AV Receiver Reviews

Note: All power measurements are to the nearest watt.
The Kenwood VR-5900's stereo frequency response, left channel measured (analog CD input to speaker output), was -0.33dB at 20Hz, -0.05dB at 20kHz, and -0.33dB at 50kHz. The frequency response in Dolby Digital, optical input to speaker out, measured -0.26dB at 20Hz and -0.07dB at 20kHz in the left channel. The center channel measured -0.34dB at 20Hz and -0.01dB at 20kHz. The surround channel, with the 80Hz highpass filter engaged, measured -3dB at 81Hz and -6dB at 61Hz. The lowpass filter's response, relative to its level at 40Hz, was -3dB at 89Hz and -6dB at 131Hz.

The VR-5900's THD+noise in stereo at 1W into 8ohms measured 0.013% at 20Hz, 0.012% at 1kHz, and 0.010% at 20kHz. At 2W into 4ohms, the corresponding results were 0.008% at 20Hz, 0.009% at 1kHz, and 0.006% at 20kHz. The signal/noise ratio, A-weighted at 1W into 8ohms, was -98.5dB.

With five channels driven, the VR-5900's power output at clipping (1% THD+noise) into 8ohms measured 124W per channel at 1kHz and 125Wpc at 20Hz, left channel measured. Into 4ohms, the corresponding results were 171Wpc at 1kHz and 170Wpc

at 20Hz. With two channels driven at 1kHz, clipping occurred at 190Wpc into 8ohms and 263Wpc into 4ohms, left channel measured.—TJN