A bigger concern is that we couldnt upgrade the receivers firmware without jumping through some hoops. 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. This inexpensive model features 2 channels and 220-watt power for superior audio. Bargain. The Denon AVR-X3700H has just about every feature in a receiver, including seven HDMI inputs and three outputs and a dedicated port that supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through and upscaling. There is also another stereo pair of XLR audio outputs. But if you watch movies with large groups of people, this is a pretty meaningful feature that we dont see on cheaper AV receivers. 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. In selecting which specific models to recommend, we looked for the best mix of features, performance, and price, keeping in mind the needs of most people. The best all-purpose AV receiver The AVR-X1700H is a great-sounding, easy-to-use, 7.1-channel receiver that has all the needed features to satisfy movie fans, music lovers, and gamers alike.. Dirac Live is widely accepted by many to be the best room correction technology around. The Arcam AVR31 is an updated version of the AVR30, released in 2020. Room correction adjusts your speakers performance to suit your room. With each receiver, we spent at least a day on testing with and without room correction and enjoying a variety of content, including movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos, as well as some action-oriented video games, at volume levels ranging from casual to extreme. Many mid- and higher-priced receivers are labeled as .2 instead of .1, which means they have two subwoofer outputs that you may or may not be able to set up and adjust independently. 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. Instead of reaching for one remote to turn on your TV . However, expect stocks of the AVR30 to run out as they are replaced by the AVR31, so they may be hard to find. As we were wrapping up testing for this update, Sony announced a new commitment to AV receivers with the introduction of several new modelsall of which feature support for 8K video and 4K at 120 Hz, along with Sonys proprietary 360 Spatial Sound Mapping. These sound formats are designed to add an overhead element to the typical ear-level surround sound available for decades. Best AV receivers 2022: which home cinema receiver should you buy Performance? 6 Best Sony Receivers in 2023 [Great Sound Experience] - DownHomeDigital Thats impressive. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks include overhead or height effects to make the audio experience even more immersive. Well, youve come to the right place! 5 Best Receivers - May 2023 - BestReviews This receiver allows IP control for more advanced remote control capability for hardware like Control4 automation devices. To enjoy Dolby Atmos or DTS:X sound to its fullest, you need to add height speakers or buy special Atmos-enabled speakers (you can read more about that topic in our guide to the best surround-sound speaker system), and you need an AV receiver that can decode these formats and provide power to more speakers. 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. An AV receiver combines source switching, audio (and sometimes video) processing, speaker amplification, and volume control in one box. The AVR-X3800H has more amp channels and more connection options than the AVR-X1700H, so the back panel is more crowded. However, all Arcam products should be considered for sound quality first and fancy features second. The Good, Better, and Best AV Receivers on the Market Today 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. The AVR-8500HA has 7 HDMI inputs on the rear and one on the front. This unit also has built-in HEOS wireless multi-room audio support. One significant new feature in the latest AVENTAGE receivers is support for 8K/60 Hz video or 4K at 120 Hz. Adding more network and wireless connection options is a valuable upgrade on the older FMJ AV receivers. Sony STR-DH590 The best budget AV receiver Pros Affordable without giving up important features Pure Direct audio enhancement mode HDR support 4K support Cons Limited number of HDMI ports When. Since the subwoofer is typically self-powered, to figure out how many amplified channels a receiver has, you simply add the first and third numerals: A 5.1.2-channel receiver, for example, has seven amplified channels and might also be referred to as a 7.1-channel receiver. Here are a few examples of AV receivers in the entry-level category: Onkyo TX-SR333 ($299), Denon AVR-S500BT ($249), Yamaha RX-V377 ($299.95), Pioneer VSX-524-K ($249.99), and Sony STR-DH550 ($279 . Most people dont need to spend more than $1,700 for an AV receiver, as you reach a point of diminishing performance returns. But if youve purchased a new 4K HDR TV and 4K HDR source devicesor, more recently, an 8K-capable TV or one that supports updated HDMI 2.1 featuresan older AV receiver may lack the ability to pass through those higher-quality signals, and a really old receiver may lack HDMI connections altogether. 