If you're looking for the best surround experience that you can get, then one of the best AV receivers and some great speakers is the way to go. Connect them up to a multi-channel speaker package and you'll find yourself immersed in your movies as if you were right in the middle of the cinema — except you're in your living room, in your dressing gown, munching on popcorn you didn't pay a month's salary for.
While not every AVR on this list has been covered by a full review, they've all been tested by our in-house home theater expert in exactly the kind of environment you'll likely be putting yours in — a living room, with a sofa, with a big-screen tv like one of the best 75-inch TVs. The best on the list is the Denon AVR-X4800H, thanks to its incredible construction, wide audio format support and brilliant room calibration system. While costly, our tester reports a rich, layered sound that thrilled when watching movies.
But there are more besides, with entries to suit every use case and wallet. So whether you're looking to watch movies with the best streaming services or hook up a 4K Blu-ray player, these are the best AV receivers right now.
The quick list
Price ★★★★☆
Sound ★★★★★
Surround ★★★★★
The Denon AVR-X4800H is the best 9-channel AV receiver around. It has ranks top for its elite construction, audio format support and calibration system. It has a rich, layered sound with movies, and also sounds great with music.
Price ★★★★★
Sound ★★★★☆
Surround ★★★★☆
Perfect for smaller rooms, the Denon AVR-X2700H defies expectations and has no problem with big soundtracks, plus it’s nuanced enough to portray ambiance too.
Price ★★★★☆
Sound ★★★★☆
Surround ★★★★★
The TX-NR7100 has strong connectivity and supports ultra hi-res, or fast frame rate sources. It's perfect for gamers, and can be configured for up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos speakers. It has IMAX Enhanced certification and THX post-processing, too.
Price ★★★★☆
Sound ★★★★☆
Surround ★★★★★
This is one of the most future proof home theater amps around with feature highlights extending to 8K and 4K @120Hz support, 6 HDMI inputs, and Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Sony 360 Reality Audio capable.
Price ★★★★☆
Sound ★★★★☆
Surround ★★★★☆
This 7.2ch AV receiver supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, native 360 Reality Audio and boasts 360 Spatial Sound Mapping to achieve a psycho acoustic effect for the most immersive performance.
Price ★★★★☆
Sound ★★★★★
Surround ★★★★★
A more compact model than the majority of AV receivers here, this slim Marantz can run 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos and delivers 50W across all 7 channels. It has six HDMI inputs, supports 4K and 8K screens, and comes with HEOS multiroom and AirPlay 2.
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About the author
I oversee the audio content that goes up on Tom’s Guide, and maintain the site's buying guides for headphones, wireless earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, soundbars, and more. I have spent more than 20 years testing audio equipment for my own enjoyment, and was previously the audio editor for iMore. There's nothing more I love than jamming out to my favorite tunes on audio equipment of different prices and sizes.
The best AV receivers you can buy right now
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Best AV receiver overall
✅ Incredible sound. For movies, TV, and even music, the X4800H sounds amazing.
✅ Lots of surround support. There's support for Atmos, Dolby Digital, DTS:X, DTS, PCM, 360 Reality Audio, Auro 3D, and MPEG H.
✅ It's smart. You can hook it up to HEOS and add it to a smart audio setup.
❌ Expensive. Denon's top AVR costs over $2,000, making it a very expensive audio option.
❌ It's big. If you've not got much space in your TV unit, you might want a different option.
A sonic tour de force, the X4800H is a home theatre amplifier with long-term appeal. The provision of a full board of 8K /4K 120Hz HDMI inputs, and coverage of all the significant home cinema sound formats, ensures that this Denon amp will partner any display or source you might acquire for a long time to come.
The sound profile is best described as visceral. The soundstage is crisp and detailed, but there is a sense of power and precision as well; directional panning is totally convincing. While Denon rates on-board power at 9x 125W (into 8 Ohms) / 200W (into 6 Ohms), it sounds rather more muscular than that. This is a blockbuster amplifier designed for blockbusters but is also darn good with music, sounding light and agile with two-channel stereo and seamlessly immersive with 3D audio mixes.
