The Best Home Cinema AV Recievers and Amplifiers Pick from the Best AV Receivers and Amplifiers in Somerset Devon and The South West

Pick from the Best AV Receivers and Amplifiers in Somerset, Devon and The South West

The Best AV receivers 2024

180W per channel 9.4 8K AV amplifier with 3D audio, amazing picture quality, Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X®, and the latest HDMI HDR10+ technology, Dolby Vision™, and 8K video.

The new CINEMA 50 AV Receiver is perfect for high performance home theaters due to it’s power. Marantz have packed the CINEMA 50 with 9 channels, 7 8K HDMI inputs as well as 2 HDMI outputs and an additional 4K HDMI out.

The latest flagship A/V receiver from Pioneer: The Elite VSX-LX805 with comprehensive feature set. Aluminium heat sinks, high-grade 18,000uf rated capacitors, optimum noise reduction and signal clarity, 32-bit ESS ES9026PRO Hyperstream® audiophile DACs.

£3,099.00REFERENCE 9.4 Channel AV Amplifier with 125W, 8K AND 7 HDMI INPUTS. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X AV Amplifier

The Marantz Cinema 60 DAB is a high-performance 7.2 channel 100W AV receiver featuring Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 8K Ultra HD, and HEOS Built-in streaming.

Slimline 7.2 Channel AV Receiver with 50W, 8K 6 x HDMI, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X & 8K Ultra HD

The AVR-X2800H DAB 7.2 Ch. 150W 8K AV Receiver with HEOS® Built-in and DAB+ from Denon provides high quality audio for your hi-fi needs.

Elevate your home theatre experience with the Yamaha RX-A6A AV Receiver, designed for audiophiles seeking unparalleled sound quality and features.

£2,190.00Marantz CINEMA 30 delivers high-performance 11.4 channel audio, 8K video support, and extensive connectivity for an immersive home theatre.

Elevate Your Entertainment Space with the Monitor Audio Bronze & Marantz Home Cinema Bundle

£3,299.00Elevate your home cinema with Monitor Audio Radius Bundle, featuring powerful Bronze W10 subwoofer and immersive surround sound.

£1,550.00Experience immersive audio with the Yamaha RX-A2A AV Receiver, designed for home theater enthusiasts seeking powerful performance.

£799.0011.2ch 8K AV Surround Pre-Amplifier with 3D Audio and HEOS Built-in

High-performance audio/visual processor

£3,995.00Marantz AMP 10 16ch Reference Home Cinema Power Amplifier

13.2 CHANNEL HOME THEATRE EXPERIENCE

Premium 8K 9.2 channel AV Surround Amplifier

15.2 Pre-Amplifier / 11 Amplifier Channel A/V receiver with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced.

£4,150.0011.2 Processor With 7 Amplifier Channels

£2,650.007.2 Pre-Amplifier / 5 Amplifier Channel A/V receiver with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced.

£2,000.007.1 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X AV Receiver 7 X 60W Per Channel

£2,399.00Transform your audio experience with the Yamaha RX-A4A AV Receiver, engineered for audiophiles seeking superior sound quality and performance.

£1,170.00The AV receiver, not only powers the whole system, it’s the brains behind the whole system. The AV receiver’s job is to receive, interpret, and process the TV audio signal (via the SkyQ, Streaming Devices or Terrestrial Freeview/Freesat providers) coming into the house before sending it along to the TV and speakers.

An AV receiver is at the centre of a home cinema system, it controls and drives your home cinema. Without one, you just have a TV or Projector. Below is key information on what an AV Receiver does in a Home Cinema.

