The Yamaha RX-V385 is one of the top entry-level AV receivers and is highly regarded by many. It is also one of the most affordable ways to kickstart your home theater journey and enjoy an exciting cinematic experience in the comfort of your own home. What you’ll need now are matching speakers which can make use of the Yamaha RX-V385 sonic prowess and deliver high sound quality.
There are plenty of speaker choices but we need to find the ones that fit the price range of the Yamaha RX-V385 AV receiver. These loudspeakers will also need to match and complement the Yamaha AVR well. In order to get the right speakers, we first need to learn more about the RX-V385 such as its sonic characteristics and merits. Once we have gotten this information, we will then be able to share with you the list of the best matching speakers for your Yamaha RX-V385.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Yamaha RX-V385
It may be an affordable entry-level AV receiver but the Yamaha RX-V385 packs a plethora of features. The RX-V385 is capable of processing 4K UHD video signals and supports HDR 10, Dolby Vision, and HLG. Furthermore, you can update to the latest firmware, HDCP 2.3 technology, ensuring the compatibility of your Yamaha RX-V385 with 4K UHD sources and TVs. There is also a built-in Bluetooth, allowing you to easily stream your music and enjoy your favorite tunes wirelessly. Another notable feature will be the three Burr-Brown DACs (32-bit/384kHz). It would be even more fantastic if it has a phono input though. With these features alone, it already made it worthwhile to invest in Yamaha RX-V385.
It is a 5.1 channel AV receiver with rated power outputs of 70 Watts into 8 Ohms (2 channels driven) and up to 100 Watts into 8 Ohms (1 channel driven) which is pretty good for an entry-level AVR at this price. The frequency response of the RX-V385 is 20Hz-20kHz. We would recommend going for bookshelf speakers since they may not have enough power to truly drive a pair of floor-standers. If you are worried about low-frequency reproduction, you can connect an active subwoofer to supplement the bass performance. It is highly recommended to have one since the powered sub can help ease the load off the Yamaha RX-V385 by taking over the role of bass reproduction which can be very power demanding.
More Details at Amazon – YAMAHA RX-V385 5.1-Channel AV Receiver
The Yamaha RX-V385 has impeccable clarity when it comes to producing subtle details, not to mention, the accuracy of the sound reproduction. This combination makes watching action movies more intense, such as bullets flying past you and hitting the car windshield shattering into million pieces, the screeching of tires as the vehicle tries to speed off the action scene. Watching supernatural or horror flicks is equally exciting, as the sounds of walking zombies are eerily produced from the rear surround speakers and with rising tensions, thanks to the low rumbling of the subwoofer.
The bass performance of the Yamaha RX-V385 is amazing as well, equipped with a high-quality and powerful active subwoofer, the AVR can provide you with plenty of slam and impact. The deep bass reproduction also provides the presence, giving particular movie scenes more weight and pressure when it needs to. For stereo music playbacks, the presentation has the same level of clarity and the vocals are clearly reproduced. Still, when the music passage gets busy, it may get a bit muddled and subtle musical nuances are not as clearly audible. It may lack refinement and pacing when it comes to music playbacks but it is still enjoyable to listen to.
It is an excellent 5.1 channel AV receiver, when it comes to home theater performances, the Yamaha RX-V385 is definitely one of the better entry-level AVRs out on the market. It does have its own limitations but at this price point, we will only be nitpicking. As you can only go for 1 active subwoofer, you might want to get a really good entry-level sub as it does play a major role in the overall HT performance. We now have the data and without further ado, it is time to share with you the list of the best speakers to match your Yamaha RX-V385 AV receiver.
