Table of Content
Using these tools, a home theater can balance the speaker levels in accordance with speaker size, distance, and room acoustics. Depending on the brand, these programs have different names such as AccuEQ , Anthem Room Correction , Audyssey (Denon/Marantz), MCACC , and YPAO . Lifewire EV EVs have been around a long time but are quickly gaining speed in the automotive industry.
Speaker models such as those in the new Klipsch Reference series could make a great partnership for a home cinema setup, and has several upward-firing height speakers to meet Dolby Amos requirements. The RX-A4A can simplify many other aspects of your home theater setup. Longing for a simpler surround sound speaker setup without wires running across your living room? Use Yamaha MusicCast speakers for your rear pair, and the RX-A4A can connect to them wirelessly. Intimidated by what it might take to get your Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 setup calibrated? Need a home theater you can talk to rather than having to remember where you left the remote?
Yamaha RX-V6A (Update: Currently sold out)
This includes compatibility with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant as well as AirPlay 2 and Chromecast support for streaming, as well as a robust repertoire of HDR support and connectivity. Where it shines the most, though, is the attention to detail it provides when it comes to audio. You’re going to pay for that attention, but for the audiophiles in the home theater community, it’s well worth it. Marantz takes its know-how in audio performance and packs it all into a slim AV receiver with the Marantz NR1711. This compact receiver can slip into tight quarters thanks to its constrained proportions – it's just 4.1 inches tall.
If a specific home theater receiver has this capability, it will either be labeled on the receiver's exterior or outlined in the user manual. The term, Hi-Res audio is applied to any music file has a higher bitrate than the physical CD (16 bit linear PCM at a 44.1khz sampling rate). Networking is a feature that more home theater receivers are incorporating, especially in the mid-to-high price point. The Multi-Zone function allows a Home Theater Receiver to control either the same or a separate, source than the one being listened to in the main room, in another location. For example, the user can be watching a Blu-ray Disc or DVD in the main room, while someone else can listen to a CD in another, at the same time.
Wireless Multi-Room/Whole House Audio
Three of them boast some level of HDMI 2.1 compliance, and the HDMI output supports eARC. Whether you are upgrading your existing media set up or looking to go beyond your boring TV speakers, the best AV receivers for home theater and music are sure to create the movie night of your dreams. The best receivers deliver multiple channels of room-filling audio with the latest surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos. With networking capabilities, everyone in the home can immerse themselves in their favorite albums on-demand through app and voice controls.
Unfortunately, this model lacks Wi-Fi compatibility or an Ethernet port, but it does have Bluetooth. It’s hi-res compatible, and you can set up a 5.1 or 7.1-channel surround sound system that’s uniquely calibrated to your space. The build quality is impressive too, and this receiver should last quite a while. It brings in 8K video at 60Hz to go with 4K/120Hz, HDR (HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dynamic HDR, Dolby Vision), and HDMI-eARC that lets you pass full resolution surround sound from your TV through to the receiver. There are 8 HDMI inputs, plus 3 outputs, including useful add-ons like a Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode to accommodate gamers who need them.
Denon AVR-X4700H 9.2-Channel 8K AV Receiver with 3D Audio and Amazon Alexa Voice Control
Some receivers access both the audio and video portions of the HDMI signals for further processing. If you have an older TV without an ARC-compliant port you will need to connect both an HDMI cable and an optical cable to the back of your TV. However, if you have a CRT or rear-projection TV with composite or component inputs you'll need a $1,000-plus receiver like the Marantz SR6015 or Onkyo TX-RZ50. Many receivers no longer offer switching for these legacy connections. Standards change all the time, but the bare minimum right now is support for HDR and Dolby Vision, and at least HDMI version 2.0 or better. All of these models support not only 4K and HDR video but 8K support as well, even if 8K content is hard to find.
