Denon AVR-S960H ($499) Channels: 7.2 Heres the best audio and video gear, plus accessories, to improve your gaming enjoyment. Sony STR-DH790 7.2 Channel Receiver Review. Cheaper AV receivers can be a great place to begin if you have a limited budget, but if you want a top-end AV receiver, you must make a more significant investment. Yes, many of the other AV receivers here will be able to power more speakers out-of-the-box but they dont offer Class G amplification. The .1 stands for the subwoofer, which usually has its own amplifier built in so your receiver wont need to provide it with power. It also has the same assortment of music-streaming features as the AVR-X1700H. Channels 1-5 are rated at 140 watts per channel, while the rest are 60 watts per channel (all at 8 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.01% THD, 2 Channels Driven). This receiver allows IP control for more advanced remote control capability for hardware like Control4 automation devices. Of course, we dont yet know, without extensive head-to-head testing, what difference Dirac Live Bass Control might make a year from now, but if youre already sold on Dirac room correction and know that you would prefer it over Audyssey MultEQ XT32, you might consider a receiver like Pioneers Elite VSX-LX505 instead, which is similarly priced but lacks some of the AVR-X3800Hs other niceties, such as its four subwoofer outputs, its Auro-3D support, its less-cluttered back panel, and its superior setup wizard. If you want to look at some models in different price brackets, check out the overview of the best AV receivers in 2022. The home theater receiver also called an AV receiver or surround sound receiver, is the heart of a home theater system. The new models include: We hope to bring in at least the STR-AN1000 and STR-AZ3000ES for our next round of testing. Therefore, eARC will allow you to pass Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio streams from your TV and back into the receiver. Marantz SR8015 is one of the latest, most advanced, and most expensive AV receivers from Marantz. All the other HDMI ports support 4K/60p and HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG. There are 7 HDMI ports on the rear which will be plenty for most people plus, there are three HDMI outputs, including a dedicated port for a zone 2 connection. Copyright 2009-2023 Home Cinema Guide | All Rights Reserved. The Yamaha is the mostexpensive stereo receiver you can buy for good value, Its sound is good and it has an amplifier design. So while watching a movie in the main zone, you can play stereo music in zone 2, 3 or 4. Lastly, because the AVR-X1700H relies on less-efficient Class AB amplifier technology (which is typical of AV receivers), it can run quite warm during extended use, especially at higher listening levels, so make sure to give it plenty of room to breathe. Plus, it has an RS-232C serial port for connecting to various alternative control systems, like Crestron, AMX and Savant. If youre a room-correction aficionado, a glance at the Audyssey charts below explains why: You can see how much smoother the midrange (100 to 1,000 Hz) response was when we applied the MultEQ XT32 room correction, in comparison with the midtier MultEQ XT room correction in the AVR-X1700H. Our biggest beef: Though the remote control is well designed (with neither too many buttons nor too few, and some nice use of tactile contrast to guide you toward the controls you need the most), we often found that we had to aim it right at the front of the receiver for it to register commands, even from as close as 6 feet away. It offers four HDMI inputs that all have HDMI 2.1 compatibility, so it works well for gamers. Surround sound with anywhere between 70-90 watts of continuous power per channel with approximately 145 watts in bursts. Full processing suites from Dolby and DTS can be found in AV receivers costing as little as $500. One of the rear inputs is HDMI 2.1 and supports uncompressed 8K/60p and 4K/120p. Our focus here is on receivers that strike a good balance of performance, features, and value, so all of our picks are priced around $1,700 and below. Contrary to conventional wisdom, adding more subs isnt about being able to crank up the bass to the point of rattling your fillings as well as your rafters; its about evenly distributing the low frequencies around the room so that any one subwoofer has to exert less effort and everyone in the audience has a similar experience with regard to bass. This upgrade will cost between $260 and $350, depending on which version you choose. 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. So this shouldnt be a concern unless you must have all the latest features. We independently review everything we recommend. Whatever some may say, there is no perfect AV receiver. 