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A/V Receiver Guide

A/V Receivers for Surround Sound

A/V receivers act as the nerve center of your home theater system. They perform a host of essential functions, including decoding your DVD's surround sound formats, driving your loudspeakers, and switching between audio and video components. If you want high-quality surround sound, you need a high-quality A/V receiver.

However, when it comes to features, it's not always obvious which ones are considered essential and which ones the casual movie watcher can live without. Before you make your purchase, spend some time researching each feature in depth (see further information below), because you don't want to end up with a receiver that fails to meet your expectations.

Why do I need an A/V receiver?

Simply put, you need an A/V receiver--also commonly referred to as a home theater receiver--to enjoy movie soundtracks in all their glory. A/V receivers offer at least five channels of audio amplification, enough to power two front speakers, two rear speakers, and a center speaker. (Most subwoofers come with a built-in amplifier.) Stereo receivers, by contrast, power only two speakers at once. If you're a music fan who doesn't care much about watching movies in surround sound, a stereo receiver makes perfect sense, and many audiophiles argue that stereo receivers are the best choice for high-end music listening. However, if movies are your thing, or you like the idea of a receiver that's designed to serve as a command center for all of your audio and video components, an A/V receiver is a must. And keep in mind that A/V receivers offer a host of music-specific features that stereo receivers can't touch. In other words, there's no right answer; it all depends on your needs.

How much should I expect to spend on an A/V receiver?

You can find a decent A/V receiver in the $150 ballpark or a feature-packed receiver for more than $2,000, but generally most people will pay between $200 and $600. Entry-level receivers (less than $300) perform all of the essential home theater functions; however, they are often a bit lacking in power and aren't as loaded with features as mid-range models. High-end receivers, not surprisingly, offer still more features, along with a cleaner, more powerful, and more sophisticated sound. Plus, many high-end receivers offer multi-room functionality, letting you power your living room, bedroom, and patio speakers all at once, and sometimes even listen to different audio sources simultaneously--a CD in the bedroom and a DVD in the living room, for instance.

Receivers generally fall into one of three price points:

Entry-level receivers (less than $300)

• Basic 5.1-channel surround decoding (Dolby Digital and DTS); some 6.1-channel formats

• Power ratings of 50 to 100 watts. Keep in mind that low-cost receivers often boast inflated power ratings; look for receivers with full-bandwidth power ratings (20 Hz to 20 kHz) rather than single-frequency or limited-bandwidth ratings.

• Solid connectivity, including several component video, S-video, and digital audio inputs. Many entry-level receivers also offer component video switching--see "What do I need to know about switching and connectivity?" below.

Mid-level receivers ($300 to $600)

• Additional surround modes, including most 6.1- and 7.1-channel modes

• Onscreen setup through your TV makes control easier

• More simulated sound fields (often referred to as DSP modes)

• Higher-quality electronics and more honest power ratings

• More inputs, including front-panel digital inputs

High-end receivers ($600 and up)

• A/B speaker switching or multi-room amplification

• Highly accurate power ratings and pure sound quality

• Superior bass management options

• Automatic room tuning and setup