The Best Home Theater Receivers For 2024-2025

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Keeping in mind best is subjective, I wanted to go over some the best home theater receivers for 2024-2025 in my opinion.

It can certainly be hard to choose given the amount of great options out there, so I wrote this guide as way to simplify that.

These will be some of the top receivers that in my opinion, provide a great home theater experience, while some listed are particularly for listening to music in stereo.

I also took the liberty of creating a guide below the list as well for further information on some of the things to consider when it comes to actually choosing a proficient receiver.

(Afterwards be sure to check out 25+ theater gift ideas for more ways to enhance the experience)

https://easyhometheater.net/25-awesome-home-theater-gift-ideas

 

 

Specifically For Stereo & Bluetooth Support – Yamaha R – S202BL Stereo

 

 

Specifically For Stereo Sound & Bluetooth Listening – Sony STRDH190

 

 

For 5.1 Channel Sound – Yamaha RX – V385

 

 

For 5.2 Channel Sound – Sony STRDH590

 

 

For 7.2 Channel Sound – Yamaha RX-V6A

 

 

For 4K & HDR (7.2 Channel) – Denon AVR-X1700H

 

 

For Voice Activated/ Smart Home Integration – Denon AVR S960H 7.2 Channel

 

 

For Dolby Atmos – Pioneer VSX-LX305

 

 

For Automatic Speaker Calibration – Denon AVR S760H

 

 

High End Model – Denon AVR-A1H

 

 

Decision Guide 

 

 

The Best For Stereo & Bluetooth Support – Yamaha R – S202BL Stereo

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If your focus is specifically setting up a great stereo system for only listening to music, then the Yamaha R-S202BL is great for that.

It looks awesome with a dark brushed metal look on the outside that adds a premium look.

With Bluetooth capabilities too, that means you’ll be able to play all of your favorite music and media straight from your smartphone or Bluetooth enabled device.

A big thing that this receiver prides itself in is the ability to reproduce a very natural yet rich sound due to the special way the internal circuitry is set up.

Through the special positioning of the components inside, things like signal noise and interference are mitigated, resulting in a great level of clarity.

With a total harmonic distortion of .2% & a 100db signal to noise ratio, it can allow for incredible audio quality with less of the unwanted background noise in music.

Also great is the fact this receiver has 100 watts per channel providing an awesome amount of power.

Interestingly, there’s also a 40 station AM/FM radio inside with an auto preset setting. This allows you to automatically look for radio stations without having to manually do so.

You’re then able to store up to 40 of your favorite ones.

What’s really peculiar about this particular offering is the ability to hook up two different stereo systems to the same receiver.

That means if you were trying to decide if a particular set of speakers were better, you could simply hook both of them up and switch between them.

I think that’s really cool personally.

The great thing about this choice also is that it’s really energy efficient; only consuming about .5 watts in standby.

As for dimensions, it measures 12.6 x 17.1 x 5.5 inches.

 

Pros

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• Looks really great in person
• Bluetooth capability
• 100 watts per channel
• AM and FM radio allows you to store up to 40 personal stations
• The ability to connect two different speaker systems to it and toggle between them
• Energy efficient

 

Cons

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• Slightly heavy at 15 pounds
• No support for a sub

Overall, this is a great choice for stereo owners.

 

Check Availability Of Yamaha R – S202BL Stereo Receiver

 

 

The Best For Powerful Stereo Sound & Bluetooth – Sony STRDH190

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If specifically listening to music with 2 speakers in stereo sound is what you’re looking for, then you might like this choice since it’s a 2 channel receiver with good power.

It has an awesome 100-watt power supply for both of your speakers, meaning there’s lots of power to adequately drive them.

It’s not just output though, as the fidelity it allows for in terms of audio itself incredible.

One thing to note is that there’s an AM/FM radio here, allowing you to store up to 30 of your favorite stations.

Then via preset scan, you access a specific station at the press of a button.

It also has Bluetooth abilities as well, meaning you’ll be able to play any songs off your smartphone wirelessly.

Another thing that’s interesting about the STRDH190 is its design.

It has a brushed metal and slim profile design that adds to its aesthetic look.

There’s also bass and treble settings that allow you to customize the sound to your liking.

Rounding out the feature list are 3 audio inputs, 2 audio outputs, and a phono input.

Phono inputs are used for analog turntables, so if you’re into mixing sound or listening to old records, this would be yet another reason to go with this one.

