Reddit reviews Yamaha RX-V383BL 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with Bluetooth

Speaker quality scales with your budget. Much more so than any other part of your system.

Adding a $100 power amp to $400 speakers is reasonable. But looking at the rest of your setup, you may want to visit an audio showroom (if there's one local to you) and audition some speakers, to get an idea how $400 speakers compare to more expensive speakers.

That said, I personally have Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers ($300) and KEF Q100 speakers ($550 reduced to $250 on clearance) and I like the KEFs best.

The KEFs are paired with a Yamaha AV receiver ($220), and the Wharfedales are paired with an SMSL SA-50 ($62) amp.

I also have a pair of Edifier R1280T powered speakers, and they aren't in the same class, at all. There are definitely better choices for powered speakers.

You're welcome. There are probably hundreds to choose from. My preference is something like these.

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527804963&sr=1-3&keywords=yamaha+receiver

https://www.amazon.com/Debut-Bookshelf-Speakers-Andrew-Jones/dp/B014GSER6O/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527805053&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=elac+spaker

For a small space, those KEFs will sound great -

Many modern receivers still have phono pre-amps. That model doesn't though. You could always add one in-line, on the cheap. Depends on what you find for a turntable.

The Denon is a good start, I like Yamaha, myself. But honestly, you could even got down to a no frills Yamaha 2 channel, non-HDMI receiver for about $99 - but you want HDMI for your Fire TV box?

You could look at a Yamaha 5.1 AVR for about $220 ish (a little less if you get it from A4L)


The Denon x1400 is highly recommended here too - if you can get it on sale.

I'm looking to get a receiver and 5.1 speaker set. This will primarily be for movies/netflix on chromecast and playing switch. Turns out my projector only does a stereo output, no surround sound. Never had one before though. I still need to pick out some speakers too. Don't really know what I'm doing.

I was going to buy this Yamaha receiver, which is billed as a high quality entry receiver:
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1505393656&sr=1-5&keywords=receiver&refinements=p_36%3A10000-99999999

Then today I came across this Pioneer bundle that seems pretty popular, but it's cheap to the point that I worry about the quality:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JOBIFP2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

And then there's also this Yamaha bundle that's a little more expensive:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071JY862G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Thoughts on these, or something better in a similar price range? Thanks!

An AV receiver would be what I would use. Though I don't know your budget. It's a great first step towards home theater. The link below is just one of many options:

Yamaha RX-V383BL 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with Bluetooth https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XXR6JK3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_WbsSAbVEX4MMT

This https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

with this cable https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-1-Male-2-Female-RCA-Y-Adapter/dp/B01D5H8RE0/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1499935753&sr=1-4&keywords=dual+subwoofer+adapter plug the purple end into the sub out on the receiver then run a left rca to one subwoofer and a right rca to the other(into the sub-in on the Pl-200). Run an hdmi from your Amazon Fire TV to an hdmi input on the receiver and then an hdmi out from the receiver to your tv. If you don't already have speaker wire I recommend https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZWYP1G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and if you want banana plugs these are good https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Plated-Speaker-Banana-Closed/dp/B0097JLQVC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1499936973&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=4+pairs+banana+plugs&psc=1

I'm trying to understand your issue here - what exactly are you trying to do to make it sound better? It's only going to sound as good as what's playing it - so, if you're using the speakers on your TV, it's probably not great. You can do something like this:

Amp: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3/ref=sr_1_3?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1541375743&sr=1-3

Speakers: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Premium-Channel-Theater-Subwoofer/dp/B00EOZFUYI/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1541375795&sr=1-7

For HDMI there's HDMI switches. One output port (to the TV) with 2, 3, 4, etc inputs. Usually they can switch automatically based on whats powered on, sometimes they'll have a remote for you to select the device yourself, and there will be a button on the device itself to switch inputs. You can find them on Amazon, but it can be a real crapshoot since the vast majority are just generic Chinese things that any random "company" will just slap their name on and sell for whatever. I've never had a problem with the ones I've bought on Amazon (knock on wood), but you'll find most devices will have plenty of bad reviews. You can also find more name brand HDMI switches in stores like Best Buy, Fry's, etc, but they'll be WAY more expensive, like $40+ compared to like $12 for some chinese one on Amazon. I can't speak to the quality of those, since I've never bought them. They'll be easier to return and replace if there are any problems, so thats a plus.