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. Room correction helps to improve the overall sound quality by using microphones and built-in software to estimate how your room and speaker placement are distorting the sound and to attempt to compensate for those distortions. Here are a few examples of AV receivers in the entry-level category: Onkyo TX-SR333 ($299), Denon AVR-S500BT ($249), Yamaha RX-V377 ($299.95), Pioneer VSX-524-K ($249.99), and Sony STR-DH550 ($279 . One of the biggest disappointments is that, even at the $1,500-and-above level, Onkyo and Pioneer receivers felt cheaply constructed when we perused them at retail (primarily Best Buy and Cohens) to decide what to bring in for in-depth hands-on testing, prompting concerns about their durability. But if youve purchased a new 4K HDR TV and 4K HDR source devicesor, more recently, an 8K-capable TV or one that supports updated HDMI 2.1 featuresan older AV receiver may lack the ability to pass through those higher-quality signals, and a really old receiver may lack HDMI connections altogether. The better room-correction systems are those that prompt you to place the calibration microphone at numerous locations at and around the main listening area. Adding more network and wireless connection options is a valuable upgrade on the older FMJ AV receivers. The quality of the room correction had the biggest impact on the sound, and MultEQ XT was a clear winner over alternatives from Onkyo, Pioneer, and Yamaha in receivers at or near this models priceespecially when we used the optional $20 MultEQ Editor mobile app (for iOS and Android) to tweak the room correction. Its a big unit, so make sure you have the space to install it. The Sony STR-DH790 offers excellent value for the price. The best universal remotes can help clean up the clutter on your coffee table. The Cinema 50, on the other hand, is a really close match for the AVR-X3800H but costs $800 more. As you move up in price, you can expect a receiver to be able to connect to a home network (check for a wired or wireless network connection, if you have a preference) and to have built-in support for services like Spotify (so you dont have to cast the audio from your phone), as well as built-in streaming protocols such as Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast. 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. Four pre-outs can also connect up to four extra active subwoofers. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 4K UHD TV - At 140W per channel, the Denon AVR-S540BT receiver delivers exceptional brightness and contrast, and supports HLG, HDR, BT.2020, Wide Color Gamut and 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling for realistic display and immersive sound And, at 435 mm wide and 476 mm deep, you will also need plenty of space to install it. If you need the flexibility of sending some or all channels to an external power amp, then you will have no problems with this model, as it has a complete set of 13.2 pre-outs. The more height speakers you add, the more convincing the effectbut that requires more amp channels, which necessitates a more expensive AV receiver. No pain, no gain! 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. But the reason this model is no longer a pick has less to do with price hikes and shelf-life concerns (though those things matter) than it does with how Yamaha handled the HDMI 2.1 issues that plagued all of the first-generation 8K-compatible receivers. Software, microphone, tripod even all the required cables, and you just need to supply the laptop. The AVR-X3800H has more amp channels and more connection options than the AVR-X1700H, so the back panel is more crowded. Whether its finding great products or discovering helpful advice, well help you get it right (the first time). It features seven amplifier channels that can power a surround-sound speaker system or a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X home theater setup with two overhead speakers. Stylish design and great sound make the Polk Signature Elite ES15, ES10, and ES30 combo our pick for the best surround-sound system. However, these require a firmware update, so initially wont be available out of the box. There is also support for eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). Yamaha is also falling behind Denon in features for the price, and the companys entry-level, Bluetooth-only receiver, the Yamaha RX-V385, isnt as easy to set up or use as our budget pick, the Denon AVR-S570BT. In the price ranges we covered with our testing, we were unable to tell most receivers apart when their room correction was not enabled. I have no problem with that. $299.99. If youre trying to get as close as possible to re-creating a genuine movie-theater experience at home, theres no replacement for a good AV receiver. At home, he has spent more time than is probably healthy installing, configuring, testing, de-rigging, fixing, tweaking, re-installing again (and sometimes using) various pieces of hi-fi and home cinema equipment. For most users, 7.1 capacity is more than enough, and that's what we . So, you need to decide what is more important to you. It has 5.2 multi-channel surround sound with a booming 145W per channel output, along with Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD audio that's better than the price tag suggests. Yamaha CX-A5200. 