Best Rated Home Theater Receivers.

How do we decide what is the best rated home theater receiver? The variables are many, how well will it drive my speakers? What is the right wattage? Is it capable of delivering a 180P, 4K or even an 8K signal? What is the best inexpensive home theater receiver? Is it among the best rated home theater receivers? Is it 5.1, 7.1, 9.1 or 11.1 and which is best for my room size?

Will it Drive My Speakers?

There are many speakers that can be driven decently loud by 10 or 20 watts in modest living spaces. Actually a 50 watt amplifier is more than enough for home listening with plenty of headroom in most cases. I do not want to write off the idea that the more watts your system has the better your home theater system will sound. This is also determined by the needs of your speakers. I will give the example of my B&W speakers. According to the manufacturer it takes from 35 to 75 watts per channel to drive Bowers and Wilkins speakers. However, most audiophiles will tell you to fully appreciate these speakers you need a minimum of 200 watts. I am sure the manufacturer knows how many watts it takes to drive their speakers, so who is right? I myself have always driven them with a 70 watt receiver and now have a 70 watt per channel Yamaha RX-V385, 5.1 channel, 4K Receiver. Another well rated low cost 5.1 surround receiver is the Sony STRDH590 5.1 channel 4K Receiver that Sony promises will deliver 145 watts per channel into 6 ohms.  The Sony I have is the STR-DE545, I saw one from 1998 and one from 2000. It does not have HDMI inputs or outputs, it does have 2 optical inputs. It still fires up and I am going to put it on the back patio with my Bose outdoor speakers. A TV can be connected to it with analog inputs. Neither my Yamaha nor my Onkyo receivers will light up and they were both bought in the mid-teens. So I assume if Sony still builds them like they used to they will last a long time. Also, the Sony may well be the best affordable home theater receiver.

Let’s Look at Some Highly Rated Home Theater Receivers.

The best models offer 8K video, Dolby Atmos, and Wi-Fi music streaming. The detailed specs and hardware can make shopping for one a bit intimidating. As I have said previously I am not about quoting specs but, to find the best receiver for your budget and needs.  Among the list of the best are receivers from Denon, Onkyo, Sony, Marantz, Anthem, Yamaha, Integra, Audio Control, Pioneer, Arcam, and I added NAD because for a long time it was the number 1 receiver this list is in no particular order. Denon actually has several highly rated receivers.  A top 10 list receiver the Denon AVR-X3800H an 8K Ultra HD, is a well rated 9.2 channel @ 105 watts per channel. This is followed by the Denon AVR-2700H an 8K Ultra HD, 7.2 channel @ 95 watts per channel. Then there is the Denon AVR S960H 8K Ultra HD 7.2 channel @ 90 watts per channel. Finally, the Denon AVR X8500H Flagship Receiver, 13.2 channel that features a dedicated 8K input that supports 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz video pass-through.Has 8 HDMI In / 3 Out, 2 Digital, 6 Analog, 2 Coaxial, and 1 Phono Input. As you can see Denon has a pretty impressive line up in my list of top AV receivers.

Onkyo has two well ranked AV receivers the TX-NR6100 an 8K, 7.2 channel @ 210 watts per channel and THX certification. THX certification insures high quality sound reproduction by enforcing strict standards of performance and acoustic measurement. This means the sound you hear is exactly as it was mastered in the studio. Also, the Onkyo TX-RZ50 another THX certified receiver with 9.2 channels and 11.2 channel processing @ 120 watts per channel. This is hard to find, if you hear of a retailer getting them in and you want this receiver, jump on it fast as they become available they usually sell out in a couple of hours. Onkyo receivers offer high current output which allows them to drive more challenging speakers as well as to drive more speakers at once.

Sony makes a well rated AV receiver the Sony STR-DH790 a 7.2-ch, 4K, Dolby Atmos and Bluetooth. This receiver has an optical HDMI output, is a slim design with 140 watts per channel. TheSony STR-AN1000 a 7.2 channel has 4K and 8K outputs, 165 watts into 6 ohms. There are 200 and 300 watt versions of this receiver.