The dimensions are also 11 x 17 x 5.2 inches.

 

Pros

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• Awesome design gives it an aesthetic look.
• An impressive 100 watts means there’s lots of power
• Great sound capabilities
• BBluetooth capable
• AM/FM radio that allows you to store up to 30 different station for quick access.
• Multiple inputs and a phono input for analog turntables

 

Cons

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• Slightly heavy at a little over 17 pounds
• No support for a separate subwoofer

Still, if your interest is getting a great receiver for stereo sound with a lot of power, then this is an awesome choice.

 

Check Availability Of The Sony STRDH190 Receiver

 

Here’s a review for even further context.

https://easyhometheater.net/sony-strdh190-review

 

 

The Best For 5.1 Channel Sound – Yamaha RX-V385

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Now let’s say you were interested a more traditional 5.1 setup, and wanted something that would give you enough power to rock the house.

Well the Yamaha RX-V385 might be the one for you.

First off, this thing is awesome, as it supports all the display technologies you’d expect from a quality device.

There’s support for 4k, HDR 10, Dolby Vision, expanded color gamuts, etc.

The fact that it supports so many is absolutely crucial in a receiver because if you were to play sound through one that didn’t support these on a TV playing.. say 4k or HDR, it wouldn’t function at all surprisingly and you’d need to use an optical cable to make things work.

So with support for all these recent technologies, you can rest assured that whatever new TV or device you plan on using it with will work.

There’s even support for Dolby Atmos via HDMI eARC, making setup an absolute breeze.

If you just so happen to use a smart home voice assistant, you’ll be happy to find that there’s full support for those too, meaning you could technically use the voice assistant to control your receiver.

Just imagine the ease of use of controlling everything, simply by using your voice. It’s a level of convenience that makes you feel on top of the world.

Bluetooth and wifi connectivity also make an appearance, so if you wanted to control things from your smartphone you completely have the option to so.

There’s also Cinema DSP 3D which is based of years of research and allows you to customize sound even further to make it sound like different venues around the world. For example you could set it to concert and it’ll actually sound like you’re there.

It’s this level of customization that’ll really let you make the sound all your own.

Even when it comes to power, this thing is no slouch with 70 watts per channel at 8 ohms, meaning your speakers will be able to get loud and clear with no problems.

To top it all off, this receiver can even automatically calibrate your speakers for help with getting a more accurate sound.

The dimensions are also 17 ⅛ x 6 ¾ x 12 ³/⁸ inches while weighing 17 pounds.

 

Pros

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• Support for all the newest formats such as 4K at 60 frames per second, expanded color & HDR
• 4 HDMI Slots
• 70 watts per channel at 8 ohms, and 145 watts at 6 ohms means that you’ll have plenty of power
• Bluetooth & wifi connectivity
• Automatic speaker calibration with included mic
• Compatible with voice assistants
• Support for Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and even Atmos provides insane amounts of clarity
• Cinema DSP 3D lets you further customize your sound

 

Cons

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• Fairly Heavy at close to 17 pounds

 

As a whole, this thing has an impressive amount of features, and not really much to dislike.

 

Check Availability Of The Yamaha RX-V385

 

 

 

The Best For 5.2 Channel Sound – Sony STRDH590

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What if you were interested in connecting 2 subwoofers?

Better yet, why would someone want to do that?

Well I’ve covered the benefits before, put simply put, it allows you to fill in dead spots around the room, resulting in a better bass response overall.

Anyway, if your focus is two subs in conjunction with 5 channel surround sound, then this is definitely the one you’d want to go with.

First off, this thing supports a lot of power, 725 watts overall to be exact. So you’ll have plenty of legroom for your system.

The next thing to note is that there’s support for 4k. That means that you won’t have to worry about compatibility if you happen to get a new 4k TV. What’s really cool about this one though is the DSP modes it has to offer.

DSP stands for digital signal processing, and you can think of these as EQ presets that alter the sound.

One of the best ones is called S Force Pro Front Surround that makes sounds seem as though they’re coming from everywhere, including above you.

It really allows movies to take on an entirely different dimension of exciting since you’ll actually feel like you’re a part of the action.

What’s even more impressive is that it actually allows you to experience surround sound even if you’re only using 2 speakers.

By utilizing special internal algorithms, it’s able to deliver a virtual surround sound experience that makes it feel like you physically have speakers placed around the room, offering an entirely new level of immersion.