For composite video (Yellow, White, Red cables) there's been switches for those for years. Just look for A/V Switch, Composite Switch, RCA Switch, etc. I bought one like 15 years ago so I can't really recommend anything today. There's also component ones (Green, Blue, Red, and Red and White audio).


If you want to get hardcore you can also get a home theater receiver (like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3/ref=dp_ob_title_ce) which will have a few HDMI ports as well as basic composite inputs, though there are some that will do component. This is the most expensive option, but if you're serious about having a home theater with surround sound, it's pretty much the only option.

In order to have true surround sound, you will need an "audio receiver". A receiver takes in several different inputs (3.5 mm jack, RCA inputs, HDMI video and audio, bluetooth), and then you select which input is played over the speakers. The receiver will take care of amplification, so all you need are bare speakers and wire.

You should check out this Yamaha receiver

You can use a good receiver for decades, so I suggest investing in a good quality one. I own the predecessor to the linked receiver, and I really like it.

It looks like your subwoofer can actually amplify and power your speakers, but you won't get 5.1 surround sound. The best you can get is left, right and subwoofer. Also the input looks kinda tricky because it's bare wires. You'll need something like this to get the audio input to work.

If you can afford it, I recommend going for the receiver, or I can give you more detail on how to hook up the subwoofer-only amplifier. What device are you getting music from? Smart phone jack, DVD player, computer?

SMSL AD18 And Fluance SX6 would be Nice on TV, speakers a little Big for Desktop but doable.

https://www.amazon.ca/SMSL-AD18-Amplifier-Bluetooth-Subwoofer/dp/B071JN7GXN

https://www.amazon.ca/Fluance-SX6-BK-Definition-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B00IEDL8EM

Or Pioneer SP-BS22

https://www.amazon.ca/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG

Or a 2 channel receiver like this Sony although it only has rca inputs

https://www.amazon.ca/Sony-STRDH190-Receiver-Bluetooth-Component/dp/B078WFDR8D

Or start with a 5.1 receiver and 2 speakers and add speakers later

https://www.amazon.ca/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3

Hello Proxpi! Thank you for responding.

I have updated some images to show the potential location of the TV.

https://imgur.com/a/uFRWDYf

1: Yes I would like to have all devices (Surround Sound system & Xbox one) in the AV Closet.

I have attached some more pictures. You can see in the image where the TV mount is. The Cabinet (in the second picture) is just to the left of the TV. The speaker wires from the cabinet (You can see in the top right hand corner) run about 15 feet to two exposed wires behind the location where the picture was taken and two run to the two {top right and top left of the tv area).

For video... I think I did something foolish... I wanted to "Future Proof" my video, so instead of running HDMI thought the walls, I fished 4 Cat6 E wires and had to buy a $50 dollar converter.

For the AUDIO I currently have a SONY 5.1 surround sound system that was 300 bucks about 4 years ago. It has a build in DVD/BlueRay player. I was planning on wiring that up to the speaker outlets in the cabinet, but I don't think it can handle all 12 speakers... what do yo think?

I was thinking I may need to purchase something like this. What do you think?

My dad also gave me this pre amplifier Rotel RC 972.... do you think I can use it at all? I tried hooking it up but it was really quiet.

One option by browsing amazon Canadian :

https://www.amazon.ca/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3/
$280

https://www.amazon.ca/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M/
$325

https://www.amazon.ca/Fluance-Surround-Including-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B07C4KBN1N/
$400

With stands, wire, etc. this will exceed your budget by ~$100 though.

I've used Yamaha receivers for a while, they are great. The newest budget model is the RX-V383BL:

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3/

You can get the Pioneer Andrew Jones bookshelf speakers for $99-https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521475785&sr=8-3&keywords=andrew+jones+speakers and then a entry level Yamaha refurb HT Reciever from Accessories for Less via Amazon for $199-https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1521475886&sr=8-2&keywords=Yamaha+RX-V383BL...the Yamaha's have nice simulated surround sound via 2 speakers...then you can add more speakers and a sub little by little...

Im using this Yamaha receiver does it have an amplifier build in?
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518988554&sr=1-5&keywords=Yamaha+receiver