Since receivers can last a long time, it's a good idea to get as many channels as you can so you have the option to upgrade to more surround sound in the future. We recommend at least a 7.1-channel system, even if you don't currently use that many speakers. Although the DH590 has Bluetooth for direct music streaming from a compatible smartphone or tablet, the receiver isn't internet-connected, so you won't be able to stream music without a Bluetooth device. That being said, Sony's high-res audio support kicks in when you're beaming tunes to the receiver, which adds a little more belly and top-end to your sound. In the premium receiver market, Yamaha’s Aventage RX-A4A carries a similar price as the Denon AVR-X3700H and gives you three 8K-compatible HDMI 2.1 inputs, but it only has seven amp channels. Anthem has introduced new upgrades to its popular MRX line in the form of the MRX 540 ($1,600), MRX 740 ($2,700), and MRX 1140 ($3,700).
It sends crisp HDR video to your TV and keeps its soundtrack in sync. Below, we detail each of these specs so you understand why we have them as part of the checklist. We used to call out many more things you would want to look for, but most current receivers have features that were less common just a couple of years ago. These features include Dolby Atmos on board, the ability to switch 4K video, Bluetooth, music streaming, and app control. Since every model on our list already includes these features, we will not specifically call them out with a check. With all of the inputs and outputs you would expect in a fully-featured home theater receiver, the AVR is also capable of running audio in three rooms with powered stereo outputs for the second and third zones.
If you’re looking for an affordable home theater receiver with connection/content access flexibility for a variety of setups and good sound quality, definitely consider the STR-DN1080. If you want to connect two different displays -- a TV and a projector, for example -- all but the Yamaha offer a second HDMI output. You should also be sure you have an extra HDMI cable or two on hand -- these things are like the second sock of a pair in that you can never find them when you need them. The Yamaha is great with movies but doesn't sound as good with music streaming. Still, as the Onkyo offers balanced performance across both, it's my current favorite.
If there's one area where we're spoiled for choice, it's affordable stereo speakers, and at $399 the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2s offer excellent playback of both movies and music. They offer a transparency that's unlike anything else near the price. While the Q Acoustic 3030is are more even-handed and have better bass response, they're also $550. When it comes to bang for buck, it doesn't get much better than the Roku Streambar home theater system. This speaker offers both a dialogue-enhancing soundbar and a built-in 4K streamer in one package. If you want more bass or surround speakers, the system is also upgradable.
While other brands may support those features as well, a main spec you’ll want to look for is power output, and our choices here offer a range of total amplifier power to drive an Atmos speaker system. For video, it’s 8K compatible, and it supports technologies like HDR10 and HDR10+. You can view content in 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz on compatible devices, and it even boasts 8K upscaling. The SR7015 has more connection options that some might need, and the back of the device looks intimidating with all of the different connection ports—but it's better to have more than not enough. Eight HDMI inputs are provided as well as three HDMI outputs, all of which are HDCP 2.3 compliant, but the main port has eARC support as well.
While it’s ostensibly a seven channel design (which means it can run in a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos configuration) there are also two phantom rears which create a pseudo seven channel surround soundstage. The receiver can even virtually relocate the physical position of your speakers, to create a better sonic balance. If you're after the best possible home theater experience, you're going to need one of the best AV receivers. So you can rest assured that they have each been given an extremely thorough multi-channel workout with high-octane movies as well as being put through their paces with high-quality stereo music. By adding a two-channel power amp, you can go to a full-blown 7.4.4 system.
Yamaha has given its AV receivers an impressive redesign to make them look much more modern, and the RX-A2A looks more expensive than it actually is. The redesigned remote is excellent and much easier to use than before, and there's great format support including Apple Lossless , WAV/FLAC/AIFF to 192Hz and playback from Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer and the obligatory Spotify. There's also AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth (SBC/AAC), Google Assistant and Alexa compatibility and tuners for both DAB+ and AM/FM. For most cinephiles out there, the Denon AVR-X6700H is going to be the best AVR money can buy.
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