- Read the full Denon AVR-X4800H review
Best value AV receiver
✅ Great price. At just $499, this AVR is one of the best cheaper options on the list.
✅ You can plug a record player in. There's a built-in phono pre-amp so you can connect a turntable.
✅ WiFi connectivity. It's compatible with different wireless audio standards so you can connect it to phones and other devices.
❌ Not as many inputs. There's only one HDMI 2.1 port, so you don't get full surround support out of every plug.
❌ Only seven surround channels. Most of the AVRs on the list have support for nice, whereas this model only goes so far as seven.
Denon’s AVR-X2700H provides an affordable jumping on point for the brand’s 2021 X-series AV receivers. The price tag hints at budget components, but in a smaller viewing room (rather than a cavernous theater), it defies expectations.
In our listening tests it gave a punchy delivery and has no problem with action-orientated soundtracks, plus it’s nuanced enough to portray subtle ambiance too. Power output is rated at 150W for multichannel, which is generous and it’ll support a 5.1.2 channel configuration or conventional 7.1 surround (depending on how you’ve set up your loudspeakers). There’s also 8K support, albeit via a single HDMI 2.1 input.
Best AV receiver for ultra-hi-res image support
✅ 8K support. If you're an early adopter of the highest resolution, it will work with your TV or projector.
✅ Great performance. For movies and TV you get an energetic, crisp audio performance for top-notch surround sound.
✅ Good surround support. With 9 channels and Atmos support, you'll get a very solid surround experience.
❌ Not amazing for music. The Onky might be amazing for movies, but it's not quite as good for music.
❌ Controls hard to see in dark room. While most AVRs now have light-up buttons on their remote, this one has old-style non-lighting buttons.
The TX-NR7100 is perfectly suited to movie and gaming fans alike. It has strong connectivity for hooking up ultra hi-res, or fast frame rate sources — all 6 HDMI inputs offer 8K and 4K 120Hz playback support. It boasts 100W per channel amplification and can be configured for up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos loudspeakers. There's also DTS:X compatibility, plus IMAX Enhanced certification and THX post processing.
Installation is aided by a step-by-step onscreen guide. It’s similar to what we’ve seen on the Denon AVR-X4800H and Marantz Cinema 50 AV receivers, albeit without the polish. There are two options when it comes to Room EQ: Onkyo’s own AccuEQ system, and Dirac Live room correction. Bothe deliver excellent results but Dirac Live was our reviewer's preference.
THX is a feature that has fallen from favour when it comes to home theater, but it still has value when it comes to upmixing. It brought a huge improvement in staging and storytelling to sci-fi based TV dramas as the THX processing adds scale and extra ambience to onscreen drama.
The AVR also handles complex sound sequences well with satisfying placement of objects and pans from stage left to right. It can sound ominous and heavy with deep rumbles rolling across the soundfield with thunderous LFE (Low Frequency Effects) you can almost feel. Stereo music is less effective and there are better AV receivers with audiophile sensibilities, but when it comes to value, features and overall performance for home theaters, the TX-NR1000 can deliver.
- Read the full Onkyo TX-NR71000 review
Best AV receiver for format support
✅ Support for 120Hz. Gamers will love the high refresh rate support for their games consoles and PCs.
✅ Top not surround. There's great support for different surround setups for some impressive performance.
✅ Looks great. Marantz's gear looks incredible, and the Cinema 50 is no different.
❌ Expensive. The Cinema 50 costs over $1,000 for a costly experience.
❌ Very large. It's a large box, so you need to make sure that you've got plenty of space for it to live.
The Marantz Cinema 50 is one of the most future proof home theater amps we've seen. The connectivity on offer is truly impressive with 8K and 4K @120Hz support, 6 HDMI inputs plus three outputs, and an impressive auto calibration system. Format support is extensive with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro 3D capable, as well as Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. It’s also IMAX Enhanced certified, which could come into its own when Disney+ starts streaming IMAX audio mixes.
If you’re looking for an AV amp that can deliver massive dynamics, with whip crack fast transients and a fearsome bass extension, the Cinema 50 doesn’t disappoint. It’s a tremendously exciting listen and steers gunfire shootouts beautifully, with effortless panning, and even at high volume there's no hint of strain.
