AV Receiver Buying Guide: Top Picks Tested and Reviewed

Choosing an AV receiver is one of the more consequential gear decisions in a home theater build , the receiver is the nerve center, and a mismatch here ripples through every other component. The specs page rarely tells the whole story. Channel count, amplifier headroom, calibration quality, and HDMI version all interact in ways that take some unpacking.

The picks below range from entry-level stereo receivers to 7.2-channel surround units, each chosen to illustrate a distinct point on the decision spectrum. For a broader look at what’s available across all price bands, the AV Receivers hub is a good starting point before narrowing your search.

Top Picks

Denon AVR-X1700H 7.2 Channel AV Receiver

The Denon AVR-X1700H 7.2 sits at the high end of the entry tier and covers most of what a first dedicated theater room actually needs. Seven channels, 80 watts per channel, full Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding, and four HDMI 2.1 inputs capable of handling 8K passthrough , the spec sheet is genuinely competitive for this category.

What distinguishes the X1700H from cheaper surround options is the inclusion of Audyssey MultEQ XT , not the flagship MultEQ XT32 found in the upper X-series receivers, but a capable room correction tool when used correctly. Multiple measurement positions, a quiet room, and a post-calibration check with REW are still the right workflow. Audyssey applied carelessly produces mediocre results at any tier; the tool is only as good as the process behind it.

HEOS multiroom audio is built in, and Amazon Alexa voice control is supported if that matters to your setup. For a first surround build in a small to mid-size room , say, 12x16 feet or smaller , the X1700H covers the field without leaving obvious gaps. Buyers planning a larger room or a 9-channel Atmos layout should step up to a 9.2-channel unit rather than using this one beyond its design intent. For options at this tier, the best AV receivers under shortlist covers the competitive field.

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Denon AVR-S570BT AV Receiver

The Denon AVR-S570BT is a five-channel, 5.2-channel receiver targeting buyers who want a surround system without the overhead of a seven-channel layout. Four 8K HDMI inputs, eARC on the output, Bluetooth streaming, and Denon’s HD Setup Assistant make this a more approachable unit for someone building their first surround system without a dealer or installer.

The S570BT does not include Dolby Atmos or DTS:X decoding , a meaningful omission if ceiling channels or Atmos-enabled speakers are on the roadmap. For a 5.1 living room setup with no height channels planned, that’s not a disqualifier; Dolby Atmos only does useful work when you have the speakers to use it. The calibration system here is Audyssey at its most basic tier, which sets channel levels and distance but won’t do the frequency-domain correction that MultEQ XT brings to the X1700H.

Owner reports consistently note that the S570BT runs quietly and without the heat issues that budget receivers sometimes exhibit. For a clean 5.1 system built around movies and streaming in a living room where discrete height channels aren’t practical, this is a well-executed receiver for its position in the lineup.

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YAMAHA RX-V385 5.1-Channel AV Receiver

Five channels at 70 watts per channel, 4K Ultra HD passthrough, Bluetooth, and Yamaha’s YPAO room calibration , the YAMAHA RX-V385 presents a straightforward 5.1 entry receiver that competes on reliability and brand longevity rather than on feature density.

YPAO is Yamaha’s equivalent of basic Audyssey: it sets levels, distances, and applies a frequency correction curve from a single measurement position. At this tier, single-point measurement is the norm across brands, and the results are useful even if they fall short of what a multi-point Audyssey run produces. The RX-V385 does not decode Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, so buyers whose next step is ceiling channels will outgrow it.

Where the RX-V385 earns its place is in the combination of build quality and straightforward operation. Yamaha’s entry receivers have a long track record in secondary rooms , a guest room setup, a basement media corner, a modest surround system for a home where the main room already has more capable gear. Owner feedback across AVS Forum threads highlights setup simplicity and stable long-term operation as its clearest strengths.

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Sony STRDH590 5.2 Channel Surround Sound Receiver

The Sony STRDH590 is a 5.2-channel receiver with 4K HDR passthrough, Bluetooth, and 145 watts per channel , a power figure that stands out at this tier, though it’s worth noting that most listening happens well below the point where amplifier headroom becomes audible.

