Sound and Quality

Remote Control

Excellent value. I bought it based on the reviews in this website. I highly recommend it. This is my first Yamaha receiver and I am pretty sure won't be the last. Very pleased so far.

Similar Products Used:

Technics

Clean sound quality, well built sturdy, loads of inputs, DD+DTS, Phono input (!), Awesome powerful tuner!!

no digital output, could use more bass at low volumes (could just be my speakers), electric bill raiser (uses 280 watts!)

This is my fourth receiver in a month! I wanted to replace my faithful 1995 Sony Prologic receiver with a DD/DTS model. Have bought the previously listed receivers and returned them all. The Sony 445 had awesome sound but hissed like mad at low levels, and you only could play music in surround sound through pro-logic (otherwise you have to use a crappy digital sound processor adding horrible amounts of reverb). The Pioneer was a waste, could not adjust bass and treble with any surround field on. So I saw this Yamaha sitting in Sears' open box section, and could not pass this deal up. I paid $211 (tax included) after getting open box discount plus 10% off for customer appreciation days. Needless to say I think my search for the perfect "cheap" receiver is over!

The sound quality is awesome! Nice, clear, and honest. No exaggerated highs or lows, sounds really good. I only wish there was a bass boost like my old Sony, as the bass is kind of lacking at low volume. But it could be my Sony bookshelf speakers, or the fact that i dont yet have a subwoofer.

The Dolby Digital sound blows the Sony 445 away, the channel seperation is much better, and there is no crackling during dialog that the 445 displayed. Even in Pro-Logic mode, the sound is more even and impressive than any previous receiver I've encountered. You can also decrease the level of the front speakers by 10 db, which in effect boosts the rears to make the surround effect that much better. Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!!

The sound adjustabilty is top notch, you can adjust delay time, play A+B speakers at the same time, has honest to god bass and treble knobs (not the useless digital adjustments on most modern receivers), adjust center channel delay, etc., etc...I love to fiddle with my sound and this unit is perfect for that.

Finding a receiver with phono inputs for this price was also a plus, as i have a big vinyl collection that I'm not ready to give up!

The FM tuner is insane...I'm pulling in stations I never even knew existed! I live in Buffalo and I am picking up Toronto stations and they come in clear as a bell. All of the presets (40!) are full, and this is a 10 station town!

My only complaints are that there is no digital outputs, but for 200 bucks, I'll survive! Second, when i have the volume up with nothing playing I can hear this rhythmic almost static or interference, which is very faint. You cant hear it until you turn it up over halfway with nothing playing. Anyone else have this problem? Any clue to what it might be? Please email me with any suggestions or comments!!! Id appreciate it, I just want to see if this might be a mfr defect.

All in all for 211 i could not ask for more. This is an awesome receiever. I never owned a yamaha product before and now i wonder why i wasted all my money on Sony garbage!

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-D665, Sony STR-DE445, Pioneer VSX-D509S

Wonderful home theater sound; doesn't overheat; remote can control everything in my entertainment center

weak FM tuner, not very dynamic, not too good for music

The Yamaha HTR5150 is a decent home theater receiver, but a different amp will definitely be needed for music listeners.

When I experienced my first DVD with this unit, I was unsure. The sound was a lot different than the sound from the SA-DX 930. Almost sounded like I was in a concert hall. Soon, the sound grew on me. I think the 5150 just presents a wider sound field than the Technics. After a short time, I really liked the sound from the 5150. My Paradigm system (4 Titans, a CC-170 and a PDR12) delivered in a big way for my amateur ears, so I was really pleased.

Then I bought a pair of Energy C4s solely for music. This is when I discovered the limitations of the 5150. First, the sound is incredibly bright. I can only take the music for so long before I have to turn it off. The sound is abrasive. The bass is good, but the midrange for the most part is MIA.

So I thought, no big deal, I will buy an external amp for the C4s. That's when I discovered that the Yamaha has no amp/pre-amp outputs. Sucks for me. I was (still am) an audio novice, so I thought external decoder meant I could add another amplifier if need be. The lack of amp/pre-amp outputs is a huge drawback.

I cannot totally fault the 5150 for the poor-quality music. I know the Energy C4s can be on the bright side. Also, I am using a JVC 5-disc CD changer. I didn't know that CD players could affect sound (and I am still unsure), but I am beginning to think that the JVC is a significant contributor to the harshness. I also am using generic 12-gauge speaker wire from Home Depot. This is because the C4s are not shielded, so I need to place them far from my 32-inch TV. The end result, I have the speakers bi-wired with a total of 80 feet of speaker wire. I think that might also play a part in the disappointing sound.

