AV receivers are the core of a home theater system, processing incoming audio/video signals from sources such as Blu-ray players, CD players, and satellite boxes and then distributing them to your TV and surround sound speakers. But with so many models drastically ranging in price and features, choosing the best one for your home theater room can be a difficult task. In addition to price, there are many important criteria to consider such as sound quality, video processing performance, number of HDMI inputs and outputs, and features. Here's a look at some of the best AV receivers on the marketplace in three distinct segments.
Best all-around AV Receivers
The best AV receivers overall provide the perfect blend of price and performance while providing the features most consumers want. The best all-around is the Pioneer VSX-1020-K, which offers excellent audio and video performance for the price. It's also packed with 6 3D-capable HDMI 1.4 inputs, ensuring this receiver is "future-proof." The VSX-1020-K has terrific iPod/iPhone integration, allowing users to playback music from their devices while viewing album art on their TV using the included cable. Pioneer has also released an iPhone app that allows you to control the receiver using your iPhone.
Another top choice is the Onkyo TX-SR608, which sells for around $499 online. Just like the Pioneer, this receiver is 3D ready with 6 HDMI 1.4 inputs. It also offers excellent audio performance, as indicated by its THX Select2 Plus certification, an award usually only reserved for higher-priced models. Video performance, which is handled by the Faroudja DCDi video chipset, is strong as well; this receiver can upconvert all incoming sources, including analog, to 1080p over the HDMI output.
Best AV Receivers under $500
With the top home theater receiver manufacturers such as Onkyo, Denon and Pioneer continuously raising the bar on performance and features, consumers don't have to spend a fortune for a high quality AV receiver. Since it can be found just under the $500 mark, Onkyo's TX-SR608 is the best all-around pick in this price range for the reasons listed above.
If audio/video performance is your most important criteria, the Denon AVR-1910CI is an ideal choice that's delivers a good mix of performance, features and price. It sounds superb for the price and is equipped with an Anchor Bay video chipset, which does a solid job handling upconversion. The AVR-1910 also features great Audyssey technologies including the MultEQ calibration system, which automatically adjusts speaker settings and levels for your listening environment, Dynamic Volume, which reduces the annoying volume fluctuations during commercials, and Dynamic EQ, which improves audio performance at lower listening levels.
Best High-End AV Receivers
Designed specifically for audio- and video-philes that want the best performance and the most features, high-end AV receivers cost quite a bit more than mid-range offerings but deliver big in those areas. Though you can spend a fortune for a flagship offering such as Denon's $7500 AVP-A1HDC receiver, the company's AVR-4810CI offers superb performance and a terrific feature set at a price that's much easier to stomach. This 9.3 140-watt-per-channel receiver is an excellent choice for those that wish to power a multi-room audio system, to provide enough channels and areas operate a 5.1 surround sound home theater in your main room and 2.1 speaker setups in other rooms. You can also power a 7.1 or 9.1 surround sound system in the main room, with the Audyssey DSX working to create a more immersive experience.
Other highlights of this $ 2,999 receiver including 6 HDMI 1.3a inputs, integrated Wi-Fi to stream Internet radio stations or music from a networked PC and Audyssey MultEQ XT Excellentcalibration system to get the best sound quality.
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