If you need a new home theater receiver, check out these top-rated 5 best high-end AV receivers. You probably noticed that all of our current picks come from Denon. If in doubt, get a Denon. These can create an effect that is like having height speakers installed. It works well, but it could be time for an update with a slicker interface. 10 of the world's most expensive stereo amplifiers Just be aware that you will need an Internet connection for this to work because the measurements are sent online to the Dirac servers to make the complex calculations and number-crunching. But it will do a fantastic job of balancing the sound in your room. $499.95. HDR10+, HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG are present along with 4K UHD 60Hz video, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling and HDCP 2.3. DTS Neural:X and Dolby Surround modes are available if you want to upmix stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 soundtracks to your 5.2.4/7.2.4 speaker system. However, expect stocks of the AVR30 to run out as they are replaced by the AVR31, so they may be hard to find. Admittedly, eliminating the surround speakers during our head-to-head testing may have given a slightly unfair advantage to receivers with weaker power supplies that might struggle to drive multiple speakers simultaneously, but it made direct comparisons more manageable and allowed us to focus more on pure sound quality, as well as on the quantifiable and repeatable benefits of one room-correction system over another. Do you own an 8K TV? We didnt set a lot of minimum spec requirements to limit what models we considered, but there are certain key specs that you should keep in mind when you begin your receiver search, to determine whether you need a budget, midpriced, or higher-end model: A basic home theater setup is referred to as having 5.1 channels of audio. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. In most cases, you would probably use the built-in Class G channels to run your basic 5.1/7.1 speaker layout then add external amplifiers to add the extra height channels to a maximum of 8 more speakers. Expensive. Thats impressive. You can also find AVRs with seven channels of amplification, microphone-based auto calibration, adjustable crossover frequencies and even HDMI switching for well under $1,000. If you want 8k support and find an older AVR-X8500H, you can buy an upgrade from Denon that will swap one of the original HDMI ports and allow support for 8K/60p and 4K/120p. At the end, it takes you through the process of connecting a microphone to the face of the receiver and stepping through a number of measurements using the remote and the on-screen interface. The AVR31 is the top model in the HDA range of integrated AV receivers. Alternatively, you could reserve two of those channels for a separate stereo audio zone in another room. Also, we wish Denon did a better job of alerting buyers to the fact that the Audyssey room-correction system can incorporate the optional $20 MultEQ Editor mobile app, but that if you want to use it, you need to have the app running before you begin the room-correction measurement process. No pain, no gain! It also offers good room correction, which allows you to fine-tune your speaker systems performance to suit your room. Its also an affordable choice for anyone who already has a 5.1 system in place but needs to upgrade their receiver because it doesnt support 4K, HDR, or features of the new HDMI 2.1 spec designed for modern gaming consoles. This 5.1-channel AV receiver supports high-quality Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks (but not the overhead speakers of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X), and it offers four HDMI 2.1compliant inputs that support 8K video at 60Hz and 4K video at 120 Hz, along with auto low-latency mode, variable refresh rate, and quick frame transport, but not quick media switching. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. If you want to assemble a simple 5.1-channel surround-sound systemor you already have a 5.1-channel system and need to upgrade to a receiver that supports 4K, 8K, or high dynamic range videothe Denon AVR-S570BT is a good option under $500. Best Budget AV Receiver: Sony STR-DH590 Best Receiver for Wireless Surround : Yamaha RX-V4A Best AV Receiver for Dolby Atmos: Denon AVR-X3700H Best AV Receiver for Audiophiles: NAD T 778 A Great AV Receiver for Music : Denon AVR-S750H Best AV Receiver With Sonos : Integra DRX-3.3 Best Overall AV Receiver 1. Marantz AV8805. Denon AVR-2803 A/V Receiver Reviewed - HomeTheaterReview Of course, you dont have to use Dirac Live and can make manual measurements and adjustments yourself. An AV receivers specs can list various features of the HDMI 2.1 standard even if the receiver supports only one or two of them, which certainly creates confusion for shoppers. The better room-correction systems are those that prompt you to place the calibration microphone at numerous locations at and around the main listening area. The 6 Best Mid-Range Home Theater Receivers of 2023 - Lifewire Many current AV receivers and TVs support eARC, most support automatic low-latency mode, and even at the $600 level many models support variable refresh rate. The speaker connections on the back are, as on most Denon receivers these days, arranged side by side rather than stacked on top of one another, which makes physical setup less frustrating, especially if youre using bare-wire speaker connections. Are you a hardcore gamer who wants support for the newest gaming features? Cheaper AV receivers can be a great place to begin if you have a limited budget, but if you want a top-end AV receiver, you must make a more significant investment. 