Best AV receivers under $500

AV receivers are used to reproduce multichannel sound and improve image quality in home theater systems. I can say that this is the heart and brain of your theater and is generally considered expensive by default, but there are a few high-quality devices that can be confidently ranked among the best AV receiver under $500.

A modern receiver is a rather complex device that requires a responsible choice. You should choose a receiver not only based on such an indicator as price. To finally decide which AV receiver to choose, you first need to study its capabilities. Each component affects the sound quality.

The most difficult task is to figure out which characteristics to consider when choosing. After all, you want good sound not through the TV speakers but by connecting speakers and a subwoofer. This review will help you with choosing a good inexpensive receiver.

The most important tips on choosing the right receiver

How much power do you need

We all know that power is an important aspect when choosing a home cinema receiver. But more power doesn't always mean a better receiver. First, you should take into account the area of the room that needs to be sounded. Small rooms do not require 100 or more watts. You can calculate the power using the ratio – for every square meter of your space, you need 1.5 watts of power. The output power per channel is typically 50–150 watts. In fact, many 80W devices can be more powerful and produce better sound than 110W models. The quality of the amplifier plays an important role. Equal distribution of power to all channels will be a big plus. So pay attention to this when buying.

How many channels do you need

The sound quality of your music system will depend on the number of channels. Determine how many surround speakers you need. Remember, one channel is one speaker. You will need at least five channels. When choosing a new receiver, you should consider the channels for all of your speakers and the ones you want to add in the future. However, that placing more than seven speakers in a small room is completely pointless.

A 5.1 sound setting is more than adequate for the average living room, but some Blu-ray movies need 7.1 if you want the best quality. The number "1" denotes the subwoofer, which is responsible for the bass; you can purchase "2" which means support for two subwoofers. Having a subwoofer will be a plus.

What kinds of inputs and outputs do you need

Most AV components connect to the receiver using HDMI cables that carry both audio and video signals. Try to make a list of equipment and estimate all the interface options that you need. Usually, optical and coaxial connectors are needed only in single versions. There should be more HDMI ports. Buy a receiver with spare HDMI inputs. Approximately 6-7 inputs that allow for future expansion of the system. If you are using two display devices, then it will be most convenient for you to have two HDMI outputs in the receiver.

To connect external drives with content, you need USB – version 2.0 is enough, but it's better when there are two ports. If you have a turntable, you will need a dedicated phono input. In addition, Ethernet connection – If the receiver supports DLNA, it needs to be connected to your network in some way.

Best AV receivers under $500 review

Denon AVR-S750H - best overall

The current industry offers us the best AVR under $500 – Denon. The 7.2-channel AVR-S750H works with tracks in Dolby Atmos, also compatible with DTS: X and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization. This device has kept all the best from the previous models and completely got rid of their disadvantages. What I especially want to note about this model is the picture quality.

The AVR-S750H has an impressive design and extremely strong construction. It is equipped with six HDMI inputs and one HDMI output which are compliant with the standard. The receiver is also equipped with a USB input for audio signal transmission plus a separate Phono input. The built-in Bluetooth module allows you to not only receive but also broadcast audio to wireless headphones. There are an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi.

The digital amp delivers 140 watts of power per channel. This is the base receiver to which all the most advanced features are screwed: networking, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi interfaces, including Apple AirPlay 2, the entire range of music streaming services available, HEOS wireless multiroom, the latest video technologies, etc.

Denon perfectly reproduces multichannel movie soundtracks and stereo music recordings, supporting a variety of audio formats. It plays all files via the front USB port or streams music from Spotify. The sound of the test audio compositions impressed with its quality, naturalness, and detailed rendering of the scene. All electronic effects are clearly defined. Pleased with the height of the levels and tonal interpretation. No aggressiveness, just purity and clarity. The sound is just great, it seems that a much more expensive device is working.

The AVR-S750H is quite capable of being an attractive alternative to an expensive home theater system. It is a very beautiful AV receiver with a noble design that immediately attracts attention. It has the most favorable quality/price ratio.

Yamaha RX-V4A

I would like to draw your attention to the 5.1-channel home theater receiver under 500 – Yamaha RX-V4A. The budget series of RX-V AV receivers from Yamaha is interesting primarily because it offers proprietary sound processing, rich functional equipment, and traditionally high quality of the Japanese company for a reasonable price. The equipment of the new receiver will delight users with a wide variety of requirements.

This AV receiver is equipped with an 80W x 7 (8 ohms) power amplifier and supports state-of-the-art technologies. The appearance of the device is minimalist but attractive. The performance is high, and overall it gives the impression of a well-crafted piece. The receiver has a wide variety of connectors on the rear panel, including HDMI inputs and outputs.

We can find four HDMI inputs and one output on the rear panel that supports 8K and 4K images. There is a subwoofer output. Besides, there are two digital audio inputs and three analog inputs on the back. The USB port is located on the front panel, and there are a microphone tool and a headphone output next to it. Unfortunately, there is no HDMI input on the front.

If we speak about the video, the RX-V4A delivers true-to-life color reproduction and excellent picture clarity. Slight scaling noise can only be noticed with very close scrutiny. Yamaha produces traditionally top-quality music content. It can be compatible with Dolby Vision and HDR10 . The separation of vocals and instrumental parts is excellent. The bass is so strong, solid, it seems to the listener that he is in the center of events. Yamaha models have always been renowned for their mastery of signal processing.

This model has built-in technology that provides wireless connectivity, AirPlay 2, and supports Spotify. It is also worth noting that the device has a proprietary automatic calibration system - Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer. During testing, it quite accurately adjusted my acoustics system, taking into account all the characteristics of the room.