• Connects and switches your audio sources: Each audio source in your home cinema connects directly to your AV receiver. To enable the audio of this source, the AV Receiver changes to the source appropriate for that media.
• Connect and switch your video sources: Each of your video source devices is connected directly to the AV receiver, which is connected in turn to your TV or Projector. This is a step-change from connecting each source into the TV, as it eliminates the requirement to change the TV.
• Tunes in radio programming: Most AV Receivers include a radio tuner, with a large percentage of AV Receivers having the ability to stream Spotify or other media sources via a Bluetooth connection. Most Radio stations are Digital, which is great for the AV Receiver, as you’ll be able to play your favourite online radio station from this device.
• Decodes surround-sound formats: AV Receivers can decode analogue and digital surround-sound formats. is a feature that distinguishes an A/V receiver from a more traditional stereo receiver (the plain old stereo you’ve had around for years).
• The AV Receiver Amplifies audio signals to drive multiple speakers: Installing a Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Surround Sound Home Cinema System will require an amplifier that understands speaker placement, distance from a seated position, and type of movie/content.

AV Receivers are designed with Software and Hardware that enables these devices to amplify sounds to each of the speakers. - The user interfaces for your home cinema: Control of the whole system can be done with a single remote control, the displays on the receiver’s face, and (in many cases) an onscreen display on your television.

Home Cinema Receivers. You will need a home cinema AV receiver with no less than five channels and one subwoofer output to operate your home cinema. We highly recommend getting an AV receiver with Dolby Atmos onboard and seven channels at a minimum, but only if your room can support it and you plan to keep your audio system for a while. Not only will this allow you to future-proof your system, but you’ll also guarantee a cinema-like audio experience at home. A good home cinema AV receiver can perform many functions, such as: • Correctly interpret all audio data and assign a channel to each speaker. • Send the above to any additional wired and wireless speakers throughout the house. (A good receiver = your home’s main audio hub and/or party machine.) • If it’s wireless, it will be able to stream anything from anywhere. Your music library, your favourite streaming music stations, and so on. • Allow your Blu-ray player to shine with stellar sound. • Switch among multiple “sound” modes, from Dolby Cinema Surround Sound to Live Cafe to Stereo (for your music), and other modes. Though less expensive receivers may have all the features and functions you want, they typically don’t have the muscle required to do things well. Think scooters vs. motorcycles. Though both have two wheels and an engine, and both will get you across town, only one does it is breathtaking, exhilarating, hold-on-tight style.

Other options? Go with a preamp and amp. If you have the budget, go with separate processing components. With both an amp and a preamp, you’re not relying on one unit (the AV receiver) to do both signal distribution and amplification. Instead, you have a unit (the preamp) that is designed to do distribution and a unit (the amp) that is designed to amplify. Want something better? Add more dedicated amps! Simply said, the more power they have, the less they have to work to make it sound really good.

Most AV receivers include Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for adding even more sound channels, with the addition of height channel speakers, or they can, of course, play vanilla 5.1 surround sound. Expect HDMI inputs that can pass through 4K (and even 8K) and HDR video, with voice assistant support, Bluetooth wireless audio and Apple AirPlay extras on a fair number of models these days.

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The Best AV Receivers Top Sound For Home Theater If you want to excite your home theater experience and add surround sound you should know how to choose the best AV receiver for your needs.

If you want to excite your home theater experience and add surround sound, you should know how to choose the best AV receiver for your needs.

All your audio and video components may be combined into one simple-to-use system by AV receivers, which provides excellent sound quality and performance. Choosing the best AV receiver is crucial whether you want to outfit a small media room or set up a big video viewing space.

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high-end audio systems & home automation Explore high-end audio systems headphones AV equipment home theater and automation products by top AV manufacturers. Perfect for audiophiles.

Explore high-end audio systems, headphones, AV equipment, home theater, and automation products by top AV manufacturers. Perfect for audiophiles.

At AV Luxury Group, we specialize in comprehensive home automation services, offering expert installation and integration of a wide range of smart devices and systems. Our expertise covers smart thermostats, advanced lighting systems, security cameras, home audio and video systems, and much more.

The primary goal of our automation services is to enhance the efficiency, convenience, and security of your home. By enabling homeowners to control and monitor their systems and devices remotely via smartphones or other internet-connected devices, we help reduce energy consumption, bolster home security, and create a more comfortable living environment. Our solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate into your daily life, making home management more intuitive and enjoyable.

