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With immersive audio formats more of the norm as well as 4K video features this looks to be the perfect year to upgrade without fear of being obsolete right after purchase. The AV receivers below represent some of the best models the industry has to offer as of 2018. They boast a variety of A/V uses and come armed with the latest in HD audio and video as well as multi-zone and streaming options to serve as a whole home audio solution for years to come.
In the heat of the summer people often put their home theater dreams on hold to relish in the tranquil weather that is upon them. Many people think the best time to buy their new A/V receiver is in January just after the new product announcements from CES or in fall just in time for Christmas. But we think early summer is the perfect time to upgrade your home theater A/V receiver especially since there's been a fury of new AVR releases by the major manufacturers over the last couple of months. The manufacturers have worked out all the bugs from the early releases of the year for existing models and some of them might even be ready to discount older models in favor of newer models for the upcoming fall season.
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 9.2CH Atmos/DTS:X AV Receiver
In addition to traditional wired multi-zone options, some home theater receivers also offer the ability to wirelessly stream audio to compatible wireless speakers connected via a home network. However, each brand has its own closed system that requires the use of specific brand-compatible products. In addition to the connection options discussed above, HDMI connectivity is provided on all current home theater receivers.
We’ve seen a decline lately in AV receiver power supplies since the introduction of Atmos. Seeing the build quality of the SR8012 restores our faith that solid amplification isn't dead in AV receivers. This looks like one tasty amp section that we can't wait to get on our bench for testing in our up and coming review. In a MusicCast Surround configuration, only a single MusicCast 50 is needed to produce two surround channels, but two units may be used for better performance. The MusicCast 50 delivers the highest performance of any MusicCast speaker, and features a lower profile than competing models in its performance class to fit more discreetly in more places at home. However, confronted by sales hype and reading specifications can be confusing and misleading.
Surround Sound Formats
Also, if you are planning to use a 3D TV and 3D Blu-ray Disc player with your home theater receiver, keep in mind that your receiver should be equipped with HDMI ver 1.4a connections. If you have a home theater that does not have that ability, there is a workaround that may work for you. As you can see with the arsenal of features and performance that the RX-A3080 offers, it may be the least expensive AV receiver in this comparison, but it's certainly not the least capable. Like the Marantz, the X8500H receiver also comes with the most advanced Audyssey Room correction suite available. Equipped with the full Audyssey Platinum suite of advanced DSP algorithms, the AVR-X8500H features Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic room acoustic correction.
If that product has a lot of purchases, it is the best product in terms of quality and used by many people. As technology develops, while shopping, you can completely use your smartphone to check the quality of that product by scanning a barcode and sending it to the system. In a short time, you will get the results and easily determine whether the home theater receivers is good or not and make a decision to choose to buy. The quality of the product will be an important factor, playing a decisive role in your experience of that home theater receivers.
Onkyo TX-RZ3100 11.2CH Atmos/DTS:X AV Receiver
Kaleidescape's movie servers are legendary in the world of home theater, but now they come packing 4K downloads, full studio support, and a $4,500 price tag--a good $15,000 to $20,000 less than you'd pay for an old Kaleidescape system without 4K. Italy's best speakers just got a little better and a little more affordable. With tweeter technology borrowed from much higher-end speakers and a sleek form factor enhanced by a killer matte white finish, these speakers are wooing AV enthusiasts all over the world. Dennis Burger says that this is a "go big or go home" subwoofer that builds on SVS' strong legacy of high-performance subs. Yes, it'll peel the skin right off your skull, but perhaps more surprising is its capacity for subtlety. If you have a mid- to large-sized room, this is the sub to beat this year.
To give a $10,000 DAC a best-of-the-year award may seem a bit in that the fast-moving world of high-end digital audio can leave you, the audiophile, holding the bag with yesterday's technology in short order. Designed by ex-Harman/Lexicon engineers, the MS1E competes favorably with DACs costing double and close to triple the money today. Invisible speakers are one of the hottest categories in specialty AV and are turning the custom installation world upside down. Literally, these in-wall or in-ceiling speakers can disappear behind drywall skim coat or any number of other surfaces and set a new high bar for spousal acceptace factor.
