If you have a high-end TV or projector and a luxury surround sound system to go with your TV, you’ll want an A/V receiver that can optimize the performance of your equipment. If you go for a budget receiver, it might not be able to handle the needs of your expensive equipment. When investing in a new receiver, speaker wattage, configuration, and output standards will be what determines your model choice. Your receiver needs to have the correct amount of watts for your system to be able to project your sound, while still maintaining high-quality audio. Configuration revolves around your setup as a whole. Make sure your device can handle the number of speakers you plan to connect to it. If you have a five-speaker surround sound setup with a woofer, a 5.1 channel receiver could work just fine. But, if you have additional surround speakers, you’ll want a receiver that supports more channels. Lastly, know what media you intend to run. Your new receiver may not be compatible with 4K output. If you prefer 4K or even 8K over HD, check to see if this is an option for your receiver. The best high-end home theater receiver will be worth the price tag by tying together your perfect audio and video setup. The SR7015 packs in nine 125W amps and two subwoofer pre-out connections, so you can connect a large surround sound speaker array and two subwoofers. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Neo:X, DTS Virtual:X, and Dolby TrueHD surround sound technologies, along with MP3, WMA, AAC, ALAC, and FLAC file formats. 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. The SR7015 also provides support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. Apple AirPlay and Bluetooth compatibility are also provided, so you can stream music from either your iPhone or Android smartphone. One added bonus is the incorporation of HEOS wireless multi-room audio streaming. HEOS allows the SR7015 to stream audio from your own local music library (phone, tablet, USB drive) and streaming music services to compatible HEOS wireless speaker products that can be placed around the house. Wattage: 125W | Inputs: USB (1) Analog audio (6), HDMI (8), Coaxial (2), Optical (2), Component RCA (3), Auxiliary (3) | Outputs: Subwoofer pre-out (2), Speaker Wire (9), HDMI (3), Component RCA (1), Composite video (2) | Dimensions: 15.8 x 17.3 x 7.3 inches There are a couple of drawbacks to this otherwise versatile receiver, including a lack of smart home connectivity. In the end, the AVR390 is a high-quality option for gamers or setting up a home theater, well made enough to trust with your precious A/V equipment. Wattage: 60W | Inputs: Stereo RCA (6), HDMI (7), Coaxial (1), Optical (2) | Outputs: Stereo RCA (6), Speaker Wire (7), HDMI (3) | Dimensions: 17.05 x 16.73 x 6.73 inches It can handle audio playback in a variety of lossless formats, including 192kHz FLAC files. The receiver also has throughput for up to three HDMI devices that are HDCP 2.2 enabled, allowing for true 4K picture quality and playback at 60Hz. The receiver can even play media wirelessly over Airplay 2. While you can control the receiver through Siri voice assistant, there is an unfortunate lack of connectivity with other automation platforms like Google Home or Alexa. For those who can overlook its relative lack of smart connectivity, the NAD T 758 V3i is an intelligent option for anyone looking to upgrade their home theater or stereo system. Wattage: 60W | Inputs: Stereo RCA (8), HDMI (3), Coaxial (2), Optical (2) | Outputs: Stereo RCA (6), Speaker Wire (7), HDMI (1) | Dimensions: 15.63 x 17.13 x 6.77 inches This massive receiver has the capacity for a whopping nine speakers and two subwoofers in addition to seven HDMI devices. The SR7013 is really the one-stop junction for everything in your home theater setup whether it’s Blu-ray players, game consoles, or gaming PCs. The receiver also seamlessly links with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, allowing you to control playback and switch sources without the need for a remote. This hub even integrates Spotify and Pandora, giving you the option to play music without connecting an additional device. There is the puzzling omission of Chromecast. But for anyone looking for a quality surround experience, ample ports, and a huge feature set, this is a smart option. Wattage: 125W | Inputs: Stereo RCA (10), HDMI (7), Coaxial (2), Optical (2), Component RCA (4) | Outputs: Stereo RCA (10), Speaker Wire (15), HDMI (3), Component RCA (1) | Dimensions: 15.83 x 18.7 x 7.72 inches Since Dolby Surround and DTS:X formats are essentially the industry standard for audio in American films, it’s typically not an issue for most buyers. But if you crave the unique experience of Auro 3D, and don’t want to pay extra for it, then this is an A/V receiver worth investing in. The X8500H model delivers a whopping 150 watts per channel at 8 ohms and contains four high-speed SHARC processors with a combined processing power of 10 GLOPS (10 billion floating point numerical computations per second). It also features eight HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs, all enabled with HDCP 2.2 specifications, and the receiver is prepped to support 4K ultra HD sound, HDR Dolby Vision and even eARC audio. In short, the Denon X8500H model offers just about everything except for 8K support. However, Denon will be allowing customers to purchase an HDMI 8K upgrade for their X8500H receivers. Wattage: 150W | Inputs: Stereo RCA (10), HDMI (7), Coaxial (1), Optical (2), Component RCA (4) | Outputs: Stereo RCA (10), Speaker Wire (15), HDMI (3), Component RCA (1) | Dimensions: 17.08 x 18.7 x 7.72 inches
What to Look For in a Home Theater Receiver
Speaker Wattage
When buying a receiver for your home setup, be sure the unit fulfills your speaker’s power needs. Speakers require a specific wattage to correctly output sound, and your receiver needs to be able to meet that demand.
Speaker Configuration
How many speakers do you intend to use in your cinema system? It’s essential to check the number of speakers that your unit supports. While some systems can power only two speakers for stereo sound, others can control over half a dozen for a full surround sound experience. A 5.1 channel system includes a woofer, a front right speaker, a front left speaker, a center speaker, a rear right speaker, and a rear left speaker. If you want more speakers in your surround sound system or an additional woofer, make sure your receiver can support your desired configuration.
Audio/Video Standards
Check to see if your new receiver supports the audio and video standards of your equipment. If you have a 4K television with HDR (high dynamic range), be sure that your new receiver can handle it. Do you want to watch movies with Dolby Atmos speakers? Your hardware will also need to manage that.
