In this video we’re going to be checking out the 5 best av receivers in 2021. I’ve included options for every type of consumer. If you’re looking for an av receiver with all the latest immersive sound formats or a receiver for whole home audio, I’ll have the product for you.
The fifth product on our list is the Sony STRDH590. This is our best budget av receiver. If you’re looking for a good easy to use av receiver to complete your home theater the Sony STRDH590 does exactly that by giving you the essential technologies you need. Currently priced at 280 the Sony is one of the best budget audio receivers you can get to complement your home theater setup even to a full 5.2 channel speaker setup.
This 725-watt 5.2 channel receiver has Dolby true HD and DTS HD master audio decoding as well as on-board DSD decoding. Unlike regular 5.1 channel receivers Sony’s 5.2 channels lets you connect two subwoofers. If you’re setting up in a smaller room the S force pro front surround delivers a virtual surround sound experience using only two speakers.
This receiver works with the latest 4k TVS and can pass through a full 4k 60p 4-4-4 signal with support for 3d, hdr10, HLG and Dolby vision. The on-screen setup process is dead easy with Sony’s dc ac automatic setup and takes about 30 seconds to run and uses test tones to determine speaker channels, size, distance and level. You’ll be enjoying cinematic sound for your favorite movies, tv shows, and more with theater-like sound right in the comfort of your home, and when you’re not watching the multi-channel stereo setup includes Bluetooth so you can stream music from your phone and an FM tuner for a great listening experience too.
But if you’re looking for an av receiver with a little more power for streaming your music stay tuned for the Denon HEOS AVR coming up next.
The key features are 5.2 channel setup lets you hook up a second subwoofer for added immersive audio experience. S-force pro surround gives you a virtual surround experience with just two speakers. Bluetooth lets you stream music from your phone or tablet. Automatic setup Sony’s dc ac examines the room and speakers for the optimal setup.
The Sony STR D590 supports the av technologies that will matter most to you, including 5.2 channels so you can add a second subwoofer for heart-pounding cinematic sound, compared to traditional 5.1 channel av receivers at an affordable budget price.
The fourth product on our list is the Denon HEOS AVR. This is our best av receiver for wireless streaming. If you’re looking for an av receiver that packs in a few more features and more power the Denon HEOS AVR delivers a big bang for the dollar while still being quite affordable. Currently priced around 400 the HEOS AVR receiver is one of the best av receivers for wireless streaming you can get at this price point.
You’ll enjoy a cinematic sound experience for movies, music and tv shows with Dolby true HD audio and support for wireless standards including Bluetooth, apple’s airplay 2 and Denon’s own HEOS. The Denon HEOS AVR is a simple 5.2 channel, 150-watt receiver with standard channel-based surround decoding onboard and includes support for amazon Alexa, google assistant and apple’s Siri voice assistant for hands-free operation.
Several new HDMI features from the latest HDMI 2.1 specification including auto low latency mode for gaming and enhanced e-arc functionality, enables transmission of uncompressed and immersive audio soundtracks directly from the tv to the receiver, using the connected HDMI cable. On the video side of things, the HEOS AVR supports HDCP 2.3 and most of the major HDR formats including hdr10, HLG and Dolby vision and can pass through full 4k ultra-HD 60 hertz video signals.
The key features are 5.2 channel setup gives you excellent home theater audio using two front speakers, a center channel, two surround channels and two subwoofers. HDR formats supports HDR 10 HLG and Dolby vision. HEOS streaming platform it has built-in support for multi-room audio so you can stream music from your phone or tablet to any or all areas of your home equipped with HEOS enabled speakers.
Denon’s HEOS AVR is a value-packed receiver that would be a great choice for you if you’re looking for flexible wireless streaming, app control digital assistant and HEOS speaker integration and if you’re vinyl aficionado you’ll love the turntable input too.
The third product on our list is the Marantz NR1711. This is our best av receiver for small spaces. If you’re looking for an av receiver for your smaller space but still want the full 7.2 channels, then the Marantz NR1711 is a really good choice. Priced at around 850 the 7.2 channel Marantz supports Dolby Atmos and DTSX formats in a great compact design with a low profile that lets it fit in places that a full-sized av receiver can’t.
This receiver puts out 50 watts per channel and also supports HDMI 2.1. Quick media switching and auto low latency mode the NR1711 does a good job keeping the sound stage under control at all times with each channel showing nice separation. Panning effects feel precise and to the point while the all-important dialogue is kept nicely isolated in the center. In scenes with explosions the subwoofer delivers impressive audio impact with a nice shake to the whole room.
