Yamaha RX-V685BL Review and Specs

Yamaha’s RX-V685 AV Receiver offers a staggering amount of cutting-edge technology, such as Dolby Atmos, Multiroom connectivity, MusicCast and an option to use wireless rear speakers, but also provides old-school options like phono inputs and FM Radio. More Yamaha RX-V685BL specs you can see in this Yamaha RX-V685BL review.

Yamaha RX-V685BL review

Features

The RX-V685 can pump out 90 watts per channel (8 Ohms) and supports just about any format you can think of (MP3 / WMA / MPEG-4 AAC)). It also supports 4K Ultra HD, HDR (high dynamic range) video including Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma, and of course Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Music is presented with the same character – clean and clear, detailed and defined (especially using the Pure Direct mode) – although it does lack that last ounce of color and texture you may find in a dedicated two-channel amplifier in the same price range.

Design and build

The front panel is split into two sections, the lower half slightly larger and has that brushed aluminum look, although we’re not sure that it’s actually aluminum. In the lower section you’ll find, from left to right, a headphone output, input selectors, tone control, program selectors, Straight (Connect) button, USB input, 3.5mm AUX input, and a large volume knob. Just above these, in the center, are four SCENE buttons.

Connectivity

A quick look at the back reveals a fair amount of in- and outputs; HDMI (5 in/2 out), Network port, two optical inputs, two coaxial inputs, component video inputs, phono input, three aux inputs (RCA), one composite video input, zone 2 out, pre-out (front, 2 subwoofer), remote in/out, trigger out, FM an AM antenna inputs, and nine (9) pairs of speaker terminals (front, center, surround, surround back, presence). The surround back terminals also functions as output for Zone 2 (or bi-amp), and the Presence terminals can also be used as Zone 2 output. And a non-detachable power cord.

Setup

The AV Setup Guide app worked without comments because I performed all the needed settings with ease and minimal time expenses. The printed user manual is absent.

Pros and Cons