8 best AV receivers for music: a selection of popular models, their pros and cons
To recreate the very same atmosphere of a movie at home, a person can turn to an alternative home theater. In order to assemble a home theater, the user will need to purchase speakers, media players, etc., but the “heart” will be an AV receiver. This is a combination of several devices at once, so a person does not have to buy a separate power amplifier or AV processor - everything is already in the receiver. All speakers are connected to it. The main task of the device is to process and decode audio and video signals.
Best AV Receivers 7.2
Thanks to the additional channels, the 7.2 circuit creates a very realistic and highly detailed sound that will amaze the buyer with its depth and completely immerse him in the atmosphere of the film. Also, if the user needs to get the sound maximally adapted to the room, then the 7.2 receiver has more speaker placement options. If we talk not only about audio, but also video quality, then here too the seven-channel receiver will delight the user, since the image it produces is realistic. The 7.2 receiver is suitable for large rooms that are difficult to fill with a lower wattage circuit.
The only thing that can slightly upset the buyer is the price. 7.2 AV Receivers are expensive, but worth the price.
YAMAHA RX-V385
The receiver will perfectly cope with its purpose - it will provide high quality audio and video playback. Thanks to Yamaha CINEMA DSP technology, it will be able to recreate the most realistic sound and immerse the user in the world of the movie that was chosen for viewing. In addition, the device analyzes the connected audio system and room acoustics, and then adjusts to these parameters to ensure high quality sound. However, some buyers note that they had to independently adjust the receiver's parameters to their speaker system. As for the picture, the receiver does an excellent job of adapting the picture and upscales its resolution to 4K.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Dimensions (edit) | 435 x 315 x 161 mm |
| Power consumption | 600 watts |
| Power per channel | 70 watts |
| Signal to noise ratio | 110 dBA |
pros
- high build quality;
- great sound;
- support of modern standards;
- easy to connect and configure;
- 4K support.
Minuses
- large dimensions;
- auto adjustment does not provide the proper picture and sound quality.
Onkyo TX-SR373
A multifunctional receiver that will become a real boon for your home theater. It supports not only the most common, but also the latest audio formats, which will have a positive effect on the sound quality. It also allows you to connect any equipment using an HDMI cable - this will help you get rid of a lot of wires and cables in the room. The receiver has useful additional features with which it can enhance compressed audio signals and eliminate standing waves for enhanced sound quality.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Dimensions (edit) | 435 x 168 x 327 mm |
| Power consumption | 210 watts |
| Power per channel | 135 watts |
| Signal to noise ratio | 106 dBA |
pros
- sound detail;
- powerful amplifier;
- convenient to set up;
- the ability to connect any equipment;
- high build quality.
Minuses
- bulky;
- background noise in headphones.
Denon AVR-X250BT
This model will provide powerful detailed sound, the depth of which will pleasantly surprise the buyer, and the ability of the receiver to increase the resolution to Full HD and 4K, will allow you to enjoy high-quality images. In addition, the device has the latest video section, which also has a positive effect on the quality.The receiver is easy and pleasant to set up, so it will not be difficult for the user to adjust the operating parameters of the device to the stereo system. Of the additional functions, in addition to Bluetooth, it is possible to restore compressed audio, a sleep timer, and an auto power off.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Dimensions (edit) | 151 x 434 x 319 mm |
| Power consumption | 300 watts |
| Power per channel | 130 watts |
| Signal to noise ratio | 98 dBA |
pros
- high build quality;
- great sound
- easy to set up;
- excellent image quality;
- iron front panel.
Minuses
- no USB connector;
- spring terminals for connecting acoustics.
Pioneer VSX-832
Pioneer VSX-832 will make your home theater not only high quality, but also multifunctional. For example, to play your favorite music, the user does not need to connect a signal source to the device, since the receiver has built-in streaming services Deezer, Tidal and Spotify. Also thanks to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, the Pioneer VSX-832 will be able to play locally stored music. It supports 4K for high quality video and immersive movie experiences.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Dimensions (edit) | 435 × 320 × 173 mm |
| Power consumption | 400 watts |
| Power per channel | 130 watts |
| Signal to noise ratio | 108 dBA |
pros
- easy customization;
- high-quality sound;
- the presence of automatic on and off;
- user-friendly interface;
- many modes for choosing a sound layout.
Minuses
- unreliable fastening of wires;
- only one device can connect via Bluetooth.
