Yamaha RX-V685 (USA version)

Overview

Yamaha RX-V685 was introduced in 2018. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing.

We evaluated the Receiver and gave 88 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and video signal passthrough and upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

Pros and Cons

In this section we present pros and cons of Yamaha RX-V685.

Major Changes from its predecessor

Here we are comparing Yamaha RX-V685 to its predecessor RX-V683 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Yamaha RX-V685	vs	Yamaha RX-V683
Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB	up to 192 kHz/32 Bit	vs	up to 192 kHz
Works with Amazon Alexa		vs
AirPlay	AirPlay 2 via firmware update	vs	AirPlay
More HDMI Outputs	2	vs	1
More Analog Pre-Outs	2.2	vs	0.2
Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB	11.2 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz	vs	5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
Wi-Fi Standard	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac	vs	IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Newer Bluetooth Version	4.2	vs	2.1 + EDR

DOWNGRADES	Yamaha RX-V685	vs	Yamaha RX-V683
Less HDMI Inputs	5	vs	6 (1 front)

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Yamaha RX-V685 vs Yamaha RX-V683.

Amplifier

Yamaha RX-V685 has 7 channel amplifier and delivers 90 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and also has a stable performance at 4 Ω load.

Video Features

The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 60p and 4K upscaling up to 60p. It can bypass HDR10, Dolby Vision.

HDR10

High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is an update to HDR10 by adding dynamic metadata that can be used to more accurately adjust brightness levels up to 10,000 nits maximum brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis and supports up to 12-bit color depth (4096 shades of RGB) and 8K resolution.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround upmixer

Yamaha RX-V685 supports Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. It can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

Dolby Atmos is the first cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound - the helicopter, a car screeching around a corner, a melodic bird call - can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. You'll feel like you're inside the action, in ways you've never experienced before.

Dolby Atmos for the home represents every sound in the original cinema mix as an audio object. Extensions to the Dolby Audio™ codecs, along with an advanced scalable algorithm, allow Dolby Atmos to be delivered via Blu-ray Disc and streaming media. A spatially-coded substream is added to Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus. A Dolby Atmos audio/video receiver (AVR) adapts the cinema experience to your home theater from seven speakers to as many as 34 in 24.1.10 configuration, recreating the original artistic concept. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X and Neural:X upmixer

Yamaha RX-V685 supports DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. It can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

DTS Neural:X is a new upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

Adaptive DRC

Yamaha RX-V685 features Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control) which automatically adjusts the dynamic range of the sound according to the volume level. This ensures that you hear clear dialog and vocals, and all sound effects at comfortable levels. There is no need to adjust the volume level as you listen; everything from whispers to big explosions will be heard clearly and comfortably at the same volume setting. It also tones down loud TV commercials, and is ideal for low-volume, late-night listening, when you do not want to disturb others.

Room Correction

Yamaha RX-V685 comes with YPAO (R.S.C.) room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

Connectivity

Yamaha RX-V685 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or built-in wi-fi adapter. It can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. The Receiver works with Amazon Alexa and supports AirPlay 2 via firmware update. It has 5 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.3 copy protection. There is a phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the cartridge output of the turntable directly to the Receiver. There are 2.2 channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.

Front panel has USB and mini-jack Audio inputs.

Specifications

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Yamaha RX-V685.

BASICS
Brand	Yamaha
Model	RX-V685
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2018

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Bi-amp Capability

AUDIO
Surround:AI™
DAC	Burr-Brown DAC x 4 for main zone
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Digital EX
DTS:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo	Neo:6
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES	Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	up to 192 kHz/32 Bit
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB
Gapless Playback
DSD via HDMI	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
DTS Dialog Control
Dialog Level Adjustment
Dialog Normalization
Dialogue Lift	no presence speakers required
Compressed Music Enhancer	including enhancer for Bluetooth®
High-resolution Music Enhancer
Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control)
Initial Volume & Maximum Volume Setting
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey LFC
Audyssey Sub EQ HT
Audyssey DSX
Straight Decoding Mode
Pure Direct Mode	with Video On mode
CINEMA DSP	3D
DSP Programs	17
SILENT CINEMA / Virtual CINEMA DSP	Virtual CINEMA FRONT
Virtual Speakers	including surround back
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C.)
YPAO Volume
PEQ for SUB	Down to 15.6 Hz