We take pride in delivering customized solutions tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each homeowner. Our approach ensures that your automation system is specifically designed to fit your lifestyle and preferences. In addition to installation, we provide ongoing support and maintenance services to keep your systems running smoothly and effectively. Our commitment is to ensure that your home automation experience is as seamless and beneficial as possible, with reliable performance and responsive support to meet your evolving needs.

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Check these out HDMI CableCablesTurntablesDemo ClearanceDiscover a meticulously curated selection of the finest audio brands, each chosen with care to ensure an unparalleled listening experience. Our collection features some of the most respected names in the industry, including Focal, Magico, Aurender, Bayz A We do not share or sell your information.

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AV Receivers Home Theater Receivers - Yamaha USA

The top rated AV receiver from Yamaha, the AVENTAGE, is a dramatic and inspired leap forward in audio/video component design.

AVENTAGE brings studio grade sound and sophisticated video enhancements to your home with unparalleled attention to detail in design, engineering, and fabrication. We rethought every electrical path, every part, every piece, and every material to maximize performance. Details that at first glance would not seem to affect the quality of sight, sound, and control, when brought together in an AVENTAGE component, produce a work of visual and acoustic art.

RX-V Series AV receivers — the direct result of everything we learned from the AVENTAGE Series — leverage peak sound and video technologies to create the best value you can find in an AV receiver. Enjoy amazing power, 8K video, the latest specification HDMI inputs, YPAO room calibration, streaming and MusicCast wireless multi-room audio — all with the world-renowned build quality expected from Yamaha.

The best AV receivers in 2024 Popular Science We’ve rounded up some of the best AV receivers available. Check out what makes these AV receivers stand out and find the perfect one for you!

We’ve rounded up some of the best AV receivers available. Check out what makes these AV receivers stand out and find the perfect one for you! These audio-video receivers give you vast connectivity for all your sources.

By Mike Levine

Updated on Oct 26, 2023 4:15 PM EDT

Marantz Cinema 70S

See It

Sony STR-AN1000

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Denon AVR-S570BT

See It -

We considered dozens of the best AV receivers and amplifiers for this story and focus on those that offer overall excellence in their price range. We also wanted to present products that excel for specific applications, such as gaming or audiophilemusic listening or multichannel surround sound. All our recommended units are made by solid, reputable companies and should give you years of excellent performance. The PopSci writers and editors have decades of combined experience writing about technology and home theater gear. These recommendations are a mixture of first-hand experience, spec comparisons, user impressions, peer recommendations, and scouring critical AV receiver reviews.

The best AV receivers: Reviews & Recommendations

The best AV receivers integrate the various components of your home theater and music system. Most offer optical and analog (RCA) inputs in addition to their HDMI ports. That way, AVRs can incorporate digital sources like Blu-ray players, streaming devices, game consoles, smart TVs, analog turntables (although you might need a phono preamp), or older CD or DVD players. AVRs receive audio over the internet (some by WiFi and others Ethernet) and via Bluetooth from your mobile devices; many can provide wireless multiroom audio. A home theater with a music system and maybe a gaming system would be unmanageable without an AV receiver as its nerve center. You can assume that each AVR we mention includes a remote control and a setup/calibration system.

Best overall: Marantz Cinema 70S

Best audiophile AV receiver

An AVR for Discriminating Listeners

See It

An AVR for Discriminating Listeners

See It Why it made the cut: Get it for the Marantz sound quality and enough channels for true Dolby Atmos.

Specs

• Channels: 7.2
• Power: 50W per channel (into 8 Ohms, THD: 0.07%, 2-ch driven)
• HDMI ports: 6in/1 out
• Highest Video Supported: 8K

Pros

• High-quality Marantz audio
• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, both hardwired and virtual.
• Built-in HEOS

Cons

• Remote lacks backlight

Marantz’s 70S packs the performance of a full-sized AV receiver into a package compact enough to fit in most media centers. It supports Dolby Atmos audio, can pass through Dolby Vision video at 8K, and even has a built-in phono preamp.

