A home theater isn’t complete without a quality AV receiver. They are the hub of your system, managing all the devices you connect to (cable TV, Blu-ray player, turntable, gaming device, streaming service) and refining the signals between them.
Today’s AV receivers can decode both analog and digital surround-sound formats for a cinema-like experience. They also provide amplification for multiple speakers.
Yamaha R-S202BL
If you’re looking for an affordable stereo receiver that offers wireless connectivity, then the Yamaha R-S202BL is an excellent choice. This entry-level model delivers a simple yet functional audio system that can be set up in just a few minutes.
The receiver features Bluetooth connectivity, which lets you stream music from any compatible smart phone or device. It also has 40-station FM preset tuning and a remote control for easy use.
Built with 125 years of Yamaha’s musical heritage, this stereo receiver is optimized for maximum power and minimal interference. Its two 100W channels decrease signal route length while optimizing the circuit layout.
Another feature is the energy-saving ECO mode, which automatically alters or reduces power output depending on the signal level displayed on the display. This mode is ideal for environmentally conscious consumers.
This receiver is a great pick for those looking for a powerful stereo system that can handle a wide range of music and movies. It features a low impedance drive and a sound processing capacity of up to 200 watts per channel.
It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology, which provide epic surround sound quality. It’s also compatible with 4K and Ultra HD passthrough, so you can enjoy a dazzling entertainment experience in your home.
The receiver is also compatible with the popular AudioCast wireless speakers, which can be used to add a multi-room audio system. This can be useful for those with a large family who want to watch movies together in different rooms.
This receiver also comes with a variety of sound adjustment features, including Bass, Treble and Balance. You can adjust these settings independently from -10dB to + 10dB.
Denon AVR-X4800H
Having the right AV receiver can make a big difference to your home entertainment experience. Whether you’re watching TV or listening to music, a good receiver can help ensure that you get the most out of your content.
The Denon AVR-X4800H is a powerful 9.4-channel AV receiver with 125 watts per channel for theater-quality sound. It also supports a variety of surround sound formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Its advanced audio features include AL32 processing, which improves audio resolution by up to 32 times. It also has a powerful DSP chip that processes more than one billion computations per second, which helps to optimize sound quality.
This receiver also supports modern 8K HDMI connections, allowing you to connect various video sources and display them on your TV at their highest resolution. It also includes a number of features to make it easier to watch 8K content, including Dynamic HDR, eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode).
With its many features, the AVR-X4800H is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a high-quality home theater system. It can handle a wide range of audio and video sources, including streaming services and 4K Blu-ray players.
Moreover, this model is compatible with HEOS technology, which allows you to play music in different rooms of your home using a single receiver. The HEOS app also makes it easy to configure the receiver.
The AVR-X4800H has a sleek and stylish design that’s suitable for a variety of home entertainment spaces. It also includes a vertical antenna to ensure optimal reception of signals. The unit is also lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around.
Onkyo TX-RZ50
If you’re looking for a powerful, affordable home theater receiver with plenty of features and high-quality sound, look no further than the Onkyo TX-RZ50. This receiver offers 9 channels of amplification, 11.2 channel processing, and 7.2.4 pre-outs so you can build a powerful surround sound system. It supports THX Certified Select Theater Reference Sound and also comes with Dirac Live room correction software to help you get the most out of your system.
This receiver also supports 4K/120 video from gaming consoles, making it a good choice for those who want to enjoy ultra-fast motion UHD images on their TVs and projectors. It also has access to the latest streaming services and apps, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple AirPlay, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, and more.
For those who aren’t fans of wired speakers, the Onkyo TX-RZ50 has a handy wireless mode that sends audio to compatible Bluetooth headphones for nighttime listening. It also includes the latest Bluetooth technology, which allows for high-quality data transfers.
In addition to supporting a wide range of music files, this receiver also plays HDR content. Its advanced decoding technology extracts object-based surround information from the image, and then decodes it through premium 32-bit / 768 kHz Differential Output D/A converters for superior sound quality.
The RZ50 also features an array of useful app-based options that let you control your receiver from anywhere, including Alexa voice control and a Sonos Port that lets you control it with your Sonos account. It also includes bidirectional Bluetooth so you can use it with your wireless headphones for late-night listening.
If you’re looking for a new home theater receiver, the Onkyo TX-RZ50 is one of the best values available. It has 9 channels of amplification, 11.2 channels of processing, and 7.2.4 pre-outs to accommodate a full-blown Dolby Atmos setup. The receiver also comes with THX Certified Select Theater Reference Sound and Dirac Live room correction software to make it easy to adjust your setup to your room’s size, shape, and shape-of-sound preferences.
B&O Playbar
Soundbars are becoming increasingly popular solutions for improving a TV’s audio, especially if a full surround system isn’t possible. The B&O Playbar is one such product, and it has a wealth of features and an impressive audio performance for the price.
The Playbar is a large AV receiver that sits on top of your TV, and it’s a solidly built piece of kit. It can handle pretty much any audio your TV can output, so you can use it with a Blu-ray player or Games Console, and the optical digital out connection will also let you connect a DVD player.
As with many of Sonos’ speakers, the Playbar has the company’s app onboard, which is a huge convenience and makes setting up your speakers a breeze. The app is available on iOS and Android, and it can also be used to control the Playbar’s volume and streaming music from over 30 different services.
In terms of connectivity, the Playbar supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The former is a great way to share music, but you’ll want to use the app for most things.
It also offers support for AirPlay and Amazon Alexa voice control, which are great conveniences. You can even set timers and receive flash briefings, so there’s a lot of smart functionality here.
The Playbar’s main advantage over other models in this price range is the quality of its bass. It has two force-cancelling drivers that provide deep, room-shaking bass when turned up to about 80 percent volume, but it can be a little booming in some situations.
Overall, the Playbar has a superb audio performance and we were impressed with the soundstage and clarity of the sound. It’s a good choice for those looking to improve their home cinema experience or want a soundbar that can double as a wireless speaker.
Sony STR-XB700
If you want a budget-friendly audio system that packs in lots of features, the Sony STR-XB700 is a solid choice. It supports a wide variety of formats and delivers an enjoyable mix of bass boost, midrange detail, and high-end extension.
It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, HDCP 2.2 and eARC (for better audio from HDMI-eARC) and is ready for 8K video. It also offers seven HDMI inputs, all of which support HDMI 2.1 features like variable refresh rate and quick frame transport.
In addition, it has an IPX4 water-resistance rating. That’s a big deal, as many AV receivers are prone to damage in the rain, which can affect performance.
The receiver also supports Bluetooth and AirPlay 2, as well as voice assistants from Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, and others. It also has a built-in speaker calibration program that lets you adjust the sound of your speakers in minutes, so they play at their best.
Unlike some bass boost audio products, the WF-XB700 doesn’t sacrifice too much of the lows and mids for the sake of bass, giving you good soundstage and imaging. This makes it a more enjoyable audio experience than some other models we’ve reviewed, which typically offer bass boost but leave you with no discernible music to hear in the background.
It’s not as versatile as some of its high-end siblings, but the Denon AVR-X2800H is a 2022 What Hi-Fi award winner with a retuned sonic signature that can do more to reflect both movies and music. It also has a modernised full-screen interface that makes it easier to control.