That means you get the benefits of surround sound while also saving space making it a win win. Definitely helps that its implementation actually works really well here.

There’s 4 HDMIs included as well that also support HDMI passthrough meaning you won’t have to use an optical cable just to watch HDR content which is certainly nice.

In terms of looks, even though it’s a pretty simple design, it still looks nice; especially the display. It certainly has the subtle yet sophisticated look going for it so it’ll definitely look good wherever you decide to place it.

It even has automatic speaker calibration via the included mic so you can achieve a more accurate sound.

The dimensions are 11.75 x 17 x 5.25 inches.

 

Pros

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• Supports 4K & HDR via 4 HDMI passthrough ports
• Bluetooth & wifi support
• Support for 2 subwoofers
• Sound Force Pro provides virtual surround sound using only 2 speakers
• Automatic speaker calibration
• Different DSP modes for sound customization
• 725 watts of power & support for 6 ohm speakers

 

Cons

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• No eARC
• Heavy at 19 pounds

In short, if you’re looking for a powerful receiver to support 2 subwoofers, then this would be a great choice to go with.

 

Check Availability Of The Sony STRDH590 Receiver

 

 

 

The Best For 7.2 Channel Sound – Yamaha RX-V6A

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If you’re interested in a receiver that can support 7 speakers as well 2 subwoofers, then the RX-V6A is a solid choice.

As a successor to the TSR 700, the RX-V6A is also powerful.

At 100 watts per channel, movies, music, etc will be more than capable of getting as loud.

There’s 7 HDMI slots with 1 HDMI in, so there’s ample support for all of your devices. Plus they all support for 4k/60 Hz, HDR, and expanded color so you can use it with any TV in confidence knowing they’ll be compatible.

There’s support for essentially every sound format as well including Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, and so on.

Luckily, this model also has Bluetooth meaning auxiliary cords won’t be necessary.

The interesting thing here is that it also supports multi room audio. That allows you to play speakers connected to it in the other room.

It even has an incredible amount of DSP settings which will let you be able to make the sound all your own.

That’s not even to mention that it’s also capable of calibrating your speakers for you; meaning you’ll get accurate sound with none of the work.

That’s not even mentioning the fact that you’re able to EQ your speakers even further with the downloadable app, allowing you to tailor them exactly the way you want.

Even support for voice assistants is offered here. So you’ll be able to control your receiver with simply your voice. I can tell you first hand that voice control is a new level of convenient, so the fact that it’s offered here is pretty awesome.

The dimensions are 16.87 x 13.12 x 6.75 inches.

 

Pros

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• 100 watts
• 4k support & HDR support
• Automatic speaker calibration
• Dolby Atmos support
• Compatible with voice assistants like Alexa
• 7 HDMI slots
• Bluetooth & wifi connectivity
• Various different sound modes
• Has an app for EQ

 

Cons

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• Heavy at 21.6 pounds

This thing just has so many features, it’s almost hard to even cover all of them. The suprising thing is, there’s still more believe it or not.

But in general, it’s an awesome receiver.

 

Check Availability Of The Yamaha RX-V6A Receiver

 

 

 

The Best For 4K & HDR (7.2 Channel) – Denon AVR-X1700H

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Even though a lot of the choices on this list could technically be a good choice for 4K & HDR content, I feel like the Denon X1700H is a solid choice to go with.

The first thing to note is that it’s a 7.2 receiver, meaning you’re able to use 2 subwoofers with it which is awesome.

Power certainly isn’t an issue either, sporting 95 watts. Complete support at 8K resolutions is also available too.

HDR lovers worry not, as this along with expanded color is one of this one’s biggest features. From HLG (hybrid log gamma) to Dolby Vision, it’s all supported here.

An interesting feature that’s also supported here is Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology. What this essentially does is provide surround sound from above you, even without any speakers physically being there.

The funny thing is, that I can tell you from experience that it actually works really well, especially in action movies.

So if something on screen happened to be changing height like say a helicopter, then it’d feel like you were actually there. It really is an incredible feature truthfully.

There were actually a few times where I paused the movie because I couldn’t tell if it was coming from my speakers or not. That’s a testament to how effective it was.

Bluetooth and NFC are available as well, allowing you to wirelessly stream music from any Bluetooth enabled device.

Luckily, there’s even an included automatic calibration mic so you can just plug it in, and let it take care of the rest.

In terms of dimensions, it measures 17.1” x 6.6” x 13.4” along with an additional 3 inches in height for the antenna.