In our tests, the Cinema 70S was surprisingly simple to set up. We plugged in our Q Acoustics 3020i bookshelf speakers and Q Acoustics 3050i towers, connected the receiver to a Sony OLED 55-inch BRAVIA XR A80L Series 4K Ultra HD TV using an HDMI cable, and followed the on-screen instructions, which walked us through testing each speaker to ensure it was connected correctly. We could also connect the receiver to our WiFi network using a pair of included antennas, enabling the ability to stream media from Apple devices using AirPlay 2. There’s also a built-in Ethernet port if you’d prefer to hardwire your setup completely. Within 15 minutes of unboxing the sleek but substantial feeling receiver, we were up and running.

We filled most of the Cinema 70S’ HDMI inputs with all three current-generation game consoles, the latest Apple TV 4K, and connected a Denon DCD-900NE CD player to one set of its RCA inputs. We had no problem using the Apple TV to stream Dolby Atmos tracks, playing Xbox Series X games like Diablo IV with Dolby Vision enabled, and enjoying every bit—pardon the pun—of our CD collection through Denon’s latest player. There were no ticks or dropouts during our hours of playing and listening, either.

Devices connected to the Cinema 70S over HDMI have the ability to wake the receiver and TV using their respective remotes, which makes jumping into a game or using the Apple TV to stream media more convenient. The receiver always recognized when a device was turned on and automatically switched to the correct input. We could tell this was true because the receiver would show the connected device’s name (and its current volume level) on the tiny screen built into its circular portal-like screen.

Overall, we were incredibly pleased with how well Marantz’s Cinema 70S performed under several circumstances, and its variety (and quantity) of inputs mean it’ll likely be your one-stop shop for both analog and digital music listening and video watching. Some nice-to-have features (like backlit buttons on its remote) were missing, but the core functionality far exceeded our expectations, especially given its incredibly reasonable size.

Best 4K under $500: Yamaha RX-4VA

Best AV receiver under $500

A Lot for Less

Solid features for the money, including future support of 8K. See It

A Lot for Less

Solid features for the money, including future support of 8K. See It Why it made the cut: It offers a surprisingly rich feature set for the money if you don’t need every bell and whistle.

Specs

• Channels: 5.2
• Power: 80W per channel (into 6 ohms, 0.06% THD)
• HDMI ports: 4 in/1 out
• Highest video supported: 4K currently, 8K upgrade via firmware available soon

Pros

• Affordable price for a surround-capable receiver
• Supports multiple video and music formats
• Will support 8K and VRR, QMS, ALLM and QFT with a future firmware update

Cons

• Requires (free) HDMI board replacement for 4K/120Hz gaming
• No Dolby Atmos height virtualization or DTS Virtual:X support
• No phono input

This 5.2-channel unit makes a solid centerpiece for home theater, gaming, and music listening. With four HDMI 2.1 inputs and an eARC output—along with optical, coaxial, and analog RCA inputs (but no phono inputs for a turntable)—it’s compatible with a wide range of gear. The unit supports Dolby and DTS surround sound decoding, streaming via WiFi, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, and can be voice-controlled with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

The RX-4VA comes with Yamaha’s MusicCast multiroom system (minus the speakers, of course), allowing you to connect with other compatible Yamaha components wirelessly. A USB port lets you play music from an external storage device.

On the negative side, the RX-4VA doesn’t support virtualized Dolby Atmos or DTS Virtual:X. It’s also one of the receivers whose chipset has an HDMI 2.1 bug that cannot handle 4K/120Hz gaming for Xbox Series X or NVIDIA RTX30. Fortunately, Yamaha offers a free HDMI board update program to fix it. Although it supports HDMI 2.1, it doesn’t support 8K out of the box. However, Yamaha will soon offer a firmware update that will add 8K capabilities as well as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low-Latency Mode), QMS (Quick Media Switching), and QFT (Quick Frame Transport), which are HDMI 2.1 features designed to enhance gaming. Together, this makes it a top-value 4K AV receiver that retails for $599 but is typically offered under $500 and is future-proofed for when 8K flatscreens come down to a more approachable price.

