AV receivers comparison

  1. CHooseratoR
  2. AV receivers
Votes 234 234
Rating 4.6 4.6
We didn't find anything
We didn't find anything to show here

What is an AV receiver?

The AV receiver is not the easiest device to buy and before buying, you need to compare receivers from different manufacturers. Since it controls the audio and video of your home theater system, there are many features to consider. It is one of the main elements of your installation. This device acts as a switch and a processor that processes and converts external video or audio signals

A good home theater receiver with good speakers is the best choice to recreate the atmosphere of a home theater. Moreover, the answer to the question "how to choose a receiver?" lies on the surface because there are devices for every taste and budget, and there are also excellent devices in all price categories.

How much power do you need?

AV receivers need to power many speakers. Powering all of all necessary speakers simultaneously requires a huge electrical power.

The power of a receiver is expressed in Watt and this is one of the main characteristics to compare av receivers side by side. It is generally understood for the majority of consumer models between 250 and 1200 watt. However, most receivers offer power between 5x70 and 5x110 watts, or more than 500 watts in total. The most common devices with a total power of 1000 watts.

How many channels do you need?

It is the most important element to take into account in AV receiver comparisons. Simply put, this is the number of speakers in addition to your subwoofer and your amplifier: 2, 5, 7, 9 or even 11.

  • The 2.1 system will give you better sound than TV sound alone. However, it will offer less good surround sound than 5.1.
  • The 5.1 system has become the standard today because it provides quality sound and a surround soundstage. 2 speakers at the front on the sides of the TV, 1 center speaker for the voices and 2 speakers at the back to fully immerse yourself in reproducing the acoustic effects.
  • The 7.1 system allows even greater immersion and is appreciated by cinema lovers because it provides 2 additional speakers placed on the sides of the TV.
  • The 9.2 system is a configuration allows you to control sound from all sides (using front high-frequency and surround back speakers in addition to the usual 5.1 configurations) to create a surround sound field.
  • The 11.2 system creates a seamless sound field in Dolby Atmos or DTS: X formats from various speaker sets - up to 7.2.4 channels.

What kinds of inputs and outputs do you need?

If the vast majority of video elements connect today via HDMI, there are several versions of this connection that should be mentioned in an AV receiver buying guide.

  • HDMI 1.3/1.4: This version of HDMI allows Full HD images to pass through, a 3D stream, as well as High Definition soundtracks.
  • HDMI 2.0: This is essential for transmitting images in UHD, as well as HDR images. An amplifier without HDMI 2.0 connector will be limited to Full HD and deprived of HDR.

With the development of modern computer technology, multimedia systems, and network standards, many of the receivers are equipped with USB ports, Wi-Fi adapters, and even Internet functions. Therefore, in modern models, you can find the ability to connect MP3-players, read media files via USB port, work with web radio, and also support Bluetooth-audio and wireless technology for transmitting AirPlay audio. Also in the home theater receiver buying guide pay attention to a DLNA client that can play files from resources on a local computer network.

Make sure your AV receiver is ready for your TV

To keep up with current TVs, your AV receiver needs to be capable of switching 4K signals. 4K is the current best-possible, highest resolution video format for consumer video at home which is highly detailed.

Another feature to look out for HDCP 2.2 support. HDCP 2.2 is the newest and latest copy-protection tech.

And with a 7-channel AV receiver, you can use 5 channels for surround sound and 2 channels for stereo speakers in another room.

Also with dual HDMI outputs, you can watch one video content on two different screens in the same room or in different rooms or with an independent HDMI output for the second zone, you can watch two different video sources on different TVs.

Some AV receivers can stream music to different speakers in different rooms. Most Yamaha receivers work with MusicCast. Some Denon and Marantz receivers integrate with Denon's HEOS wireless speaker line.

When should I upgrade my AV Receiver

Do not upgrade your A/V receiver simply to keep up with trends or because you need the latest network features.. In our opinion, as a rule, it is better to buy a receiver of a higher model and spend a few more dollars on it, since you are likely to get more benefit from it before updating it again. Choose the best model now so you don’t look at the new model with minor changes next year.

Recent reviews

Marantz SR8012Denon AVR-X6500H
$3000$2200
Marantz SR8012 vs Denon AVR-X6500H
Denon AVR-X4500HDenon AVR-X6500H
$1600$2200
Denon AVR-X4500H vs Denon AVR-X6500H
Denon AVR-X6400HDenon AVR-X6500H
Denon AVR-X6400H vs Denon AVR-X6500H
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080Denon AVR-X6500H
$2000$2200
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 vs Denon AVR-X6500H
Marantz SR7013Denon AVR-X6500H
$1600$2200
Marantz SR7013 vs Denon AVR-X6500H
Denon AVR-X4500HMarantz SR7013
$1600$1600
Denon AVR-X4500H vs Marantz SR7013
Denon AVR-X4500HDenon AVR-X3600H
$1600$1100
Denon AVR-X4500H vs Denon AVR-X3600H
Denon AVR-X4500HMarantz SR6014
$1600$1500
Denon AVR-X4500H vs Marantz SR6014
Denon AVR-X4500HOnkyo TX-RZ840
$1600$1000
Denon AVR-X4500H vs Onkyo TX-RZ840
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080Denon AVR-X4500H
$1600$1600
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080 vs Denon AVR-X4500H
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080Denon AVR-X4500H
$2000$1600
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 vs Denon AVR-X4500H
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A1080Denon AVR-X4500H
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A1080 vs Denon AVR-X4500H
Marantz SR5014Marantz SR6014
$1000$1500
Marantz SR5014 vs Marantz SR6014
Marantz SR7013Marantz SR6014
$1600$1500
Marantz SR7013 vs Marantz SR6014
Marantz SR6013Marantz SR6014
Marantz SR6013 vs Marantz SR6014
Denon AVR-X3600HMarantz SR6014
$1100$1500
Denon AVR-X3600H vs Marantz SR6014
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080Marantz SR6014
$1600$1500
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080 vs Marantz SR6014
Denon AVR-S540BTOnkyo TX-SR393
$400$400
Denon AVR-S540BT vs Onkyo TX-SR393
Yamaha RX-V385Denon AVR-S540BT
$300$400
Yamaha RX-V385 vs Denon AVR-S540BT
Onkyo TX-SR373Denon AVR-S540BT
Onkyo TX-SR373 vs Denon AVR-S540BT
Sony STR-DH590Denon AVR-S540BT
Sony STR-DH590 vs Denon AVR-S540BT
Yamaha R-S202BLSony STR-DH190
$200$200
Yamaha R-S202BL vs Sony STR-DH190
Yamaha RX-V485Yamaha RX-V385
Yamaha RX-V485 vs Yamaha RX-V385
Denon AVR-X540BTYamaha RX-V385
$300$300
Denon AVR-X540BT vs Yamaha RX-V385
Sony STR-DH590Yamaha RX-V385
Sony STR-DH590 vs Yamaha RX-V385
Onkyo TX-SR373Yamaha RX-V385
Onkyo TX-SR373 vs Yamaha RX-V385
Yamaha RX-V385Onkyo TX-SR393
$300$400
Yamaha RX-V385 vs Onkyo TX-SR393
Yamaha RX-V485BLYamaha RX-V385
Yamaha RX-V485BL vs Yamaha RX-V385
Denon AVRS530BTDenon AVR-X540BT
Denon AVRS530BT vs Denon AVR-X540BT
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080
$2000$1600
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A1080Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A1080 vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080Denon AVR-X4400H
$1600$1200
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080 vs Denon AVR-X4400H
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080Denon AVR-X3600H
$1600$1100
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080 vs Denon AVR-X3600H
Marantz SR7011Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080
Marantz SR7011 vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080
Marantz SR8012Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080
$3000$2000
Marantz SR8012 vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080
Denon AVR-X8500HYamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080
$4000$2000
Denon AVR-X8500H vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080
Yamaha RX-A3070BLYamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080
Yamaha RX-A3070BL vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080
Yamaha CX-A5100Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080
Yamaha CX-A5100 vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080Denon AVR-X7200WA
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 vs Denon AVR-X7200WA
Yamaha RX-V683BLYamaha RX-V685BL
Yamaha RX-V683BL vs Yamaha RX-V685BL
Sony STR-DN1080Yamaha RX-V685BL
$600$600
Sony STR-DN1080 vs Yamaha RX-V685BL
Yamaha RX-V685BLYamaha RX-A780
Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Yamaha RX-A780
Yamaha RX-V685BLOnkyo TX-NR686
Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Onkyo TX-NR686
Yamaha RX-V685BLDenon AVR-X2500H
Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Denon AVR-X2500H
Yamaha RX-V685BLYamaha RX-A880
Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Yamaha RX-A880
Yamaha RX-V685BLDenon AVR-X2600H
$600$800
Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Denon AVR-X2600H
Yamaha RX-V685BLYamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
Yamaha RX-V685BLDenon AVR-X1500H
Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Denon AVR-X1500H
Yamaha RX-V685BLYamaha AVENTAGE RX-A1080
Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A1080
Yamaha RX-V685BLOnkyo TX-NR696
$600$700
Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Onkyo TX-NR696
Yamaha RX-V685BLPioneer VSX-933
Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Pioneer VSX-933
Sony STR-DN1080Sony STR-DH790
$600$400
Sony STR-DN1080 vs Sony STR-DH790
Sony STR-DH590Sony STR-DH790
Sony STR-DH590 vs Sony STR-DH790
Sony STR-DH770Sony STR-DH790
Sony STR-DH770 vs Sony STR-DH790
Onkyo TX-NR676Sony STR-DH790
Onkyo TX-NR676 vs Sony STR-DH790
Denon AVR-X6400HMarantz SR8012
Denon AVR-X6400H vs Marantz SR8012
Pioneer SC-LX901Marantz SR8012
Pioneer SC-LX901 vs Marantz SR8012
Marantz SR8012Onkyo TX-RZ3100
Marantz SR8012 vs Onkyo TX-RZ3100
Denon AVR-X8500HMarantz SR8012
$4000$3000
Denon AVR-X8500H vs Marantz SR8012
Yamaha R-S202BLPioneer SX-10AE
Yamaha R-S202BL vs Pioneer SX-10AE
268

Gadgets

117

Features