However, to get such a level of entertainment, the previous process is extremely difficult. Picking the best AV receiver according to your needs can turn out to be a dizzy process. And the reason behind this is the numerous features they come with and a heavy price. Don’t worry at all, we’ve done the homework for you. After conducting a tonne of research, finally, we’ve picked the top competitors. The list includes every price range of AV receivers. At the same time, only important features about them are mentioned to cut any potential confusion you might encounter. Some of the main factors you should take care of to distinguish better among the AV receivers are mentioned below. Connectivity Connectivity is the foremost thing to observe. As it would be of no use if the AV receiver becomes problematic while connecting multiple devices. Make sure, the AV receiver you get has at least four HDMI ports for convenience. HDR and DTS:X The HDR and the DTS:X are the latest technology to look for. Both of these technologies will ensure you’re getting the utmost audio and picture quality. Detailed information about the technologies is mentioned in the buying guide. For now, the only thing you need to make sure of is, your AV receiver should come with these technologies. There’s nothing to panic about if the above thing doesn’t come easily to you. A detailed “Buying Guide” is included at the bottom of this article for your help. Now, let’s jump and begin shopping.
Best AV Receivers Table
Best AV Receivers Reviews
1. Marantz SR5015 8K Ultra HD AV Receiver
The very first product on the list is from the family of the Marantz company. Their brand value has reached a whole new level in the professional sound industry. And this time with its SR5015 AV receiver, the same story follows on. Starting with the video features this AV receiver has some of the powerful specs to date. It supports the majority of the latest technologies such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and HDCP 2.2. At the same time, you can expect to get the joy of different HDR versions as well. On top of that, the Marantz SR5015 provides you with the utmost video processing. Now, nothing is there to limit you from watching the most realistic display. This machine can easily process 8K and 4K video resolution. The device’s powerful HDMI support is also up to the mark. Here, you’ll get the six HDMI inputs for the utmost device connectivity. You can also connect two video screens at the same time. Time for some basic specifications. This heavy aesthetic-looking AC receiver comes with 7.2 numbers of channels. Thus, you’ll not have to compromise to replicate the theatre-like experience at all. In the connectivity factor as well, the machine is flawless. You get both Wifi and Bluetooth for powerful connectivity. It allows you to connect the AV receiver with smart devices. THINGS WE LIKED:
8K and 4K upscaling Six HDMI Input ports Supports HDR, Dolby Atmos, and DTS: X techs.
THINGS WE DIDN’T LIKED:
Found nothing so far
2. Sony STRDH590 AV Receivers
Being the cheapest on the list, the Sony STRDH590 has the lowest features. However, if you particularly look at the AV Receiver’s feature, you’ll get a completely different story. If you’re running tight on budget and still want to cover all the essentials, this would be the perfect pick. The Sony STR D590 comes with 5.2 channels to provide you the utmost entertainment within the limited resources. Its powerful inputs list includes Dolby Vision support and a 4K HDR passthrough, which will provide you with a theatre-like experience. The next praisable thing about the Sony AV receiver is its auto-calibration. It automatically recognizes the distance between the people and the speakers to provide the optimal sound pressure. Thus, no matter where you set this up, there’ll be no difference in the sound quality. Its connectivity features are also up to the mark. Here you get 4 Stereo Rca Audio Inputs and 2 Digital Audio Outputs and much more. On the other hand, you can easily access the device with your smartphone via Bluetooth. THINGS WE LIKED:
Supports 4K HDR Budget pick Supports HDR, Dolby Atmos, and DTS: X techs.
THINGS WE DIDN’T LIKED:
The device doesn’t work with Apple Airplay
3. Denon AVR-X6700H AV Receiver
Starting with the video features that the AV receiver brings to you. Its 8k/60Hz and 4K/120Hz advanced processing will feel as if the displays have come alive. Moreover, with the support of top-notch technology like- Auro-3D, IMAX Enhanced, DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Atmos, and much more. The AVR-X6700H is completely ready for the upcoming gaming technology. It supports multiple technologies such as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). This makes sure the game will never lag and will display crisp displays throughout the gameplay. Needless to say, this heavy machine can be served with the majority of voice assistant devices. Whether it’s Alexa, Siri, or even Josh.ai, you’ll get complete control over the music with just a single voice command. The Denon AVR-X6700H is built to cover up your every entertainment needs. It’s loaded with insane features and technology. For the starter, this hefty AV comes with 11.2 channels. Thus, you can install different types of sound setups. All these channels are backed by a high power rating of 130Watts per channel. This ensures you get the crispest and realistic sound. THINGS WE LIKED:
130Watts per channel 11.2 channel Suitable for gaming as well.
