How to Buy an AV Receiver in 2022

In order for you true dwelling theater sound in your front room, even the greatest soundbar is not going to chop it. Soundbars are handy, straightforward to arrange and sound significantly better than your TV’s built-in audio system, particularly for reveals and films. However an AV receiver paired with a set of separate audio system takes sound high quality to the following stage, with immersive, highly effective audio that trounces a soundbar, notably should you take heed to music as nicely.

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Deciding which AV receiver to purchase will be overwhelming, with every mannequin sporting tons of logos and proprietary applied sciences that are not straightforward to grasp should you’re not conversant in dwelling audio. Options comparable to Dolby Atmos, 8K, HDR10 Plus, eARC and extra. However the fact is most of these options do not matter a lot and it’s best to concentrate on just some main factors when making your decide.

In order for you a fast suggestion, right here it’s:

Ty Pendlebury/CNET

The Yamaha RX-V6A is the most effective AV receiver worth of the previous 12 months. It affords with loads of HDMI inputs (together with 8K and eARC assist), plus it could stream audio wirelessly from nearly any smartphone or pill, though it does lack Chromecast. It encompasses a massive, open sound, and performs music very well, as well.

Learn our YAMAHA RX-V6A evaluate.

 

Then add these

Sarah Tew/CNET

Should you like your dramas simply as a lot as you like your singer-songwriters the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 affords extraordinary ranges of element in a compact funds speaker. It affords glorious construct high quality and might type the center of an incredible AV system. 

Learn our Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 evaluate.

 

You can too check out CNET’s listing of the most effective AV receivers, which incorporates another strong various choices, relying on what you are searching for.  Should you’re searching for extra data, here is what’s necessary.

What about HDMI?

Nearly each AV system offered right this moment makes use of HDMI, making the variety of HDMI inputs on a receiver an important consideration. There is not any one-size-fits-all reply to what number of is sufficient, although. Should you love gaming and stremaing you may want six or extra, whereas others might get by with three or much less. We suggest getting no less than another HDMI enter than you presently want. Even should you really feel assured that you will by no means want greater than 4 units, you by no means know when a neat new product will come out — We’re certain loads of individuals wished that they had an additional port as quickly as Sony’s PlayStation 5 was introduced.

You’ll be able to at all times theoretically develop your HDMI connectivity choices later with an HDMI switcher, nevertheless it’s a much less elegant resolution. (Though a common distant can assist.) Contemplating the truth that you are more likely to maintain onto an AV receiver for upward of 5 years, it is value investing in a bit further HDMI connectivity.

4K vs 8K? 

Simply while you thought that it was protected to purchase a 4K TV, the producers discovered one other 4 Okay’s seemingly behind the couch. Some new receivers just like the Yamaha above assist 8K through HDMI 2.1, however they are often value contemplating even should you do not see an 8K TV in your speedy future. 

One attention-grabbing a part of this new breed of receivers is eARC — the flexibility to cross Dolby Atmos and different hi-res codecs from a TV to your private home theater system. This you need to use and in case you have a suitable TV you need not fear in regards to the variety of HDMI ports in your receiver, simply use the tv as a switcher.

HDMI 2.1  

HDMI 2.1 may additionally be necessary for players who wish to reap the benefits of the newest options obtainable on the Xbox One X/S and PlayStation 5, specifically 4K/120Hz and VRR, however they are not vital on a brand new receiver. On the whole we suggest connecting these consoles on to a suitable TV, to not the receiver, and utilizing eARC or an optical connection to cross audio to the receiver. The rationale for that is partly because of the 4K/120Hz bug, an issue with early 8K receivers which meant they could not cross VRR content material, primarily from the Xbox Sequence X, and not using a {hardware} improve. 

Should you go for a pre-2020 receiver although be certain it has no less than 4K compatibility, to benefit from 4K streaming and gaming. This implies one which boasts no less than HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2 certification.

Learn: Finest AV receiver for 2022

Do I would like Wi-Fi, AirPlay or Bluetooth?

AV receivers have a historical past of including doubtful options that are not all that helpful, however built-in assist for wi-fi applied sciences comparable to multiroom audio, AirPlay, Chromecast and Bluetooth are very helpful. This is the pitch for wi-fi connectivity: load up any app in your smartphone or pill — comparable to Pandora or Spotify — and both expertise will allow you to wirelessly stream it to your AV receiver in seconds. It is the final word in on the spot gratification, particularly in case your music habits are likely to revolve round your cell system.

Whereas most receivers now connect with the Web over Wi-Fi, it is value trying to a receiver that is suitable with streaming providers. Some receivers have their very own proprietary apps — comparable to Yamaha’s MusicCast or Denon’s HEOS — most are additionally in a position to provide direct connection to well-liked apps comparable to Spotify and Pandora.

Bluetooth, AirPlay and Chromecast built-in are comparable, however have some key variations. Bluetooth works with almost each smartphone and pill (together with Apple units) inside a variety of about 30 toes, however has considerably diminished sound high quality. AirPlay is designed for Apple units, with some exceptions. It affords lossless, CD-audio high quality, however requires your receiver to be linked to your private home community, whereas AirPlay 2 provides multi-room functionality. Google Chromecast can be in a position to stream to a number of rooms, is suitable with each Android and (more and more) iOS apps, and affords higher-than-CD hi-res high quality (24bit/96kHz). 

One different key function that fashionable receivers permit is voice management — with the ability to ask your Google Assistant or Amazon Echo for a tune and having it play by the receiver is one in every of life’s small joys. 

Whereas it is attainable so as to add Bluetooth and AirPlay to any AV receiver utilizing an exterior system, getting it built-in will be extra handy. The Onkyo TX-NR696, for instance, can routinely activate and flip to the right enter each time you choose an audio app in your smartphone or pill — you simply cannot get that stage of comfort utilizing a separate system.