11.2-Channels for a full Dolby Atmos system, Premium 32-bit / 768 kHz DAC (AKM AK4458VN), Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Bluetooth v4.2, A price that isnt for the feint-hearted but you have to pay for top quality, The front HDMI port has been removed from the previous model. These receivers offer some of the best engineering, features and performance that money can buy. In addition, its loaded with all the music streaming platforms and services youre likely to subscribe to, and it sounds very good thanks to its Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction. The quality of a receivers room correction hugely impacts the sound. However, these require a firmware update, so initially wont be available out of the box. But I am currently on my second Denon receiver, which is installed in my room, and I think they are a great choice at all price points. Take a look at this official Denon video to get a better look at this top AV receiver: If you want a high-end Yamaha AV receiver, look no further than the RX-A8A. Well, youve come to the right place! 5 Best Receivers - May 2023 - BestReviews Our tests consistently show that, in this price range, the effectiveness of the room-correction system is the differentiating factor in sound quality between AV receivers. The Arcam AVR31 has 16 pre-out channels (17 with the second subwoofer out) that you can connect to external power amps, so you can use this AV receiver to run a 9.2.6 surround sound speaker system. The audio frequency response of your room will massively affect what you hear, which, hopefully, you will balance out using the receivers automatic room calibration. The company also offers a number of AV receivers at prices below, between, and above those of our picks. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 4K UHD TV - At 140W per channel, the Denon AVR-S540BT receiver delivers exceptional brightness and contrast, and supports HLG, HDR, BT.2020, Wide Color Gamut and 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling for realistic display and immersive sound This unit also has an Auro-3D decoder built-in, which is rare in many AV receivers and is a bonus if you are interested in Auro-3D surround sound. Home Audio Amplifier Stereo Receiver. But, if youve gone to the expense of buying one of these beauties, youll probably want to take advantage of this excellent technology. Theres a lot to unpack in that sentence, so lets walk through it step by step. How much of that extra power you actually need depends on the size of your room and the efficiency of your speakers (that is, how loudly they play when powered by a 2.83-volt input), but with our test system in a 12-by-15-foot room with 8-foot ceilings, we were able to play the AVR-X3800H louder than we could comfortably listen to. The Sony STRDH590 5.2 Multi-Channe l 4K Receiver delivers a stellar sound and loads of additional features and is ideal for a home theater setup. this is a Rotel's flagship receiver. Correcting the imperfections in sound caused by your room is underrated by many and will allow you to get the best from your hardware. Lots of receivers offer basic room correction, but at the more affordable end of the spectrum, the processing can do more harm than gooddulling the sound without really fixing the most egregious problems with bass frequencies. Even if you have only a 5.1-channel speaker system right now, its nice to have the two extra amp channels to add more speakers or a second audio zone down the road. The contestants were systems composed mostly of recent Wirecutter picks: the Vizio SB46514-F6 from our best soundbar guide versus a full 5.1.4-channel system comprising the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2, B5 . In our voice-intelligibility stress testthe Mines of Moria sequences from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on UHD Blu-raythe AVR-X3800H provided a big leap in clarity over the AVR-X1700H. But, even though there are only 7-channels in this receiver, it doesnt mean that you cant run a big Dolby Atmos speaker layout in your room. Therefore the complete range was upgraded in 2022, so all HDMI inputs allowed for 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video plus the other features of HDMI 2.1 like VRR, QMS and ALLM. Yes, many of the other AV receivers here will be able to power more speakers out-of-the-box but they dont offer Class G amplification. The SR5015, SR6015, SR7015, and SR8015 receivers are all 8K-ready and will range in price from $1,100 to $3,200. They all offer the highest engineering standards and will provide outstanding sound for movies and music. An AV receiver can also serve as a music hub for your home, since many of them can connect to a home network and stream audio around the house via platforms such as Apples AirPlay 2, Googles Chromecast, or proprietary systems like Denons Heos and Yamahas MusicCast, which are designed to compete with the likes of Sonos. So, unless you have these consoles, you wont benefit from HDMI 2.1 support too much. There are 7 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs, which should be plenty for most setups. Features multiple input and output ports, including RCA audio, USB, SD card, aux, and more. The Denon AVR-X1700H is a great all-purpose 7.1-channel receiver that includes all the latest features and some nice installation flexibility but is still priced well below $1,000. All of our current recommendations support 4K HDR displays and sources, and our top pick and upgrade pick support 8K or 4K at a 120Hz refresh rate. Even under that $1,700 price cap, we found a variety of AV receivers that range widely in price and cover different performance needs. All six of the AVR-X3800Hs HDMI inputs support 8K video at 60 Hz (compressed and uncompressed), as well as 4K at up to 120 Hz, along with HDMI 2.1 features such as auto low-latency mode, variable refresh rate, quick media switching, and auto lip sync (when the receiver is connected to displays that support that feature), so its a great choice for gaming. Another feature that might make the AVR31 a good choice for you is also surprise, surprise aimed at getting the best sound in your room. I have always found the Audyssey system does a great job of correcting and balancing your rooms sound, and this unit comes with