An extremely affordable option, the Sony STR-DH190 isn’t like the other receivers on this list. It’s not for watching the game, Netflix binges, gaming, or watching anything really. This is a receiver for music, and vinyl lovers in particular might appreciate this model because of its clean sound with minimal distortion. If you're looking to extend the range of passing HD video to a display, check out the Integra DRX-R1.1 AV Receiver ($3,300) which is very similar to the Onkyo TX-RZ3100 but adds 4K HDBaseT connectivity.
As part of Denon’s range of IN-Command series of custom-integration friendly AV components, the AVR-X8500H comes equipped with a range of features to provide enhanced control capabilities and compatibility with third-party and custom integration solutions. It features IP control capability for integration with major third-party control devices and Control4 SDDP certification. An RS-232C serial port is available to directly connect to external home automation and control equipment, and an IR remote control input on the rear panel enables remote control compatibility with other components in your home theater system. Denon’s newly invented “HDMI diagnostics” mode will be available to help custom integrators troubleshoot HDMI related audio and video issues at the time of installation using only the front panel of the receivers along with Denon’s trouble-shooting guide.
HomeTheaterReview.com readers have taken notice that publisher Jerry Del Colliano, Ben Shyman, and now Dr. Taraszka have made the change to Focal's sexy, easy-to-drive flagships as their reference speakers. Yes, they are expensive, but compared to the likes of Wilson Audio, Magico, YG, and others in the very high end, these Focals are world beaters. Their performance, aesthetics, and construction simply blow their similarly priced competition out of the water.
The YHT-5960U home-theater-in-a-box includes an AV receiver with the latest in video processing, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, wireless streaming and more. For video, the receiver provides six 3D, 4K, and HDR-compatible HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs —all of which are compatible with today's 4K video sources and external media streamers that offer access to 4K streaming content from services like Netflix. In addition to core audio and video features, the STR-DN1080 includes both network and internet streaming access via either Ethernet connection or built-in Wi-Fi. It also provides Bluetooth and Airplay for direct streaming from compatible portable devices.
If your home theater receiver has an MHL-HDMI input, it will be clearly labeled. It must also be noted that HDMI 1.4 and 1.4a connections also have the ability to pass 4K resolution video signals , provided that feature has been activated by the receiver manufacturer. Some receivers access both the audio and video portions of the HDMI signals for further processing. The main feature attraction of home theater receivers for most consumers is the ability to provide a surround sound listening experience. Tony is our resident expert for lifestyle and wireless products including soundbars.
You can plug in your turntable via the phono input, and there’s a headphone jack as well. The two-channel receiver has Bluetooth, but it lacks Wi-Fi, HDMI, and many of the technologies you’d find on a home theater receiver designed for movies or gaming. However, if you’re a music buff who wants pure sound, this model might be worth a look. If you’re looking for a receiver that will do the job at a reasonable price, the Yamaha RX-V385BL is a good choice. It provides many of the features you need—4K support, HDMI with HDCP 2.2, Bluetooth, and 5.1-channel surround sound support—yet it doesn’t cost a fortune.
In addition to using a home theater receiver as a central location for connecting both audio and video components, many receivers also feature video processing, just as they offer audio processing. The home theater receiver also referred to as an AV receiver or surround sound receiver, is the heart of a home theater system. It provides most, if not all, the inputs and outputs that you connect everything, including your TV, into. A Home Theater Receiver provides an easy and cost-effective way of centralizing your home theater system.
Lifewire EV EVs have been around a long time but are quickly gaining speed in the automotive industry. Custom installers should take note that there are two HDMI outputs and no HD-BaseT port. RS-232, IR repeater ports and dual 12v trigger outputs are standard and will help you integrate the new Elite AVrs into any home automation system. You'll automatically be entered in the HTR Sweepstakes, and get the hottest audio deals directly in your inbox. Just when you thought Andrew Jones and ELAC couldn't do better, they went like six levels better to take these flagship tower speakers to insane-land. This is a shark-infested part of the speaker market but ELAC is swimming inside of one of those steel cages with this design.