THINGS WE DIDN’T LIKED:
Pricier
4. Marantz NR1711 8K Slim AV Receiver
Intriguingly, the NR1711 focuses more on the mid-range and aesthetic look. This AV receiver is sleek and will surely add more points to your theatre setup. Thus, getting complete entertainment without compromising on the styles. Let’s speculate more. The NR1711 comes with 7.2 surround sound for providing a theatre-like experience. Although, the price factor depends on the 50 Watts of power supply to these channels. To save you even more electric bills, the Eco mode reduces power consumption without compromising the quality of the sound. As usual, there’s something for the video and gaming format as well. Stating with the adoring multiple HDR support. The superior 8K upscaling with advanced technologies like HDR 10 and HDR 10+ will completely blow your mind. For gaming, the AV receiver provides you with Quick Media Switching (QMS) and ALLM. it ensures that you get zero lag even while messing with some of the high graphic video games. On the audio side, you can easily expect top-notch technologies such as Supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X & DTS Virtual:X. These features will create a crystal clear sound zone throughout the room. THINGS WE LIKED:
8K and 4K upscaling Eco mode to reduce power consumption Supports HDR, Dolby Atmos, and DTS: X techs.
THINGS WE DIDN’T LIKED:
50 Watts of power supply per channel.
5. Denon AVR-S750H AV Receiver
The Denon AVR-S750H focuses more on the budget-friendly range. There’s no doubt the device provides you with everything you’ll merely need. However, this time, the company has paid less attention to the gamers. This 7.2 channel receiver provides you with some of the recent technology for complaint-free entertainment. Whether it’s Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, everything is under your control. Moreover, with the powerful Heos and Airplay2, you get more surfing options as well. The six powerful HDMI Ports ensure you get the utmost physical connectivity. Although, the features like variable refresh rates might disappoint you in terms of gaming. Its other compatibility features include voice assistance and Bluetooth 5.0. Thus, the whole usage of AV receivers becomes more fun with your Alexa or the Google Home. THINGS WE LIKED:
Six HDMI ports EQ calibration system for powerful configuration
THINGS WE DIDN’T LIKED:
Not for gaming
6. Yamaha TSR-700 AV Receiver
Here comes the worthy competitor for the Denon AVR-S750H. Moreover, the Yamaha TSR-700 would be the best pick for you if you’re a Yamaha fan or prefer this over any other company. The general features are the same as the above. Although, the channels here you’ll get are 7.1 instead of 7.2. Despite being the 7.1 channel, the receiver provides 100 Watts of high power to all the channels. Thus, it ensures you receive only crisp and quality content. Moreover, to enhance the whole game, the receiver also plays with the latest YPAO with R.S.C. tuning capabilities. Here you can easily set up your AV receiver according to your will. Unlike the Denon AVR-S750H, where gamers will get a sigh of relief. This AV receiver has got your back in both the audio and gaming space. Needless to say, for audio, you’ll get advanced techs- Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Neural:X. On the other hand, the gamers can expect high-quality features (ALLM, VRR, QFT, QMS) for an advanced gaming experience. The same thing goes with the video format as well. Here you can easily get the 8K and 4K pass through with the supports of multiple HDMI ports. Also, the device is compatible with every voice assistance such as Alexa, Siri, and Google Home. THINGS WE LIKED:
Voice control compatibility Good pick for gamers as well. 100 Watts of power supply to every channel
THINGS WE DIDN’T LIKED:
Found nothing so far
7. Pyle Hi-Fi Bluetooth AV Receiver
This AV receiver is from the heart of the USA itself, Pyle. Pyle’s products are generally known for providing innovative solutions without reaching too high a budget. And its Pyle PT694BT would be the best player to recall the company’s value. The best part of the Pyle PT694BT is it easily allows you to settle within the budget of only 200 dollars. Compared to the features you receive here makes it the best in its race. For starters, the appearance of the AV receiver is pretty basic and has a vented design to tackle heat dissipation. The 5.2 surround sound will let you build a mini replica of the theatre at the home. Being able to attach the two subwoofers gives you an additional benefit as compared to the other budget-friendly options. Each of these speakers will operate in 100 Watts of power. Its 4K HD support doesn’t limit you with technological advancement. Here, you can easily use the 4K TV for the utmost viewing experience. The Pyle PT694BT is equipped with every basic need. The list includes- Gen Audio DSP sound processing technology and controls for echo, bass, treble, microphone, and volume adjustments. Having these features under the arsenal is more than enough for your entertainment needs. THINGS WE LIKED:
Budget-friendly 100 Watts of power supply to every channel
THINGS WE DIDN’T LIKED:
Found nothing so far
8. Pioneer VSX-534 Smart AV Receiver
Pioneer is also referred to as the hidden gem of this industry. Many people have started to trust their products lately. And the Pioneer VSX-534 would be one of the main reasons behind it. Let’s have a deeper look at what this 5.2 AV receiver is capable of. Here, you’ll get the utmost support to experience one of the finest audio quality. The receiver includes most of the top-notch techs to do so. This list includes DTS:X Playback and Dolby Atmos. Apart from all the technical specifications, the one thing that makes this Pioneer stand apart is the personal preset feature. By pressing the preset button on the front panel, you can easily bring your general settings alive. The device can easily store up to three preset settings. With the power of six HDMI support, and multiple HDR modes, you’ll barely have any complaints on the video part. At the same time, you also get the 4:4:4 color space for utmost display quality. However, the receiver will not be able to provide the 8k upscaling here. THINGS WE LIKED:
Budget pick 4:4:4 color space Supports HDR, Dolby Atmos, and DTS: X techs.
THINGS WE DIDN’T LIKED:
8K upscaling not available
9. Marantz SR8015 11.2 Channel AV Receiver
This one is the humongous monster in terms of the power it provides to you. The Marantz SR8015 is by far one of the most powerful AV receivers among all the members. If you’re willing to spend more dollars to get the utmost entertainment experience, do consider this. The Marantz SR8015 comes with huge numbers of 11.2 (two subwoofers) channels. Each one of them can carry a maximum power of 140 Watts. You can easily guess the amount and quality of output to the receiver from this system. Needless to say, this AV receiver supports all of the necessary audio technologies. This includes Dolby Atmos, DTS:X (both versions, general and Pros 3D). In addition to this, there’s something new here as well. The SR8015 is equipped with Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization and Virtual:X edition of DTS. Thus, no worries if you’re lacking with tall or overhead speakers, the SR8015 is enough to cover them all. The AV receivers spare no effort in the video format as well. Here, the advancement reaches up to 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz of passthrough and even upscaling of these audio signals. On top of that, every HDR format is also supported at the same time (from HDR 10 to Dolby Vision). Good news for gamers as well. The Marantz SR8015 looks after variable refresh rates, Quick Frame Transport, and much more. Playing high demanding MOBA games would be more fun and realistic here. THINGS WE LIKED:
140 Watts per channel 11.2 channel Suitable for gaming as well.
THINGS WE DIDN’T LIKED:
Found nothing so far
10. Marantz SR7015 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver
Well, the topmost product of the Marantz is just revealing the genius of the company. This time, the SR7015 is here to cover even one step ahead. It’s more powerful and provides more connections than most of the other models. This hefty AV receiver will cost you around 2500 dollars. If the budget is not an issue for you, there’s no doubt the SR7015 would be one of the best investments of your life. It delivers 125 Watts of high power per channel. Thus, providing you with the crispest and clear sound. In the video section too, the machine is unbeatable. You can easily enjoy watching the most realistic display with the help of 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough. The best part? 8K upscaling is available through every channel of the receiver. Some of the praisable audio features you can expect here are- Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology. The height virtualization technology will give you more realistic sounds without the need for those height speakers. THINGS WE LIKED:
125 Watts per channel 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough Suitable for gaming as well.
THINGS WE DIDN’T LIKED:
Looks bulky
AV Receiver Buying Guide
By just looking at the list and finalizing the AV receiver will require decent brain work. The reason behind this is there are too many worthy competitors. And this is where the buying guide will help you out. Going through it will give you much clarity and allow you to make a bold and satisfying decision.