 

Pros

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• Full range 4K, HDR, and expanded color support
• Bluetooth and NFC support
• 7.2 channel receiver that supports 2 subwoofers
• 95 watts per channel giving you plenty of power
• Height virtualization feature makes the audio seem truly 3D, even above you
• Works with voice assistants
• 7 HDMI & support for eARC

 

Cons

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• Pretty heavy at 20.9 pounds

It’s hard to really fault this receiver on anything really. It’s truly a great performer that’s an amazing performer in my opinion.

 

Check Availability Of The Denon AVR – X1700H

 

 

The Best For Voice Activated/ Smart Home Integration – Denon AVR S960H 7.2 Channel

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For some people, voice activated & smart home integrated devices are a major priority.

With that, and as luck would have it, there’s actually a receiver out there that offers exactly that.

Meet the Denon AVRS960H, a receiver that’s fully controllable by your voice via smart assistant

You’ll feel like a boss when you can just kick back and say turn the input to PS4, dim the lights, and turn the volume to 34. It really feels like the future.

In terms of the overall package, this one offers 7.2 channels of surround sound goodness. That means you could add an additional 2 speakers in the back along with a subwoofer to really make all your content feel incredible.

It also has an impressive 90 watts per channel

It’s incredibly powerful, so you’ll be able to confidently use any speaker you want knowing it’ll be utilized to its fullest potential.

There’s also the world renowned Audyssey room correction program included as well.

For those that aren’t aware, Audyssey is one of the most accurate and effective room correcting softwares out there, so the fact that it’s here is amazing.

It definitely makes a difference from my experience.

Even better, the process is extremely simple; all you have to do is plug it in and press enter. From there, everything is automatically done for you.

Another really cool thing that this allows you to do is use your smartphone like a remote.

By downloading the Denon app, you can use your smartphone or tablet just like a remote, you know just in case you lose the real one.

This app also allows you to EQ the sound to your liking. There’s support for all the major sound formats, including the newer ones like Dolby Atmos and DTS X.

One of the best features about this one though has to be its multi room ability. Basically, this allows you to play multiple speakers in different rooms separately, or even all at the same time.

Denon even offers an eco mode that allows you to see the amount of power it’s saving you in real time.

Not too shabby at all.

In terms of dimensions, it measures 13 x 17.1 x 6.6 inches.

 

Pros

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• Supports all the major video formats like 8K, 4K, HDR, and expanded color
• Support for all the major audio formats like Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, etc
• 7.2 channel with support for dual subwoofers
• Impressive 90 Watt
• Smart assistant compatible
• Support for speakers rated at 6 Ohms
• 8 HDMI slots

 

Cons

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• Heavy at about 21 pounds.

Again here’s another one where it was really hard to find anything wrong with honestly. It does what it’s supposed to and does it well making it a solid choice.

 

Check Availability Of The Denon AVR S960H 7.2 Channel Receiver

 

 

 

The Best For Dolby Atmos – Pioneer VSX-LX305

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If you’ve recently been introduced to or experienced Dolby Atmos, then you’d know first hand how amazing it can be.

But if the time has come where you want a receiver of your very own capable of that very thing, then a solid one to go with would be the Pioneer VSX-LX305.

So besides the obvious Atmos support, it also supports DTS:X.

They’re very similar in terms of being object based sound formats, but DTS:X lets you boost individual elements like voices or specific effects. It’s certainly something you’d have to experience in person to really appreciate.

It’s able to do 9.2, 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 surround sound, with the ability to even do 5.2.2 in one room simultaneously with stereo speakers playing in 2 other rooms. It’s this level of customizability that allots you the ability to really have an awesome entertainment system.

For those of you that are big proponents of Chromecast, this is even included. Bluetooth and dual band WIFI are also big features that are touted with this one.

For those that don’t know, dual band WIFI is the fastest iteration of the current format.

What that means for you is a greater range for music playback, and less dropped connections. Pioneer also offers their unique multiroom feature; allowing you to play multiple speakers in different rooms simultaneously, all connected to the same receiver.

It also works with Sonos speakers as well, allowing you to connect with those in an instant.

In terms of more general specs, it’s a 9.2 receiver that delivers 100 watts per channel meaning power won’t be an issue here at all.

There’s also 8 HDMIs, so there’s more than enough support for all of your devices. Oh yeah and almost forgot to mention, there’s even support for all the newest video formats too like Dolby vision & HLG!