Best 7.2: Denon AVR-X2800H

Best AV receiver under $1,000

It’s got the goods

See It

It’s got the goods

See It Why it made the cut: This mid-priced AVR has a full feature set and is ready for the future.

Specs

• Channels: 7.2
• Power: 95W per channel (into 8 ohms, THD: 0.08%)
• HDMI ports: 6 in /2 out
• Highest video supported: 8K

Pros

• Broad multichannel format support
• Lots of connectivity options
• 8K video pass-through

Cons

• Dirac support requires jumping up to a higher-priced model

Surround sound used to be synonymous with 5.1 speaker configurations, but the advent of Dolby Atmos and other “3D” audio formats have helped usher in the era of 7.2 systems. Denon’s AVR-X2800H is well-equipped for this job, serving up a solid 90W of power per channel and supporting Dolby Atmos, Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X surround audio formats.

Virtual surround sound formats will never be able to usurp or equal the experience of additional physical speakers, but they’re nice to have as you build your setup. Beyond HDMI ports, the AVR-X2800H is stacked with RCA, optical audio, and coaxial inputs. There’s even a built-in phono preamp if you plan on hooking up your turntable to the receiver.

Audio is important when selecting the right AV receiver, but it’s only one-half of the equation. The AVR-X2800H also delivers on the “V” side of things by passing through 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz video and supporting the latest HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG. If you plug in a game console or 4K Blu-Ray player, you will like what you see and hear.

On the wireless connectivity front, the AVR-X2800H stacks up well, too. It supports Apple’s AirPlay, Bluetooth, HEOS, and can be integrated into Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant smart home ecosystems. It feels like the only protocol this receiver doesn’t support is Dirac Live, an optional piece of software that continuously analyzes your room to adjust and optimize your speakers’ output. If that sounds appealing, you’ll need to jump up to Denon’s AVR-X3800H, a 9.4-channel stereo receiver that’s even more immersive (but also pricier).

If you’re looking to expand your surround sound system beyond five channels and a single subwoofer, Denon’s AVR-X2800H should be your first choice.

Best for home theater:Arcam AVR31

Best high-end AV receiver

Master of Multichannel

16-channels of processing See It

Master of Multichannel

16-channels of processing See It Why it made the cut: It can process up to 16 channels of multichannel audio.

Specs

• Channels: 7.2
• Power: 120W per channel (into 8 ohms at 0.02% THD, 2-ch driven)
• HDMI ports: 7in/3 out (HDMI 2.1)
• Highest Video Supported: 8K

Pros

• 16 channels of processing
• Broad multichannel format support
• Dirac Live room correction tailors the sound to your room’s acoustics (microphone included)
• Class G amplification provides excellent sound
• Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, MQA, and Roon support

Cons

• No phono input for turntable two-channel use
• Price

Arcam’s high-end AV receiver offers seven Class G amplification channels, offering better efficiency than the typical Class B or AB designs. It also can process 16 channels simultaneously. Using its preamp-outs to feed an additional power amp, you could configure a 15.2 system. The AVR31 has Dirac Live room correction and a measurement mic to calibrate all those speakers correctly.

Moreover, it offers broad support of multichannel audio formats: Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, Digital Plus, DTS:X (but not DTS:X Pro), IMAX Enhanced, and Auro 3D. From an HDMI standpoint, it offers seven in and three out, including one eARC output. All HDMI is 2.1, supporting 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz signals (but no VRR/ALLM). HDCP 2.3 technology and Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG support even ensure compatibility with 4K and 8K Ultra HD sources and TVs. But there isn’t really 8K content to concern yourself with, so if your goal is a pure signal path and clean power that can convey any soundtrack’s every nuance, you’ll get what you pay for (and you’ll pay around $5,500 on average).

Unlike Arcam’s previous generation, the AVR31 has Bluetooth Audio w/ aptX HD, WiFi, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast support, and an FM tuner. You’ll need a phono preamp to connect a turntable. But overall, if you’re looking to set up a massive multichannel system in a dedicated home theater, especially if you’re installing numerous wall-mountable speakers, etc., the AVR31 makes an outstanding central hub to build around.