Best 5.1 AV Receivers
5.1 AV receivers have fewer channels, but that doesn't mean they have poor sound quality. The sound will only seem less voluminous and realistic. As for the video, it will perfectly cope with the same functions as the seven-channel receiver: it will scale, increase the resolution to Full HD or 4K. In terms of video quality, they are almost equal, the user will not notice much difference. 5.1 AV receivers are suitable for small rooms and halls that do not need to try to fill with sound. The power of the receiver is enough to create a sufficiently voluminous and realistic acoustics in a small room.
One of its advantages is cost. It is much cheaper than 7.2 circuits, but despite this, the audio and video quality remains quite high.
Pioneer VSX-934
This model will provide the buyer with high quality video that can be upscaled to 4K resolution. The receiver reproduces the most realistic and deep sound - the guarantee of complete immersion in the motion picture. Another advantage of this device is the ability to listen to online music and Internet radio. Deezer, Spotify, Amazon Music and Tidal services are available to the user. Also, the receiver is equipped with DTS Play-Fi technology, which allows you to play music on synchronized devices.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Dimensions (edit) | 435×370×173 |
| Power consumption | 450 watts |
| Power per channel | 160 watts |
| Signal to noise ratio | 106 dBA |
pros
- high quality sound;
- support for 4K video;
- user-friendly interface;
- detailed settings;
- network functions.
Minuses
- truncated USB functionality;
- remote control slightly overloaded with buttons.
Marantz SR5013
The device has systems that allow you to calibrate audio devices for the acoustic parameters of the room, which will increase the sound quality - making it more natural, but at the same time powerful. It also has connectivity to Deezer, Spotify and Tidal, which offer the user the ability to enjoy their favorite music without having to connect third-party devices to the receiver. Another feature of the device is the phono input, which is used to connect a turntable. As for the image, the device can be upscaled up to 4K.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Dimensions (edit) | 440 x 161 x 348 mm |
| Power consumption | 600 watts |
| Power per channel | 100 watts |
| Signal to noise ratio | 100 dBA |
pros
- powerful, high-quality sound;
- does not freeze and does not slow down;
- high build quality;
- great picture;
- there is a sound calibration at 8 points.
Minuses
- calibration takes a few minutes;
- softens sounds that are too loud.
Denon AVR-X3500H
This model supports the latest audio file formats for surround sound when watching movies. Also, the buyer will be pleasantly surprised by the reproduction of old analog and digital sources in ultra-high quality. Thanks to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, the user can easily enjoy access to the wireless network, as well as control the multi-room system using a mobile application.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Dimensions (edit) | 434 x 391 x 167 mm |
| Power consumption | 600 watts |
| Power per channel | 180 watts |
| Signal to noise ratio | 100 dBA |
pros
- detailed powerful sound;
- slight heating during operation;
- availability of a mobile application;
- automatic switches;
- easy to set up.
Minuses
- no motorized volume control;
- connectors are made from cheap plastic.
YAMAHA RX-V685
The receiver will provide complete immersion in sound thanks to the CINEMA DSP 3D system, which analyzes the room acoustics and adjusts its parameters to improve the quality. Based on data collected around the world, the system reproduces the acoustics of a club or concert hall on home equipment. The user will appreciate the MusicCast technology, which can be used to play music on speakers and audio systems in other rooms. Speaking of image quality, it is worth noting that the device has the ability to scale the resolution up to 4K, so there will be no problems with detail.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Dimensions (edit) | 435 x 378 x 171 mm |
| Power consumption | 260 watts |
| Power per channel | 90 watts |
| Signal to noise ratio | 110 dBA |
pros
- Excellent value for money and quality;
- availability of an input for connecting a vinyl player;
- there is an internet radio;
- high build quality;
- high quality sound.
Minuses
- plastic front panel;
- weak terminals for clamping the speaker.
Conclusion
After reading a review of the best AV receivers, the user can easily choose his favorite. Before choosing a particular model, you should decide on the room in which the home theater will be located, as well as the expectations that the buyer places on the device. If the cinema will be equipped in a small room, then you can safely take a 5.1 AV receiver, but if a large room is chosen for watching a movie, then it is better to give preference to seven channel schemes. Also, do not forget about such important characteristics of the product as: power, signal-to-noise ratio, dimensions and additional functions. By making a choice based on these parameters, the user will be able to get the most out of the movie.