Now as the NR1711 is aimed to be used in confined spaces and rooms where space for speaker placement is rather limited the use of virtual technologies becomes more of a necessity. And this is where Dolby Atmos height virtualization comes into play. Using the height virtualizer with a 5.1 setup is not as good as using dedicated speakers, but it does a very good job at adding another level of immersion to the audio.
If you’re looking for an 11.2 channel av receiver, stick around for the Denon AVR-X6700H coming up next.
The key features are 7.2 channel setup supports up to seven channels including two subwoofers. Virtual technologies Dolby Atmos height virtualization and DTS virtual x virtual technologies. Compact great for smaller rooms and spaces where a full-size receiver might not fit. Output power puts out 50 watts per channel and is enhanced with Dolby surround and DTS neural X up mixing technologies
If you have limited space but still want big sound the Marantz NR1711 is a compact, highly configurable av receiver that can accommodate setups up to a full 7.2 system and this versatility would make it a very good choice for you.
The second product on our list is the Denon AVR-X6700H. This is our best overall av receiver. If you want an immersive audio experience then the Denon AVR-X6700H is a robust system that supports iMacs enhanced, Dolby Atmos, ORO 3d and DTSX for an enhanced home theater experience. Currently priced around 2500 the AVR-X6700H packs 11 onboard channels of class A B amplification. That’s enough to cover a 5.2.6 system or 7.2.4 system or a 5.2.4 with two channels left over for other applications such as biamping the left and right front speakers or powering a second audio zone.
There’s also a pair of independently adjustable line level outputs for powered subwoofers. The x6700h handles all existing immersive audio formats including Dolby Atmos, DTSX and ORO 3d and more. This receiver will pass through all flavors of HDR including Dolby vision and HDR 10 plus but apart from its video up conversion capabilities it’s mainly a pass-through.
There’s also HDMI e-arc which enables sending audio to a tv that originates from cable, satellite streaming or source devices to be sent to the AVR through a single HDMI cable. For gamers the X6700H offers 4k 120hz passthrough, variable refresh rate, auto low latency mode and quick frame transport which further reduces latency for no lag gaming.
If you want a 13.2 channel receiver for even more immersion stay tuned for the Denon AVR-X8500H coming up next.
The key features are 11 onboard channels, packs 11 onboard channels of class A B amplification to let you set up a speaker configuration you’ll really like. Immersive audio supports Dolby Atmos DTSX and ORO 3d and more. Great for gamers support for ERC, variable refresh rate, auto low latency mode and quick frame transport. Video connections you get 8 HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs. Of this one input and two outputs are 8k capable.
The Denon AVR-X6700H gives you the highest quality 3d audio and video for your most demanding entertainment needs and would be a good choice for you if you’re looking for the flexibility to build any size system you like with the added comfort of knowing that your av receiver is 8k ready when you are.
The first product on our list is the Denon AVR-X8500H. This is our best splurge av receiver. If you want an incredible av receiver with all the bells and whistles, then the Denon AVR-X8500H is a 13.2 channel receiver that supports the latest immersive audio formats and music playback options making this one of the best splurge av receivers you can get right now.
Priced at around four thousand dollars the AVR-X8500H is one of the most advanced AVR’s available today. It supports every major immersive audio format including Dolby Atmos, DTSX, ORO 3d and iMacs enhanced and will play them to the maximum supported configurations available right out of the box.
It will pass through all 4k UHD specs that matter including BT 2020 deep color HDR 10, HLG and Dolby vision HDR. For connecting source devices, the X8500H provides 8 HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs, all featuring HDCP 2.2 compatibility and support for 4k ultra-HD 60 hertz video 4 to 4 to 4 pure color HDR and BT 2020 pass through.
But at the same time Denon hasn’t left owners of legacy equipment out in the cold coaxial, optical and analog input options are still provided. Streaming audio options include wi-fi, Bluetooth, airplay 2 and DLNA and the built-in HEOS ecosystem lets you wirelessly stream music to any room of your home with an he OS enabled speaker.
The key features are 13 onboard channels build your dream system in any configuration you like. Immersive audio supports iMacs enhanced, Dolby Atmos and DTSX and more. Legacy friendly, coaxial, optical and analog input options are still provided. Alexa ready, use your voice to command Alexa to select a song adjust the volume play the next song and more.
The Denon AVR-X8500H has all the features and performance to satisfy the most hardcore av enthusiast. It produces terrific sound with precise imaging. If you want a one box solution and must have 13 channels of amplification you can stop looking as the X8500H would be the best choice for you.
