TOP 8 Best AV Receivers According to Customer Reviews

Choosing an AV receiver is not easy. Today there are so many offers with different functionality and prices. I spent several hours looking for the best one, picked up the best models of 2020. Depending on your needs and financial capabilities, it will be much easier to make a choice together with the TOP-8 of the best receivers.

Pioneer VSX-832

Five-channel semiconductor receiver. Works great with most home theaters, although it has an average power rating. Equipped with a large number of decoders to improve picture quality to 4K quality. Power - 130 W per channel. Low impedance (4-16 ohms), which is responsible for the clarity of the sound. Designed for sound reproduction in a wide range - 10–100000 Hz (like most rating models). Low harmonic distortion (0.08%) indicates high sound quality and energy saving. There are many connectors: 2 composite, 4 HDMI, coaxial, optical, 2 line outputs for a subwoofer, headphones, USB. There is Bluetooth, Wi-Fi. Remote control. Weighs 8.6 kg.

Benefits:

1. Great sound quality. Detailed, surround sound.
2. Audio decoders for Dolby Atmos and DTS: X.
3. Lots of manual settings.
4. Automatically turns on / off when the TV is turned on or off.
5. You can update the software.
6. Stable Wi-Fi connection.

Disadvantages:

1. Does not support dual zone audio.
2. With automatic settings, the sound quality through the microphone is not very satisfying to the needs of buyers (you can achieve optimal sound through manual settings).
3. There is an isolated case of a remote control breakdown (a replacement is made in the service).

Pioneer VSX-832 price -... Inexpensive model with more expensive AV receiver features. Buyers note the high sound quality, simplicity of settings. The model is decent, deserves the attention of those who do not want to pay more for additional functionality.

Denon AVR-X1500H

Seven-channel receiver (7.2) of higher power - 145 W. The receiver connects to most speakers. Differs in dual-zone mode: you can connect, for example, 5.1 AV system in one room, and 2.1 in another. Supports all the latest formats, there is an automatic sound calibration (Audyssey technology). The speakers are customizable taking into account the characteristics of the room. Equipped with a large number of connectors, additional HDMI, Phono, a second subwoofer output.

Benefits:

1. Good sound quality.
2. Autocalibration.
3. You can see which codecs are enabled when playing content.
4. Five HDMI outputs.
5. Modern audio codecs.

Disadvantages:

1. Some buyers find the menu complex and confusing.
2. There are complaints about slow menu transitions.
3. There is no stereo mixer in the surround.

Denon AVR-X1500H for - a good receiver equipped with modern technologies and codecs, with high quality sound. In terms of a number of characteristics, the model surpasses the Pioneer VSX-832, but judging by the reviews, there is no need to use all the declared capabilities. It might not be worth paying more for them.

YAMAHA RX-V485

Receiver 5.1 with a Cinema DSP 3D processor. The developer has simplified the functionality as much as possible to make the model accessible. But judging by the testing data and user reviews, the receiver fully copes with its task. Equipped with YPAO to calibrate sound based on room configuration. Has a higher power - 165 watts. Provides minimal distortion when operating on two channels (80 W each). It has fewer connectors than the Denon AVR-X1500H - only one subwoofer output, 4 HDMI, but three linear and composite ones. Weighs less - 7.8 kg.

Benefits:

1. Excellent sound quality.
2. A convenient application for controlling from a smartphone.
3. Simple settings, clear menu.
4. Compatible with MusicCast 20 and 50 wireless systems.

Disadvantages:

1. Loudly clicks when turned on / off.
2. There may sometimes be a slight delay in audio transmission over Bluetooth.
3. You cannot listen to online radio stations from .pls files.

YAMAHA RX-V485 worth ... Reliable inexpensive equipment. Suitable for users who want to switch from standard TV sound for a low price. Buyers are satisfied with the receiver's performance and recommend it for purchase.

Onkyo TX-NR686

165-Watt seven-channel receiver. Delivers 80 watts per channel for 8 ohm speakers, which is sufficient for most mid-range speakers. In terms of power consumption in standby mode, it has the lowest parameter among the described competitors. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS: X formats, which make the sound deeper, measured. The difference between the receiver is a huge number of connectors: 6 HDMI, 2 composite, component and optical, 6 linear, coaxial, Phono, headphone output, two for a subwoofer.