the top-end Audyssey MultEQ XT32 version. Through online research, we learned that, to get around this hitch, you have to unplug the HDMI cable running between the receiver and display, turn the AVR-X3800H off and on, and allow the firmware to update before reconnecting the HDMI cable. Of all the models here, my choice for the best high-end AV receiver is the Arcam AVR31. If you are new to the Arcam brand, you might find this overview of the company interesting: A Marantz AV amplifier is a good choice for movie and music performance if you dont want to pay the high prices of some receivers here. We also tested midpriced receivers from sibling brands Onkyo and Pioneer, with the intention of requesting some of their higher-end offerings if the less-expensive models proved promising. Look for full HDMI 2.1 compatibility. This means you can install a complete object-based surround sound speaker layout of 7.2.4 without adding any further amplification or 9.2.2 if you wish. Nothing in terms of features and performance but only suitable for those with a big budget. Flat-panel TVs are too thin to house good speakers. (We recommend banana plugs for ease of setup, but theyre not necessary). The AVR-X1700H is also a great choice for gamers who want their system to have full compatibility with all the latest advanced gaming features found on the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 game consoles, including the ability to pass through a 4K 120 Hz signal. However, this flagship model sits at the top of the AVENTAGE range of receivers designed by Yamahas engineers for the highest levels of audio performance. The connected speakers and how they interact with the room are the most significant impact on the sound that you hear. So while watching a movie in the main zone, you can play stereo music in zone 2, 3 or 4. As for the software setup, the on-screen interface does a great job of walking you through the process of connecting speakers, adding source devices, renaming source devices, configuring your home network, and so forth, in a way thats comprehensive without being insulting. Best AV receivers 2023: the top home cinema amplifiers we've - whathifi Onkyo TX-SR494 AV Receiver with 4K Ultra HD Product Highlights Our Score: 8.9 Brand: Onkyo Check Price Item Dimensions LxWxH: 17.13 x 15.94 x 6.3 inches Output Wattage: 160 Watts Item Weight: 21.27 Pounds Number of Channels: 7 Total HDMI Ports: 4 You can get away from spatial surround sound with this Onkyo device. Check Price. AV Receiver or AV Processor? What are the differences? It does a fantastic job of measuring your room and balancing out the frequency response, and its a great way to get an immersive surround sound experience in your room. One significant new feature in the latest AVENTAGE receivers is support for 8K/60 Hz video or 4K at 120 Hz. During our listening tests, we were unable to tell most of the receivers apart with their room correction disabled. Best For Explosions: Yamaha Most Expensive Stereo Receiver Buy on Amazon The most expensive stereo receiver should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. It is an exceptional choice for watching movies and TV, but it also sounds great as an amplifier for stereo music with its Class G amplification. If your current AV receiver works with all your AV components and has all the features you desire, you dont need to upgrade, as you likely wouldnt hear improved sound quality with a newer model unless you were to upgrade to one with better room correction. If youre still unsure and are looking for a particular sound, the only way is to hear them perform yourself. It also represents a modest but appreciable improvement over our previous upgrade pick, the now-discontinued AVR-X3700H. One of the main new features in this years release is support for 8K video. The main output supports the newer Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) which can help send high-resolution 3D audio from your TV apps to the receiver. The good news is that a high-quality home theater receiver will last for years. What Are Pre-Outs on Amplifiers and Receivers? - AudioCruiser.com You can connect the extra amplifier via the pre-out connections on the back. Best 11.2 Receiver Reviews Marantz SR8015 - best 11-channel receiver Let's begin the best High-End receivers review with the Marantz SR8015. Another noteworthy feature that we wouldnt have necessarily expected from a receiver at this price is Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, which mimics the effect of overhead speakers surprisingly well even if all the speakers are at ear level. Anthem is a Canadian company that has been making high-quality audio products for 20+ years. It also supports HDR10+, HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG high dynamic range content. They give an outstanding sound for movies and TV shows, work fine for stereo music if youre not too demanding, and have all the features most people need. When you fire the receiver up for the first time, you see a setup wizard that explains how to connect speakers, source devices, and the like. Best Budget AV Receivers 2023 [Top Entry-Level AVRs] If youre trying to get as close as possible to re-creating a genuine movie-theater experience at home, theres no replacement for a good AV receiver. Adding more network and wireless connection options is a valuable upgrade on the older FMJ AV receivers. Like most receivers produced today, the 2803 boasts Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES 6.1 extended-surround . Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks include overhead or height effects to make the audio experience even more immersive. The Anthem MRX 1140 is an 11-channel unit supporting two independent subwoofers outputs. This unit has dual 32-bit ESS SABRE ES9026PRO DACS for delivering high-quality sound that should satisfy all but the most demanding audiophile. This 5.2-channel AV receiver creates a powerful and advanced home theater experience with the latest in video and audio processing with Dolby Vision, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, wireless streaming and more. The first thing that takes the eye on the Denon AVR-X8500HA is the remarkable 13.2 channels. The Best AV Receivers for Most People - New York Times Are you searching for a new AV receiver to elevate your movie-watching experience? You also have plenty of options for routing audio into zones 2 and 3. The number of channels is the first thing that jumps out at you when looking at this AV receiver. AV receivers run the price gamut from a couple hundred dollars to well into four-figure territory. The AVR-X4800H, meanwhile, generally sells for $600 more the AVR-X3800H, but the only meaningful differences are 25 watts of extra rated power per channel (although the power supply is rated for only 50 watts of additional power overall) and an additional HDMI input. Indeed, in most cases, an AV Receiver is significantly cheaper than a more specialized AV Processor. Its great to see the new MRX models come with the latest ARC Genesis software. A Class G amplifier is much more complex and expensive to produce. Full processing suites from Dolby and DTS can be found in AV receivers costing as little as $500. An affordable and versatile receiver designed to deliver good sound quality for home theaters, the Denon AVR-X3700H Receiver delivers the best possible sound experience. Denons sibling company Marantz also has its own line of AV receivers, and were constantly getting questions from readers asking whether they should get a Denon or Marantz receiver. Inexpensive Home Theater Receiver - Best Buy Take, for example, the AVR-X2800H: It costs $500 more than the AVR-X1700H yet doesnt offer much by way of upgrades except for a little more power, a somewhat more robust power supply, and a second HDMI output. If you want to assemble a basic 5.1-channel surround-sound system and you dont have much (or any) experience setting one up, we recommend the Denon AVR-S570BT. Therefore, if you dont need the new features, you may get a bargain if you can find the older model in stock. Thats handy because youll find quite a bit to configure with the AVR-X1700H. For instance, when going through the guided setup, we reached a screen that asked us to choose a time zone, but a list of time zones wasnt available. . As you would expect from a high-end Marantz product, this receiver is built using their famous HDAM technology. Software, microphone, tripod even all the required cables, and you just need to supply the laptop. An AV receiver combines source switching, audio (and sometimes video) processing, speaker amplification, and volume control in one box. In the price ranges we covered with our testing, we were unable to tell most receivers apart when their room correction was not enabled. It has enough inputs for all of your source devicesfrom your 4K Blu-ray player to your streaming media device to your turntableand its much easier to install and operate than similarly priced competitors. Therefore, here are some more considerations that might be more important to you. The Sony STR-DH790 offers excellent value for the price. The Yamaha RX-A8A is an 11.2-channel receiver with full support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It is possible to play 3D content. You will need to buy either the MusicCast 20 or MusicCast 50 wireless speakers to enable this, which you can configure as your surround speakers in a 5.1 setup. So, what are the main features of the AVR-X8500HA? It does an exceptional job of producing a balanced and immersive surround sound experience. The Denon AVR-X1700H is our top choice because its a great-sounding receiver that holds your hand through the setup process and delivers excellent value. One of the rear inputs is HDMI 2.1 and supports uncompressed 8K/60p and 4K/120p. One interesting feature is the addition of XLR balanced audio inputs, which allows for receiving signals from professional audio hardware or any device with XLR audio outputs. This receiver is part of the Arcam HAD (High Definition Audio) range, andArcam released its top-end products under the FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) banner in the early years. Even better is its support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. 8. Of course, if you only want to use the built-in class G channels without buying more power amplifiers then you can set up a very nice 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X system. Only you know that. Yamaha is also falling behind Denon in features for the price, and the companys entry-level, Bluetooth-only receiver, the Yamaha RX-V385, isnt as easy to set up or use as our budget pick, the Denon AVR-S570BT. Five HDMI ports is probably the right number for most people, as it gives you inputs for every source youre likely to use in your home theater, with the option to add one or two more. AV receiver is a multi-channel device with digital audio stream decoders, tuner, and switcher for audio and video signals for use in home theater systems. The original AVR-X8500H was released in 2018. As you move up in price, you can expect a receiver to be able to connect to a home network (check for a wired or wireless network connection, if you have a preference) and to have built-in support for services like Spotify (so you dont have to cast the audio from your phone), as well as built-in streaming protocols such as Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast. Denon AVR-X6700H. We found that the type of room correction employed had the biggest impact on sound quality, providing big benefits for some receivers and only smaller improvements for others. Logitech. The receiver can also upscale 1080p and 4K video to 8K for output to your TV if required. But we did run into a few hiccups during the setup process. Check Price. But it can stream music only over Bluetooth, not Wi-Fibased platforms like AirPlay 2. Denon has removed the composite analog video inputs and outputs, but youre highly unlikely to need those at this point.