Best AV Receivers of 2019 High-Def Digest ‘The latest news on all things 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Gear’ Posted Tue Nov 20, 2018 at 12:02 PM PST by Steven Cohen Note: All listed prices reflect current Amazon discounts at press time and do not include taxes or shipping. BUDGET In our first section, we’re going to spotlight several budget-friendly 7.2-channel receivers with support for an entry-level 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio system. Onkyo TX-NR585 7.
‘The latest news on all things 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Gear’
Posted Tue Nov 20, 2018 at 12:02 PM PST by Steven Cohen
Note: All listed prices reflect current Amazon discounts at press time and do not include taxes or shipping.
BUDGET
In our first section, we’re going to spotlight several budget-friendly 7.2-channel receivers with support for an entry-level 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio system.
Onkyo TX-NR585 7.2 Channel A/V Receiver ($394.77) - As one of 2018’s most affordable 7.2-channel receivers, the TX-NR585 provides immersive audio support without breaking the bank. The unit is rated for 170 W/Ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 10% THD, 1 channel driven). In addition, the receiver offers support for up to a 5.2.2 speaker setup with DTS:X and Dolby Atmos playback. AccuEQ Room Acoustic Calibration is included as well, along with AccuReflex technology for Dolby Atmos-enabled speaker systems, and 4K HDR/Dolby Vision passthrough.
Pioneer VSX-933 7.2-ch Network AV Receiver ($479, full review here) - Pioneer’s 7.2-channel VSX-933 is capable of supporting a 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X system. The unit is rated for 165 W/Ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 10%, 1-ch driven) or 80 W/ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, THD 0.08 %, 2ch Driven, FTC). Likewise, the device offers full 4K HDR/Dolby Vision passthrough and MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System).
Yamaha RX-V685 7.2-Channel AV Receiver ($599.95, full review here) - This Yamaha 7.2-channel receiver model is rated for 90 W (8 ohms, 0.06% THD). Likewise, the unit offers support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 5.2.2 speaker setups, along with 4K HDR/Dolby Vision passthrough, MusicCast multi-room connectivity, and Alexa capabilities. In addition, the receiver incorporates Yamaha’s new MusicCast Surround technlogy, allowing users to configure speaker setups with wireless rear MusicCast 20 or MusicCast 50 speakers.
ENTHUSIAST
Kicking things up a notch, this section spotlights a few great 9.2-channel receiver options, offering expanded support for up to a 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X speaker setup.
Onkyo TX-NR787 THX Certified 9.2-Channel A/V Receiver ($649) - With 9.2-channel support, this receiver allows users to configure a 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X speaker setup. The unit is rated for 100 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 channels driven, FTC) or 220 W/ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 10%, 1-channel driven). In addition, the receiver offers 4K HDR/Dolby Vision passthrough, and is THX Certified Select for theater-reference volume within strict THX sound-quality parameters.
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX303 9.2 Channel A/V Receiver ($799) - Part of the Pioneer Elite brand, this 9.2-channel receiver is rated for 100 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20Hz–20 kHz, THD 0.08%, 2-ch driven, FTC) and uses Pioneer’s Direct Energy amp design with a high-grade 384 kHz/32-bit DAC (AK4458) produced by AKM, a quad-core 32-bit chip, and Aureus floating-point DSP chip. In addition, the receiver offers support for up to 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X speaker configurations, along with 4K HDR/Dolby Vision passthrough.
Yamaha RX-V2085 9.2-Channel AV Receiver ($1,399.95) - The RX-V2085 is rated for 175W per channel (8 ohms 0.9% THD 1K) or 140W per channel (8 ohms 0.06% THD 20Hz - 20kHz). The 9.2-channel receiver can support up to a 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X speaker setup. In addition, the unit features dual ESS SABRE ES9007S Premier Audio DACs, 4K HDR/Dolby Vision passthrough, MusicCast capabilities, and Yamaha’s news Surround:AI tech.