Sound high quality: How a lot does it matter?

Each model touts its superior sound, however my recommendation could be to not fear a lot about sound high quality when shopping for an AV receiver.

That will appear counterintuitive for a tool of which the complete function is to allow high-fidelity audio, however the actuality is audible variations between typical AV receivers will not be as noticeable because the variations between audio system. It is a frequently debated subject for audio lovers, however to many individuals all AV receivers sound the identical in regular circumstances.

Most receiver manufacturers are geared in direction of offering higher dwelling theater sound than music — although there are some exceptions together with sister manufacturers Denon and Marantz. Remember that some receivers are additionally tuned particularly for every market: for instance, a Sony receiver will sound in another way within the US to the way in which it does within the UK or Australia.

The perfect AV receiver is the one you already personal

If you have already got an AV receiver, suppose twice earlier than upgrading. Whereas smartphones and laptops get massive efficiency will increase yearly, you are not going to get the identical sort of increase with a brand new AV receiver — the one you obtain years in the past most likely sounds simply nearly as good.

Relying on the age of your receiver the newest factor you will be lacking out is assist for brand new codecs comparable to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. You may then be tempted to improve in case you have an older AV receiver with out HDMI connectivity, as you will additionally miss out on the upper bitrate codecs Dolby TrueHD and DTS Grasp Audio. Coaxial and optical digital cables are restricted to plain Dolby Digital/DTS however the variations between these codecs will be onerous to listen to even in best conditions. Many units have separate digital audio outputs, permitting you to run video to your TV through HDMI and audio to an older receiver with a digital audio cable. That includes extra enter switching, however you possibly can clear up that drawback simply with a high quality common distant.

Another choice is connecting all of your HDMI sources straight to your TV, then utilizing your TV’s digital output to hook up with your receiver. The draw back is that some TVs “dumb down” incoming audio to stereo, nevertheless it’s a slick workaround in case you have a two-channel speaker system.

Wrap-up: Deal with the massive options

As soon as you discover a couple of fashions with the suitable variety of HDMI inputs and the wi-fi applied sciences you need, it’s best to have a comparatively quick listing of fashions to think about. I might suggest studying some skilled opinions (together with ours) earlier than making the ultimate selection, in addition to person opinions to see if there are any long-term points that would not crop up throughout a evaluate interval.

However most of all, it is value remembering that AV receivers, far more than different dwelling audio units, are all fairly comparable. Audio system and headphones can look and sound very completely different, however AV receivers largely look and sound the identical. Personally, I feel AV receivers might get lots higher, however they’re nonetheless your best choice in order for you high-quality sound.

FAQs

Is it value shopping for a 7.1 setup over 5.1, particularly for Atmos?

Not for my part. It is a traditional case of diminishing returns: 5.1 sounds considerably extra immersive than stereo, however the distinction between 5.1 and seven.1 is not almost as nice. To not point out the truth that there simply is not that a lot content material with true, discrete 7.1-channel soundtracks.

Although Dolby Atmos is nice, most content material continues to be both in stereo or 5.1. So as to add to that, Atmos makes use of no less than seven channels — whether or not in 5.2.1 or bigger 5.4.1 configurations — and so balancing ceiling-pointing audio system on high of your present audio system is not as massive of an improve as placing the additional cash towards higher (fairly than extra) audio system.

What about second-zone audio?

One of many advantages of getting a 7.1-channel AV receiver (over a 5.1 mannequin) is that the additional two channels can typically be used to energy a second set of audio system. Most 7.1 AV receivers may even pump completely different audio sources into completely different rooms (known as “second-zone audio”): one individual can watch TV in the lounge, whereas another person listens to a CD within the bed room.

It is a neat thought, nevertheless it’s far more restricted than it sounds. Most AV receivers cannot ship any incoming digital sources (HDMI and digital audio inputs) to the second zone, which goes to incorporate most units linked to the receiver. You will additionally must run wires out of your main room to the secondary room, which is not at all times straightforward. And eventually, do not forget that you most likely will not be capable to management the second supply with a distant while you’re in one other room, though AV receivers with smartphone management get round this considerably.

So even should you suppose you need second-zone performance, ensure you’re conscious of all the constraints. In lots of circumstances, it is simpler to get a small, separate system (or Bluetooth speaker) for the second room. And in order for you a real multiroom audio system, try our roundup of the greatest Wi-Fi programs that may combine with most AV receivers.

What about watts? How a lot energy do I would like?

Evaluating the wattage specs on AV receivers will not inform you a lot. Energy scores aren’t standardized, so there is no assure that one firm’s 100-watt-per-channel receiver will sound louder than one other firm’s 50-watt-per-channel receiver. On the whole, attempt to search for a ranking like “20Hz-20kHz, <1% THD in stereo” if it is obtainable. Understand that greater than 1% distortion is noticeable and also you would not wish to drive your audio system that onerous.

That mentioned, for typical dwelling theater audio system and rooms, fashionable AV receivers provide loads of energy. CNET’s listening room is medium-sized, however we by no means run into AV receivers that do not have the potential to get a lot louder than the common individual would select.

Ought to I fear about automated speaker calibration?

Computerized speaker calibration seems like an incredible thought, letting you employ an included microphone to regulate speaker ranges and apply EQ to accommodate your listening room. In observe, it would not at all times work that nicely. In actual fact, in our latest roundup of AV receiver opinions, automated speaker calibration was constantly off-balance, nearly at all times setting the subwoofer quantity stage incorrectly. Should you actually care about sound, you are higher off studying tips on how to manually set your speaker ranges.