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. It is rated slightly differently from most other receivers. It does come at a hefty price, but if you want a receiver with the lot, this beauty could be the one for you. However, recently they have introduced the HDA series of amplifiers and players, which are now considered their top-performing products. The Av Receiver 4k 120hz For 2023 - TheAudioCritic.Com I have no problem with that. 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. Onkyos AccuEQ and Pioneers MCACC room correction systems also did more harm to the sound than good. Don't worry if your budget doesn't stretch that far, we've selected an amp that can be yours for just a couple of hundred thousand. Our biggest beef: Though the remote control is well designed (with neither too many buttons nor too few, and some nice use of tactile contrast to guide you toward the controls you need the most), we often found that we had to aim it right at the front of the receiver for it to register commands, even from as close as 6 feet away. But thats not all. . There is also support for eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). However, not many receivers match this beast when it comes to their flagship offering. . HEOS controls wireless speakers around your house, which can be managed via the HEOS app or Amazon Alexa. After completing a new round of testing, weve selected the Denon AVR-X1700H as our top pick, the Denon AVR-X3800H as our upgrade pick, and the Denon AVR-S570BT as our budget pick. The best AV receivers tested for power, sound and connectivity these amps deliver on movie night Comments (4) Included in this guide: 1 Denon AVR-X4700H Check Price 2 Denon AVR-X2700H Check. 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 this is up there with the best room correction software. Product Description. 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. We researched and tested to find the best-looking and best-sounding home theater equipment that will take your personal setup from functional to enjoyable. The Anthem MRX 1140 is an 11-channel unit supporting two independent subwoofers outputs. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. 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. One of the biggest disappointments is that, even at the $1,500-and-above level, Onkyo and Pioneer receivers felt cheaply constructed when we perused them at retail (primarily Best Buy and Cohens) to decide what to bring in for in-depth hands-on testing, prompting concerns about their durability. The popular voice-control technologies of Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri are also supported. Plus, it has an RS-232C serial port for connecting to various alternative control systems, like Crestron, AMX and Savant. FAQ. 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. 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. Copyright 2009-2023 Home Cinema Guide | All Rights Reserved. The SR5015, SR6015, SR7015, and SR8015 receivers are all 8K-ready and will range in price from $1,100 to $3,200. AV Receivers - Home Theater & Cinema Systems | Denon US It also has the same assortment of music-streaming features as the AVR-X1700H. Because the AVR-S570BT doesnt have a lot of features, its particularly easy to set up, even if you dont have much experience; on-screen prompts and a well-labeled back panel help you get everything running correctly even if youre a rookie. Most AV receivers use Class AB amplification, a cost-effective way to make a relatively efficient amplifier that sounds good without costing too much to build. Learn more. It does an exceptional job of producing a balanced and immersive surround sound experience. You can stream music to it wirelessly via Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2, as well as the Heos wireless streaming platform (a competitor to the Sonos platform). The more amp channels and power, the higher the price. The 5 in this case indicates the number of amplified channels: two front left and right speakers, one center speaker for dialogue and on-screen sound effects, and two surround-sound speakers located behind or to the side of the main listening position. the Audyssey software always does an excellent job in half the time and with much less fuss. Our focus here is on receivers that strike a good balance of performance, features, and value, so all of our picks are priced around $1,700 and below. There is plenty of power under the hood, and you will have no problems driving even the most power-hungry speakers with a rating of 140 watts per channel (8 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.05% THD, 2 Channels Driven). Denon AVR-S540BT. One of the main new features in this years release is support for 8K video. So, if you want to support the latest display resolutions, this receiver will have you covered. Are you searching for a new AV receiver to elevate your movie-watching experience? If you want to get as close as possible to the movie-theater experience at home and want the most flexibility in speaker selection and setup, you need an AV receiver at the heart of your AV system. What Are Pre-Outs on Amplifiers and Receivers? - AudioCruiser.com So, unless you hear the amplifier in your room with your speakers, you will never get a perfect idea of how they sound. Plug your source componentsyour media streamer, gaming console, cable or satellite receiver, or disc playerinto its inputs and then connect its outputs to your display and speakers, and the AV receiver will direct all of the AV signals to the right places and in the right formats. The Denon 2016 AVR Remote app also allows complete control of your Denon hardware from your mobile device. Like most receivers produced today, the 2803 boasts Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES 6.1 extended-surround . this is a Rotel's flagship receiver. People rarely have perfect listening rooms, and speakers (especially subwoofers) often end up in spots where they are unobtrusive instead of where they sound the best. Contrary to conventional wisdom, adding more subs isnt about being able to crank up the bass to the point of rattling your fillings as well as your rafters; its about evenly distributing the low frequencies around the room so that any one subwoofer has to exert less effort and everyone in the audience has a similar experience with regard to bass. These receivers offer some of the best engineering, features and performance that money can buy. Of course, you dont have to use Dirac Live and can make manual measurements and adjustments yourself. Secondly, for what its worth, Ill give you my standard response when anyone asks which AV receiver to buy. Yamaha is one of the best receiver manufacturers around, and they make excellent AV receivers at all price points. Its Heos multiroom streaming platform integrates a number of music streaming services into one app, including Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Napster, Pandora, Rhapsody, SiriusXM, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tidal, and TuneIn. These are the most expensive amps ever made, with one model around 2m / $2m - roughly 10,000 times more expensive than the cheapest amp we'd recommend someone (the Onkyo A-9010 ). The connector remains the same, but version 2.1 adds many new features, including support for 8K resolution by way of an increase in the maximum bandwidth from 18 gigabits per second to theoretically as high as 48 Gbps, though all of the currently available HDMI 2.1equipped receivers max out at 40 Gbps. Sony STR-DH790 7.2 Channel Receiver Review. Budget-friendly. Difference between Denon consumer S and professional X receivers The 9.4-channel AVR-X3800H includes two additional amp channels that you can use to power more speakers, and it can process sound for up to four subwoofers independently. If you watch movies alone or arent especially concerned about the listening experience of anyone else in the room, having four subs is probably overkill. This receiver takes everything we like about the AVR-X1700H in terms of performance, features, and user-friendliness and improves upon all of those aspectsas it should, since it costs roughly $1,000 more. 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. With its powerful amplifier, immersive surround sound, and high-resolution audio, this device is sure to blow you away. Its power is enough for both small and medium-sized rooms. This unit has dual 32-bit ESS SABRE ES9026PRO DACS for delivering high-quality sound that should satisfy all but the most demanding audiophile. Or, you can watch videos in zone 2 or 4 while enjoying something else in the main room. 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. Another new feature is the Anthem Web User Interface. As you would expect for a high-end unit like this, there is a complete set of pre-outs for powering external power amps instead of using the built-in channels. The AVR-S570BT provides fewer inputs than our other picks and has no Wi-Fi or Ethernet support, but the essentials are present. Price? Arcam AV receivers come equipped with Dirac Live room correction and a calibration microphone. Honestly, though, unless you know a good bit about room acoustics, were not convinced that Dirac Live can give you substantially better results than what you can get from the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction thats already built into the AVR-X3800H. Whether its finding great products or discovering helpful advice, well help you get it right (the first time). 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. Pros: Audiophile Class G amplification 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz and HDMI 2.1 support 15.2-channel pre-outs for creating a large speaker layout Dirac Live room correction is the best around Cons: Was $599.95. Like Dirac Live, you must install the software on your laptop and connect the supplied microphone to make the measurements. Automatic room correction is handled by the excellent Audyssey MultEQ XT32 system, which will give fantastic results for cleaning up and balancing the sound in your room. You also have plenty of options for routing audio into zones 2 and 3. It works well, but it could be time for an update with a slicker interface. Denon AVR-S660H. AVR Buyer's Guide - 2022 Edition - HomeTheaterReview But it has a similarly clean layout. 