Yamaha RX-V379BL 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver with Bluetooth

Almost a week and I love it. Yamaha has been in the Sound business for a long time, and it shows. This unit was on sale for $199, because the newer model is now out. Read carefully and consider your needs before you decide. I needed to hook up a Cable box, DVD Bluray Player and an HTPC computer to my 55" Toshiba HD TV. All 1080p. I also wanted good sound, so I bought the JBL Loft 5.1 system (50,40 and 20) After listening to this system I decided against the .1 feature (sub-woofer) as there is plenty of base already. I am using a DVI to HDMI from the computer because of a previous HDMI handshake issue, So I needed assignable Audio on the AV receiver, (DVI does not transmit audio) this Yamaha has that feature. I simply assigned the Optical ( Toslink) from my motherboard to the Computer video on the AV receiver , the computer is running (2) XFX HD 7770's in crossfire. Works great. All my video inputs, Cable, DVD and computer never looked better, even my MP4's look great now. The Yamaha 379 has plenty of power to run the 5 (Always Excellent JBL) speakers at high volume levels with no distortion. So far, I could not be happier with this Yamaha 379. Highly recommended. If you want HDCP on all inputs (for 4K upgradability) get the Yamaha RX-V381BL for $279. If like me you are 1080p for the foreseeable future this is a great unit.

If you need a 5.1 receiver then this is a really good one to get. It doesn't have WiFi or some other arguably-unnecessary features like the more expensive ones, but since it has Bluetooth connectivity I don't really care that much when anything I want to play can just be played from my phone. As far as connectivity goes you get 4 HDMI ports and 1 HDMI output, but using these ports turns all signals into an HDCP signal and there's no way to turn it off in case you're using some sort of passthrough device that doesn't like HDCP (like I was). I got around this by plugging into my passthrough first and then the receiver but still, wish you could turn HDCP off for devices that don't require it. Either way it's easy to set up, and the speaker connectors won't break easily unless you plug and unplug speakers all the time (just be sure to leave slack for your wires if you ever want to pull the receiver out of wherever you're storing it though). The microphone auto-adjusting feature seems cool but made my rear surround speakers way too loud so I ended up adjusting the speakers manually, which I've always had to do with receivers. I haven't used the radio and doubt I ever will but it comes with an antenna and would also be easy to set up. As far as the sound goes it sounds as good as you'd expect with a ~$200 receiver. Voices are clear and easy to bring to the front in case you can't hear them and everything else goes through very well. I also like how it can detect the name of an input you're using, like Blu-ray or Xbox One, without you having to name the input yourself. It also looks very nice with brushed metal and not a lot of gloss making it easier to keep clean.

