I purchased the RX-V590 approximately 1 1/2 years ago and find it to be a more than adequate mid-range audio/video receiver. This purchase was a compromise as I had set up home theater systems for friends using higher end Yamaha products in the past and was pleased with their overall performance. I have also had much experience with Yamaha professional recording equipment and instruments. The first compromise was that I live in an apartment at the beach and have neighbors, so a high end, high powered system would be an effort in futility, yet I still have discriminating ears and must have some semblance of overall sound quality. (I spent many years in recording studios and the music business, and I know what the end product is supposed to sound like.) The second compromise was that my wife would kill me if I spent more than $500. (I actually spent $575, but don't tell her.)
As this is supposed to be a receiver review, so I will get that out of the way now. I have used this receiver with various speaker configurations that I will describe below. The positives; The overall sound quality of this receiver, especially in stereo only mode is excellent. Very neutral and natural. There is more than adequate power and flexibility for a medium to low priced AV receiver. The dolby pro-logic is seamless. I can't tell the difference between this and much higher priced receivers. Although it doesn't work with every movie, the enhanced dolby can be breath taking. The negatives in my opinion are; 1. The DSP modes in this receiver are less than I have come to expect from Yamaha. The higher priced models have a jazz club setting that provides a very natural ambient sound. (In all fairness, this is because of the higher priced chip from their outboard processor, thus the inclusion in just their higher priced receivers) By lowering the delay, the Rock Concert setting is tolerable. I have no idea why Yamaha(or any manufacturer) include the Stadium mode. On some soft jazz settings the Disco can be tolerated, again with some delay adjustment. The one bright spot is the Concert Hall setting, but only for use with classical music. Unlike other manufacturers, this actually sounds good. For serious listening I am back to just stereo. I also wish Yamaha would design a DSP memory that would return to the last setting you had in the mode you are listening to so you wouldn't have to reset to dolby in VCR or to Rock Concert when you switch back to CD or Tuner.(Onkyo and Sony have this feature.) The only other negative is the lack of a record out switch. Although I rarely record one thing and listen to another, there have been several occasions recently where this would have been handy. Again, this function is only available on the higher priced models.

I have utilized this receiver with a number of different speaker combinations over the past year and a half and have never really been disappointed with the over-all sound. I have never had a problem with the low end as Sam noticed in the previous review, but then I have always had powered sub-woofers with the various speaker systems since I have had this receiver. The first speaker system with this receiver consisited of dbx satellites (yes, the DAK models) with an older Yamaha powered sub-woofer. I used an equalizer with a pink noise generator/spectrum analyzer for the satellites, to flatten the room. I had Boston A40's for the rear channels and a Yamaha NS AC2 center channel. The sound was amazingly good for the total money invested and more than surprised a few audiophile/musician type friends. The second system was comprised of Miller & Kreisel S80 front speakers, & M&K MX70 Powered sub-woofer, a Yamaha NS-C150 Center, and Infinity RS2000 Rear channels. This time without an equalizer. Again the overall sound quality was surprisingly pleasing. I have recently acquired a pair of M&K S1B satellites, and moved the S80's to the rear channels. This little system is truly amazing. For those of you that think Miller and Kreisel only make Sub-Woofers, I strongly recommend that you audition their satellite systems. They are not easy to find, but are well worth the effort. For those of you who are totaling speaker costs, yes I am driving approximately $3300 (not my cost) worth of speakers with a $500 AV receiver. I have even seen it on sale recently for around $400. How does it sound. In one word, amazing. Would these speakers sound better with top of the line electronics? Absoloutely! But I am quite happy with the sound quality that is produced, especially at the lower volume levels necessary because I live in an apartment.

While there may be better receivers on the market for the money, and it sounds like the new replacement RX-V592 may be better. This is a good receiver to build a mid to low priced home theater system around, especially with the close out prices that I have seen this product advertised for lately. The majority of my complaints regarding this receiver are due to the fact that I didn't spend the money to get the features that I wanted which were available in the higher priced models. Because it does everything it was designed to do and does it well, I must give it 4 stars. I would have given it 5 except that I still don't like the music DSP modes.

I purchased this receiver partly due to Consumer Report's reviews. I was looking for a good quality pro logic receiver, however I am somewhat disappointed in the 590's performance. While high and mid range is crisp and sharp, the bass seems to be lacking. Some music takes on a "hollow" sound. Turning the bass control up the whole way improves the sound somewhat. (My 17 year old Technics 303 has a much more significant and definitive bass quality.) I experimented with speaker placement, surround modes, etc., but cannot seem to find the full rich sound I expected from this receiver. The shop where I purchased the receiver said that this is a "popular" model receiver. The salesman said that they recommend an amplified sub woofer. I should have been listening more carefully to him prior to my purchase. I am considering returning the 590, for a Technics 710. Anyone else with the same experience?

Great full range soundstage for a moderate price system. The learning remote is also fantastic.

None for what is to be expected in this price range

I used to own a low end Denon stereo reciever ($350), which had more low end to deliver my Klipsch 5.5's, but the Yamaha gives me enough to rattle the house. People who complain about this not supplying good bass, should try a more efficient speaker setup. I've run both Polk Audio and Klipsch and have had no problem creating good bass. Since I bought this reciever in 1998, I haven't had a problem.

What I'm running it with:
Klipsch 5.5 Tower Speakers (2x10" w/ Tractrix Horn)
Yamaha CDC-665 CD Player
Sony MDS-JEs10 MD Player
Proscan VCR
Toshiba SD-2109 DVD Player

Similar Products Used:

Denon stereo reciever (forget model #, but bought new for $350).