The dimensions are 14.59 x 17.13 x 6.81 inches.

 

Pros

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• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
• Chromecast and Bluetooth support
• 4K and HDR compatible
• 100 watts per channel
• Able to play speakers in different rooms simultaneously
• 9.2 channels
• 8 HDMI ports

 

Cons

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• Heavy at 27.69 pounds

As a whole, this is a great all around receiver that’s especially amazing for those looking for complete Atmos compatibility.

 

Check Availability Of The Pioneer VSX-LX305 Receiver

 

 

The One To Get For Automatic Speaker Calibration – Denon AVR S760H

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There’s been multiple receivers mentioned that employ room correction software, and in the case of the AVR S760H, that still very much holds true.

Through its use of highly advanced software, the included microphone is able to automatically calibrate your speakers with ease — and this can make a big difference when it comes to sound quality.

If you take the time to listen to your speakers beforehand, and then listen to the same material after you’ve calibrated them, you may notice the difference in terms of detail and overall clarity. It also supports something called Dynamic volume.

Have you ever watched a show at night that was at a low volume, and then a commercial came on that was super loud?

Well what this feature does is flattens out the highs and lows so that everything remains the same volume.

This feature is especially perfect if you happen to be a nighttime viewer and plan to primarily use this in something like a bedroom since there won’t be any massive jumps in volume when you’re relaxing.

I’m sure many out there can appreciate that.

What’s really cool is the support for virtual height surround sound, which basically makes it seem as though sound effects are coming from above you too which can be really immersive.

It’s hard to describe but it’s definitely something you’d need to try to understand what I’m taking about.

It’s incredible.

In terms of power, this thing has a good amount at 75 watts

Music lovers rejoice, as this has support for everything you can think of. Dual band WIFI, Bluetooth, Pandora, Sirius XM, Spotify, you get the point.

That means you’ll be able to listen to all of your favorite music without any worry of compatibility issues, even with your smartphone.

There’s support for all the usual features you’d expect of a quality receiver like support for Dolby Atmos and 4K.

But the most interesting thing I think exists with this receiver is the amount of HDMI slots it has.

This one has 7, meaning you’ll be able to use all of your HDMI enabled devices easily. There’s even eARC support for easy passthrough with Atmos content.

The dimensions measure 13.3 x 17.1 x 6 inches

 

Pros

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• Incredibly fast automatic speaker calibration
• Support for all major Audio and Video formats like Dolby Atmos, 4K, and HDR including Dolby Vision
• 7.2 channels allows you to use dual subwoofers
• 75 Watts
• Bluetooth and Wifi
• Dynamic volume control for a consistent volume with movie watching at night
• Compatible with voice assistants
• Looks good

 

Cons

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• Heavy at 19 pounds

Long story short, this is definitely one of my favorite receivers because of all the things on offer here, and how well it does it. It’s really hard to go wrong with this one.

 

Check Availability Of The Denon AVR S760H Receiver

 

 

Denon AVR S760H Review

 

 

 

The Best High End Model – Denon AVR-A1H 15.4 Channel

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Now here’s one for the dedicated out there with bigger setups and want the top of the line with all the bells and whistles.

In terms of the best high end, I think an awesome choice would be the Denon AVR-A1H 15.4 channel.

To go into detail about all the features this thing has would be extremely hard (it has a TON), so I’ll only be covering a few of the major ones.

The first thing to note about this receiver is that it’s capable of supporting up to 15 speakers and 4 subwoofers simultaneously; being the first one to do so.

That’s enough to do up to a 9.4.6 surround sound setup if you choose to.

Of course every video and sound format you could even think of is included as well, so it’ll support even the most cutting edge of TV’s, speakers, and devices available today.

It has the full suite of wireless capabilities like Bluetooth, WIFI, etc so you’ll be more than capable of playing all your favorite songs straight from your phone to the receiver.

It has 7 HDMI ins, and 3 HDMI outs making it an amazing choice for those of you with a lot of things to connect.

It’s fully smart assistant compatible too, so controlling it while lounging is very much a reality.

There’s also a mobile app should you want to control it that way. I think the biggest feature it touts though is its high-end room calibration software.

It’s one of the most accurate ones out there, so the difference it’ll make with your speakers will be undoubtedly massive.

Even when it comes to looks, the blue illuminated words on a black background looks striking in contrast with the black enclosure that sits atop 4 aluminum feet.