More interested in the A rather than the V when it comes to an AVR? If streaming music is your primary pursuit, ARCAM recently unveiled the Radio Series, featuring two-channel integrated amplifiers that can receive audio from every source imaginable except HDMI.

Best for gaming: Sony STR-AN1000

Sony STR-AN1000

See It See It Specs

• Channels: 7.2
• Power: 165W per channel (into 8 ohms, with 0.9 % THD, 1-ch driven)
• HDMI ports: 6in/2out (eARC)
• Highest Video Supported: 8K

Pros

• Supports 4K video output at 120Hz
• Compatible with Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log Gamma and IMAX Enhanced High Dynamic Range
• Works with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Virtual: X, and DTS X Pro surround formats

Cons

• No tuner or phono inputs

While many people now associate Sony strongly with the PlayStation 5, the company has a long history in personal audio (well before we could afford AV receivers, we couldn’t live without our Walkman, hello). And its STR-AN1000 is a slam dunk regardless of your preferred next-gen. gaming console. Its most important feature is its ability to pass 4K video at 120Hz courtesy of its HDMI 2.1 ports, which allows you to play games at up to 120 frames per second. Most games still top out at 60 frames per second for technical reasons, but cutting-edge titles that push the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X to their limits can take advantage of it.

Similarly, the receiver can pass through Dolby Vision HDR video, the high dynamic range format supported by the latest consoles. The STR-AN1000 can also pass through 8K video at 60 frames per second, which gives you a nice cushion when it comes to future-proofing your setup alongside a Mini-LED 8K TV. Visuals are the most important factor to consider when choosing an AV receiver specifically for gaming, but that doesn’t mean audio doesn’t count.

Both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have titles with a Dolby Atmos mix, and other surround sound formats have been commonplace in games for a couple of console generations. The STR-AN1000 supports all major surround sound formats and can be connected to seven sets of speakers and a pair of subwoofers. You’re covered if you have the space for a 7.2 speaker setup for your gaming rig.

Some of this AV receiver’s shortcomings, like the lack of a radio tuner and phono input, are forgivable, given its eye toward the future. Support for wireless streaming protocols like Apple’s AirPlay 2 and Google’s Chromecast, compatibility with Sonos’ hardware ecosystem, and the ability to control the receiver using a Google Home-compatible speaker more than make up for it.

The STR-AN1000 is an excellent AV receiver whether you’re playing the latest games, or using your console for video streaming or 4K Blu-Ray playback. And if you decide you want more connectivity and current at the heart of your system and you have the expanded budget to match, a January 2023 press event unveiled additional top-tier contenders for AVR receiver of the year.

Best low profile: Marantz NR1711

Best AV receiver for PS5

Pint-Sized Powerhouse

Marantz sound quality in a half-height unit that gamers will love. See It

Pint-Sized Powerhouse

Marantz sound quality in a half-height unit that gamers will love. See It Why it made the cut: The half-size frame and full feature set will appeal to anyone with a space-limited home theater setup.

Specs

• Channels: 7.2
• Power: 50W per channel (into 8 ohms, with 0.08 % THD, 2-ch driven)
• HDMI ports: 6in/1out (eARC)
• Highest Video Supported: 8K

Pros

• Slimline form factor saves space
• 8K support provides future-proofing
• Comprehensive implementation of Dolby and DTS multichannel formats

Cons

• Only 50W per channel

The NR1711 is a diminutive 3.5 inches in height, about half that of the typical AVR. Yet somehow, Marantz was able to engineer it with a competitive feature set for its $800 price range. Because of its half-sized housing, Marantz had to scale down the amplifier size, so its power output is only 50W per channel. But unless you’re setting it up in a large room, it should still give you plenty of oomph.

Gamers short on space will appreciate the NR1711’s “Slimline” form factor. They’ll also love its 8K support, which will serve them well for the next generation of gaming consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Home theater buffs will appreciate the impressive list of surround formats supported by the NR1711, such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Speaker Virtualizer, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Surround. DTS is also well represented with DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, DTS Neural:X, and DTS Digital Surround, to name just some.