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. If you are new to the Arcam brand, you might find this overview of the company interesting: A Marantz AV amplifier is a good choice for movie and music performance if you dont want to pay the high prices of some receivers here. AV receiver is a multi-channel device with digital audio stream decoders, tuner, and switcher for audio and video signals for use in home theater systems. If you want to assemble a simple 5.1-channel surround-sound systemor you already have a 5.1-channel system and need to upgrade to a receiver that supports 4K, 8K, or high dynamic range videothe Denon AVR-S570BT is a good option under $500. Some of the more expensive A/V receivers can even work with 9.1, 9.2, or even 11.1 systems. Our only minor qualms with the AVR-X1700H are that the remote controls infrared signal can be finicky and the receiver can run a bit warm when youre pushing your speaker system to high volumes. Also, we wish Denon did a better job of alerting buyers to the fact that the Audyssey room-correction system can incorporate the optional $20 MultEQ Editor mobile app, but that if you want to use it, you need to have the app running before you begin the room-correction measurement process. In my opinion, one of the best benefits of a Denon receiver is the Audyssey automatic room acoustic correction technology. 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. Make sure to read the fine print to pick a receiver that supports the HDMI 2.1 features you need. This was disappointing for anyone with the latest game consoles. But when you invest in a more advanced room-correction technology such as Audyssey MultEQ XT32 or Dirac (both of which are available on AV receivers of various brands), you get the ability to customize the type of corrections and account for multiple subwoofers, and these systems do a better job of tuning the sound without making it seem overly processed. Therefore, here are some more considerations that might be more important to you. In fact, there is a complete set of 13.2 pre-outs on the back if you want to power all your speakers from external power amps. You can find out morehere. Sometimes you just need to buy the best on the market. Therefore, if you dont need the new features, you may get a bargain if you can find the older model in stock. You also have plenty of options for routing audio into zones 2 and 3. Denon has also promised to add support for Dirac Live, a more advanced form of room correction, in March 2023with support for the even more advanced Dirac Live Bass Control coming in 2024. AV receivers are classified based on how many speakers they can power. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. 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. The MRX 1140 was initially released in 2020, along with the cheaper 740 and 540 models, and didnt support HDMI 2.1 and 8K video passthrough. There is the same number of HDMI ports as the previous model of this AV receiver. The very best room-correction systems also allow you to place limits on what the system is and isnt allowed to correct.. You should also consider how many non-HDMI-equipped sources you want to connect and make sure the receiver has enough digital or analog inputs to accept them. 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. Denon is always a brand you should consider when looking for a new AV receiver. 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. Take your time to consider what you need in a new AV receiver, and you will find the right model that ticks all the boxes. So, if you want to support the latest display resolutions, this receiver will have you covered. If youre willing to add an outboard stereo amp, the AVR-X3800H has preamp outputs that allow you to expand the total speaker count to 11. Because the AVR-S570BT doesnt have a lot of features, its particularly easy to set up, even if you dont have much experience; on-screen prompts and a well-labeled back panel help you get everything running correctly even if youre a rookie. So, what are the main features of the AVR-X8500HA? Until MusicCast Surround, getting wireless surround speakers with a standard AV receiver has not been easy. But you may have specific needs that make one of the companys other models a better pick for you. However, I assume you are here to understand more about your options at this high-end level, so lets compare the receivers here in a little more detail and give you an idea of their strengths and weaknesses. Many receivers include built-in support for music streaming services such as Sirius XM, Spotify Connect, and Tidal, along with the ability to connect directly to internet radio stations and local DLNA media servers. In our voice-intelligibility stress testthe Mines of Moria sequences from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on UHD Blu-raythe AVR-X3800H provided a big leap in clarity over the AVR-X1700H. . If you want to get into wireless audio around your home, youre also in luck. Its great to see the new MRX models come with the latest ARC Genesis software. No need to buy a separate wireless multi-room system. Marantz AV8805. Product Description. With each receiver, we spent at least a day on testing with and without room correction and enjoying a variety of content, including movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos, as well as some action-oriented video games, at volume levels ranging from casual to extreme. You can set up several scenarios in different rooms using the zone connections. Most AV receivers use Class AB amplification, a cost-effective way to make a relatively efficient amplifier that sounds good without costing too much to build. . Or, you can watch videos in zone 2 or 4 while enjoying something else in the main room. But this is overkill. And the new MRX 1140 also adds DTS:X Pro support, allowing upmixing for speaker layouts over 11.2 channels. The first thing that takes the eye on the Denon AVR-X8500HA is the remarkable 13.2 channels.
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