Yamaha RX-V385 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 70 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms with 2 channels driven, 100 Watts into 8 Ohms with 1 channel driven
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- DAC: Burr-Brown
- Wireless: Bluetooth (SBC, in and out)
- Inputs: 4 HDMI inputs, 1 USB input, 3 Analog inputs, 1 Optical input, 2 Coaxial inputs
- Outputs: Headphone output, 1 Subwoofer output, 1 HDMI eARC (via firmware update)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 435mm x 161mm x 315mm (17.1″ × 6.3″ × 12.4″)
- Weight: 7.7kg (17lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Yamaha RX-V385
As mentioned earlier, the active subwoofer plays a major role in the overall home theater performance and the SVS Prime Satellite 5.1 home cinema package got just the sub for you. It consists of an entry-level SVS SB-1000 sealed cabinet 12″ subwoofer with 300 Watts of RMS power and 700 Watts at Peak. This active subwoofer will be able to handle most of the demanding action movie scenes and deliver floor-shaking bass. The SVS Prime Satellite speakers are matching with the SVS SB-1000 and are able to deliver clean highs with clarity. You might want to hear them out first as the SVS Prime Satellite speakers may sound bright to some but the SVS subwoofer is definitely more than worthy to match your Yamaha RX-V385 AV receiver.
More Information at Amazon – SVS Prime Satellite 5.1 Package
If clarity is important for you and you like a bright sounding system then the Klipsch speakers are fantastic choices. The Klipsch R-41M is a highly efficient compact bookshelf speaker and can be driven easily by your Yamaha RX-V385 AV receiver. Furthermore, it is very affordable and has high clarity, allowing sonic details to be heard clearly. You can use R-41M as front main and surround channel speakers, for the center channel speaker, you might want to go with the matching Klipsch R-52C. To complete the set, you can either go with Klipsch subwoofers such as Klipsch R-12SW or go for SVS subwoofers.
More Information at Amazon – Klipsch R-41M
More Information at Amazon – Klipsch R-12SW
If your budget is really tight, then you should check out Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1. It consists of ultra-compact Klipsch satellite speakers which made up the front left and right main channels, as well as the rear surround channel. There is also a matching compact-sized center channel speaker. It also comes with an 8″ wireless subwoofer. The small footprints of the Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 along with the wireless subwoofer, make it suitable for listening rooms with space constraints. The cost of the Klipsch HT 5.1 is very close to the price point of the Yamaha RX-V385 which makes them an ideal choice for listeners who have smaller budgets.
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System
You can go with the entry-level Jamo Studio Series S 803 five-channel speakers pack to match with your Yamaha RX-V385 AV receiver. This is great for listeners who are planning to get a specific subwoofer brand and just need an affordable speaker system. The Jamo Studio Series S 803 home theater system consists of two S 803 Dolby Atmos ready bookshelf speakers which are used as front main left and right channels. For the surround speakers, the small S 801 speakers will be used and the matching Jamo S 81 Cen will be the center channel speaker. The stylish design of the Jamo Studio Series line does not make them look like budget speakers which is cool. We will recommend hearing them out first before deciding.
More Information at Amazon – Jamo Studio Series S 803 Home Cinema System
Prefer warm-sounding speakers? The award-winning Wharfedale Diamond 220 bookshelf speakers will be a terrific choice to match with the Yamaha RX-V385. The Diamond 220 speakers’ smooth delivery with a touch of warmth is easy on the ears, enabling you to listen to your sound system without having listener fatigue. They are capable of producing bass with weight and agility, not to mention, the Wharfedale Diamond 220s also have insights and can produce details in spades. For speakers at this price point, they are really great for both music and HT use. You can go for a matching Wharfedale Diamond series center channel speaker and a high-quality active subwoofer to complete the 5.1 speaker set.
More Information at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 220
Usually, ported cabinet subwoofers are ideal choices for a home theater system setup as they are more efficient and have higher max SPL when compared to sealed subwoofers. If you mainly use Yamaha RX-V385 to watch movies, then a ported subwoofer will definitely be for you. You should check out the following subwoofer brands as they make high-performance active subwoofers at an affordable price. SVS will be a good start and you can take a look at their SVS PB-1000 Pro. Next will be HSU Research, their VTF-2 MK5 is extremely powerful and sanely priced. Lastly, the Rythmik Audio LV12F is a 12″ ported subwoofer that will be an excellent choice and worthy of your time to check out.
More Information at Amazon – SVS PB-1000 Pro
To Conclude
The listed speakers and packs are affordably priced, we will suggest that you shortlist some of them and arrange an audition to hear them out. By listening to these speakers with your own ears, you will be able to judge the sound quality and see if you like what you are hearing. You can also use them as references and compare them with other speakers’ models. We wouldn’t recommend going for mid or high-end speakers as more than likely, the Yamaha RX-V385 is not powerful enough to drive such speakers.