You can set up and calibrate your system with built-in Audyssey MultiEQ, Dynamic EQ, and Dynamic Volume processors. If you want to spin some vinyl, the NR1711 sports phono inputs alongside its other analog I/O. Additional goodies include Bluetooth, WiFi support, AirPlay 2, HEOS, and Alexa support.

Best budget: Denon AVR-S570BT

Best budget AV receiver

Surround for Less

See It

Surround for Less

See It Why it made the cut: It offers a low-cost path into the surround-sound world.

Specs

• Channels: 5.2
• Power: 70W per channel RMS at 8 ohms, 0.07 percent THD, two channels driven.
• HDMI ports: 4in/1out (ARC)
• Highest video Supported: 8K HDR pass-through

Pros

• Low price for a 5.2-compatible AV Receiver
• 8K video pass-through and Dolby Vision support
• Quality sonics

Cons

• No Atmos support

The Denon AVR-S570BT is an entry-level AVR that can handle Ultra-HD content such as 4K Blu-ray and HDR video, and play audio encoded in most of the latest surround sound formats. It lacks Dolby Atmos support, which will be a sticking point if you’re living on the cutting edge, but beyond that, it’s remarkably capable.

Its most impressive feature is its 8K video pass-through capability, which comes courtesy of HDMI 2.1 ports. It also impresses on the video side by supporting 4K video pass-through at 120Hz and Dolby Vision HDR, which is the format used for the latest video games and 4K video releases. Ultimately, anyone on a budget will find a lot to like about this receiver.

We mentioned the AVR-S570BT’s only audio fault earlier, but its lack of Atmos support isn’t a big deal, given the receiver’s price. It does support Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, so any game or film soundtrack with a 5.1 surround sound mix will sound correct. The AVR-S570BT is also compatible with Apple’s AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth for wireless music streaming.

Overall, if you’re not trying to keep up with the latest and greatest but want to watch movies or play games in 5.1 surround sound, the Denon AVR-S570BT will get you there for less without sacrificing very much.

What to consider when shopping for the best AV receivers

You have many variables to consider with a product as complex as an AVR. Some essential questions include: Can it support what I have (or want to have) in my system? How many HDMI inputs do I need to cover all my gear and have at least one leftover for expansion? Does it support the main surround format I plan to use? Does it deliver enough power per channel to give me plenty of distortion-free volume, given the size of my room? Does it offer 8K support so that I’m future-proofed? Does it have phono inputs for my turntable? Do I need to match my speakers to an AVR? The best AV receivers cover a pretty extensive range of features and prices. Look for the one that will best meet the needs of your current or planned home theater setup.

Is 8K video capability important in an AV receiver?

Right now, 8K isn’t necessary because there’s precious little 8K content available, even if you have an 8K TV. But that will likely change in the next couple of years, and if it’s important for you to watch shows and movies or play games with the best quality available, you’ll need a receiver that supports it. Fortunately, most of the products that we recommend in this article do.

How many channels do I need if I want a receiver that supports Dolby Atmos?

Atmos is a pretty “hot” format now, offering the dimension of height and the traditional directionality of surround sound to create an even more immersive sonic environment. Many movies now offer Atmos mixes, which can be spectacular. Atmos systems require a receiver with seven channels at the minimum for a hardwired system, consisting of a 5.1 speaker setup with two additional Atmos ceiling-mounted speakers. If you don’t want to mount speakers in the ceiling, you could get Atmos-enabled speakers that fire forward and upward. The latter bounces the sound off your ceiling to simulate having speakers up there. (And don’t forget the speaker wire!)

Another option is an Atmos-enabled soundbar, like the Sennheiser AMBEO or the Sony HT-A7000. Such products create an Atmos-like effect from one multi-speaker device. Finally, several receivers in this roundup support Virtualized Atmos, which simulates Atmos from whatever speaker configuration you have. The soundbar and the virtualized Atmos won’t compare to hardware-based Atmos systems, but you do get some of the effects, and it’s a lot less money. DTS:X is a competitor to Atmos and gives you a similar immersive effect. It also has a simulated version, DTS Virtual:X. Again, it would be best to have a receiver or soundbar that supports it.