1. Pay Attention to the Connections
The foremost thing to consider is the connectivity flexibility you’ll get. None of us will want the inability to connect your home’s existing device or the one you’re planning to. I’ll highly advise you to make a list of all the connectable devices you’ve or are wondering about. Making a list here will help you to compare the AV receivers more precisely. However, the bottom line here would be to have at least four HDMI ports. By clearing the minimum criteria, you’ll not have to worry about the connectivity of devices (such as Playstation, ROKU TV, BlueRay player). After clearing the bottom line, the next thing you should look for is your priorities. Wondering to use your AV receiver as a turntable or a DJ mixer? A phono input will do wonders for you.
2. Compatible with your TV
This huge investment will be of no use if you can’t access every feature of your TV with the device. Television is coming with the latest technology every single day. In such a situation it becomes a genuine question of how much the AV receiver is compatible. One of the important factors you should look at in your TV is whether it’s okay with 4K/8K switching or not. Here’s the details about it.
3. 4K Switching
As we all know the 4K display is the most advanced display quality to this date. Here your experience of watching movies and stuff changes completely. But before that, you’ll need an AV receiver that is good with 4K switching. The quality of the 4K display and sound will depend on your AV receiver. If it’s good with that, your entertainment experience will be of a different level. The same story goes with the 8K upscaling as well.
4. Wifi
Nowadays every device comes with Wifi compatibility, even televisions as well. This makes the whole connectivity game a lot easier. As of now, there would be no need to deal with those tangled long wires for getting access to Netflix or audio systems. For the same reason, the AV receiver you’re considering should also come with Wifi connectivity. In this way, you’re ensuring an effective and hassle-free entertainment experience.
5. DTS:X & HDR Formats
DTS:X
DTS:X is one of the latest audio technologies that has captured the whole market within no time. It has become one of the key plays to provide the most immersive sound zone. With that being said, it’s competing for a toe-to-toe with the Dolby Atmos for the dominance trophy. But, what’s in it for you? Because of such high competition, the top-notch AV receivers provide you with the benefit of both technologies.
HDR
The HDR is the key component to get the best video quality out there. It stands for “High Dynamic Range” and has become one of the favorite technologies for manufacturers. It’s best known to boost the display quality of the TV with the best configuration of contrast and colors. Most of the AV receivers support both versions of HDR for your convenience. Look out for these devices to make sure you get the best watching experience.
6. Number of Channels
The main game changes here. Most of us are completely clueless about what these channels mean and their importance. Let’s have a look at them and try to resolve this once and for all In layman’s terms consider channels as the number of speakers. So, what is the minimum channel requirement you’ll need? Two speakers (left and right) are mostly what everyone’s used to. But, is there any limit to human entertainment? The rule of thumb here would be the more channels you’re equipped with, the more theatrical experience you’ll get. In the space of the AV receiver, the bottom line to go with would be 5 channels. Anything below this will fail to provide you with the home theatre experience. On the other hand, going with the 11 or 13 channels will cost you a decent amount. But if money isn’t an issue, you should surely experience the utmost entertainment. However, a sweet spot in the AV receiver would be to go for 7 or 9 channels. Here, you’ll experience the rich quality and will save some money as well.
7. Space Occupancy
This is one of the most ignored factors in the AV receiver buying process. You should be concerned about providing some free space to these hefty machines. And the simple reason behind that is heat emission. An AV receiver with 5-11 amps will surely generate a decent level of heat. And as we all know, heat is the biggest enemy of any tech device or machine. Make sure you’re leaving a ventilated space of at least 6 to 10 inches for the utmost safety of the device. If you’re more concerned about heat dissipation, there are fan-equipped AV Receiver cases. Those will be much help here. Another thing to make sure here is, AV receivers are becoming heavier every day, make sure the case is not made from cheap plastic.
Conclusion:
The competition among these AV receivers is no joke. Even if you’ve decided your budget range, many competitors are still left to take part in your final decision. This is why referring to the buying guide becomes extremely important here. Going through every factor precisely will surely make your task a lot easier. There are high chances that you’re still clueless about your final decision. In such a situation, you should go with my favorite. The Marantz SR5015 8K Ultra HD AV Receiver would be the sweetest spot on the list. It provides enough features and comes in a mid-budget range. At the same time, it’s tested by thousands of happy customers. Did we forget to mention any worthy competitor in the list? Do let us and others know by commenting below. At the same time, mention your doubts (if any) regarding the AV receiver in the comment section. Our team will reach out to you in a short while. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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