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The Best Home Theater Receivers For 2023
It’s about that time again folks.
Today we’ll be going over the best av home theater receivers for 2023 in my opinion.
It can certainly be hard to choose given the amount of options out there, so I wrote this guide as way to simplify that since there is so many great ones to consider.
These will be some of the top receivers that in my opinion, provide a great home theater or even music listening experience.
I also took the liberty of creating a guide below the list as well for further information as to some of the things to consider when it comes to actually choosing a proficient receiver.
The Best For Stereo & Subwoofer Support – Yamaha R – S202BL Stereo
If your focus is setting up a great stereo system, then the Yamaha R-S202BL is the one to get.
The first thing you’ll notice about it is how great it looks. It has a dark brushed metal look on the outside that adds a premium look.
The big draw is the Bluetooth capability that’s on offer here as well; meaning you’ll be able to play all of your favorite music and media straight from your smartphone hassle free.
A big thing that this receiver prides itself in is the ability to reproduce a very natural yet rich sound; making it seem as though it were live.
This is due to the special way the circuitry is set up. Even better is the fact this receiver has 100 watts per channel.
You’ll certainly never have to worry about a lack of adequate power.
Also through the special positioning of the components inside, things like signal noise and interference are mitigated, resulting in an unprecedented level of clarity.
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
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
Support for a subwoofer
Cons
Slightly heavy at 15 pounds
No support for more than 2.1
Overall, this is a great choice for stereo owners.
The Best For Powerful Stereo Sound & Bluetooth – Sony STRDH190
Let’s say you were interested in movies, but also considered music to be pretty high on the priority list as well. If that seems to be the case for you, then there’s a good chance you’ll like this choice.
First off, this is a stereo receiver meaning it supports 2 speakers for stereo sound.
Anyway, one of the first things 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.
There is Bluetooth ability as well meaning you’ll be able to play any songs off your smartphone wirelessly. What really helps this though is the impressive 100-watt power supply for both of your speakers.
That means there’s plenty of power to adequately power your speakers.
This makes it especially great for parties and get-togethers.
One things that’s particularly interesting about the STRDH190 is its design. It has a brushed metal and slim profile design that adds to its unique look.
In fact, this 3-way design is what allows it to distinguish itself from others, giving it that signature Sherwood 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 certainly something you don’t see every day. Simply out, they’re used for analog turntables.
So if you’re into mixing sound or listening to old records, this would be yet another reason you’d probably want to go with this one.
The dimensions are also 11 x 17 x 5.2 inches.
Pros
Awesome design gives it a unique look.
An impressive 100 watts means that you won’t have to worry about inadequate power. Bluetooth capability.
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
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.
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 look no further because the Pioneer Yamaha – RX-V385 is certainly the one for you.
First off, this thing is awesome, that’s the best way to put it. The reason I say that is because 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
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
Fairly Heavy at close to 17 pounds
As a whole, this thing has an impressive amount of features, and not really much to dislike.
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
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
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.
If you’re interested in a receiver that can support 7 speakers as well 2 subwoofers, then the TSR 700 is a solid choice.
First off, this thing is 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
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
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.
The Best For 4K & HDR (7.2 Channel) – Denon AVR-X1700H
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
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
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.
The Best For Voice Activated/ Smart Home Integration – Denon AVR S960H 7.2 Channel
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
The One To Get For Automatic Speaker Calibration – Denon AVR S760H
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. This brings the immersion factor to 11 to be honest. 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
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
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.
The Best High End Model – Denon X8500HA 13.2 Channel
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, you’d be hard pressed to find a better choice than the X8500HA
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 how many speakers it supports; it’s the world’s first 13.2 channel receiver at 150 watts per channel!
Now I’ll be honest and just say that the highest I have personal experience with is 11.2, so the fact it can even do 2 more than that is insane.
That’s enough to do 7.1.6 or 9.1.4 surround sound.
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 8 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 small blue illuminated display 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 17.1 x 18.6 x 7.7 inches
Pros
13.2 channel receiver capable of also doing 7.1.6 or 9.1.4 surround sound
8 HDMI ins and 3 HDMI outs with eARC support
Supports every video and audio format under the sun from Dolby Atmos, 8K, 4K, HDR, IMAX Enhanced, you name it
Incredible room correction software
Bluetooth and Dual band WIFI support
Support for Smart Assistant
Cons
Being that it’s high end, it may not be the most accessible for every person
Very heavy at close to 59.9 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.
Well you can think of a receiver as the head honcho of pretty much everything. It’s the hub that not only powers your speakers, but also lets you switch between all the devices connected to it.
