How to Set Up Zone 2 on the Yamaha RX-V685
Zone 2 on the RX-V685 runs on the receiver’s own amp or an external one. Here’s how to wire and set up each, what the second room can play, and what to check when it stays silent.
AV Receivers
Practical how-to guides for popular home theater AV receivers from Sony, Yamaha, Denon, and Onkyo, checked against each manufacturer’s manual.
How to Set Up Dolby Atmos Height Speakers on the Denon AVR-S960H
The S960H runs one pair of height speakers from its SURROUND BACK terminals. Change Amp Assign from its ZONE2 default, recalibrate, and play in Dolby Atmos mode.
How to Pair Bluetooth Devices With the Sony STR-DH790
Press BLUETOOTH PAIRING on the remote and pick STR-DH790 on your phone within 5 minutes. Here’s why the receiver’s own BLUETOOTH button behaves differently, plus fixes for common connection problems.
How to Turn On HDMI Control (CEC) on the Denon AVR-S570BT
HDMI Control is off by default on the AVR-S570BT. Here’s where to turn it on, what your TV calls CEC, which linked settings to change, and what to do when the TV remote still won’t work.
How to Connect an Onkyo TX-NR6100 to a TV With eARC
One HDMI cable from the TV’s eARC port to the TX-NR6100’s HDMI OUT MAIN, two receiver settings, and the TV-side switches people miss, plus fixes when TV sound won’t play.
How to Turn On Control for HDMI (CEC) on the Sony STR-DH590
Set CTRL.HDMI to CTRL ON in the receiver’s AMP MENU, then switch on HDMI-CEC on the TV and your players. Here’s what each linked setting does and how to fix it when the receiver won’t follow the TV.
How to Connect a Yamaha RX-V685 to a TV With HDMI ARC
Plug the TV’s ARC port into HDMI OUT 1, then turn on HDMI Control, which is off from the factory. Here’s the full setup, the optical fallback, and fixes when TV sound won’t come through.
How to Connect a Denon AVR-S960H to a TV With eARC (or ARC)
Use HDMI MONITOR 1, not MONITOR 2, and select TV Audio. Here’s what to change for eARC vs. ARC TVs and how to fix silent TV apps.
Where to Put the Calibration Microphone for Receiver Room Correction
Place the calibration mic where your head is: main seat, seated ear height, on a stand with a clear path to every speaker. Here’s how many positions each system takes and how to prep the room.
How to Wire Speakers to an AV Receiver (Bare Wire, Pins, Banana Plugs)
Unplug the receiver, strip 3/8 inch of wire, twist it tight, and match + to + at both ends. Here’s how to handle banana plugs, wire gauge, impedance settings and shorts.