An AV receiver is integral to a passive home theater system, but they don’t need to be expensive to deliver amazing audio and video signals. Our experts have sorted through models to bring you the best AV receivers under 500 so you’re not spending a penny more than you have to.
Reviews of the Best AV Receivers Under $500
1. Sony STR-DN1080 7.2 ch Surround Sound Home Theater AV Receiver
The Sony STR-DN1080 7.2 ch is a big step up from the Sony STR-DH790 and is one of the top A/V receivers under 500. The STR-DN1080 7.2 ch has the best audio format compatibilities including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-oriented surround audio speakers settings.
There is also a specialized surround audio format called Phantom Surround Setting. Although the STR-DN1080 is a 5 speaker setup, the Phantom Surround Setting can make it seem like you have 7 channels [1] for an immersive experience and is supported with auto-calibration technology.
The multifunctional system also supports 4K video passthrough and is 4K High Dynamic Range compatible as well. The receiver comes with Google Chromecast built-in and can also work with Apple Airplay 2 multi-room audio and Google Home.
What We Like
- Brings home cinema sound
- Google Chromecast
- Phantom Surround Setting
- Dolby Atmos and DTS X
- Supports 4K video passthrough
- 4K HDR compatible
- Works with many external streaming devices
- Can handle 1155 watts
- Auto calibration with speaker relocation technology
- 6 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs
- USB port
- Optical digital connection
- Analog AV connections
- eARC
- Wi-Fi Bluetooth enabled
What We Don't Like
- Small display screen
- Larger size
2. Yamaha RX-V4A 5.2-Channel AV Receiver
The Yamaha RX-V4A AV receiver is equipped with the latest processing technology. What you enjoyed with big screen content can now be enjoyed on your smaller screen.
This Yamaha RX-V4A is a 6 ohm home theater receiver that has 80 watts of power can go up to 8K with future support. This entry level receiver brings you the high end sound quality technologies such as Dolby Vision, Dolby TrueHD and more through its four HDMI ports and one HDMI output.
The HDR 10+ delivers a range of colors, mimicking the spectrum in real-life to deliver an accurate portrayal of what is onscreen. If you like gaming, the Yamaha RX-V4A 6 ohm receiver with 80 watts per channel, is the optimal choice for its enhanced gaming functionality and compatibility with a controller app, which will be available via future updates.
(For more Yamaha models, you can also check our complete review of Yamaha RX-V685 here)
What We Like
- Supports 4K Ultra HD
- Can upgrade to 8K
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth for multi-room MusicCast and streaming
- Can be built into a true surround home theater system
- YPAO room calibration
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- MusicCast controller app for easy control
- Four HDMI inputs and one output
- Dolby Vision
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Comes with a remote control
- Works with streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify Connect, Napster, SiriusXM, TIDAL, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music
What We Don't Like
- MusicCast can only be used by itself
- Can’t process uncompressed signals
3. Denon AVR-S750H Receiver
The Denon AVR-S750H is our expert team’s first choice for user interface. It’s easy to see your settings on the receiver, thanks to its large screen. The buttons are wide and the control knobs are easy to maneuver.
As for the video and audio processing, the Denon S750H AVR is set to deliver 3D crystal clear signals. With the help of eARC or Audio Return Channel, the Denon receiver produces Hi fi or heightened music effects with HDR Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X. This brings another level of realism to the acoustics and visuals when you stream music and video contents with HDR10 Dolby Vision through its six HDMI ports.
With Wi-Fi, Apple Airplay 2 or Bluetooth with HEOS multi-room wireless speakers, the AVR-S750H AV receiver can create a multi-room speaker system with impressive power output.
What We Like
- eARC
- Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
- Wi-Fi, Airplay, Bluetooth
- HDR10 Dolby Vision
- Works with music streaming services such as Spotify connect
- Onscreen assistant to help with the setup
- Customizable surround sound
- 6 HDMI inputs and 1 output
- EQ calibration
- Can be built into a 7.2 channel AV receiver system
- DTS:X and DTS Virtual X
- 4K supported
- Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- Works with Apple Siri
What We Don't Like
- Poor customer support
- Can be hard to control
AV Receiver Under 500 Buyer’s Guide
With this buying guide, our experts will now dive deep into the different features to look for in an AV receiver to help you choose the top AV receivers under 500.
Size and Design
Whether your purchasing the excellent A/V receiver or the best wireless speaker kit, a big factor that will impact your decision when choosing additional devices for your home theater equipment is the size and design. For A/V receivers, the design encompasses what type of connections your receiver features, the placement of the control knobs, and more.
Our experts recommend an AV receiver that is multi channel with at least 7 channels. Seven is the optimal number for impressive and all-encompassing surround acoustic features.
Sure, you can get a surround audio experience with just 5.1 channel, but 7 channel is where you can really experience the multi-layers of audio that the regular 5 channel or 5.1 channel setup cannot produce. Even if your home theater system is only a 2 or 3 channel one, you can always build on your system in the future. Therefore, you would want an AV receiver that can take the power output.
A 7-channel design, more specifically, a 7.2 channel allowance on your AV receiver will give you the flexibility to adapt your surround speakers to different settings. You can even enjoy excellent quality music outdoors with this amount of power. Make sure your AV receiver supports whatever surround sound system you intend to build.
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The next important factor to consider is the size. Think about your living room setup and height speakers, among other equipment. To create a music sweet spot, you need to angle your speakers and soundbar when applicable to a focused spot. If you have upward-firing height speakers for example, you may want to place the speakers lower on the ground.
If all attached components are placed lower, your AV receiver should follow suit. Make sure you are purchasing the right size for your needs, but our experts say that most AV receiver options under 500 are not far off each other in size.