Marantz another manufacturer who has high current amps in their receivers offers the Marantz AVR SR7015 it is a 9.2 channel that offers 8K upscaling, 125 watts per channel with Auro 3D and Imax enhanced. Imax enhanced gives a larger, more vivid image and Auro 3D® is a revolutionary way of delivering audio that wraps you in a cocoon of life-like sound. The Marantz AV7706 preamp is an 11.2 channel, 8K Ultra HD with all the above features and is designed to work alongside high-quality external power amplifiers like the Marantz MM8077, MM7055, and MM7025.

The Anthem MRX, 8k UHD series of receivers has 3 models beginning with the MRX 540 8K a 7.2 Pre-Amplifier / 5 Amplifier Channel A/V receiver with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced. 100-watts per channel continuous power into 8 ohms. The MRX 740 8K is an 11.2 Pre-Amplifier / 7 Amplifier Channel A/V receiver with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced. 140-watts per channel continuous power into 8 ohms. The MRX 1140 8K is a 15.2 Pre-Amplifier / 11 Amplifier Channel A/V receiver with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced. 140-watts per channel continuous power into 8 ohms for. They all have ARC (Anthem Room Correction) HDMI 2.1 supporting 8K 60Hz and 4K 120Hz.

Yamaha receivers have always been one of my favorites, I have never bought one of their high cost receivers but they make some that are highly rated. One such receiver is the Yamaha Aventage RX-A8A a150 Watt, 4K & 8K 60 Hz, 11.2 channel surround, Auro 3D, Dolby Atmos and more. The Yamaha RX-A2A is a 150 Watt, 4K & 8K 9.2 channel with all the features of the A8A for.

Integra makes some of the very best home receivers on the market. They are a subdivision of Onkyo and there DRX series consists of the DRX 4, DRX 3.4 and the DRX 5.4. These three models have very large power supplies with high current capability. Each has the AccuEQ speaker balancing system that uses a microphone to equalize your speakers measuring levels, distance and crossover frequencies. An interesting thing about the AccuEQ system is that you can bypass the main left and right front speakers and have up to three presets of your own. They can do Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, and HD-Master Audio. Even the entry-level DRX-2.3 uses some of the best DAC chips out there, they not only allow you to enjoy Hi-Res Audio, but everything you listen to will sound better.

DRX-4 is a 8K, 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receiver that delivers 80 watts per channel into 6 ohms. The DRX-3.4 is a 8K 9.2 channel delivering 100 watts per channel. The DRX5.4 is an 8K, 9.2 channel that delivers 120 watts.

The powerful high-current amplification in Audio Control receivers provide power levels that can drive even the most aggressive speaker systems and helps transform your living room into a movie lover’s ‘nirvana’. The Audio Control Receivers are equipped with Dolby Atmos, Auro 3D audio, and are Imax Enhanced. Audio Control’s Concert XR-4 is a 7.1 Home Theater 4K Ultra HD that delivers 65 watts per channel into 8 ohms all channels driven. The Concert SR-6 is a 9.1, 4K UHD that delivers 100 watts per channel in 8 ohms. The Concert XR-8 also a 9.1, 4K UHD delivering 120 watts into 8 ohms. The Concert XR-6S is a 9.1, 8K delivering 100 watts. The concert XR-8S is also a 8K, 9.1 delivering 120 watts.

At Pioneer the Elite Series are their high end receivers and are of very good quality and sound. The Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 is an 8K, 7.2 Channel AV Receiver offering 100 watts into 8 ohms. It has 4K to 8K upscaling and 1080P to 4K/8K upscaling and Dolby Atmos height virtualization. The VSX-LX305 ELITE 9.2, 8k UHD, 9.2 with all the enhancements of the VSX-LX105 plus IMAX Enhanced mode. With 11.2 channels and 120 watts of power per channel, IMAX® Enhanced Audio, and Dirac Live® Room Correction, the Pioneer VSX-LX505 ELITE 9.2 Channel AV Receiver delivers multi-dimensional excitement to your home theater. Prepare for an immersive home entertainment affair with the Elite VSX-LX805 11.4-Channel Network AV Receiver. Boasting next-gen technology and brimming with studio-grade circuitry.