The FM tuner can only pick up a few stations clearly, which is really aggravating, so I almost never listen to FM. That is another major drawback.

Upon listening to other receivers in audio shops, I realized how much more dynamic other systems sound than mine. I mean, my HT is okay, but explosions and other effects lack that knock-you-on-your-*** capability. But I realize that those systems are much more expensive.

So in conclusion, HT sound is good but not great. Music sound is not too good, but in my case, that may be partly because of other components in my system.

Similar Products Used:

Technics SA-DX930, Sony STR-DE 325

DTS decoder, DSP sound fields, It's a Yamaha...DUH!

remote not backlit

This receiver is AWESOME! I am not a big audiophile guy (as you can see by my equip list below), but I am an avid movie watcher. This is why I bought this receiver. I got this open box at sears for under $300.00, and at that price, it can't be beat! I was in the market for quite a while and read and test drove everything. This unit is every bit as good as receivers in the $1000.00 range as far as I am concerned. Like I said, i bought this unit primarily for movies. I don't listen to alot of music at home, except for the Eagles DTS (which is simply awesome!)so I can't comment one way or another. If you are like most of the world, and want a solid receiver that sounds great and wont break the bank, this is the unit for you. However, if you are like the .05% of the world who are classical audiophiles, you may want to look elsewhere. As far as the remote, If it were backlit, it would be perfect. It controlls all of my equipment and is nicely laid out. Unless you want to lay out $300-$400 for the high end Denon remote, I cant imagine why you wouldn't be pleased with this one.

My System: (which I put together between open box buys and ebay for less than $800.00)

Yamaha HTR 5150
Panasonic dvd A120U
Klipsch KG .5 front l&r
Klipsch KG 2.5 Center
Klipsch SB 1.1 rear
Bic 10" powered sub

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, JVC, Shopped everything!

Well made, plenty of power, outstanding sound, affordable, 2 Year warranty.

None

I purchased this unit because I have been into DVD since mid 1998 and I have not had a DD/dts Reciever. This kind of recievers used to cost no less than $400(and that was for a bottom of the line DD(not dts) reciever). This reciever is supposed to be in the $500 range and it shows by the way it's built(no plastic frame like the Kenwoods), the effects are a nice touch. I don't have a subwoofer yet, and this reciever still sounds really good without it (it has a featuer that allows you to direct the bass in the front speakers if you don't have a sub yet).
I am not crazy about the remote, but it is much better than the one I saw for the Technics or Dennon reciever which cost almost $100 more the Yamaha HTR5150. It looks cool and you can get used to it (just use a universal once you get the proper settings in like I did). It's slim like the one that came with my older Sony. My Dad says it looks like a train model. This reciever does not have to be turned up in order to display a "theater experience". Now all I need is a subwoofer. I really don't see how anyone can give a lower than 5 star rating for a reciever like this at such an affordable price. The newer Yamaha (HTR5240) is not made as well or has as many features as this one because it has a plastic frame, no s-video front input, or gold connectors.
Get this high quality reciever while you still can.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE405, Technics SA-AX 930

Well made, plenty of power, outstanding sound, affordable, 2 Year warranty.

None

I purchased this unit because I have been into DVD since mid 1998 and I have not had a DD/dts Reciever. This kind of recievers used to cost no less than $400(and that was for a bottom of the line DD(not dts) reciever). This reciever is supposed to be in the $500 range and it shows by the way it's built(no plastic frame like the Kenwoods), the effects are a nice touch. I don't have a subwoofer yet, and this reciever still sounds really good without it (it has a featuer that allows you to direct the bass in the front speakers if you don't have a sub yet).
I am not crazy about the remote, but it is much better than the one I saw for the Technics or Dennon reciever which cost almost $100 more the Yamaha HTR5150. It looks cool and you can get used to it (just use a universal once you get the proper settings in like I did). It's slim like the one that came with my older Sony. My Dad says it looks like a train model. This reciever does not have to be turned up in order to display a "theater experience". Now all I need is a subwoofer. I really don't see how anyone can give a lower than 5 star rating for a reciever like this at such an affordable price. The newer Yamaha (HTR5240) is not made as well or has as many features as this one because it has a plastic frame, no s-video front input, or gold connectors.
Get this high quality reciever while you still can.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE405, Technics SA-AX 930

I got this unit from Best Buys at $239. It was a display model though. After extensive research, I think that this is the best receiver for the price (even if you don't get it at 239).

