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. Of course, you can also have a smaller speaker layout like 7.1 or 5.1.4 and save the spare channels for powering speakers in other zones. So while watching a movie in the main zone, you can play stereo music in zone 2, 3 or 4. Plus, it has an RS-232C serial port for connecting to various alternative control systems, like Crestron, AMX and Savant. The receiver has Bluetooth support for streaming audio, as well as a handy setup wizard that walks you through the process of setting up a complete surround-sound system. The good news is that a high-quality home theater receiver will last for years. The 10 Best Budget Av Receiver, Tested And Researched - TheAudioCritic.Com Of course, if you only want to use the built-in class G channels without buying more power amplifiers then you can set up a very nice 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X system. You probably noticed that all of our current picks come from Denon. I have been reviewing AV equipment for two decades, for publications from Robb Report Home Entertainment to Home Theater magazine to HomeTheaterReview.com to SoundStage. The serious audio or home theater enthusiast may choose to spend more money for more power (which may be important if your speakers have low sensitivity and are difficult to drive), more amplified channels, more setup and customization options, and better build quality, but above $1,700, youll find diminishing performance returns on your investment. It does a fantastic job of measuring your room and balancing out the frequency response, and its a great way to get an immersive surround sound experience in your room. If you already own Wi-Fi speakers that use a certain platform (such as AirPlay), you may want to look for a receiver that features the same streaming technology so that all the devices work well together. Looking at all the features on offer here, you might notice fewer bells and whistles than on other brands. Designed to provide a detailed and dynamic sound, you can be sure this receiver will work well for both movie soundtracks and music mixes. Shop HEOS Every room will sound brilliant with Denon HEOS-enabled speakers, AV receivers, sound bars, and amplifiers Wireless Home Theater Quality sound can make your movie nights even more impressive and memorable; Multi-Room Audio Create a connected sound ecosystem in your home with Denon Home, powered by HEOS Its great to see the new MRX models come with the latest ARC Genesis software. As a result, you have to use Bluetooth to stream music, so you must keep your phone or other source device close to the receiveror you can add an inexpensive Wi-Fi streaming device. If you run Audyssey through the receivers interface and decide afterward that you want to upgrade to use the app, you have to reconnect the mic and place it at all eight measurement positions and listen to the test tones again. The second phase of our testing involved setting the receivers up two at a time in the same room, relying on a scaled-down 3.1-channel speaker system consisting of RSLs CG3 bookshelf speakers, CG23 center speaker, and Speedwoofer 10S MKII subwoofer (one of our favorite subwoofers). See all Receivers. If you are interested in buying a Marantz receiver, it doesnt get any better than this. As you would expect, there is a host of other input types from component and composite video to optical and coaxial digital audio. However, these require a firmware update, so initially wont be available out of the box. There is the same number of HDMI ports as the previous model of this AV receiver. The 6 Best Mid-Range Home Theater Receivers of 2023 - Lifewire You also get a front-panel USB port, plus three digital audio inputs and a pair of analog inputs around back. However, expect stocks of the AVR30 to run out as they are replaced by the AVR31, so they may be hard to find. Its easy to set up and use, and it performs quite well for the price, even though it can power only five speakers and lacks the Audyssey room correction that you get on the more expensive Denon models. It is worth remembering that, at present, only the new game consoles will output these video formats. Heres how. Denon AVR-S960H ($499) Channels: 7.2 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. *At the time of publishing, the price was $1,499. Denons HEOS wireless multi-room technology is present as expected. Other noteworthy enhancements include automatic low-latency mode (which allows devices to automatically detect and switch to the best mode for gaming), eARC (which allows for higher-quality lossless audio over the HDMI Audio Return Channel instead of only compressed formats), variable refresh rate, and quick media switching. One thing to consider is that you will need some serious space to install this monster. All you have to do is add some speakers. 192 kHz/24-bit), Auro-3D (via firmware update), Surround:AI, Dolby Surround, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS Neural:X, 17-1/8 x 7-1/2 x 18-3/4 in | 435 x 192 x 476 mm (w/o antenna), 8K/60Hz & 4K/120Hz, HDCP2.3 / HDR10+, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Roon, Dolby Surround, DTS:X Pro, DTS Neural:X, DTS Virtual:X, IMAX Enhanced, 17 x 6 x 14.5 in | 432 x 152 x 368 mm (w/o feet), 7.2.4 / 9.2.2 (Support for 7.2.6 / 9.2.4), Yamaha RX-A8A AVENTAGE 11.2-Ch AV Receiver, 5.2.6 / 7.2.4 / 9.2.2 (Support for 9.2.6), Top-of-the-range audiophile sound quality for movies and music, 7.2-channels built-in and 15.2-channels processing, Good for music with Marantz HDAM engineering, 11.2-channels for 7.2.4 or 9.2.2 speaker layouts, 13.2 channels allowing for 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 speaker systems, Denon produces outstanding AV receivers at all price points, Reference class 32-bit AKM AK4490EQ D/A converters on all channels, 11.2-channels for a 7.2.4 system + 11.2 channel pre-outs, Audiophile sound quality for both movies and music, 11.2-channels built-in and 15.2-channels processing, Independent subwoofer outputs for a controlled low end, 15.2-channel pre-outs for sending to power amplifiers, Free MusicLife control app for iOS and Android, Processing support for 7.2.6 and 9.2.4 systems, Support for HDMI eARC Enhanced Audio Return Channel, Voice control via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri, Advanced video processor for upscaling low-resolution analog or digital video, HDR10+, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG & IMAX Enhanced, 8K/60 and 4K/120 support in the new AVR-X8500HA, HDMI 2.1 8K upgrade available for the older AVR-X8500H. Arcam AV receivers come equipped with Dirac Live room correction and a calibration microphone. There are 7 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs, which should be plenty for most setups. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. 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. They all offer the highest engineering standards and will provide outstanding sound for movies and music. The best AV receivers in 2023: Top amps for surround sound Marantz SR8015 is one of the latest, most advanced, and most expensive AV receivers from Marantz. *At the time of publishing, the price was $599. If you want 8k support and find an older AVR-X8500H, you can buy an upgrade from Denon that will swap one of the original HDMI ports and allow support for 8K/60p and 4K/120p. Marantz is a manufacturer with a rich history of hi-fi products, so you can be sure their AV receivers will receive the same attention to detail. You have an Ethernet port for those who like using a trusty cable, but you can also connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplay 2, Spotify Connect and more. 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. But all of its features and performance advantages come at a price. Your main 5 speakers are the ones that do most of the work, and the extra surround and height speakers do less. Performance? 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. Yamaha RX-A8A AVENTAGE 11.2-Ch AV Receiver, 5. They are essentially the same, and most features are found in both models. Best High-End AV Receiver Arcam AVR31 7.2-Ch AV Receiver What Is It: An exceptional AV receiver with best-in-class sound quality and outstanding performance. It retails for $3800. It also supports HDR10+, HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG high dynamic range content. You cant get much more of a recommendation than that. These sound formats are designed to add an overhead element to the typical ear-level surround sound available for decades. Best AV receivers 2023: the top home cinema amplifiers we've tested By Andy Madden, Tom Parsons last updated 19 April 2023 The very best home cinema surround sound Comments (8) Included in this guide: 1 Denon AVR-X2800H Check Price 2 Denon AVC-X3800H Check Price 3 Arcam AVR31 Check Price 4 Yamaha RX-A6A Check Price 5 Denon AVR-X2700H Check Price 6 So, if you want to support the latest display resolutions, this receiver will have you covered. You can also find AVRs with seven channels of amplification, microphone-based auto calibration, adjustable crossover frequencies and even HDMI switching for well under $1,000. 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 . But going this route doesnt give you access to a number of worthwhile benefits of the MultEQ Editor app, including the ability to limit the frequencies that the room correction addresses. We didnt set a lot of minimum spec requirements to limit what models we considered, but there are certain key specs that you should keep in mind when you begin your receiver search, to determine whether you need a budget, midpriced, or higher-end model: A basic home theater setup is referred to as having 5.1 channels of audio. Indeed, in most cases, an AV Receiver is significantly cheaper than a more specialized AV Processor. Software, microphone, tripod even all the required cables, and you just need to supply the laptop. In our testing, MultEQ XT32 proved to be a significant upgrade over the MultEQ XT room correction in our top pick, the AVR-X1700H, producing even more controlled bass, less seat-to-seat variation in the sound, and decidedly improved dialogue clarity. 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. In this article, Ill share my top 5 picks for the best high-end AV receivers of 2023. 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. Home Cinema Guide may get a commission if you buy from a link marked with * on this page: * 8 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.02% THD, 2 Channels Driven, * 8 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.05% THD, 2 Channels Driven, * 8 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.06% THD, 2 Channels Driven, * 8 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.01% THD, 2 Channels Driven, Image Credit: Peter Gudella/Shutterstock.com, 4. These receivers offer some of the best engineering, features and performance that money can buy. Add any HEOS-compatible speakers, and you can enjoy wireless audio in every room in your house. All the other HDMI ports support 4K/60p and HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG. The inexpensive AV receiver has a 5.2 amplifier with 90W per channel (6 Ohms, 20Hz to 20kHz, 0.09% THD). $499.95. The receiver highlighted here, the MRX 1140, is at the top of the pile. Many current AV receivers and TVs support eARC, most support automatic low-latency mode, and even at the $600 level many models support variable refresh rate. Are you a hardcore gamer who wants support for the newest gaming features? If you dont need HDMI 2.1 support, you may find some 2020 models cheaper. This ticks the box if you want a single unit to support an immersive 7.2.4 audio speaker system. 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. 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. Even if youre an audio geek who loves playing around with microphones, audio software, EQ and the like OK, you got me, Im talking about myself here! It also offers good room correction, which allows you to fine-tune your speaker systems performance to suit your room. So, if you want a high-end AV receiver, which models should you look at? Four pre-outs can also connect up to four extra active subwoofers. These can create an effect that is like having height speakers installed. Over the years, I have auditioned more receivers, preamps, and amplifiers than I care to count, and in recent years I have devoted an inordinate amount of time to learning about and testing room-correction systems of all varieties. An AV receiver combines source switching, audio (and sometimes video) processing, speaker amplification, and volume control in one box. Best Budget AV Receiver: Sony STR-DH590 Best Receiver for Wireless Surround : Yamaha RX-V4A Best AV Receiver for Dolby Atmos: Denon AVR-X3700H Best AV Receiver for Audiophiles: NAD T 778 A Great AV Receiver for Music : Denon AVR-S750H Best AV Receiver With Sonos : Integra DRX-3.3 Best Overall AV Receiver 1. Our upgrade pick has four independent subwoofer outputs, so Denon markets it as a 9.4-channel receiver. The Anthem MRX 1140 is an 11-channel unit supporting two independent subwoofers outputs. Only you know that. As you would expect from a high-end Marantz product, this receiver is built using their famous HDAM technology. Surround sound with anywhere between 70-90 watts of continuous power per channel with approximately 145 watts in bursts. An affordable and versatile receiver designed to deliver good sound quality for home theaters, the Denon AVR-X3700H Receiver delivers the best possible sound experience. The RX-A8A is the first Yamaha integrated receiver with built-in support for 11 channels and contains the high-end CX/MX A5200 power amplifier and preamp architecture. AV receivers run the price gamut from a couple hundred dollars to well into four-figure territory. We recommend the Denon AVR-X3800H for anyone who wants to add extra speakers to create more immersive, cinematic sound, or who wants even better room correction (and thus better sound quality) than the AVR-X1700H offers. Bring all your devices together with BLUETOOTH connectivity and multiple inputs. 6 Best Sony Receivers in 2023 [Great Sound Experience] - DownHomeDigital If you dont want to install height speakers in your room. All six of its HDMI inputs are HDMI 2.1 compatible and support 8K video and advanced gaming features. If you want to get into wireless audio around your home, youre also in luck. With its powerful amplifier, immersive surround sound, and high-resolution audio, this device is sure to blow you away. The SR8015 also supports Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology and DTS Virtual:X listening modes. But thats not all. Copyright 2009-2023 Home Cinema Guide | All Rights Reserved. But you may have specific needs that make one of the companys other models a better pick for you. Best universal remotes in 2023 | Tom's Guide Yes, this 7.1-channel receiver supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X (in a 5.1.2-channel configuration--which, if you'll remember, means 5.1 plus two overhead speakers), but . Product Description. You can connect the extra amplifier via the pre-out connections on the back. Other upgrades over the AVR-X3700H include analog-video-to-HDMI upscaling and support for Auro-3D (an immersive audio format similar to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, though not as common). Be aware that there is just a single 8K HDMI input. Yamaha CX-A5200. The AVR-8500HA has 7 HDMI inputs on the rear and one on the front. If you're spending under $1,000, there are four main receivers to choose from -- the Sony STR-AN1000, the Yamaha RX-V6A, the Onkyo TX-NR6100 and the Denon AVR-960H. It also has the same assortment of music-streaming features as the AVR-X1700H. Anthem doesnt have a long list of AV receivers to choose from. The .1 stands for the subwoofer, which usually has its own amplifier built in so your receiver wont need to provide it with power. Sony STR-DH590. The AVR-X1700H is also a great choice for gamers who want their system to have full compatibility with all the latest advanced gaming features found on the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 game consoles, including the ability to pass through a 4K 120 Hz signal. But it can stream music only over Bluetooth, not Wi-Fibased platforms like AirPlay 2. If you want to look at some models in different price brackets, check out the overview of the best AV receivers in 2022. If you need it, this receiver has plenty of power, and the 150 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz 20 kHz, 0.06% THD, 2ch driven) should be more than enough to fill even the largest room. 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.