Benefits:

1. Great sound.
2. High power.
3. It’s easy to figure out the settings.
4. Manual adjustment by channels.
5. The application on the smartphone.
6. Remembers modes for different inputs and settings when switching: for example, from music to film, automatically changes the mode.

Disadvantages:

1. Incorrect work with ARC was noticed from a single response.
2. There is a slight delay when operating with the remote control.
3. There are difficulties with connecting via Bluetooth.

Price Onkyo TX-NR686 -... Differs in reliable assembly, the front panel is made of aluminum. Despite the declared high power, some buyers note that it sounds even quieter than the earlier model from this manufacturer. The receiver is worthy of attention. Most buyers are satisfied with the sound quality and functionality.

Sony STR-DN1080

The 7.2 AV Receiver supports all audio formats including Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS Neo: 6. They provide deep detail and spaciousness. Differs in high power indicators: 165 W at 6 ohms and 130 - at 8 ohms. According to these characteristics, the model is suitable for any speaker. The receiver provides almost the same number of outputs with the exception of Phono. Like Onkyo TX-NR686, it supports 4K.

Benefits:

1. Excellent sound quality.
2. Intuitive settings.
3. Pairing with a smartphone.
4. The picture on HDMI is excellent, the colors are juicy, contrasting.

Disadvantages:

1. There is no HDMI port on the front panel.
2. Some customers notice a squeak during standby mode.
3. Non-Russified menu.

Sony STR-DN1080 price -... Users agree that this is a great receiver that fully justifies its price. It delivers even better sound than a movie theater. But there are some flaws in the software, some of which are solved by updating the firmware.

Arcam FMJ AVR390

The manufacturer has developed this model for true connoisseurs of realistic sound. This is a solid, high-quality 7.1 receiver, characterized by a solid weight of 15.7 kg. Clarity and sound quality are guaranteed by a low harmonic ratio (0.02%). The indicator is stored in the entire frequency range. The power of the front channels is 80 W, the central, rear channels are 60 W. Equipped with 7 connectors and 3 HDMI outputs. There are 7 screw terminals for connecting acoustics. Dirac Live technology is used to adapt to the room configuration. She herself analyzes sound systems and creates a profile for each channel.

Benefits:

1. Good sound quality.
2. Automatically set up multi-channel sound.
3. Support for all audio formats.
4. Very high quality video.
5. Convenient control through the application.

Disadvantages:

1. No phono stage.
2. The screen is not very informative.

The receiver shows amazing results. It can correct even not the most linear acoustics. Suitable for both home cinema and listening to music. Has the best sound tuning system to date (Dirac). The only negative for connoisseurs is the lack of a background corrector for vinyl reproduction.

Denon AVC-X8500H

The 13.2 receiver is equipped with HEOS technology for wireless audio playback. In each amplifier, power can develop up to 150 watts per channel. The peak power of the front channels reaches 280 W. The sound quality is ensured by the AKM AK4490EQ chips. Equipped with a large number of connectors. In addition to Arcam's FMJ AVR390, there are an additional 2 triggers, Phono. It weighs even more - 23.3 kg.

Benefits:

1. Top model for true connoisseurs.
2. Awesome sound with any speaker system.
3. Virtually no distortion.
4. Ease of connecting any sources (thanks to a special diagnostic program).
5. Available in black and silver.

Disadvantages:

1. Some experts note a slight excess of high frequencies.
2. No manual adjustments (automatic only).

Denon AVC-X8500H for - the first receiver with 13 channels, released in 2018. Experts agree that this model is a leader years in functionality and equipment.

Marantz SR8012

The first eleven-channel model of the manufacturer. It is completely universal: suitable for vinyl, watching movies, any music. The sound quality is really realistic and detailed. Amplifiers provide 140 watts per channel, while the harmonic coefficient does not exceed 0.05%, that is, there are practically no distortions. Audyssey MultEQ XT32 special system is responsible for the accuracy of configuration settings. In terms of capabilities, it is somewhat inferior to Dirac from Arcam, but the consumer will not feel this difference. The receiver supports all formats, open for updates. In terms of the number of ports, it is almost the same as the Denon AVC-X8500H.

Benefits:

1. Great sound quality.
2. Simple setup.
3. Decodes audio files while maintaining quality.
4. Power saving mode.

Disadvantage:

1. Some customers find the remote not quite convenient.

Marantz SR8012 price -... It is one of the best receivers in its segment, supporting the best tuning and sound processing technologies. Provides great sound regardless of the source.