Sony does not include Dolby Atmos or DTS:X decoding on the STRDH590, and there is no built-in room correction system of any kind. For buyers who plan to add a calibration microphone and run measurements through REW manually, the absence of Audyssey is workable , manual parametric EQ lets you act on REW results without relying on the receiver’s auto-calibration. For buyers who want calibration handled automatically, the STRDH590 is the wrong receiver.

The 5.2-channel configuration with two subwoofer outputs is genuinely useful in rooms where dual-sub placement is practical. Owner consensus points to the Sony as a reliable, uncomplicated option for straightforward 5.1 or 5.2 builds where the buyer is not planning height channels. It is not a stepping stone toward Atmos , it’s a ceiling for that layout.

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YAMAHA R-S202BL Stereo Receiver

Not every room needs surround sound. The YAMAHA R-S202BL is a two-channel stereo receiver , no HDMI, no room correction, no Dolby decoding. It amplifies two speakers and connects to a source via optical, analog, or Bluetooth.

For a second room, a music-only listening room, a turntable setup, or a desktop system where the only audio format is stereo, this unit is precisely scoped. Adding it to a dedicated home theater build doesn’t fit , the Denon and Sony options above handle surround routing that this receiver cannot. The distinction is worth stating plainly: this is a stereo amplifier with modern connectivity, not a home theater receiver.

Yamaha’s build quality at this tier is well-regarded, and the R-S202BL’s power output is sufficient for bookshelf speakers in a small to mid-size room. Owner reports mark it as a stable, quiet performer. For music-first applications where two-channel audio is the endpoint rather than a compromise, this is a better-matched choice than a budget surround receiver running in stereo mode.

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Sony STRDH190 2-Channel Home Stereo Receiver

The Sony STRDH190 covers the same two-channel territory as the Yamaha R-S202BL but adds phono inputs , a direct connection for a turntable without a separate phono preamp. If vinyl is part of the source chain, the phono stage changes the decision.

Like the R-S202BL, this is a stereo-only unit. No HDMI, no surround decoding, no calibration system. The STRDH190 connects via Bluetooth and analog inputs, outputs to two speakers, and handles phono-level signals natively. The built-in phono preamp is basic but functional , AVS Forum reports from vinyl-focused users note that it gets the job done for moving-magnet cartridges without adding audible noise at normal listening levels.

For someone building a living room vinyl setup, a bedroom audio system, or a secondary room where simplicity is the priority, the STRDH190 is a well-priced two-channel option. The phono input is the specification that separates it from the Yamaha; outside of that use case, both receivers occupy the same practical position.

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Buying Guide

Stereo Receiver vs. AV Receiver: Start Here

The first question isn’t which AV receiver to buy , it’s whether you need an AV receiver at all. A stereo receiver handles two channels and connects to speakers, sources, and occasionally a subwoofer. An AV receiver adds HDMI switching, surround decoding, multichannel amplification, and room calibration. If the room is for music only and the source is streaming or vinyl, a stereo receiver is simpler and often sounds better per dollar spent because the amplifier budget isn’t spread across five to nine channels.

The tipping point is usually the addition of a display and video sources. Once HDMI routing and surround sound are in the picture, a stereo receiver can’t do the job, and an AV receiver becomes the correct tool. Decide the room’s purpose before comparing specifications.

Channel Count and Room Configuration

Channel count in an AV receiver describes how many independent audio channels the amplifier section can drive. A 5.1-channel receiver drives three front channels, two surrounds, and a subwoofer output. A 7.2-channel receiver adds two more surround or height channels and a second sub output. A 9.2-channel receiver , like the Denon AVR-X3700H that this site uses as a reference point , adds two more channels for a full 7.1.2 Atmos layout.

Buying more channels than the room supports is not necessarily wasteful , unused channels can drive a second zone , but it also shouldn’t drive the purchase decision upward if the room layout doesn’t support the additional speakers. A 5.1 receiver in a 5.1 room is the right answer. A 7.2 receiver in a 5.1 room means paying for amplifier stages that will never work. For buyers planning a full 7-channel surround build, the best 7.1-channel AV receivers covers that tier specifically.

