With movie studios beginning to adopt the “straight-to-streaming” model for several major motion pictures, there’s never been a better time to transform your home setup into your own personal home theater. The thing is, even the best 4K TVs (or projectors!) won’t be able to accomplish the feat alone. While they offer the latest and greatest modern picture quality, they often drop the ball when it comes to audio.
That’s where the almighty AV receiver comes into play as the foundation of any good home theater experience. They provide amplification for your speaker setup and act as the all-encompassing maestro, deciding with pristine precision how and when to distribute audio. The result is an impressive display of surround sound without having to cram into a movie theater seat ever again. And, AV receivers with advanced connectivity features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can also serve as a modern-day jukebox, streaming music to your heart’s content.
We’ve selected an exhaustive lineup of AV receivers capable of meeting your every need, whatever they may be. Plus, we’ve outlined exactly what to look for as you pursue an AV receiver purchase - and click here to see them in the UK. Enjoy!
TL;DR – These are the best AV Receivers:
- Marantz SR8015
- Onkyo TX-NR6100
- Denon AVR-S970H
- Marantz NR1711
- Arcam AVR31
- Denon AVR-X6700H
- Yamaha RX-V6A
- Sonos Amp
Marantz SR8015
Best AV Receiver Overall
There isn’t much more of a complete package than the Marantz SR8015. This behemoth has enough power to drive an army of surround sound speakers, complete with front and rear overhead channels to deliver immersive Dolby Atmos audio. In addition to Dolby Atmos, the SR8015 supports all of the latest technologies, from 8K video support to DTS:X 3D audio support and H-Res Audio, to streaming capabilities through the likes of its built-in Heos streaming platform or its compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Marantz’ flagship AV receiver is far from the cheapest option available. That said, if you’re willing to invest in the SR8015 as the cornerstone of your home theater, you will be met with an unmatched combination of features and capability. In other words, if you can afford it, the Marantz SR8015 is the absolute best AV receiver solution available today.
Onkyo TX-NR6100
Best Entry-level Receiver
Most home theater setups won’t need the ultimate AV receiver. The Onkyo TX-NR6100 will likely do the job for most, and it comes with modern upgrades that make it a great fit even for a bit more advanced setups. You’ll get support for a 7.2-channel surround sound, or you can jazz it up with a 5.2.2 setup with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. Built-in streaming services like Spotify, Deezer, Pandora, and Google Chromecast make listening to your favorite music or watching shows a breeze. The receiver is even compatible with a bunch of smart home ecosystems. But best of all, you can snag it for under $800.
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 offers plenty in the way of connections. You get three inputs with the latest HDMI 2.1 standard, letting you take advantage of 4K/120Hz and 8K TVs. Gaming visuals should improve, too, with VRR and ALLM support. So, you’ll want to plug your PS5 or Xbox X/S. The other three HDMI inputs support HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and there’s even a Zone 2 HDMI output. As far as audio is concerned, you get your standards, while a phono input is perfect for your turntable. You also get Bi-Directional Bluetooth, so you can stream music from your device to the receiver or transmit audio playing from the AVR to headphones. If you’ve got a Sonos or Klipsch sound system, it’s simple to integrate this receiver into that setup as well.
Denon AVR-S970H
Best Midrange Receiver
In the world of AV receivers, the Denon AVR-S970H is where bang meets buck, as it’s highly capable and toting all the latest technology you could want for south of $1,000. This device delivers three HDMI inputs and two outputs that offer 8K upscaling and gaming features like 8K/60Hz pass-through, VRR, and ALLM, making it a perfect companion for your next-gen consoles. There’s also support for almost every HDR format, so vivid colors and impressive contrast are in your future on compatible sources.
Clearly, Denon knows what they’re doing in terms of visuals, but they’ve also got audio down to a science for a fully cinematic theater experience and exceptional music streaming. The receiver’s built-in HEOS technology, similar to Sonos, lets you stream music from a multitude of sources, either solely to your receiver or throughout your home with the help of other HEOS-equipped speakers. 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS: X are also supported, and you can even control the sound with either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Marantz NR1711
Best Slim AV Receiver
Marantz takes its know-how in audio performance and packs it all into a slim AV receiver with the Marantz NR1711. This compact receiver can slip into tight quarters thanks to its constrained proportions – it's just 4.1 inches tall. You won't miss out on much in terms of performance by going small, though. It offers up seven power amps to support a 7.2-channel setup. You also get the option of sticking with a 5.1-channel setup in one room so that you can use the same receiver to offer stereo audio to a second zone.
In terms of video capabilities, the Marantz NR1711 is built for the latest features. It has just a single HDMI output, but it's capable of 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz video signals, and there's a corresponding HDMI input for pass-through. The other HDMI ports may not accept an 8K input, but the Marantz receiver can upscale video from those ports to 8K. The Marantz NR1711 won't leave you wanting for HDR support either.
