and light grey, the Yamaha PDX-31 iPhone/iPod speaker dock will retail for $170.