Everything manages to come together for an extremely impressive presentation overall. This is truly the apex of home theater design.

In terms of dimensions, it comes in at 19.4 x 17.1 x 9.7 inches

 

Pros

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• 15.4 channel receiver capable of up to 9.4.6 surround sound
• 7 HDMI ins and 3 HDMI outs with eARC support
• Supports many video and audio formats from Dolby Atmos, 8K, 4K, HDR, IMAX Enhanced, etc.
• Incredible room correction software for speakers
• Bluetooth and Dual band WIFI support
• Support for Smart Assistant

 

Cons

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• Being that it’s high end, it may not be the most accessible for every person
• Very heavy at 70.5 pounds

At the end of the day though, if you’re looking for a truly high-end receiver that really does it all, then no doubt this is a fantastic choice.

 

Check Availability Of Denon AVR-A1H 15.4 Channel

 

 

 

What Exactly Is A Receiver?

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Alright first off, what exactly is it?

Well you can think of a receiver as the head honcho of pretty much everything in the entertainment center.

It’s a device that not only powers your speakers, but also lets you switch between all the devices connected to it.

It’s the hub that controls overall volume levels, EQ settings, you name it.

You’ll commonly see them as cable box sized metal enclosures with a myriad of controls on the front; and an impressive amount of connections on the back.

 

How Do They Work?

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So how do they actually work?

Put simply, inside each receiver is a preamplifier, amplifier, and a decoder.

The pre-amp and amp do exactly that, amplify the signal it’s being fed so that it’s audible; while a decoder is responsible for splitting audio and video signals. https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/home-theater4.htm

Making sense so far?

Here’s the real kicker though.

Unless you’re using a separate external amplifier, the receiver you use will dictate how loud your system can go, and to some degree, even how it sounds.

(I know that “sounds” outlandish, but I’ve personally noticed a difference using the same speakers with different receivers)

So with that, obviously getting a quality one is rather important; but therein lies the very problem.

What constitutes a quality receiver?

Better yet, how do you choose the one that’s right for you?

Well since I’m not a psychic, (that’d be awesome) I can’t exactly tell you that you need this or that since everyone will have different systems and room setups.

What I can do is go over some of the most common deciding factors as well as features you’ll run into so you have an idea of what you might specifically want.

 

 

Price & Budget

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For some, price is the first and most important decider when choosing a receiver.

Since everyone has different budgets and priorities when it comes to features, segmenting a portion of your overall budget on the receiver first is what I recommend.

Though you can do it the other way too, I like to choose my receiver first since it gives me a better idea of the overall power I’ll have to work with in terms of which speakers I choose afterwards.

 

 

Different Channel Numbers

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One of the biggest factors that’ll influence what you end up choosing is keeping in mind the number of speakers and subwoofers you plan on using.

Just as a little refresher, when referring to channels, the first number stands for the amount of individual speakers, and the second stands for the number of subwoofers.

That said, not all receivers support a sub.

Home theater stereo receivers for example, often support 2 speakers only.

For ones that do, that second number after the decimal point shows that.

So for a receiver that supports a 2.1 system, that means you’ll have a left speaker, a right one, and a subwoofer.

In a 5.1 system (the most common) you’ll have a center speaker, the left, right, and two surround speakers plus the sub.

In a 7.1 there’s two additional speakers behind you, and so on.

Now there’s two parts to this though.

On one hand, the more speakers that you have in your setup, the more immersive and engaging it can be.

On the other hand, the receivers that support setups like 9.1 or even 13.1 can be more expensive (they’re pretty fantastic though honestly)

So in the end, it’ll really boil down to what you personally plan on doing.

I’d certainly say that going for a receiver that naturally supports 2 subwoofers is a solid choice since the benefits of 2 are pretty incredible.

But even if you have a receiver that only supports 1, it’s still technically possible to use 2.

https://easyhometheater.net/setting-up-2-subwoofers

 

 

Ohm Rating

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Here’s another big one, Ohms.

Think of Ohms as the resistance an audio component has to produce an output (often referred to as impedance).

The lower the Ohm rating, the easier it’ll be to power. Ideally, you’d want a receiver that supports multiple Ohm ratings.

Why?

Well by doing so that gives you a lot more variability in what can use.

Like let’s say for example you got a receiver that supported an 8,6, and 4 rating, while your speakers supported 8.

Then you bought more speakers down the line rated at 4.