Arcam AVR31
Best AV Receiver for Audiophiles
If you’re searching for one of the most detailed audio experiences a home theater can provide, get the Arcam AVR31. It utilizes Dirac Live, a technology that takes acoustic measurements of your theater space and develops a customized correction curve, tailoring your speakers to the exact specifications of your listening environment. This system isn’t lacking in its support of audio formats either, with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced, Auro 3D, and more available.
The Arcam AVR31 offers the creature comforts found in other AV receivers on this list, starting with voice assistants like Google Assistant. AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth aptX HD are available for streaming. When you’re not streaming, there are ample connectivity options, including seven HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120 Hz video signals along with VRR, ALLM, and several HDR formats for an enhanced home theater experience.
Denon AVR-X6700H
Best 8K AV Receiver
If you want to go all in on your video quality, you won't want to miss out on the option of 8K or 4K/120Hz that's available on the Denon AVR-X6700H receiver. Thanks to the latest HDMI spec, you can run video and video games right through this receiver for the highest quality or a marriage of quality and smooth visuals, and you'll still get to see that content with HDR and 4:4:4 Pure Color subsampling. The Denon AVR-X6700H supports pretty much the full stack of HDR formats available as well, with premium versions like Dolby Vision and HDR10+ as well as the new Dynamic HDR and the broadcast standard HLG.
This receiver is no slouch when it comes to audio either. It's got a ton of power, and it can split that out to an 11.2-channel surround setup. You can also split up speakers to set up multiple rooms. You also get some of the best surround sound enhancements from DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, and DTS: X Pro to Dolby Atmos and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology.
Yamaha RX-V6A
Best Versatile A/V Receiver
The Yamaha RX-V6A is the epitome of what can be possible by embracing the right technology. Thanks to Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, this Yamaha can simulate the Dolby Atmos experience by using your existing speakers to create the effect of either two or four in-ceiling speakers. While this may not stand up to the likes of true Dolby Atmos, it brings you remarkably close without having to go through the hassle of installing speakers in your ceiling or high up on your walls.
Plus, Yamaha’s lineup of MusicCast speakers can help you keep the home theater sound with significantly less wiring. A pair of MusicCast 50 or MusicCast 20 wireless streaming speakers can be paired with the RX-V6A to act as the system’s surround channels, eliminating the need to run wiring all the way to the back of your room. If wiring is no issue, you can move those MusicCast speakers throughout your home to enjoy whole-home audio at its finest. With the RX-V6A, the possibilities are endless.
Sonos Amp
Best Receiver For Music Streaming
Full disclosure, we’re kinda/sorta cheating here. The Sonos Amp is technically not an AV receiver. That being said, when it’s the hands-down best option on the market for music streaming, it’s incredibly hard to omit from this list. The Amp takes Sonos’ effortless approach to streaming music and brings it to your favorite pair of home theater speakers, complete with plenty of power to push them. It puts a plethora of music streaming options at your fingertips, making it easier than ever before to listen to what you love.
Also, it’s quite capable when it comes to the home theater space, especially when you add a few of its friends. The Sonos Amp has the ability to create an incredibly convincing “phantom” center channel that focuses dialogue in the middle of your soundstage. When you incorporate a pair of Sonos Ones as your surrounds and a Sonos Sub to fill out your low end, you’re met with a masterful ensemble of cinematic sound, without the wires that traditionally come with it.
Where to Get the Best A/V Receiver in the UK
What to look for in an A/V receiver
As you may be able to infer from this guide, there are many, many different AV receivers on today’s market, each with their own set of features, specifications and price tags. To help you make the most informed decision possible, here’s a few keys to look for in an AV receiver, regardless of what your budget is:
- Find the right number of channels: Whether you’re dealing with a stereo speakers or an entire surround sound setup, it’s important to find a receiver with enough audio channels to properly support all of them. And if you can swing it, it never hurts to have a few extra channels to play with in case you want to expand in the future.
- Power matters…to an extent: When a receiver is capable of distributing a higher amount of watts per channel, it generally means that they will be able to handle higher volumes more easily. There’s more headspace, if you will, for the speakers these receivers are connected to. The caveat, however, is that power isn’t everything. There are plenty of receivers that don’t wield an amazing amount of amplification, but still sound incredible paired with the right speakers.
- Wi-Fi is a must: This goes beyond the endless possibilities that include music streaming and integration with popular voice assistants. Wi-Fi-enabled receivers are able to accept software updates, which are key to helping your investment stay running as smoothly as it possibly can. If you’re buying a new AV receiver today, make sure it has Wi-Fi.
- 4K passthrough is the minimum: If you want to catch modern content in the highest definition that’s readily available, you’re going to want an AV receiver that can pass a 4K signal from a streaming device to your display. And, if you want to futureproof yourself for the inevitable adoption of 8K content, you can take things a step further and find a receiver that supports 8K video passthrough.
There’s plenty of other considerations to be had when reviewing your AV options. However, with these guidelines and a rockstar lineup of receivers handpicked for your enjoyment, we’re confident that you’ll be able to find the AV receiver that’s right for you.