tldr: really small spring clip ports are a pain for the rear surround and center speaker wires that are 14g (not sure about 16g, but I imagine you'd still have a bit of an issue), but other than that it's a fantastic AVR. Speakers being used: Harman Kardon 16WQ 5.1 My initial impressions are very good with the exception of one thing: the spring-clip ports for the Surround Sound (rear) and Center speaker wires. The receiver did come with thin speaker wire for 5 speakers, a subwoofer pre-out cable, and a sub woofer trigger cable. I used my own 14g/CL2 wiring for in-wall installation, but I had a really tough time inserting the 14g wiring into the receiver's rear and center ports and an even tougher time with the flex pin connectors that I thought would help; this could've been because of the sheer size of pin connectors, but I would not recommend using the "Silverback Flex Pin Connectors, For Spring-Loaded Inputs, 6 Pairs by Sewell" with this receiver. Ports: - The banana plug ports for the front side speakers were very simple to use and are pretty standard. I used banana plugs for these wiring and installation was a breeze there (wish they had them for all sets of speaker wiring, but I guess Yamaha needs to make the other trim levels more appealing...) - The 4K pass-through is pretty sweet for future-proofing, but I can't test this as my TV is not currently 4K. - Although there are 4 HDMI inputs to the receiver ONLY ONE OF THEM is an HDCP 2.2 port. This is important if you have multiple inputs that would need HDCP 2.2 in the future. Still a nice future-proofing feature to have. - Sub Pre-out is expected, but no trigger port means that your powered sub will either always be on or you will need to turn it off and on at the sub Configuration/Set-Up: - The YPAO configuration is very easy to set-up (especially if you have a tri-pod) and I really like that this will help to configure your settings with minimal effort, just remember to put the crossover to max level and to place the volume of the sub in the middle, according to the manual, to get the best result. DEFINITELY USE THIS FEATURE IF YOU OWN/BUY THIS RECEIVER; it made a large difference in my rectangular-shaped living room. - The Extra Bass feature is really nice for those who like a little more bump to their viewing without adding too heavy of a speaker system. - Don't use the 'Compare Similar Items' section in amazon for the actual dimensions for the receiver; it's wrong. use the Yamaha site or Manufacturer section toward the bottom (I think Amazon lists the box height for the packaging). - I cannot comment on the Virtual Cinema since I actually placed my rear surround sound speakers where they should be (not in front of you) - The front of the receiver as well as the controller has some buttons dedicated to certain inputs, but there are lots of options in the menu for personal configuration which would include removing inputs from the input scrolling buttons. - The display is large and easy to read from afar. - The automatic input display feature for the HDMI inputs is nice as it shows what's being displayed (read and displayed the PS4 and Verizon STB without any additional configuration instead of it displaying HDMI 1 or HDMI 2) - ProTip: if you're watching football or other sports and don't want to hear the commentators (feels like you're at the game) then switch your settings for the center speaker size to 'large' (commits all center signals to the center speaker instead of spreading it across all the front speakers), then switch the level (volume) of the center speaker to the lowest value; you're welcome. Not all broadcast companies put the commentators to the center channel, but it's definitely nice. I tried it with Preseason football the other week on a major broadcasting company and it worked like a charm. The commentators weren't muted completely, but it's a vast improvement. Hooray! No more Collinsworth comments mucking up my SNF experience. The manual for all those too lazy to google: http://download.yamaha.com/api/asset/file/?language=en&site=usa.yamaha.com&asset_id=64756 I have yet to try Bluetooth, but will update this review after I give that a shot at a later time. EDIT: I had the chance to try the Bluetooth playback and it's great. The 'enhanced' feature adds more depth to the Bluetooth playback and having Pandora streaming through my 5.1 system is fantastic when doing stuff around the house.

I just received this unit, so this is a preliminary review. I'll update it as I get to use it more and as 4K60p content comes available. First and foremost make sure and check out the features of this and its big brothers. It's very feature limited, but for my situation, this receiver is perfect. I don't need software streaming. I don't need wifi. I have those in spades on my other devices. I don't need multiple zones. My wife won't even let me mount surround speakers, so I don't need a 7.2. But what I did need was a receiver that can handle the forthcoming 4K bluray players (and their HDCP 2.2 spec) and have a good quality sound for my setup, which it does. As of right now, I am very happy, and as time goes on, I'll continue to post my thoughts. Small update 5-31-15: Still loving this receiver. I switched to a TV with (4k) Netflix built in and getting the TV Out/HDMI ARC working was far easier than my previous two receivers. My only gripe so far would be that the center channel wire inputs on the back are the lower-end pull tab style. So make sure and check a picture of the back of the unit and confirm it meets your wiring needs. Small update 9-7-15: This received still performs perfectly for what I use it for. Sound is great. Features, while basic, work great and are easy to navigate. I'm very happy. Next update will be after UHD BD players and content arrive to see how the passthrough works.

Not much to say except Comparing Features and outputs and inputs- and discrete wattage per channel (5) Separate sub -output for powered sub- I run all my hdmi devices through this unit- when I turn off the HDMI device in use this unit will automatically shutdown- and turn off signal to woofer- which will turn off Woofer (if so equipped- mine is)- This negates the need to purchase a separate power controller, like I need for my computer and all the connected devices- The blue tooth is great- Tons of controls ( built in eq, or use preset eq's- whatever device is in use and you set a preset or internal eq to a specified setting- it is automatically saved, so you could have a separate setting for Cable and another for BlueRay Player without worrying about adjusting it each time. I will answer any question that someone might have- I did alot of comparisons to other Yamaha products as well as Sony, Dennon, Panasonic, etc..