The great thing is that because that receiver still supports a rating that low, you wouldn’t have to go out and get a new one; thus saving you money.

Who doesn’t love that?

 

Wattage Per Channel

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This is a huge one as well.

This is essentially how much power it’s capable of providing to your system.

My advice to you would be to get a receiver that’s capable of producing at the very least 75 watts per channel.

That way you’ll get adequate power for most rooms.

From what I’ve noticed too, the more watts a receiver has per channel, the more heat it tends to generate.

That’s why proper ventilation, especially if it’s a larger unit is so important.

If you have the space for it, using a rack mount can be helpful for those larger models since it allows for lots of airflow.

Otherwise, make sure it’s not placed in a cabinet or enclosed area, and that there’s lots of space all around the receiver so it doesn’t overheat.

 

 

 

The Number Of Pre Outs If Using An External Amplifier

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That said, if you wanted to supply larger speakers with lots of power separate from the receiver itself, then you might opt for external amplification.

This would need preamplifier outputs on the receiver.

To put it simply, a preamplifier output is a slot that sends the signal of that output externally to a separate amplifier.

However if you do plan on using an external amplifier, the number of pre outs on the receiver you choose is important.

For example, if the amplifier is able to power 7 speakers, but the receiver only has preouts for 5 speakers, then those 2 speakers would have to be directly driven by the receiver itself.

Though I’ll caveat that example by saying if the 2 speakers were surround speakers, then it wouldn’t be as important since they don’t need as much power.

As you can see it really depends on the setup you’re going for, so choose a receiver that has sufficient pre outs for the connected speakers if using an amp.

 

 

XLR Inputs/Outputs

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Though these are less common, you may come across what’s known as XLR inputs or outputs.

While RCA inputs & outputs are unbalanced, meaning there’s a signal and ground connector, XLR inputs & outputs are balanced with a ground, negative, & positive connector.

This lets them carry less noise in the signal, which can help audio quality.

So if you see a receiver that states that it supports an XLR connection, that’s what that means.

 

 

4K Support

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4k is a relatively new format with 4 times the resolution of current high defintion. It really is incredible in person if you haven’t seen it already.

But If you plan on using a 4k TV with your new speakers, then I’d highly suggest looking into a receiver that supports the format.

Now there are workarounds for ones that don’t like using an optical cable, but the problem with this is you end up losing precious audio quality in the process.

So if 4k is a really big factor for you, then just remember you’ll want one that states it supports it.

https://easyhometheater.net/what-is-a-4k-television

 

 

HDR

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HDR is pretty great in my opinion.

It stands for high dynamic range and basically displays all of the light and dark elements usually lost in standard range, on screen at the same time.

It’s pretty hard to explain without seeing it for yourself, but just know that it can make a huge difference visually.

But here’s a really interesting tidbit that should help you out.

If you have a TV that’s capable of producing HDR, a normal receiver from a few years back won’t play in HDR, and will instead default to standard range playback.

This was something I found out the hard way, leading me to having to buy yet another one.

You can use an optical cable as a workaround, but there’s a loss in audio quality in the process.

So if you prioritize HDR playback, then look for a receiver that at least supports HDR10 since that’s the standard format (though there are newer ones like Dolby Vision & HDR10+)

However luckily, since the format is becoming much more common, there are quite a few out there now that do support it.

https://easyhometheater.net/what-is-an-hdr-television

 

 

HDMI Slots

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Admittedly, there are a ton of connection options on any given receiver, but the ones you’re likely to use most are the HDMI slots.

Even though I can’t tell how many devices or game systems you plan on using, realistically you’ll want a receiver with at least 4.

That should give you just enough wiggle room to last for a while.

The thing is though, you’re likely to buy more devices later down the line as well, so getting one that sports more than even that wouldn’t hurt either.

Newer receivers also use something called HDMI 2.1 which is a further iteration on current HDMI standards.

HDMI 2.1 allows for 8K resolutions, high frame rate & low latency gaming, expanded color reproduction — basically a lot!

Of course a display that takes advantage of this by being HDMI 2.1 compliant is helpful too, but newer TVs and monitors typically include this newest version.

https://easyhometheater.net/hdmi-cables-explained

 

 

Automatic Calibration

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If you’re one that likes technology to do all the work, then it might be a great idea to invest in a receiver that automatically calibrates your speakers.

The way this is done is via a small microphone that you plug into the jack labeled mic on the unit.