The Arcam AVR21 with its impressive 16-channel surround solution and featuring all the CODECs from Dolby, DTS and Auro 3D exemplifies sound quality and engineering excellence.  It is an 8K UHD with 110 watts per channel (700 watts total). The Arcam AVR5 is a 7.1.4, 4K, 85 watts per channel with Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X it does have a phono input. DTS:X is a codec that creates multi-dimensional sound that moves around you like in real life. Finally, the Arcam AVR10 is a 7.1.4, 4K with 85 watts a channel with all the same codecs as the AVR5.

Finally, I am rounding the high end portion of this post out with the 2 NAD AV receivers, the NAD T 758 V3i is a 4K UHD, at 7 X 60 watts with 0.05 THD and all the codecs you could want. With MDC, digital audio and video circuits are on replaceable modules and the ability to seamlessly upgrade to future digital formats is unique and unprecedented. Dirac Live® is the most sophisticated digital room correction system available today. HD formats Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X, and DTS Master Audio, are decoded using the latest generation of high-speed multi-core DSP. UltraHD video at resolutions up to 3840 x 2160 pixels at 60 frames per second with 4:4:4 color gamut and High Dynamic Range support. All included in the NAD T 758 V3i. This AV receiver is fully packed with the best of every codec you could want.  Now the NAD T 778 offers 9 channels X 140 watts of NAD’s latest Hybrid Digital Amplifier Technology and 4K UHD video pass-through. Dirac Live Room Correction and Full decoding of MQA content via BluOS. The exclusive Modular Design Construction allowing you to upgrade to future digital formats. Every codec mentioned in the T 758 V3i. I loved my 2 NAD amplifiers one for the right and one for the left channel driving my Bose 901’s.

What is the best affordable home theater receiver is a question that is best answered by what is my budget? I will look at the least expensive receiver of different brands I want to stay around $300 but I am thinking I want to include a Denon and it will be $399.

The Sony STRDH590 is a 145 watts X 5, 5.2-Ch, 4K Ultra HD receiver that includes Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital, Dolby Vision, Dolby Dual Mono, DTS 96/24, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced Audio Codecs. It has 0.9% THD and hall, stadium, jazz club, 5ch stereo, sports and live concert modes.

The Pioneer VSX-534 Home Audio Smart AV Receiver is a 5.2-Ch, with 4K and 150 watts. Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround Upmixing; DTS:X and DTS Neural:X Upmixing; MCACC Auto Room Tuning; Dialogue Enhancement are also built in to this receiver. Also, the Pioneer VSX-834 7.2-Channel AV Receiver offers 4K video and Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats. At 135 watts per channel at 6 ohms with Ultra HD Upscaling (1080p to 4K) it is a very impressive receiver.

The lowest priced is an offering from Pyle, better known for their car audio systems, it is a 5.2 channel 4K UHD AV receiver with 1000 watts of peak power not to be confused with the RMS (continuous power). The rated maximum power is 250 watts divided by 5 I would imagine. They produce two low cost systems one a Pyle 5.2 the other Pyle 7.1.  I have never owned a Pyle receiver or car amp so I do not know how reliable they are.  They certainly are not  espensive.

Onkyo – TX-SR393 5.2-Ch. With Dolby Atmos 4K Ultra HD can be had in an open box from Best Buy.  An open box could be a bought and returned to a store a sample or some other sort of reason the box was opened.  I have over the years owned two Onkyo Receivers and neither of them lasted for a very long time.  I doubt that I will ever purchae another one.  The two I had were there lower priced or lower level receivers.

The Denon AVR-S570BT (70W X 5) 5.2-Ch. Bluetooth Capable 8K Ultra HD HDR Compatible AV Home Theater Receiver supports HDR, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dynamic HDR for pristine, realistic display, VRR, QFT, and ALLM for exceptionally fast gaming, and DTS HD Master and Dolby TrueHD for the most immersive audio.

A Rather Long Post That Covered a Lot of Information

I tried my best to include the best receiver for everyone at a price you can afford. This ended up being a very long post and I hope it was helpful for everyone.  I’m excited to have you as part of the community! I look forward to bringing you more exciting content in the future. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or comments.  Here at Audio Video Adventures is where you can get all the latest in Projectors, Receivers, Speakers, and accessories as well as everything else you need for the ideal home theater experience. You can purchase any of the items in this blog post by clicking on the blue highlighted text.