Atmos and Height Channel Compatibility

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding requires a receiver that explicitly supports both formats , not all entry-level units do, as several receivers in this roundup illustrate. The larger issue is whether the room can physically accommodate height channels. Atmos delivers its effect through ceiling-mounted or Atmos-enabled upward-firing speakers. Without those speakers in place, Atmos decoding produces no audible benefit.

The practical rule: if ceiling installation is in the current plan or a realistic near-term plan, buy a receiver that decodes Atmos now. If ceiling channels are not on the roadmap, Atmos decoding is a specification you’re paying for but not using. Buyers researching the full AV receiver landscape should look for this specification listed explicitly in the receiver’s feature list, not inferred from format support alone.

Room Calibration Systems

Audyssey MultEQ XT32 , the version on the upper Denon X-series receivers , is a legitimate calibration tool when used correctly. The correct workflow: microphone at the primary listening position first, then four to eight additional positions within the listening area, room as quiet as possible, no furniture or bodies in the measurement zone. The resulting filters apply frequency-domain correction that REW measurements confirm makes a real difference in bass response and tonal balance.

Audyssey at lower tiers , MultEQ XT and basic MultEQ , applies less correction bandwidth and fewer filter points. Still useful, particularly for level and distance correction, but the magnitude of improvement is smaller. Yamaha’s YPAO and Sony’s absence of calibration both sit below Audyssey in this hierarchy. If room correction quality is a meaningful priority, it’s one of the clearest reasons to step up within the Denon X-series lineup. Buyers at the mid-tier should cross-reference the best AV receivers under list, which covers the tier where MultEQ XT32 becomes available.

HDMI 2.1 and Port Count

HDMI 2.1 matters if the source or display requires 4K/120Hz or 8K passthrough , primarily relevant for gaming consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X) where high frame rates are a priority. For movie-watching and streaming, HDMI 2.0 handles 4K/60Hz without limitation. The number of HDMI inputs determines how many sources the receiver can manage without an external switch.

A receiver with four HDMI inputs covers most living room setups: a streaming device, a 4K Blu-ray player, a game console, and one spare. Buyers adding more sources need either additional inputs or an HDMI matrix upstream. Count the actual devices before choosing a receiver based on input count alone , it’s a simple calculation that’s easy to overlook until the ports are full.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Dolby Atmos support on my first AV receiver?

Atmos support is only useful if the room can accommodate height channels , either ceiling-mounted speakers or upward-firing Atmos-enabled speakers aimed at a flat ceiling. If neither of those is in the current plan, Atmos decoding is a spec you’re paying for without benefit. For a first 5.1 build in a standard living room, a receiver without Atmos is a reasonable choice if it checks the other boxes.

What is the difference between Audyssey MultEQ and MultEQ XT32?

Both are room correction systems from Audyssey, but they differ in filter resolution and correction bandwidth. MultEQ XT32 applies correction across a wider frequency range with higher filter density, producing more precise results , especially in bass frequencies where room modes are the biggest problem. MultEQ XT and basic MultEQ apply less correction with fewer filter points. The difference is audible in rooms with significant low-frequency problems, which describes most untreated rooms.

Can a 5.1 receiver be upgraded to 7.1 or Atmos later?

A 5.1 receiver cannot be upgraded to 7.1 , amplifier channel count is fixed at the hardware level. Upgrading to more channels means buying a new receiver. Some 5.1 receivers support external amplifiers for additional channels, but this adds complexity and cost. The cleaner approach for buyers planning a larger system is to buy the target channel count receiver from the start, even if some channels sit unused initially.

Is a stereo receiver suitable for a home theater setup?

A stereo receiver handles two-channel audio only and lacks HDMI inputs, surround decoding, and subwoofer routing beyond a basic pre-out. For a dedicated home theater with a TV or projector, multiple HDMI sources, and surround speakers, a stereo receiver is the wrong tool. The Sony STRDH190 and Yamaha R-S202BL in this roundup are appropriate for music rooms and secondary systems, not primary home theater builds.

How many HDMI inputs do I actually need?

Count the devices that need to connect: streaming box, Blu-ray player, game console, cable box. Most setups land at three to four active sources. A receiver with four HDMI inputs covers that cleanly with one spare. If the device count exceeds the input count, an HDMI switch can add ports, but it introduces an extra link in the signal chain.