Then all you have to do is press enter on your remote, and boom that’s it; It’ll do everything for you.

This is awesome because what you end up getting is a more accurate sound while doing a fraction of the work.

Some even allow for further customization down to the frequency range with a separate app.

 

 

Bluetooth

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If you’re someone who plans on playing a lot of music rather than movies, then getting a receiver with Bluetooth capabilities is paramount.

By doing so, it’ll enable you to play all your favorite songs from your smartphone with just the press of a button.

That, and you won’t have to worry about constantly being tethered to it with an auxiliary cord; leaving you to dance freely to your heart’s content.

 

 

Wi-Fi Capabilities

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If you specifically prefer streaming content from further away with higher quality wireless audio, then getting a receiver with wifi capabilities is important.

With wifi, you can access your content online rather than pairing with a device, and can update your receiver automatically when there’s firmware updates for it.

Plus, wifi also allows support for multi room audio where you can play audio in more than one room.

 

 

Ethernet Connectivity

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Though if you prefer a faster connection that’s more stable, then Ethernet connectivity can be helpful when looking for a receiver.

Like wifi, you can also update the receiver when there’s an update for it, but with the added benefit of an Ethernet connection being more stable & secure.

 

 

Multi-Zone Support

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If being able to play content in multiple rooms simultaneously from one source is important, then getting a receiver with Multi-Zone support would allow for that.

Like the name suggests, this feature allows for content to be played in multiple rooms at the same time.

This can be helpful for those times when there’s people in the house that all want to watch something different.

There’s varying degrees of it too, with some receivers supporting 3 or even 4 zones for both audio & video playback.

 

 

Dolby Atmos

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This is a very new technology relative to the audio world that’s just starting to be incorporated more and more.

Now I won’t go too in depth with this one since I’ve done a full article on it.

But here’s a quick recap to decide if it’s a feature that’s important in your future receiver.

So with typical surround sound audio, while the sound envelop you, there’s still a certain lack of directionality overhead that’s lacking when compared with real life.

Dolby Atmos aims to end that issue.

The main draw here is that sounds are not only more realistic, but 3 dimensional as well.

Let’s say for example you’re watching a movie and a helicopter suddenly flies over head.

With Atmos, it can produce the sound of that helicopter flying overhead in the room.

Or if you’re watching a thriller and something in the movie is sneaking up on the main character from behind them, it’ll sound like something really is.

In my opinion, it’s a complete game changer.

In order to use Atmos, you have to either install ceiling speakers, or mount additional speakers overhead.

There also exists specialized speakers that sit atop the front left & right speaker that reflect the sound upwards to achieve a similar effect.

Also when it comes to Atmos, you can tell what the receiver you’re looking at supports by looking at the amount of channels it supports.

The first number tells you how many speakers it supports, the second number describes how many subwoofers it’s able to work with, and the third depicts the amount of height surround speakers it’s compatible with; which are the ones that actually handle Atmos.

So for example if the receiver says it supports 7.2.4, that means that it has support for 7 speakers, 2 subwoofers, and 4 height surround speakers.

For the best surround effect, I honestly recommend going with one that at least supports 5.2.4, and ideally 7.2.4 because the level of immersion when watching a movie is more convincing the more speakers you have.

 

https://easyhometheater.net/dolby-atmos-vs-dts-x

 

 

Voice Activated/ Smart Home Integrated

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This is a more recent addition that’s included in some units.

If you’re a big proponent on voice activated devices, then you’ll be happy to know that some receivers actually include integration with this too.

This would mean you’d technically be able to control your entire home theater with simply your voice.

Pretty cool stuff.

https://easyhometheater.net/smart-home-technology-of-the-future

 

But that’s pretty much it as far as the main things to look for in quality receiver though.

Obviously you’ll want to put in some thought since the receiver acts as the brains of it all; making it extremely important.

Luckily, the receivers I’ve listed here have a lot of these same features, as well as a bunch more.

So with that, I hope you enjoyed this article on the best home theater receivers for 2024-2025.

As you can see, there’s a ludicrous amount of information out there, so I know firsthand how hard it can be to really understand what to look for.

But hopefully this helps you narrow down your search just a little so you can be on your way to enjoying some surround sound goodness.

Also If you run into trouble with your new receiver, I did an article on some common issues you might encounter, and a quick guide you can use to get the most out of your new toy.

 

https://easyhometheater.net/home-theater-problems

 

https://easyhometheater.net/av-receiver-guide