Top 10 Home Theater AV Receivers

The home theater receiver (also commonly referred to as an AV Receiver) provides power to the speakers and serves as an integrated control center for all of your home theater components. Today’s home theater receivers are so jam-packed with features they can be a hassle to set up and use. Even entry-level models boast features that flagship models from even just five years ago never had.

Given the wide range of receiver models, it is becoming increasingly difficult for buyers to make an informed decision. As individual needs and preferences vary, we have picked ten of the top rated receivers from a few price points. This list is updated monthly. This list is compiled based on actual user ratings, search popularity and sales. Feel free to use this as a starting point to search for the AV receiver that caters best to your needs.

March 2010 update: Thanks to Onkyo’s excellent choice of HQV Reon processing that delivers top notch video performance, its receivers have received accolades from reviewers and users alike. Moving up to top spot for the first time this month is Onkyo’s flagship TX-NR5007 which offers a mouthwatering feature set. Its video and audio performance continues to garner positive reviews. Pioneer’s 7.1 channel full featured VSX-9040TXH took the 2nd spot with many 5 star reviews and is a steal at less than $600 now. Onkyo’s mid priced TX-SR707 takes 3rd place proving Onkyo’s fine legacy of producing leading edge products that constantly pushes the price/performance ratio.

Onkyo TX-NR5007 – As Onkyo’s flagship model for the network generation, the TX-NR5007 ($2699) offers a mouthwatering feature set designed to satisfy even the most demanding home theater purist. The expanded 9.2-channel configuration allows you to enjoy multi-zone playback as well as the latest surround formats by Dolby, DTS, and Audyssey. Advanced networking capability, meanwhile, enables you to incorporate PC-based audio and internet radio into your home theatre set-up. Video signals fed through this receiver get the luxury treatment, thanks to HQV Reon-VX processing, ISF calibration, and 1080p upscaling of all video sources via HDMI 1.3a. In the engine room, the TX-NR5007 boasts an impressive array of audiophile-grade components, including large, customized transistors to drive high currents and 22,000 pF capacitors to support a huge and stable power supply. Add to that high-quality 32-bit Burr-Brown DACs, ultra-low-jitter circuitry, and independent power supplies for amplifier, video, and audio circuitry, and you have a networking powerhouse equipped to deliver an immaculate A/V performance every time.
Pioneer VSX-9040TXH – This receiver has everything you could ask for in an AV receiver: multi-source/multi-zone output, 7 channels of 110w Direct Energy Amplification with support for HD audio formats, plenty of inputs and outputs for ALL your devices and THX Select 2 Plus certification. You also get support for Dolby True-HD/DTS-HD Master Audio, Faroudja 1080p Video Scaler, XM ® and Sirius® Satellite radio ready. It also works with your iPhone by connecting it to the front USB input with the included cable and start navigating your playlists with the new graphical user interface with on-screen album art. Best of all, you get all this for well under $600.
Onkyo TX-SR707 – Onkyo’s TX-SR707 offers a wealth of audio and video features that combine to earn it the prestigious quality assurance of THX Select2 Plus. On the connectivity side, 6 HDMI 1.3a inputs handle all your high-def sources, while also transporting video signals upscaled to 1080p via Faroudja DCDi Cinema . Along with the pristine, lossless audio of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, the TX-SR707 handles two new surround formats: Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz. These formats open up an immersive vertical dimension for games and movies, and bring more flexibility to your speaker set-up. As well as advanced Burr-Brown audio DACs, the TX-SR707 incorporates Audyssey equalization technologies to ensure an audio balance that fits your room like a glove. Peripheral devices are looked after by a Universal Port, while a customizable remote controller puts you firmly in charge. Pound for pound, the TX-SR707 stands out as a muscular and versatile middleweight contender.
Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K – The Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver ($499.00) provides practical features and good audio performance in an affordable package. It comes with on-board Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio processing, 4 HDMI inputs inputs, analog to HDMI video conversion and 1080p video upscaling. Extra features include iPod connectivity, Sirius Satellite radio compatibility, and Pioneer’s PQLS (Precision Quartz Locking System) for anti-jitter CD playback with compatible Pioneer Blu-ray Disc players.
Sony STR-DN1000 – The STR-DN1000 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver delivers the Full HD 1080 experience to a home theater system. It features 7 HD inputs including 4 HDMI inputs with “Active Intelligence”. In addition, the STR-DH700 is compatible with 24p True Cinema technology video signals and decodes uncompressed audio (LPCM via HDMI) making it compatible with Blu-ray Player, the PlayStation 3 technology and other HD sources. You can share your favorite songs wirelessly throughout your home with ease with optional S-Air transmitter and turn on the AirStation client (sold separately).
Denon AVR-4810CI – The 9.3-channel AVR-4810CI ($2,999) looks like a capable successor to Denon’s popular 4308CI. It comes chock full of features targeted to the higher end of the spectrum – 6 HDMI 1.3a inputs, 2 HDMI outputs, 9 channels at 140-Watts per channel, and the familiar set of features being rolled out across Denon’s lineup: Anchor Bay video processing, Audyssey DSX and Dolby ProLogic IIz featuring Front Height Effects Channels, as well as Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master audio support for decoding multi-channel recordings on Blu-ray discs. It also includes a host networking capabilities providing both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity for control and digital media steaming. All in all a complete and well engineered product with features to satisfy every home theater enthusiast.
Onkyo TX-NR807 – With the new “NR” designation, the $1,099 TX-NR807 adds network streaming including Pandora, Rhapsody, Windows 7 and DLNA to 7 channels of 135 watts power. The Onkyo TX-NR807 is one of the first receivers to incorporate Audyssey DSX technology, which allows the back surround channels to be re-tasked for front-wide speakers to expand the width of the sounds stage, or for front height speakers to provide vertical ambience effects. It has six HDMI 1.3a inputs, 1080p video upscaling of all sources using the powerful Faroudja DCDi Cinema processor chip. On the audio side it has a full suite of surround processing, including lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. With THX Select2 Plus certification and state-of-the-art processing from Dolby, DTS, Audyssey and Faroudja, the Onkyo TX-NR807 offers high definition audio and video performance.
Yamaha RX-V765 – Yamaha has delivered with the RX-V765 with features takes full advantage of the latest audio and video trends. It sounds amazing and at $649 is extremely great value. Some of the RX-V765’s new features include Yamaha’s wonderful YPAO automated room EQ software, which is similar to the Audyssey system found on many competitor receivers. The RX-V765 features full 1080p video upscaling of all video sources, analog and digital, through its single HDMI monitor out. It has 4 HDMI inputs and plays all of the latest surround sound formats, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as all previous incarnations of the Dolby and DTS sound formats.
Denon AVR-4310CI – The AVR-4310CI ($1,999) has a USB port for iPod connectivity, features the brand new Audyssey DSX processing for up to 9.1 channels, and Anchor Bay Technologies VRS processing to HD quality (up to 1080p/24/60). Its 7 high-current channels of amplification and cutting-edge surround sound processing deliver enveloping audio for all your movies, music, TV shows, and video games. The AVR-4310CI also treats you to some of the most advanced video processing available for top-notch picture quality from all your video sources. Plus you get a wide array of entertainment options, including PC networking, HD Radio, and iPod integration. 6 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI outputs give you plenty of connectivity for all your gears.
Yamaha RX-V1065 – Yamaha’s new RX-V1065 7.2-channel AV receiver (105W x 7; MSRP: $999.95) offers great HD audio and video performance and enhanced user experience features for enjoying movies and music from any home. Highlights of this receiver include a newly-developed, easy-to-use on-screen GUI, 4 HDMI inputs, 1080p video upscaling and a full complement of HD Audio codecs, as well as support for HD Radio, XM and Sirius Satellite Radio, iPods and Bluetooth devices. The RX-V1065 features Yamaha’s proprietary Pure Direct technology, a special listening mode that provides audiophile grade signal purity. Rounding out this model’s advanced audio and video feature set are Yamaha’s Digital ToP-ART and High Current Amplification technology with discrete amp configuration, Deep Color (30/36 bit) technology, 120Hz/24Hz Refresh Rates and Auto Lip-Sync compensation, which automatically eliminates audio/video sync issues. Cutting edge technology that translates to a better home theater experience.