It does music well too. Marantz’s lauded HDAM amplification circuitry is warm and melodious. In 2-channel mode, we’d say the Cinema 50 is comparable to a high quality mid range stereo amp, and with strong format support is as future proof as they come right now.
- Read the full Marantz Cinema 50 review
Best AV receiver with spatial audio support
✅ Incredible spatial audio. There's support for several spatial audio standards, and they all sound amazing.
✅ Well priced. Despite its excellent performance, it won't break the bank.
✅ Perfect for medium rooms.
❌ Only seven surround channels. It would be nice to have another two to match some of the more expensive options.
❌ It's sacrificed build quality. So that it sounds as good as possible and doesn't cost loads, Sony has sacrificed premium build.
The STR-AN1000 is a 7.2ch AV receiver, which is not only Dolby Atmos and DTS:X enabled but it supports native 360 Reality Audio, and also boasts 360 Spatial Sound Mapping. The latter is particularly interesting, and effectively provides virtual speakers to fill in the gaps. It applies psycho acoustic processing to subjectively move actual speakers into more immersive virtual positions. It can be applied to stereo sources to create a surprisingly convincing multichannel effect, and overlaid on native immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos, to virtually enhance the soundstage.
Sony quotes a power output of 2x 120W (into 6 Ohms), or roughly 85W per channel. It’s not a volume monster, but will suffice in a typically living room or studio apartment. It's an exciting listen, with smooth sonic steerage of objects and real sense of drama. It sounds bigger than its power specification implies, and handles blockbusters with authority. Just take care with the set up.
- Read the full Sony STR-AN1000 review
Best AV receiver for small spaces
✅ Super compact. The Cinema 70s is super slim, and fits into any TV unit for a clean, uncluttered look.
✅ Spatial Audio support. Get super surround with different spatial audio standards.
✅ 8K ready. The support for 8K means even the most impressive of TVs are supported.
❌ Only one output. You can only connect the AVR to one display.
❌ Only support for six surround channels. You will have to choose between surrounds, rears, or upward Atmos firers.
Available in silver-gold to U.K. buyers and black only in the U.S. and Australia, the Marantz Cinema 70S is a half-height lifestyle AV receiver perfect for smaller spaces and viewing rooms. The sonic signature has a warm sound that works with hi-res audio as well as movies and gamers.
You can run a 5.1.2 Atmos setup with a uniform 50W delivered across all 7 channels and was peerless with movie soundtracks. In Army of Thieves (Dolby Atmos, Netflix), our reviewer really got the sense that they were travelling into the inner mechanism of the safe when Ludwig Dieter lays his hands on the lock, during the safecracking competition. The clicky travel of the dial is crisply delineated against the symphonic score, which rises all around.
Hooked up to a Fire TV stick listening to Dolby Atmos music mixes from Tidal, our reviewer was thrilled at just how seamlessly the 360 presentation was. Billy Porter’s "Break A Sweat" places the listener firmly in the middle of the dance floor, with horns in the surround, the vocal dead center and the main beat gyrating across the LCR. In our 5.1.2 configuration, there were no sonic gaps or dips with any kind of content, just a totally immersive listening experience.
- Read the full Marantz Cinema 70S review
Specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Power output (claimed) | Dolby Atmos/DTS: X support | HDMI ports | Phono stage (MM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denon AVR-4800H | 9x 125W | Yes | 7x in; 3x out | Yes |
| Denon AVR-X2700H | 7x 150W | Yes | 6x in; 2x out | Yes |
| Onkyo TX-NR7100 | 9x 100W | Yes | 6x in; 2x out | Yes |
| Marantz Cinema 50 | 9x 110W | Yes | 6x in; 3x out | Yes |
| Sony STR-AN1000 | 7x 85W | Yes | 6x in; 2x out | No |
| Marantz Cinema 70S | 7x 50W | Yes | 6x in, 1x out | Yes |
| Marantz SR6015 | 9x 100W | Yes | 7x in; 3x out | Yes |
| Arcam AVR30 | 9x 150W | Yes | 7x in: 3x out | No |
How to choose the best AV receiver for you
Buying something as complex and multi-talented as an AV receiver can be overwhelming to a casual consumer, so if you’re serious about transforming your sound output into something more theater-like, start educating yourself on the necessities by familiarizing yourself with the things to consider.