HDMI input and output

On the HDMI outputs on AVRs, you’ll see the letters ARC or eARC. ARC stands for Audio Return Channel and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), introduced with HDMI 2.1. Both ARC and eARC allow bidirectional audio. With the emergence of smart TVs, which stream content from the internet, you need a way to get the audio from that content out of your TV and into your AVR or soundbar so that it gets amplified and routed to speakers. If you have eARC, it supports up to 24-bit/192kHz audio, as well as uncompressed audio from 5.1 and 7.1 surround content. In addition, it works with compressed formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio coming from your TV. And don’t forget the HDMI cables!

FAQs

Q: How long do audio receivers last?The general consensus is that five years is the typical lifespan for an AVR. It’s not like it will just up and die after a certain number of years, like a water heater. Your receiver could function well for 20 years or more. But with the relentless forward march of technology, it will begin to feel like a dinosaur around the five-year mark. Even if you don’t care about staying up with the latest and greatest, there comes a time when it’s hard to resist the allure of new technology.

Q: Do receivers make a difference in sound quality?Context matters here. A dedicated power amp is superior if you’re talking about music quality. However, AV receivers are much more than just amplifiers. They’re the hub of a home theater or gaming setup (or one that does both) and offer a vast range of wired and wireless connections. Incoming audio gets routed to their amplifiers and into whatever speaker system you use. AVRs can also pass the video content from streaming boxes, cable boxes, Blu-ray players, and game consoles to your television. They don’t process the video; they pass it through in whatever format it’s in, assuming it’s one they support.

Q: Are AV receivers worth it?The best AV receivers are totally worth it if you want more than just a home stereo system. Don’t get me wrong, we love the compact, self-contained nature of powered speakers. But if you’re looking to create a proper home theater for movies and/or your gaming rig, or want a music system that allows for way more sources than just streaming services, the easiest way to accommodate the diverse range of connectivity required is with an AV receiver. It takes the incoming content—whether from a streaming box, a set-top box, a gaming console, a turntable, or other physical media—processes it in the appropriate format (assuming it supports it) and sends the audio off to the speakers while sending the video through to your TV. What’s more, most AVRs offer some form of multizone audio, so if you get the appropriate speakers, you can also run audio to multiple locations in your house or apartment from your receiver.

Q: How many watts per channel do I need?While the appropriate answer is ultimately based on the recommended amplification range of your speakers, 50W-100W per channel is typically more than enough to satisfy the vast majority of surround sound speakers (75W being the sweet spot in a 5.1 or 7.1 system). That’s not to say there aren’t speakers that require a higher RMS rating, but if that’s the kind you’re looking at, you probably know you’ll need to look at higher-end AV receivers or even discrete amplification (maybe you’re even working with an integrator).

Final thoughts on the best AV receivers

• Best overall: Marantz Cinema 70S
• Best 4K under $500: Yamaha RX-4VA
• Best 7.2: Denon AVR-X2800H
• Best for home theater: Arcam AVR31
• Best for gaming: Sony STR-AN1000
• Best low profile: Marantz NR1711
• Best budget: Denon AVR-S570BT

As you may have noticed from our roundup, there are a lot of choices and a wide range of prices in the AVR market. To decide which is right for you, you need to consider the price and the kind of system you’re trying to create. Do you want to move from 5.1 to a more complex multichannel format, like a 7.1 or an Atmos system? Will you also have to upgrade your TV and speaker system to achieve your goals? Because AV receivers are multifaceted and encompass or support so many technologies, it helps to be as informed as possible when deciding which one to buy. In this article, we’ve offered you a diverse range of products and information. However, you still have plenty of issues to consider regarding the specifics of your system, the space you’re putting it in, and your goals for the system before you can choose which of the best AV receivers is best for your needs.