Without it, nothing else would function. It controls the volume, 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?
Here’s a good question how do they actually work?
Put simply, inside each receiver is a preamplifier, amplifier, and a decoder.
The receiver is going to be the one to decide 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 features that you’ll run into so you have an idea of what you might specifically want.
Different Channel Numbers
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.
So in 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’ll be.
On the other hand, the receivers that support setups like 9.1 or even 13.1 are likely to 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.
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
This is a huge one as well.
This is essentially how much power it’s capable of providing to your system.
Now usually people will say that focusing on the speakers and then the receiver is your best bet, but I’d argue the opposite.
What good is a fantastic set of speakers if you get a so-so unit that’s underpowered?
I’d say that the receiver is much more important because it’s the thing capable of actually manipulating the sound.
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.
4K Support
4k is a relatively new format with 4 times the resolution of current high defintion. It really is unbelievable 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.
HDR is pretty sweet. 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 makes 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 work via HDMI with it.. (say what?)
I know. This was something I found out the hard way, leading me to having to buy yet another one. I just wanted to let you know beforehand that unless use an optical cable (subsequently losing audio quality in the process), then look for a receiver that supports this.
However luckily, since the format is becoming much more common, there are quite a few out there now that do support it.
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.
What does that mean exactly though?
Well a bunch of things.
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.
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.
Bluetooth
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.
Dolby Atmos
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 what you should at least know about it right now; it might be the best thing since sliced bread.
No but really, it’s pretty darn cool.
So with typical surround sound audio, while the sound does in fact envelop you, there’s still a certain lack of directionality 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.
How so?
Well let’s say for example you’re watching a movie and a helicopter suddenly flies over head.
With Atmos, it’ll genuinely sound like a helicopter is actually flying overhead. 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.
What’s interesting though is that before in order to achieve this, you had to install what are known as ceiling speakers. This obviously wasn’t something most people were keen on doing.
But now there exists specialized speakers out there that sit on top of your current ones to reflect the sound upwards, achieving the same effect.
The result is something I can’t even put into words. It’s really that profound of a difference.
Of course the flipside of this though is that it’ll probably cost more and it might be a little scary with scary movies lol.
But in my humble opinion at least, I truly think it’s worth it and something to at least consider.
Also when it comes to Atmos, a good way to know what the receiver you’re looking at supports is by noticing the amount of channels it supports. Instead of 2 just numbers, there’ll actually be a third denoting what it’s actually capable of.
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 a lot more convincing the more speakers you have.
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.
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 2023.
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. 😉
Almost forgot. If you run into trouble with your new receiver, I did an article on some common issues you might encounter, why a current receiver might be turning off, and a guide you can use to get the most out of your new toy.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
Very cool article. You obviously put a lot of time and effort into researching this, I appreciate that. I really liked the part about incorporating Alexa or voice-activated devises to your home theatre. I would love to be able to control everything without having to move at all! Again, great post and I look forward to reading your future articles.
This is a really detailed and helpful article, thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. I had no idea how many features and parts there are to speakers & receivers. Or even how much effort goes on into building your own home theater. What got you interested in home theaters, if you don’t mind me asking? I’d love to be able to afford to build my own home theater one day, one can dream right? 🙂 Thanks for the post!
Wow so much really good information. As someone who doesn’t have a home theatre system it was a lil difficult to understand. But I understand that each part has it’s part to play. I was over whelmed with options, what is your best option for a beginner.
So much to take in from your article, though I’m particularly interested on the integration of my home theatre with the voice control. Which product do you recommend I use with my LG 49″ 4k TV?
Once again a very detail and full of help of your post man. Its is great to read your post on home theater. I had no idea about what is a receiver was and I was question what does it do. After reading your post, I can understand about the use of a receiver. Keep it up. I will keep your post updated again and share your post too.
i had absolutely no idea about all this, i just plugged my blue ray to the speakers and that was it. But i have a doubt, my speakers are a home theater system, i can control the bass and highs with it, would i still need a receiver in that case?
Hmm in some instances speakers are able to do that along with connecting to a receiver. If your speakers have what’s known as a binding post, then they should be able to connect to one. But in terms of if you would need one, that depends if they actually have that capability. If they do have a binding post (which is where speaker wire would go) then connecting to a receiver would likely yield a higher output and better clarity.
Good post. You have given the different features of what are Receivers and Speakers.Though it seems to have meant for sound lovers looking for deeper touch, you have explained the system in a simple way which is equally good for any common person like me. You’ve also provided so many sites pointing for more research works and findings.
I enjoyed reading your article and thanks a lot for this information.
Great amount of information. Love the pros and cons, helps with the decision process!