Yamaha RX-V385
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
The Yamaha RX-V385 is characterized as a reliable, entry-level 5.1-channel AV receiver that serves as a common starting point for home theater enthusiasts. While it is praised for providing a solid and coherent soundstage for movies and general gaming, it is frequently discussed as a 'basic' unit that users eventually outgrow when seeking modern features like Atmos or high-refresh-rate gaming support.
Pros
- Reliable performance for 5.1-channel surround setups
- Solid and coherent front soundstage for movies
- Capable of 4K/60Hz passthrough, which is sufficient for standard 4K media
- User-accessible EQ adjustments for fine-tuning (though bands are limited)
Cons
- Lacks support for 4K/120Hz, limiting its utility for latest-gen gaming consoles
- Limited power output, rated at approximately 70W per channel with two channels driven
- No support for modern object-based audio formats like Dolby Atmos
- Potential audio delay issues when forced to use optical connections for PC or PS5
Caveats
- The receiver is limited to 4K/60Hz passthrough; users with 120Hz-capable TVs and consoles will need to bypass the receiver for video to reach full specs.
- EQ adjustment is restricted to specific fixed frequency bands (63Hz to 16kHz).
- Often cited as a component that users eventually replace with Denon units for better room correction or expanded features.
Best for
- Budget-conscious 5.1 home theater setups
- Small to medium-sized rooms
- Users with standard 4K/60Hz displays and no need for Atmos
Avoid if
- You require 4K/120Hz passthrough for competitive gaming
- You are planning an Atmos or 7.1 speaker configuration
- You need advanced room correction software
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older (median age ~393 days), which may affect relevance for users seeking the latest HDMI standards.
Sentiment
10 positive (37%) · 13 mixed (48%) · 4 negative (15%)
Trust + time weighted score: +24% · raw score 22%
What redditors said (10 of 27)
His receiver is an older (but good enough) Yamaha RX-V385, so my EQ adjustment abilities were limited to 63, 160, 400, 1K, 2.5K, 6.3K and 16Khz.
I just upgraded my AVR from a Yamaha rx-v571 to a Denon x3800h since it was on a big sale and I needed something 4k compatible.
Parent context: This. I upgraded from a Yamaha RX-V667 to a Denon AVR X1700h for no other reason than to get 4K HDR working. ... There are days I regret my decision because the Yamaha was arguably a better AVR than the Denon. Reply: This. I upgraded from a Yamaha RX-V667 to a Denon AVR X1700h for no other reason than to get 4K HDR working. Getting support for the latest Dolby versions like Atmos was a secondary thing that frankly didn't matter that much. If it wasn't for wanting 4k passthrough on the AVR, I'd still be using the old Yamaha. There are days I regret my decision because the Yamaha was arguably a better AVR than the Denon.
The system works well and I genuinely enjoy it for movies and gaming. The sub hits hard, and the front soundstage feels solid and coherent.
I currently have an Optoma HD23 projector, hooked up to a Yamaha RX-V667, which in turn is connected to a 5.1 Boston Acoustics set
Current setup: Receiver - Yamaha RX-V483
Would an X3500h fit the bill for this? I’m looking at getting one of these really cheap and want to make sure it’s worth upgrading from a more basic (but newer) Yamaha RX-V385.
The existing components are from my setup I use with my pc that I’m willing to move. I have: Yamaha RX-V385
I currently have this paired with KEF Q150 and I'm happy. But I know LS50 Meta are different.
for a cheaper one I was thinking of a used yamaha rx-v685.
Compare
Yamaha RX-V385 vs Denon AVR-X3800HYamaha RX-V385 vs WiiM ProYamaha RX-V385 vs WiiM
Related
- TCL QM7K · related · 1,337 mentions
- TCL QM8K · related · 838 mentions
- Samsung Q990D · related · 666 mentions
- Samsung Q990F · related · 642 mentions
- Sennheiser HD 600 · related · 638 mentions
- TCL QM6K · related · 579 mentions