AMAZING RECEIVER! No, really, it is! But, why did I only put one star? Let me explain. So, mom needed a replacement to her Onkyo she's had for a few years, as it kept taking many minutes before sound would start working. I wanted to get something other than an Onkyo for her, as they seem to be having problems as of late. My 2008 model Onkyo is still working great! But, quality changes I suppose. I have owned, and presently do, Yamaha dirt bikes. Wow, what fun you can have on two wheels, am I right? I mean, twist the throttle, aim for the mud, and slip-n-slide your way to stupid grin mode. So, any company that can do that to me with a two-wheeled bottle of joy certainly has my attention when it comes to their other product lines. I found this model on Amazon, for a very reasonable price. It had a number of the features I was looking for to put in mom's living room. Particularly the auto-setup microphone, as it always seemed that her speakers weren't leveled properly with the previous Onkyo, which did not have this feature. The unit arrived quickly, as expected from Amazon. I plugged in the speakers, HDMI, and power, press the power button, and WOW! A few seconds later, the TV showed picture and the sound coming from the speakers was like, BAM! Impressive audio clarity, sound level, just amazing. And, boy oh boy did the kids love it! Watching SpongeBob in full 5.1 surround, where you can hear jellies stinging the bejesus out of Patrick behind you... (tearing up) It's really something... The kids just loved it, no words could describe their faces.... They should have sent a poet. Speaking of that power button. Wow, best I've ever had! As an techno-junkie, I've been with a LOT of power buttons... more than I care to admit. Some were American, some Japanese, some Chinese, and some were probably other asian origins, but that's for another story. Anyway, let's just say, I'm experienced. But this power button, it was so smooth and so tight. There was no question what was happening. You were "turning it on!" if you catch my drift. And the receiver, it had no second guesses on what you wanted. You meant business when you applied pressure, smooth even pressure, to that power button. Then, once the receiver couldn't hold back any longer, you got total satisfaction with a solid, most refined, 'click'. I mean, you could FEEL this click, you know what I'm saying. I think the neighbors felt that 'click', it was that good. Just amazing... had to get some nicotine gum right after. And, when it powered up, the front panel lit up, demanding attention. I was in shock, it knew what I had it connected to. The Yamaha basically said "Hello, I'm Yamaha, your new 5.1 channel receiver. I see you've connected a VIP612 receiver to my input, not the best but not bad. Ok, let me forward the picture from this so-so satellite receiver to your TV, whilst I strip the audio stream for myself. You don't mind if I do that, do you? I didn't think so. After all, I'm going to divide out the audio channels to the 5.1 speakers. No, Mr. Subwoofer, you're the 0.1 in that number... No, that doesn't mean your less of a speaker, just that, you don't exactly fill the audio spectrum... Yes, I understand that you are extremely talented on the low end, but that doesn't make up for the remaining 0.9 of that number. Look, we've gone over this before, just do your job... Sorry about that. Now, where were we? Oh yes, delivering 5.1 channels of crisp surround sound. And for SpongeBob? I couldn't think of a better program to demonstrate my auditory capabilities! Superb choice!" The text above was really small, and quite frankly, not even there. But that's what I *felt*. I felt that this receiver wanted nothing but joy for me, my mom, and my kids while we were visiting. It had no ill intentions, no evil, no judgement. Only sound, pure sound. The kind of sound that makes your ears want more. Like, literally your ears will start to vacuum the wonderful sound out of the air. If you have more than a few people in the room, you may not hear anything with all the sound vacuuming going on. They really should make pills for that. All of this bliss, all of this joy, it was a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience, which all lasted for 10 solid minutes! I mean, I didn't think a high like that could last that long, but 10 minutes!?! After coming down, and coming to my senses, I noticed that the receiver's screen went blank. "Yamaha?" I exclaimed. "Yahama, speak to me!" But, there wasn't a peep. I applied that gentle pressure to the power button once more. Just like Yamaha liked it. Again, I got a nice 'click', but Yamaha didn't respond! I couldn't believe it! Yamaha was so wonderful for those 10 minutes, that it gave it's last breath for us! I was in shock, and couldn't believe the dedication and sacrifice. I had never thought my ear-joy was worth such a young receiver life, but Yamaha thought it was. After a few more futile presses of the power button, we had concluded that Yamaha gave it's all... for us. As is custom in such a fresh electronic purchase's early death (sniff), we wrapped it in the materials it came to us in. After all, with such a short life, that's all it knew. I wouldn't want to shock such a young life cut short with strange new wrappings. Yamaha would have wanted it this way. A quick few clicks on Amazon's site and, low and behold, they are willing to buy our Yamaha back from us, probably to give it a proper burial. In fact, they are offering the exact same amount of money we paid, PLUS they are paying for the shipping. That is REAL dedication from Amazon, to give a young life cut short a PROPER ceremony and burial. I don't know when or where the ceremony will be, but we send our best wishes to our recently departed Yamaha. You will be missed dearly! In the end, if he had only lasted 15 minutes, he would have earned another star... Goodbye my friend.