Choosing an AV Receiver

The home theater AV receiver is the control center of a home theater system. Its primary task is to deliver audio to the speakers. It is also capable of source switching which can greatly simplify the task of selecting what source you want to watch, be it a DVD player, a blu-ray player or cable TV, etc. Most AV receivers can accept and route audio and video through an all-digital HDMI connection, which carries both audio and video signals. Many receivers also include sophisticated video-processing features, such as upscaling, which optimizes standard-definition video input to high-def resolution for display on an HDTV or HD projector.

Here are some other things to consider before you purchase an AV receiver:

How any audio channels do you want or need? You’ll see five-channel and seven-channel receivers. The advantage of the extra rear channels in seven-channel systems is that they can do a better job of creating a convincing surround-sound field. The disadvantage is that many listening locations can’t easily accommodate proper placement of the additional speakers, and relatively few DVDs — and no HDTV broadcasts or cablecasts – are encoded with the extra rear channel, although it can be derived by home theater receivers with the proper processing circuitry. Some Blu-ray Discs do offer seven-channel sound.
Don’t forget the video. Delivering sound is still the most important factor, but home theater receivers also include video capabilities, making them the hub of a home theater system. All but the least expensive receivers can switch HDMI signals, and many can do video processing, deinterlacing signals and even upconverting them to 1080p for output via HDMI. That can reduce the typical rat’s nest of home theater wiring to just a couple of cables. However, video processing is typically a weakness compared to that found in better video gear.
Auto-setup can be helpful. Many receivers include sophisticated auto-setup routines that simplify the job of setting up the speakers. The best ones work relatively well, but results vary depending on the speakers and the room’s acoustics. However, while audiophiles might still prefer to make settings manually, auto-setup can help an inexperienced user get better results.
Check the manufacturer’s policy before buying online. Some manufacturers have strict policies regarding authorized dealers. Denon, for example, clearly warns prospective buyers that their warranty is not valid if they don’t purchase their receiver from an authorized retailer or if the serial number has been removed or replaced to prevent tracing the receiver’s original source. Some retailers do offer their own warranties in such cases, but the decision on whether on not that’s sufficient is one that should be carefully weighed.