Denon AVRX4500H Denon 9.2 Channel AV Receiver ($1,599) - This new 2018 receiver model from Denon offers 9.2-channel support for up to a 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X speaker configuration. The device is rated for 125W per channel (8 ohms, THD 0.05%, 20Hz~20kHz) and features full 4K HDR/DolbyVision passthrough. Likewise, the unit will support HDMI 2.1 features like Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) via a future firmware update. Amazon Alexa Voice Control and whole-house HEOS music compatibility are integrated as well.
FLAGSHIP
For our final tier, we’ve put together a collection of flagship receiver models, providing support for a 7.2.4, 9.2.2, or even a massive 9.2.4 and 7.2.6 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X configuration.
Yamaha RX-A3080 AVENTAGE 9.2-Channel AV Receiver ($1,999.95) - Though this model is only capable of powering 9.2-channels it offers processing support for 11.2-channels, allowing users to configure up to a 7.2.4 or 9.2.2 Dolby Atmos/DTS:X setup through the use of an additional stereo amp. The unit is rated for 150 W (8 ohms, 0.06% THD). In addition, the receiver includes 4K HDR/Dolby Vision passthrough, MusicCast multi-room audio connectivity with MusicCast Surround, and support for Yamaha’s new Surround:AI technology.
Denon AVR-X6500H 11.2 Channel AV Receiver ($2,179) - The next best thing for those who can’t quite afford the final entry on this list, Denon’s new 11.2-channel receiver is rated for up to 140W per channel (8 Ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.05% THD). The unit can support up to a 7.2.4 speaker or 9.2.2 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X configuration. Likewise, the receiver offers full 4K HDR/DolbyVision passthrough, and is set to receive HDMI 2.1 features like Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) via a future firmware update. Amazon Alexa Voice Control and whole-house HEOS music compatibility are integrated as well.
Denon AVR-X8500H 13.2-channel AV Receiver ($3,999, full review here) - As one of the only 13.2-channel models on the market, the AVR-X8500H is the current flagship receiver to beat. With support for up to a 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 speaker system, the unit provides the ultimate Dolby Atmos or DTS:X experience. Add in dual core SHARC DSP Griffin Lite audio processors, Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic room acoustic correction, 4K HDR passthrough, Heos with Alexa capabilities, Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), and IMAX Enhanced support, and you’ve pretty much got everything you could possibly want from a receiver.
So, there you have it. Those are current top choices for AV receivers in every budget category. What do you think about our selection? Do you have any other sound bar suggestions for each price tier? Let us know in the forums!
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FAQ
Is Onkyo made in Japan?
Onkyo Corporation (オンキヨー株式会社, Onkyō Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese consumer electronics company, specializing in premium home cinema and audio equipment, including AV receivers, surround sound speakers and portable devices.
What is the best AV receiver brand?
With 4K, the entire chain needs to be 4K compatible. So if you buy a new 4K TV, want to feed it 4K via HDMI sources, and want to switch those sources using an AV receiver (as opposed to the TV), you’ll need to buy a new receiver that handles those 4K sources.17 Apr 2024
What is AV amplifier used for?
With A/V receivers, the basic functionality is to receive an audio signal, amplify the audio signal to drive multiple speakers, and allow pass-through of the corresponding video signal to a display device such as a projector or a television.
What are the measurements for a jav model?
Models in Japan need to be a minimum of 5'6″ (166 cm). Since the average Japanese person is shorter, there tends to be no market for models under that height. You also need to be able to fit into Japanese clothes, with the standard size being: B (80-86 cm; 31-34″) W (54-60 cm; 21-24″) H (80-86 cm 31-34″).10 mai 2010
What is high-end AV?
High-end audio is a class of consumer home audio equipment marketed to audiophiles on the basis of high price or quality, and esoteric or novel sound reproduction technologies.