Av Models
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Av Models
Features: Heos multiroom compatible; Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant/Siri voice ; Bluetooth; USB; AirPlay 2
The best AV receiver with a low profile
Features: Heos multiroom compatible; Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant ; Bluetooth; USB; AirPlay 2
The classic AV receiver remains one of the best
Features: Chromecast built-in; Bluetooth with NFC; Virtual surround processing
Features: Heos multiroom compatible; Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant ; Bluetooth; USB; AirPlay 2
Capable across entire frequency range
This high-value AV receiver is a bargain for movie fans
Features: Chromecast built-in; Apple Airplay 2; Reflex optimizer
Generous amplification for the price
This stylish home theatre hero has a musical pedigree
Features: HEOS compatible; Amazon Alexa; Siri; Google Assistant support; IMAX Enhanced
The best AV receiver for true home theater connoisseurs
Features: AirPlay 2; Alexa voice control
Wonderfully, rich and energetic sound
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
With contributions from
Steve May
Home entertainment AV specialist
The best cheap Bluetooth speakers in 2022
Mavericks vs Warriors live stream: How to watch game 5 of NBA Playoffs Western Confer...
Pretty disappointed in you Tom's Guide..You listed the Denon X2700H as your #1 on the AVR for 2021 however you didn't list the HDMI 2.1 bug as a con for this AVR. This AVR suffers from the HDMI 2.1 bug just as the X4700H you have listed further down the page on your listings. I personally own the X2700H & have had to suffer with this HDMI issue, it sucks. For me personally the "HDMI adapter kit fix" that Denon sent out to it's customers has not fixed the issue for me. I still have issues when using the adapter kit & my Xbox series X. Really disappointed in fact that Denon hasn't came up with a better solution for all of it's AVR 2020 models that have these issues. You should consider putting the HDMI 2.1 bug as a listing on the con list as well for any Denon 2020 AVR models you recommend.
sponsored by Sound United, seriously not even one Onkyo on the list
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands
Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
More stories to check out before you go
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By
Lee Dunkley
Contributions from
Steve May
published April 14, 2022
The best AV receivers tested for power, sound and connectivity — these amps deliver on movie night
Our pick of the best AV receivers will help you do home cinema right. All our audio products are tested by experts in domestic conditions at home just as you would experience them.
Our pick of the most powerful, feature-packed integrated amplifiers dish out remarkable sound when paired with any compatible TV, and will take your audio involvement to a level that you’ve never experienced in your living room. The inclusion of popular technologies like Dolby Atmos and DTS: X only increases their value, along with 8K capability and HDMI eARC .
Buying something as complex and multi-talented as an AV receiver can be overwhelming to a casual consumer, so if you’re serious about transforming your sound output into something more theater-like, start educating yourself on the necessities by familiarizing yourself with the 'how to choose the best AV receiver for you' towards the end of this guide.
If you're considering an AV receiver as a connectivity hub for a music system as well as movies, then be sure to check out our guide to the best turntables for any budget . Many of the receivers listed below come with a built-in moving-magnet phono stage to enable vinyl playback from any of the record decks we've tested.
Something to know right out of the gate is that most seven-channel AV receivers support a speaker configuration of 5.1.2, which is the standard 5.1 surround layout with two additional height/up-firing speakers. Models that feature nine channels of amplification can be used for either 5.1 with four Dolby height speakers (5.1.4) or 7.1 surround with two height channels (7.1.2).
Once you’re confident in selecting a model, browse through our list of the best AV receivers we've tested to see which one is right for you.
Sitting in the No. 1 spot is the Denon AVR-X47000H. It sits at the top of our best receivers list for several reasons. For starters, the construction on this bad boy is elite. It supports nearly every audio format imaginable, plus it comes with an audio calibration system to ensure the highest accuracy possible. Furthermore, this 9-channel amp produces rich, layered sound that immerses you into films, sports events, soundtracks, or whatever else is playing on the TV screen. Consider the Denon AVR-X4700H if you fancy a louder-sounding alternative for a little extra.
