Yamaha AV Receiver Equalizer Settings – (100% Tested!)

yamaha av receiver equalizer settings

If you’re looking for the best Yamaha AV receiver equalizer settings, this guide is just for you!

  • Most users tend to adjust the equalizer of their Yamaha AVR according to personal preference.

However, there are general guidelines and tips to achieve an optimized output, without putting your mind to it that much!

This guide will review the best equalizer adjustment for each stereo channel in your Yamaha AVR setup, so let’s get started.

How to Adjust Yamaha AV Receiver Settings?

There are two possible ways to access and adjust the equalizer of your Yamaha AVR:

How to Adjust Yamaha Equalizer Over TV Menu?

adjust yamaha equalizer over tv menu

Connecting the Yamaha AVR to your TV over an HDMI cable allows for accessing and adjusting all equalizer values through the “Setup” button.

All you have to do is press the “Setup” button on the remote and the menu will be brought up on the screen.

Then, navigate to Speaker → Equalizer and ensure the “EQ Select” option is set to “<GEQ>.”

This enables you to use the AVR’s equalizer preset and apply custom modifications to it, both through the AVR’s menu and through the “Setup” menu accessible via the TV.

How to Adjust Yamaha Equalizer Over AVR Menu?

If you prefer adjusting the equalizer over the AVR’s display, then press “Setup” on the receiver’s remote control, select “Speaker Setup” from the menu, and press “Enter.” 

Use the “Up” and “Down” arrow buttons to select “Equalizer” from the setup and ensure the feature is set to “GEQ.”

  • In the same menu, you will be able to access all of the equalizer’s settings, same as with adjusting it over the HDMI of your TV. 

A Complete Guide for Yamaha AV Receiver Equalizer Settings!

Note: The below’s guide below provides an in-depth walkthrough of the Yamaha receiver EQ settings, but feel free to adjust settings as per your own preference.

“Center” Adjustments

center” adjustments

The “Center” channel is essential to the Yamaha receiver audio settings.

It is responsible for outputting the dialog and the central audio during movies or TV shows. It is also important for the clarity of music.

Use the following adjustments:

Center Frequency:

  • 120 Hz
  • 500 Hz
  • 1 kHz
  • 3 kHz
  • 7 kHz

Q Factor:

  • Set to 1.5 for the most optimal performance.

Gain:

  • 120 Hz: +1 dB
  • 500 Hz: 0 dB
  • 1 kHz: +2 dB
  • 3 kHz: +1 dB
  • 7 kHz: -1 dB

Tip: Use the recommended adjustments for the “Gain” equalizer to warm male voices, proper articulation, and reduce harshness.

“Front Left (L)” and “Front Right (R)” 

“front left (l)” and “front right (r)"

The “Left” and “Right” channels of your Yamaha AVR are the main stereo channels that will output the most audio content. 

Here are the best values for the center frequency, the Q factor, and the gain:

Center Frequency:

  • 63 Hz
  • 250 Hz
  • 1 kHz
  • 4 kHz
  • 8 kHz

Q Factor:

Set the value between 0.8 and 1.2 for best performance.

Gain:

  • 63 Hz +2 dB
  • 250 Hz: 0dB
  • 1 kHz: -1 dB
  • 4 kHz: +1 dB
  • 8 kHz: +2 dB

Tip: Experiment with the “Gain” feature to achieve the best output for your preference! 

“Surround Left (L)” and “Surround Right (R)” 

“surround left (l)” and “surround right (r)"

The “Surround Left” and “Surround Right” channels affect the spatial sounds and ambient effects of your setup. Apply the following adjustments for the equalizer:

Center Frequency:

  • 80 Hz
  • 500 Hz
  • 2 kHz
  • 6 kHz
  • 10 kHz

Q Factor:

  • Set to 1.2

Gain:

  • 80 Hz: +1 dB
  • 500 Hz: -1 dB
  • 2 kHz: +1 dB
  • 6 kHz: +2 dB
  • 10 kHz: +1 dB

Tip: Check if applying changes to the center frequency in any way alters the overall quality of your setup’s surround sound performance.

“Surround Back Left (L)” and “Surround Back Right (R)” 

surround back right (l) and (r)

The “Surround Back Left” and “Surround Back Right” channels of your Yamaha AVR setup are the additional soundstage effects of the setup’s rear.

Adjusting the equalizer of these channels gives the sense of a more realistic performance of the surround sound during movies.

Center Frequency: 

  • 100 Hz
  • 400 Hz
  • 1.5 kHz
  • 5 kHz
  • 9 kHz

Q Factor:

Set between 1.2 and 1.5 for optimal performance.

Gain:

  • 100 Hz: +1 dB
  • 400 Hz: -1 dB
  • 1.5 kHz: +1 dB
  • 5 kHz: +2 dB
  • 9 kHz: +1 dB

Tip: Only adjust the surround back and left channels if your setup supports the corresponding speaker integration.

“Front Presence Left (L)” and “Front Presence Right (R)” 

front presence left and right

Adjusting the “Front Presence Left” and “Front Presence Right” channels is important to achieving the best Yamaha AVR receiver equalizer settings. 

This equalizer contributes to a better performance of the height and atmos effects of the setup. Apply the following settings:

Center Frequency:

  • 120 Hz
  • 800 Hz
  • 2.5 kHz
  • 7 kHz
  • 10 kHz

Q Factor:

  • Set to 1.0

Gain:

  • 120 Hz: 0 dB
  • 800 Hz: 1 dB
  • 2.5 kHz: +2 dB
  • 7 kHz: +1 dB
  • 10 kHz: +2 dB

Tip: Only adjust the surround back and left channels if your setup supports the corresponding speaker integration.

Subwoofer “LFE Channel” 

subwoofer “lfe channel”

Adjusting this segment of the equalizer impacts the bass and all of the low-frequency effects of the output.

Center Frequency:

  • 40 Hz 
  • 63 Hz 
  • 80 Hz 
  • 120 Hz

Q Factor:

  • Set to 0.7 for a smoother and broader bass.

Gain: 

  • 40 Hz: +3 dB
  • 63 Hz +2 dB
  • 80 Hz: 0dB
  • 120 Hz: -1 dB

Tip: Check if the connected subwoofer has an external equalizer for additional adjustments.