VIDEO
Video Signal Type	NTSC/PAL/SECAM
HDR10
HDR10+
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component**, Composite
Component Video Upscaling
Analog to Analog Video conversion
Component Video Maximum Resolution	480i/576i
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
MHL Input
FireConnect
FlareConnect
MusicCast
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Google assistant
Works with SONOS
AirPlay	AirPlay 2 via firmware update
Apple Product Connection	iPod, iPhone and iPad
Remote App	(iPhone® / iPad® / Android™ phone / tablet)
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth	SBC, AAC (compatible with SCMS-T.)
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced ARC	via firmware update
HDCP Version	2.3
HDMI Input	5
HDMI Output	2
USB Input	USB memory, Portable Audio Player
USB DC Out Port
Analog Audio Line Input	4 (1 front)
Analog Audio Line Output
Phono Input
Optical In	2
Optical Out
Coaxial In/Out	2 /
Composite Video Input	1
Composite Video Output
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input	1
Component Video Output
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
Analog Pre-Outs	2.2
XLR Inputs
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	USB, mini-jack Audio
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm

ZONES
Zones	2
Powered Zones	Zone 2
Zone 2	Preout
Zone B Video Output
Zone GUI
RS-232
+12V Trigger Output	1
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1
Party Mode

MISC
On-Screen Display	Graphical User Interface
SCENE	SCENE (8 sets)
Web Browser Control
PreAmp Mode
Remote Controller
Detachable Power Cord
dockport

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM/AM
Presets	40
Digital Radio
Internet Radio
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION
A.R.T. Wedge
Speaker Terminals	9
Large Speaker Terminals	9
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Gold plated RCA terminals

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	400 W
Standby Power	0.1 W

GENERAL
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function
Auto Power Standby
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 171 mm x 378 mm (with antenna: 435 mm x 248 mm x 378 mm) 17-1/8" x 6-3/4" x 14-7/8" (with antenna up: 17-1/8" x 9-3/4" x 14-7/8")
Dimensions of Package (W x H x D)	21" x 18" x 10"
Weight	10.5 kg (23.1 lbs)
Weight of Package	27 lbs
Warranty	2 Years

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	90 W (0.06% THD)
Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	105 W (0.9% THD)
Rated Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven)	125 W (0.9% THD)
Maximum Effective Output Power (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven, JEITA)	150 W (10% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	130 W (10% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (2	235 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)	190 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (6 Ω, Front)	165 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)	125 W
THD	0.06% (AV 2 etc. to Front, Pure Direct, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 50 W, 8 Ω)
THD (Phono)	0.02% (Phono to Front, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 10 V)
Damping Factor	100 (Front, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 Ω)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Phono MM)	3.5 mV/47 kΩ
Maximum Input Sensitivity (Line)	2.3 V (1 kHz, 0.5% THD)
Maximum Input Sensitivity (Phono)	60 mV (1 kHz, 0.1% THD)
Rated Preout Level and Impedance	1.0 V/2.7 kΩ (Front) 1.0 V/1.2 kΩ (Subwoofer)
Maximum Preout Level and Impedance	1.6 V
Rated Headphone Jack Output Level and Impedance	100 mV/560 Ω (1 kHz, 50 mV, 8 Ω)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	110 dB
S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A)	96 dB
Phono RIAA Deviation	±0.5 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	+0/-3 dB (AV 2 etc. to Front, 10 Hz to 100 kHz)
Residual Noise (IHF-A Network)	150 µV (Speaker Out)
Channel Separation at 1 kHz/10 kHz (LINE)	70 dB/50 dB
Channel Separation at 1 kHz/10 kHz (PHONO)	60 dB/55 dB
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz
DSD Sampling Rates via USB	11.2 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Video Maximum Input	1.5 Vp-p
Ethernet Standard	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
Wi-Fi Standard	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
Bluetooth Version	4.2
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz
USB Terminal	USB2.0 5 V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.)	Mono: 3 µV (20.8 dBf)
FM S/N Ratio	Mono/Stereo: 69 dB/67 dB
FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz)	Mono/Stereo: 0.5%/0.6%
AM Frequency	530 kHz - 1710 kHz

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted