An AV Receiver plays a vital role in developing a home theater environment. It is the central hub that will connect your television, Blu-ray player, CD player, music streaming device, and other media devices to your amplifier.
We’ve researched the top AV receivers on the market so far in 2024 and found these five for all price ranges:
One of the most important home theater purchases that many people need to make is an AV Receiver. AV receivers are the most vital part of your home theater system because they allow you to connect several speakers, components like DVD players, game consoles, and even record players. They also allow you to adjust the volume of your speakers for each input source at any given time.
Our intention for this post is to give you an insider’s look at some of the best AV receivers on the market today. We wanted to try and make your decision easier by providing you with an unbiased review of some of the most highly rated AV receivers, including a few from well-known brands. We hope that this information will be beneficial when it comes time to make a purchase
Table of Contents
Buying Guide
Another important thing to look for in a receiver is support for surround sound codecs and formats. Receivers with Dolby and DTS support are optimized for use with home theater systems.
It’s also important to look at the control options on a receiver. The best AV receivers will feature remote controls that can be programmed to work with other devices such as your TV and cable box.
Sceptre SGR-6305BK-3D BK 3D Blu-Ray DVD Reciever
This model has a SteelSeries Revenger gaming mouse included with a wireless gaming keyboard. It also has a built-in USB memory hub and a front HDMI input. This unit is capable of playback in 3D and has SRS StudioSound HD speakers.
Onkyo TX-NR545 7.2 Surround Sound Network A/V Receiver
This model supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD signals. It has seven channels and is compatible with Amazon Alexa for AV controls. The unit also features a front HDMI input, a wireless connection for streaming services, and a CD player.
Denon AVR-X3300H 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receiver
This unit features a front HDMI output and optical digital audio inputs. It also has a Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound speaker system. It is one of the most powerful receivers in its price range.
5 Best AV Receivers Under $500
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1. Onkyo TX-NR595 Home Audio Smart Audio and Video Receiver, Sonos Compatible and Dolby Atmos Enabled, 4K Ultra HD and AirPlay 2 (2019 Model), Black
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The Onkyo TX-NR595 Home Audio Smart Audio and Video Receiver, Sonos Compatible and Dolby Atmos Enabled, 4K Ultra HD and AirPlay 2 (2019 Model), Black is the pinnacle of home entertainment.
Pros :
- 4K Ultra HD and AirPlay 2
- Dolby Atmos enabled
- 43 amp channels
- 185 watts per channel, 9 channels driven
Cons :
- It is quite an expensive product
- You might have to invest into more speakers that support the product
2. Denon AVR-S950H Receiver, 7.2 Channel (185W X 7) – 4K Ultra HD Home Theater (2019) | Music Streaming | New – eARC, 3D Dolby Surround Sound (Atmos, DTS/Virtual Height Elevation) | Alexa + HEOS
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The Denon AVR-S950H Receiver is the perfect solution for your home entertainment needs. This complete 7.2-channel receiver has room for everything you need, whether it be music streaming services like Spotify, Google Music, Pandora, or Prime Music, or watching movies and TV shows in 4K resolution with HDR10 support.
Pros :
- Supports 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback with HDR
- Prosumer-grade specifications
- The AVR-S950H is an upgrade from last year’s flagship AVR-S900W, which was the first Denon receiver to include Amazon Alexa voice control
Cons :
- There is no RCA input
- Dolby DSD capabilities only work with streaming services
- No Wi-Fi capability
3. Sony STRDH590 5.2-ch Surround Sound Home Theater Receiver: 4K HDR AV Receiver with Bluetooth, Black
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Sony STRDH590 5.2-ch Surround Sound Home Theater Receiver: 4K HDR AV Receiver with Bluetooth, Black is the perfect choice for any home theater system.
Pros :
- Sony STRDH590 has a sleek and compact design.
- The receiver has WiFi for wireless streaming to multiple devices.
- It features Google Chromecast, along with other streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, SiriusXM Radio (U.S.), and TIDAL (U.S., Canada).
Cons :
- Some users find the remote confusing to use because it doesn’t always seem to work as intended or be available when needed.
4. YAMAHA R-N303BL Stereo Receiver with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & Phono
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The Yamaha R-N303BL Stereo Receiver is a flexible and reliable device with a wealth of features. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a phono input make this receiver perfect for any home theater system or home audio system.
Pros :
- Excellent price for its specs
- 4K Ultra HD Passthrough
- Aerials Preset
- Wireless HiFi System with Music Streaming Services
Cons :
- This receiver doesn’t support streaming services like Pandora and Spotify.
5. Sony STR-DH790 7.2-ch Surround Sound Home Theater AV Receiver: 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos & Bluetooth Black
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The Sony STR-DH790 7.2-ch Surround Sound Home Theater AV Receiver is a cutting-edge piece of audio equipment that enables listeners to enjoy Dolby Atmos and Bluetooth. It also features 4K HDR compatibility, meaning that users can experience improved color, contrast, and range.
Pros :
- The STR-DH790 is an extremely well built receiver and it’s sleek and elegant.
- It can play Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for up to 11 speakers It also plays 4K HDR content
Cons :
- The STR-DH790 doesn’t have a USB port.
- This means if you want to access the music on your phone, for instance, you’ll need a Bluetooth adapter.
- This isn’t ideal if you’re using a wired connection from your computer because it will require some extra setup.
Conclusion :
AV receivers are typically the core of a home theater system, and they’re designed to handle all audio and video signals sent by media sources such as Blu-ray players, games consoles, DVRs, and more.
FAQ:
Q: What are the best AV receivers under $500?
A: Our next pick is the Pioneer VSX-834, another affordable 7.2 channel AV receiver, which currently retails for way less than $500. In many ways, this is a classic no-nonsense receiver, which comes loaded with the latest technologies for your home entertainment system, and it doesn’t put a dent into your bank account.
Q: Is Denon avr-s750h the best bang for the Buck receiver?
A: Moreover, the Denon AVR-S750H comes with HEOS built-in Technology, which is great for streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, Pandora etc. Bottom line, this Denon receiver is a great all-rounder, sounds great, has lots of features and it plays (and wins) in the “best bang for the buck” category.
Q: Are AV receivers good for streaming music?
A: One of the main aspects of today’s AV receivers is definitely their streaming capabilities. Even if you are not a fan of Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, or similar services, you will sooner or later need some of them. Therefore, better be safe than sorry and get yourself a device you can use in the long run.
Q: Is the Sony strdh590 a good AV receiver?
A: Sony STRDH590 is a 5.1-channel AV receiver that delivers precise and clean sound and even better video quality, which makes it suitable for both videophiles and audiophiles.