The runner-up Marantz NR1711 is a 7-channel Dolby Atmos receiver that is ideal for smaller spaces, but can fill up rooms with spacious, dynamic audio. Listeners can connect to almost any type of audio source; it even comes with Bluetooth headphone support for private listening. We also love the slimline chassis that gives the receiver a luxe look.
If you’re in the market for something less expensive, the Sony STR-DN1080 is a solid option. This AVR was designed with cinema in mind, boasting virtual sound signal processing that shifts sound accurately around the room. Chromecast is built into the receiver, along with numerous inputs and an amp to play up to 24-bit/192kHz files.
Take a look at our top picks for the best AV receivers.
Denon’s AVR-X2700H provides an affordable jumping on point for the brand’s 2021 X-series AV receivers. The price tag hints at budget components, but in a smaller viewing room (rather than a cavernous theater), it defies expectations.
In our listening tests it gave a punchy delivery and has no problem with action-orientated soundtracks, plus it’s nuanced enough to portray subtle ambiance too. Power output is rated at 150W for multichannel, which is generous and it’ll support a 5.1.2 channel configuration or conventional 7.1 surround (depending on how you’ve set up your loudspeakers). There’s also 8K support, albeit via a single HDMI 2.1 input.
Marantz hasn’t changed the look of its half-height lifestyle NR AVR range for the best part of a decade, but we’re good with that because beneath the hood, there’s been constant evolution. The sonic signature is largely unchanged and it has a warm sound, rather than clinically precise. It's perhaps a fraction less musical than some of its siblings further up the chain, but it's undeniably fun to listen to.
You can run a 5.1.2 Atmos setup with a uniform 50W delivered across all 7 channels. There are six HDMI inputs, one labelled 8K, which supports 4K/120fps and 8K 60Hz. There’s only one HDMI output though, but the feature niceties include HEOS multiroom and AirPlay 2. If you don’t have a full multiroom speaker setup you can also use Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization and DTS:X Virtual to roughly emulate a 3D listening experience.
This brilliant budget Sony AV receiver is a perennial favorite, ideal for home theatre fans that want barnstorming performance without the price. A 7-channel design, it supports a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos speaker layout, however it cleverly also employs psycho-acoustic processing to add phantom rears, thereby creating a pseudo-7-channel surround listening experience.
It has another cool talent: if you can’t place speakers in their ideal position, crafty audio D.C.A.C. EX processing will virtually relocate the speakers you have. And it works, if imprecisely. In any case the STR-DN1080 was an an entertaining performer during our listening tests, with agile sonic steerage and a sucker-punch LFE (low-frequency effects) channel that relishes big, explosive effects. There’s no 8K or 4K high frame rate support, but if you can live with this limitation, it remains a fabulous buy.
A sonic tour de force, the X4700H is a jaw-dropping AV receiver with a class leading specification for movies and gaming. HDMI provision covers eight inputs, one of which is designated 8K. Generously, there are three outputs, with eARC support.
Advanced Audyssey calibration is very effective, sounding great in our testing room, and once optimised should give equally stunning results in pretty much any listening room. The X4700H is fantastically dynamic, able to cope with dramatic transients like a boss. Bass is tight and there’s a superbly articulate upper-midrange. Unfortunately it does suffer from an HDMI 2.1 bug when connected to the Xbox Series X , but you can order a device which fixes it. More on this below.
The VSX-LX504 is a 9-channel Dolby Atmos AV receiver, suitable for speaker configurations of 5.2.4 or 7.2.2. HDMI provision covers 7 inputs (one on the front facia), with two outputs. There’s Dolby Vision but no 8K support. Digital audio inputs are limited to one coaxial and one optical.
Pioneer AVRs have a characteristically crisp delivery, which can sound overly analytical, but we liked its character during our listening tests. There’s also a Reflex Optimizer function to fine tune up-firing Dolby Atmos speakers. On top of that, this receiver has built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant support, plus Apple Airplay 2 and support for DTS Play-Fi. In terms of bang for buck, then, it’s hard to argue with this glossy Pioneer at the price.