Just purchased this receiver and I have to say I'm completely impressed! The clarity is incredible. Haven't tested the Bluetooth yet so I can't testify to that but I'm running to 5.1 Klipsch speakers and they sound absolutely fantastic! Love the possibility of easily upgrading video input in the future when 4K TV's drop in price eventually. Also running HDMI from our laptop to our HDTV and it looks great for gaming, etc. Quick, easy initial setup with a provided microphone. Love how the menu for the Receiver pops up on the main TV channel when needed for easy configuration. Also love the ability to rename input channels that display on the receiver itself when a channel is selected. Makes everything personalized and sleek. If you're looking for a fantastic receiver at a reasonable price, look no further!

UPDATE 6/8/2016 Almost a year later I downgraded this to two stars. Sound quality tailed off over time and no fiddling with Yamaha settings helped. Same speakers etc, DTV for cable. Center speaker got lower and resulted in increasing need to adjust volume. Could no longer hear actors without constant fiddling with volume controls. I know some of them talk into their armpits but it was happening with blue ray and dtv. I know it is not top of the line but performance should have been consistent absent setting changes. The only recourse is to auto calibrate and then turn down all but center speaker and that works for awhile but then tails off again. Setting to 5.1 channel works better then "straight" in settings. Dolby seems to be useless. Very nice and capable receiver for the price. No wifi but there is a plethora of other options for wifi now so no big deal. Future proof (for now) with HDCP and 4 K capability. Some day I will get my dtv remote to operate it and be down to one device !! (dream on). I can get it to turn unit on but not off but that's because dtv sucks at keeping receiver codes updated. The only hardware downside I have found is center connectors are small and spring clip type = cheap. Would have preferred something more substantial for thicker gauge wire as it comfortably seems like 16 gauge is almost too big, which is the smallest I would go on speaker wires. The menus are not too difficult to navigate but the docs are sparse and I found myself looking up options in menus via internet searches to have some idea what the heck I was enabling or disabling and which would be preferred for my system (Rx-v379/Yamaha NS-C310BL center and Yamaha SK4-4800 floor speakers). I would again caution the documentation mirrors the onscreen dialogues but does NOTHING to explain them. When I have DTV on sometimes the receiver shows that source on display, other times it says "HMC" but you won't find any explanation for that term in manual. The explanation for options like "HDMI control on/off" and exactly what that means and how, or why, to enable is also nebulous. There are no support forums I could find on Yamaha web site. On the upside, for the first time in years my wife and I don't spend too much time saying "what did he/she say" and skipping back remote to hear dialogue, although that varies by show/channel. Commercials always come in loud and clear but you can cap the audio volume in settings. Good receiver for the price sans options you may not need.

This is a great basic receiver, which is a tough thing to find. I don't want Wi-Fi or other additional receiver functions that I don't need and just add complexity, and this fits the bill. The on-screen menu is easy to follow, and the four "scene" buttons on the front and on the remote allow you to shortcut to a specific input and associated settings. This is a huge help if your TV is used by multiple people who don't want to have to figure out another remote. Though the four buttons have physical labels that can't be changed, the name of each input can be changed, and this appears on the screen. It's a lot easier to use when you know you're on "XBOX" or "PVR" instead of "HDMI1". My only complaints are the limited (4) HDMI inputs, and the difficulty I had setting up my cable company remote to control the box. The remote's easy setup found the codes to change the volume and turn the unit off, but not back on again. I had to look up a set of Yamaha codes to program the remote properly, a minor inconvenience.

This sounds quite good. Plenty of power for a large basement room. Easy set up, works well with Roku and my iPhone. Decodes HDMI audio. Good remote control. I am quite pleased after three months of use

Merci beaucoup! Excellent produit avec plusieurs caractéristiques très intéressantes. Par contre, la fonction Bluetooth ne fonctionne pas. L'appareil reste indétectable en bluetooth. Dommage...

Used the machine once and the bluetooth cannot be paired correctly again.

Giving theater effect in my basement! Happy with sound