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. You can connect the extra amplifier via the pre-out connections on the back. The Arcam AVR31 is a 7.2-channel AV receiver with Class G amplification, which is one of the main differences between this receiver and the competition. 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. HDMI 2.1 support means this receiver will pass through 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video if you have a device with this technology. Rotel and B&W (especially the CM series) are well known to have great synergy together sonically. The Marantz SR9600 THX Ultra 2 AV Surround Receiver AV Receiver Reviews Review Denon AVRX4000 AirPlay AV Receiver Review Cliff Heyne May 27, 2013 15:00 The Denon AVR-X4000 AV Receiver is more than worthy successor to the AVR-3313CI. Flat-panel TVs are too thin to house good speakers. Thats handy because youll find quite a bit to configure with the AVR-X1700H. Although they also have the AV41, a preamplifier/processor, meaning it doesnt have any built-in amplification for powering speakers, which you can pair with a separate power amplifier like their PA720. But, when they release one, you should always sit up and take notice. This beast weighs more than 47 lbs, so its a heavy receiver. Paul started the Home Cinema Guide to help less-experienced users get the most out of today's audio-visual technology. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. In addition to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, you can add Auro-3D support via a firmware update. It also represents a modest but appreciable improvement over our previous upgrade pick, the now-discontinued AVR-X3700H. The MRX series has three models in the range and was updated in 2020 and refreshed in 2022 with 8K support. 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. If you have a good AV store near you, see if you can listen to these models in their listening room, and try to get it hooked up to similar speakers to your own. Everything is geared towards a high-end audiophile product. It features seven amplifier channels that can power a surround-sound speaker system or a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X home theater setup with two overhead speakers. This means you can have a 9.2.6 speaker layout if you add additional power amplifiers. All you have to do is add some speakers. You cant get much more of a recommendation than that. However, it is also a very efficient way of driving your speakers and provides very low levels of distortion, which is perfect for delivering high-end audiophile sound. Denons HEOS wireless multi-room technology is present as expected. We saw no option to skip this screen, so we had to exit the wizard altogether and start over from scratch. So youll need to narrow down your choice by thinking about the issues most important to you. 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. With a budget receiver priced at $400 or less, youre likely to get only Bluetooth support. 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. For home theater, you wont get much performance improvement. It is a more complex process than the room correction supplied with most AV receivers. 10 of the world's most expensive stereo amplifiers This is especially useful as more streaming video apps and soundbars begin to offer higher-resolution audio. All the other HDMI ports support 4K/60p and HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG. 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. True, a couple of key music servicesnamely Apple Music and Qobuzare missing, but the receiver also supports Bluetooth and AirPlay 2, allowing you to easily stream those services from your phone. Four pre-outs can also connect up to four extra active subwoofers. Think of it as the traffic cop of your audio-video system, routing video from your sources to your display and sending audio to your speakers. If you need a new home theater receiver, check out these top-rated 5 best high-end AV receivers. Bluetooth 5.0-capable. All built-in no further amplification required. But all of its features and performance advantages come at a price. 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 . HDMI 2.1 support is slowly appearing in new AV receivers. Therefore, if you dont need the new features, you may get a bargain if you can find the older model in stock. One of the rear inputs is HDMI 2.1 and supports uncompressed 8K/60p and 4K/120p. 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. Even better is its support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also allows support for new gaming and media features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Media Switching (QMS) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). After we ran the Audyssey room correction, the bass from the AVR-X1700H was much better controlled than that of its competitors, and the upper frequencies werent flatted or deadened the way they were with Onkyos AccuEQ or Pioneers MCACC room-tuning software.
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