Configuration
Something to know right out of the gate is that most seven-channel AV receivers support a speaker configuration of 5.1.2, which is the standard 5.1 surround layout with two additional height/up-firing speakers. Models that feature nine channels of amplification can be used for either 5.1 with four Dolby height speakers (5.1.4) or 7.1 surround with two height channels (7.1.2). Speaker models such as those in the new Klipsch Reference series could make a great partnership for a home cinema setup, and has several upward-firing height speakers to meet Dolby Amos requirements.
Connectivity
Finding the best AV receiver isn’t just about HDMI inputs. Sure we like plenty of inputs, but the number of outputs are important too, particularly if you plan on running both a flatscreen and a projector in the same room.
If you're considering an AV receiver as a connectivity hub for a music system as well as movies, then be sure to check out our guide to the best turntables for any budget. Many of the receivers available today come with a built-in moving-magnet phono stage to enable vinyl playback from any of the record decks we've tested.
Resolution and frame rate support
Do you need 8K or High Frame Rate HDMIs? If your AV receiver is unlikely to have a games console connected then the answer is no. In which case there’s some great deals to be had on AVRs with regular HDMI 2.0 inputs.
Surround sound
Dolby Atmos compatibility is a given (and by default that means you’ll get DTS:X too), but how many channels do you need? Given the option, 9 channels always trump 7, because it opens up more speaker options such as 5.1.4 or 7.1.2, for example.
Don’t have a full Dolby Atmos home theatre loudspeaker set up? Look for a model that offers height virtualisation technology, so you can enjoy an immersive audio experience even when you don’t have a full set of physical speakers.
Power output
Power isn’t just about roof-raising volume, and even if you’re not lucky enough to have a dedicated movie room, a model with big amplification makes sense. A high power output means an AVR can deliver dynamic transients, and pressure load a space without clipping or strain.
8K AV receivers HMDI 2.1 bug explained
While 8K, or more likely 4K at 120fps from a next-gen games console, is a compelling reason to upgrade your dusty old AV receiver, there’s an elephant-sized HDMI bug in the room we need to address.
The first generation receivers with 8K HDMI 2.1 input/s you can buy right now are known to suffer a compatibility issue that means some new 8K/4K source devices that offer a 4K/120fps or 8K video resolution output (we’re looking at you Xbox Series X) do not always pass the video signal through to the display.
This has left the likes of Denon, Marantz and Yamaha scrambling to find a solution. Consequently, Denon is supplying buyers of affected Denon and Marantz AV receivers an HDMI adapter box free of charge. The SPK618 sits between your console and AV receiver, and corrects the HDMI data allowing it to pass. Inelegant perhaps, but effective.
An alternate workaround for owners of affected AVRs is to connect their console directly to their 4K/120fps capable TV, and then route audio back to the AVR using the eARC HDMI connection.
Alternatively, gamers can just output from their console at 4K/60fps resolution (effectively the default premium display option anyway) and all will be fine and dandy.
Then again, you could hang fire and wait for new models. Yamaha says its new RX-A8A, RX-A6A and RX-A4A receivers use a next generation HDMI board which isn’t so afflicted.
How we test AV receivers
When testing models for inclusion in our best AV receivers page, we play a range of media — including movies, music and games — in order to evaluate overall sound quality performance. We also test any companion software that may come with an AV receiver, and factor in how easy it is to set up and use each receiver with a reference speaker system.
Other features we consider include the different kinds of connectivity options, all of which determine how well it will work with your home entertainment setup. We also take into account power output, the number of supported audio channels and subwoofer outputs, and available processing software for decoding movie soundtracks as well as their ability to handle music sources — all factors that greatly affect how each speaker will sound in your living room.
Once we complete our testing, we rate each AV receiver based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded an Editor's Choice badge.
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