Packed with features but often more affordable than the AV Preamp combination, the AV receiver is the heart of many home theater systems. An AVR puts the AV switching and processing together in the same box as the speaker amplification (and usually adds an AM/FM tuning section to earn the name "receiver").
Today's receivers have between five and eleven channels of amplification, and most can decode the highest quality uncompressed audio soundtracks, such as DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD. A growing number can also decode 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
On the video side, most receivers offer a generous number of HDMI inputs, with the ability to pass through the latest and greatest technologies like Ultra HD and High Dynamic Range. Today’s AVRs are also loaded with coveted features like automatic setup and room correction systems, network audio streaming, hi-res audio playback, multi-room AV distribution, and smart home control.
Below are some educational resources to assist in your search for an AV receiver.
• AV Receivers vs. AV Separates: Which Is Right for You?
• The Good, Better, and Best AV Receivers on the Market Today
• Surround Sound Explained
• Automated Room Correction Explained
A simpler AVR for simpler rooms, this slim Marantz offerings hits all the right buttons for Andrew Robinson.
Simple setup and operation, along with solid performance, a wealth of features, and exceptional value, more than make up for the VSX-933's few shortcomings.
I finally upgraded my living room television to a 4K set. As much as I was excited to get a new television, especially as it was with my wife's...
AV technology has been changing so fast lately that many receivers become obsolete just a year after they're introduced. Far fewer are designed with the ability to remain relevant...
At least on paper, Sony's newest entry-level AV receiver, the $279 STR-DH590, is designed for someone like me. Who am I, you ask? Well, I'm someone who loves my...
Say the words "simplicity of operation," "musicality," and "modularity" to home theater enthusiasts, and the first electronics brand to come to many minds is almost certainly NAD. Throughout the...
Dennis Burger auditions the HEOS AVR, which combines a 5.1-channel AV receiver and a hi-res streaming music player based on the HEOS multiroom platform.
Brian Kahn auditions Sony's $500 STR-DN1080 7.2-channel AV receiver, which offers a nice assortment of features and solid performance for the price.
Dennis Burger auditions Marantz's $1,499 SR6012. This 9.2-channel AV receiver is loaded with features and delivers a very high level of performance.
It's that time of year again--when the HomeTheaterReview.com staff looks at all of the products we reviewed this year and picks the best of the best. We've tried to...
Bob Barrett auditions Pioneer's Elite SC-LX901. This 11.2-channel AV receiver is rated at 140 watts continuous power output at eight ohms, and it sports all the features and technologies...
Dennis Burger reviews Yamaha's $650 Aventage RX-A770 seven-channel AV receiver, which is loaded with all the latest technologies: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding, UHD/HDR pass-through, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, MusicCast, and...
Dennis Burger explores Rotel's RAP-1580 surround amplified processor--which is basically an AV receiver sans tuner section that features seven channels of Class AB amplification and supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X,...
'Tis the season for Home Theater Review's annual best-of list, where we select the best products we've reviewed in the past 12 months.
Dennis Burger examines Anthem's new flagship 11.2-channel MRX 1120 AV receiver. This model delivers the performance we've come to expect from Anthem...and adds some interesting new features, to boot.
Myron Ho reviews Yamaha's RX-A3050, a 9.2-channel AV receiver that offers a number of upgrades over its predecessor.
Dennis Burger explores Sony's flagship STR-ZA5000ES AV receiver--a feature-rich 9.2-channel receiver that boasts a highly intuitive user interface. How does it perform? Follow the link to find out.
Bob Barrett reviews Denon's flagship AVR-X7200WA, a fully loaded 9.2-channel AV receiver that supports all the latest audio and video technologies.
In this week's featured review, Dennis Burger explores Onkyo's TX-RZ900 7.2-channel AV receiver. This $1,599 box is well-built and fully loaded with features, but how does it perform?
It's that time of year again--time for the HomeTheaterReview.com staff to pick the products that we feel represent the best of the best from all of our 2015...