There’s something enduringly elegant about Marantz’s AV component design. The curved fascia with small porthole display speaks of legacy and old-school musicality. But don’t let that fool you, this AV receiver is also a movie beast on the cutting edge. We found its audio performance to be sublime, with effortless control of the soundstage. Never feeling under pressure, sonic placement is always precise.
A 9 channel model, it can be configured for 7.1.2. There’s also Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization and Virtual DTS: X, plus IMAX Enhanced certification, which means it’ll automatically change bass management handling for deeper bass when it recognises flagged content. The receiver has a single 8K-capable HDMI 2.1 input, while smart support covers Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as AirPlay 2.
Arcam is often cited as the connoisseur’s choice when it comes to home theatre. In addition to the usual list of immersive codecs, this high performing receiver comes with both Auro-3D compatibility and IMAX Enhanced certification. And, while the AVR30 is a 7-channel receiver, there’s processing headroom for 16 channels if you’re prepared to stack up extra amplification.
Calibration is best in class, thanks to Dirac Live, which does a first class job of optimising the AVR’s output to suit your listening room. Less exceptional is the lack of 2.1 compatibility; Arcam is offering a complete board swap, but this is a prohibitively expensive fix. Still, what the AVR30 lacks in mod cons, it makes up for in performance, proving capable of instantaneous highs, and solid plunging lows. Wireless support covers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, with Google Chromecast and AirPlay 2 talents too.
Finding the best AV receiver isn’t just about HDMI inputs. Sure we like plenty of inputs, but the number of outputs are important too, particularly if you plan on running both a flatscreen and a projector in the same room.
Do you need 8K or High Frame Rate HDMIs? If your AV receiver is unlikely to have a games console connected then the answer is no. In which case there’s some great deals to be had on AVRs with regular HDMI 2.0 inputs.
Dolby Atmos compatibility is a given (and by default that means you’ll get DTS:X too), but how many channels do you need? Given the option, 9 channels always trump 7, because it opens up more speaker options such as 5.1.4 or 7.1.2, for example.
Don’t have a full Dolby Atmos home theatre loudspeaker set up? Look for a model that offers height virtualisation technology, so you can enjoy an immersive audio experience even when you don’t have a full set of physical speakers.
Power isn’t just about roof-raising volume, and even if you’re not lucky enough to have a dedicated movie room, a model with big amplification makes sense. A high power output means an AVR can deliver dynamic transients, and pressure load a space without clipping or strain.
While 8K, or more likely 4K at 120fps from a next-gen games console, is a compelling reason to upgrade your dusty old AV receiver, there’s an elephant-sized HDMI bug in the room we need to address.
The first generation receivers with 8K HDMI 2.1 input/s you can buy right now are known to suffer a compatibility issue that means some new 8K/4K source devices that offer a 4K/120fps or 8K video resolution output (we’re looking at you Xbox Series X) do not always pass the video signal through to the display.
This has left the likes of Denon, Marantz and Yamaha scrambling to find a solution. Consequently, Denon is supplying buyers of affected Denon and Marantz AV receivers an HDMI adapter box free of charge. The SPK618 sits between your console and AV receiver, and corrects the HDMI data allowing it to pass. Inelegant perhaps, but effective.
An alternate workaround for owners of affected AVRs is to connect their console directly to their 4K/120fps capable TV, and then route audio back to the AVR using the eARC HDMI connection.
Alternatively, gamers can just output from their console at 4K/60fps resolution (effectively the default premium display option anyway) and all will be fine and dandy.
Then again, you could hang fire and wait for new models. Yamaha says its new RX-A8A, RX-A6A and RX-A4A receivers use a next generation HDMI board which isn’t so afflicted.
When testing models for inclusion in our best AV receivers page, we play a range of media — including movies, music and games — in order to evaluate overall sound quality performance. We also test any companion software that may come with an AV receiver, and factor in how easy it is to set up and use each receiver with a reference speaker system.