My system is as follows :

Pioneer DV 333 DVD player.
Yamaha 5150 receiver.
Energy Take 5 + SL8 sub.

I think this is the best system for a medium sized apartment room at @ $1200.

Powerful,crisp, perfect seperation surround sound.

Lacks the number of sound fields that are common with all Yamaha receivers now.

This is an amazing piece of equipment, especially for the price. I had previously owned a Sony 925 receiver. I thought I was completely happy with it until I heard the difference the 5150 delivered. My Sony started having bleed over between front and rear speakers and Best Buy couldn't repair it so I was free to make a choice of another receiver. The salesman at Best Buy convinced me to try the Yamaha, telling me that he, all other associates in the dept., AND all the technicians all had Yamaha receivers. Then told me that by FAR Yamaha had the lowest return or repair rate of ANY receiver they carried, I felt this was the receiver for me.
Man did I make the right choice. The sound and seperation of this machine is everything I had wanted, but didn't know I was missing with the Sony. Yamaha has always had the reputation of flawless electronics, and the 5150 is no exception.
If you are looking for a very affordable receiver, this is your product. I paid about $400.00 for mine, but I have noticed that they have dropped drastically in anticipation of the new 5250's coming. This would be the best time to jump on this deal. I am currently using mine in a medium sized room and this fills the room with more than enough sound. I haven't needed to turn it above the 11 o'clock position yet. I am anticipating many years of quality home theater listening from this receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 925

Quality Sound

See summary

Ok, we all know this is a good unit. I just have one question for any current users of it. I have got mine hooked up with 2 Infinity Delta 40s for mains (150-watt towers), Infinity Delta 30s for surrounds (also towers 100-watt) and the Infinity Delta center (100-watt). All of these speakers are 6 ohms speakers and if I crank anything that users at least 4 of the speakers past 10 o'clock the main receiver display starts to flicker. If I really crank it (2 or 3 o'clock) some circuit will pop and the unit will turn itself off (I've only done this like 3 times). Do you guys think that I have a problem receiver that I should get fixed or do you think that I simply have too much speaker and need a receiver that can put out more watts. Feel free to e-mail me if you don't want to clutter up space here. If any of you have got a bunch of big, 6-ohms speakers hooked up to this guy, I would really like to hear from you.

Similar Products Used:

Another Yamaha

Great remote, natural sound on music and DVDs.

needs a few more setup modes to help with speaker placement.

I had originally wanted to upgrade from the overly veiled sounding Pioneer A/V receiver I had bought for the bedroom A/V system. BTW,Pioneer's customer service is very poor (IMHO).

I replaced that unit with the Sony D635. I had it for a few months. Theremote control is terrible to use. The tuner section is weak. Playback of movies is a little bright...a tad grainy. But the sound stage is excellent... plenty of DSP to play with to get the sound just right. The 635 never got hot. The Sony also makes "clicking" noises when turned
off. This clicking is loud enough to wake me up. I had enough!

After hearing my friends Yamaha 5150, I immediately took the Sony back! The Yamaha 5150 is being discontinued and I picked it up at a great price at my local Sears. $290.00
They are all sold out. The new model 5250 (or the 565a) will be out mid June ($499). It will have 100 watts per channel and extra S-video ins and outs. For me the older 5150 will be just fine!

The remote control is great to use. I programmed my Sony TV, Panasonic 120, the Sony VCR easily. The 11+ DSP modes are acessible from the remote. So are the tuner and amp functions.

The sound is fuller that the Sony, much more natural.
The amps inside the unit are Class A/B. But the sound reminds me of a Class A amp.

Also, the DTS playback from CDs is much better (excellent!) than quite a few highend preamp/processors that I have heard at several CES shows. Eric Clapton and Moody Blues are awesome on DTS with this 5150!

Try to seek out this model and get it before they are all gone! A great sonic value!

Also for those of you that have more $$$ to spend: The Yamaha A-1 is also being discontinued. The replacement model is the V-1.

Good Luck on your purchase and enjoy!

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VXD 498 and Sony 635