December 21, 2005

Yamaha RX-V557 XM-Enabled Home Theater Receiver Review

I’ve been negotiating with my accountant (a.k.a. the wife) for some funds for a new home theater system. I’m really leaning towards the Yamaha RX-V557 XM-Enabled 6.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver. Robert over at Hometheater.About.com has a review that states:

The most innovative feature of the RX-V557 is the inclusion of an XM-Satellite Radio tuner in addition to a standard AM/FM tuner. With the addition of a compatible XM Satellite Radio antenna, and the required subscription fee, the consumer can enjoy an extensive offering of specialized music, news, and information channels. XM radio definitely has the potential to increase the flexibility of a home theater setup.

The sound quality of the RX-V557 is clear and well-balanced for an entry level AV receiver. One of the indicators of a good receiver is the ability to perform well in both stereo and surround modes. I found the audio quality of the 557 in both stereo and surround modes to be very good, making it acceptable for both extensive music listening as well as for home theater use.

At About.com