Other features we consider include the different kinds of connectivity options, all of which determine how well it will work with your home entertainment setup. We also take into account power output, the number of supported audio channels and subwoofer outputs, and available processing software for decoding movie soundtracks as well as their ability to handle music sources — all factors that greatly affect how each speaker will sound in your living room.
Once we complete our testing, we rate each AV receiver based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded an Editor's Choice badge.
As a former editor of the U.K.'s Hi-Fi Choice magazine, Lee is passionate about all kinds of audio tech and has been providing sound advice to enable consumers to make informed buying decisions since he joined Which? magazine as a product tester in the 1990s. Lee covers all things audio for Tom's Guide, including headphones, wireless speakers and soundbars and loves to connect and share the mindfulness benefits that listening to music in the very best quality can bring.
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Features: Heos multiroom compatible; Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant/Siri voice ; Bluetooth; USB; AirPlay 2
The best AV receiver with a low profile
Features: Heos multiroom compatible; Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant ; Bluetooth; USB; AirPlay 2
The classic AV receiver remains one of the best
Features: Chromecast built-in; Bluetooth with NFC; Virtual surround processing
Features: Heos multiroom compatible; Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant ; Bluetooth; USB; AirPlay 2
Capable across entire frequency range
This high-value AV receiver is a bargain for movie fans
Features: Chromecast built-in; Apple Airplay 2; Reflex optimizer
Generous amplification for the price
This stylish home theatre hero has a musical pedigree
Features: HEOS compatible; Amazon Alexa; Siri; Google Assistant support; IMAX Enhanced
The best AV receiver for true home theater connoisseurs
Features: AirPlay 2; Alexa voice control
Wonderfully, rich and energetic sound
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
With contributions from
Steve May
Home entertainment AV specialist
The best cheap Bluetooth speakers in 2022
Mavericks vs Warriors live stream: How to watch game 5 of NBA Playoffs Western Confer...
Pretty disappointed in you Tom's Guide..You listed the Denon X2700H as your #1 on the AVR for 2021 however you didn't list the HDMI 2.1 bug as a con for this AVR. This AVR suffers from the HDMI 2.1 bug just as the X4700H you have listed further down the page on your listings. I personally own the X2700H & have had to suffer with this HDMI issue, it sucks. For me personally the "HDMI adapter kit fix" that Denon sent out to it's customers has not fixed the issue for me. I still have issues when using the adapter kit & my Xbox series X. Really disappointed in fact that Denon hasn't came up with a better solution for all of it's AVR 2020 models that have these issues. You should consider putting the HDMI 2.1 bug as a listing on the con list as well for any Denon 2020 AVR models you recommend.
sponsored by Sound United, seriously not even one Onkyo on the list
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands
Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
More stories to check out before you go
Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us
By
Lee Dunkley
Contributions from
Steve May
published April 14, 2022
The best AV receivers tested for power, sound and connectivity — these amps deliver on movie night
Our pick of the best AV receivers will help you do home cinema right. All our audio products are tested by experts in domestic conditions at home just as you would experience them.
Our pick of the most powerful, feature-packed integrated amplifiers dish out remarkable sound when paired with any compatible TV, and will take your audio involvement to a level that you’ve never experienced in your living room. The inclusion of popular technologies like Dolby Atmos and DTS: X only increases their value, along with 8K capability and HDMI eARC .
Buying something as complex and multi-talented as an AV receiver can be overwhelming to a casual consumer, so if you’re serious about transforming your sound output into something more theater-like, start educating yourself on the necessities by familiarizing yourself with the 'how to choose the best AV receiver for you' towards the end of this guide.
If you're considering an AV receiver as a connectivity hub for a music system as well as movies, then be sure to check out our guide to the best turntables for any budget . Many of the receivers listed below come with a built-in moving-magnet phono stage to enable vinyl playback from any of the record decks we've tested.
Something to know right out of the gate is that most seven-channel AV receivers support a speaker configuration of 5.1.2, which is the standard 5.1 surround layout with two additional height/up-firing speakers. Models th
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