The next part is to take a look at the interface. You want an easy-to-use interface with a straightforward design, clearly labeled buttons and intuitive controls. The options on our top list all fit nicely under this category such as the Yamaha RX-V4A and the Denon S750H AVR, but a few other options worth considering are the Onkyo TX series, Yamaha RX V485, Marantz NR1609, Pioneer VSX series, among others.
In general, look for a large display screen with easy-to-read numbers and letters. There should be a backlight for low light conditions and some colors can even be customized to your liking. The control panel should have the basic inputs available such as source, on/off buttons, etc., and they should all be clearly labeled with easy-to-read font.
Does the receiver have rubber feet or stoppers at the bottom to prevent it from slipping and sliding? When placed on a flat surface, you want your receiver to have a steady foothold on the floor or countertop and not slip around.
Take a look at the back. All the connection ports are located on the back of the device. Having more connection ports is a benefit, but don’t compromise the space you have for more connections. If placed too closely together, it can be hard for you to plug and unplug cables without jostling the ones around it.
As an extra tip, for those who want an ultra slim AV receiver, our experts say the Marantz NR1609 has a very slender profile.
Power Capacity
Good sound is all about the power, right? To an extent, yes. The power output is also one of the toughest factors to identify for your home cinema AV receiver.
Much of what the box says about watts per channel may not be the full story. For example, you may find an AV receiver labeled as 125 or 200 watts per channel only to find that you get less than a quarter of that when it comes to clean power delivery.
The number and quality of the watts per channel output also diminishes with the more speakers you connect to your receivers. A good rule of thumb to help you gauge the amount of power you need and the watts per channel is to consider your room size and the rear speakers you’re connecting.
If you are not too familiar with the power capacity or the lingo in the specifications of these devices, our experts have given you a general guideline. In terms of impedance, our team says 6 ohms or 8 ohms is optimal. You may find an AV receiver with a bit less or more than that, but 6 ohms or 8 ohms is a good place to start.
8 ohms refers to the impedance of your electrical current. How much resistance your AV receiver has is measured in ohms. 6 ohms or 8 ohms is the standard and most common measurement.
As for the frequency, our experts say 80 Hz 20 kHz is a good place to start. The 80 Hz 20 khz is a pretty standard measurement that most AV receivers encompass.
Another feature to consider is the max wattage. How much can your receiver handle?
Determine this by looking at the peak power and RMS of your connected devices or speakers to make sure you won’t overload your system. This is the key to keeping your receiver working for a long time without having to replace it. Even if you are looking at devices that are more affordable and under 500, it’s still a large sum of money to spend and you don’t want to replace it any time soon.
Number of Ports
Our experts say it’s always better to go with more inputs and outputs with more wattage handling just in case you need it in the future. After all, the worst thing that can happen is to leave these HDMI and USB inputs and outputs unused.
As mentioned before, the number of ports the AV receiver offers is vital to the design and your usage. Most A/V receivers worth their salt will have at least four HDMI inputs and USB input. Yet, when we compared Denon and Yamaha AV receivers at the same price range, both have six and five HDMI inputs for connection of devices. However, we have found that number to be insufficient for a full home surround system. Our experts recommend 7 just in case you need more in the future.
Our experts say it’s also worth it to note that HDCP 2.2 compatible HDMI connection to get the best sound experience. This is because an HDCP 2.2 connection means your AV receiver supports a secure connection between the source of the signals and your TV. Look at your HDMI cable to make sure it is HDCP 2.2 compatible.
Having more HDMI ports, even if they are unused in the beginning, will give you room to build and grow your system into a multi-room audio beast. HDMI is our experts’ recommended method of connection to support 4K High DR, 4K UHD, HDR10 Dolby Vision Hybrid Log Gamma, DTS Play Fi, DTS Neural X, BT 2023, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master and many other visual and sound formats.
Of course, just like with all other acoustic devices, your AV receiver will also feature other forms of connection aside from HDMI ports that can either support mini or micro HDMI cables. You will also find analog AV connections such as phono input or RCA, and optical digital connection as well as a front USB port.
Aside from the options on our list, our experts also recommend looking at the Onkyo TX series, Yamaha RX V485, Marantz NR1609, Pioneer VSX series AV receivers, among others.
Wireless Connectivity
Most technological devices nowadays have wireless connection for user convenience with built in Wi Fi and Bluetooth for audio playback. Now that we know what to look for if you prefer a wired connection, this section is for a cable-less hookup. With wireless connections, you can easily connect speakers to receiver or your sound bar to a receiver, as well.
You can find built-in Bluetooth on most receivers under 500, and the Bluetooth wireless technology can be used for playing music content from other enabled devices such as your smartphone or tablet. The quality may not be exactly the same as connection through HDMI ports, but the difference is barely noticeable and a decent home theater AV receiver can support good sound and video quality formats wirelessly.
If you choose to go the Bluetooth route, our team advises to place your Bluetooth enabled device such as the Onyx Studio 3 and 4 close to the receiver. This is because the closer the two devices are, the stronger and more stable the connection is.
Other than Bluetooth, Wi-Fi is another form of wireless connection that can work with your virtual assistants, and used for connection to other devices and tap into your home network. Dual band Wi fi is excellent if you have it as it allows you to connect to two networks and won’t congest the traffic.
Wi-Fi is the easiest option to transform your 2 channel home theater system into a fully functioning 7.2 channel surround audio mega system. The WiFi will also relay signals to a multi-zone setup. These zones, like zone 2 or zone 3 when applicable, relate to the different parts of your home these signals are transmitted to.
Zone 2 could be your bedroom or bathroom or any other room you want to experience enhanced audio in. You can go from zone 2 up to 3 zones or whatever you prefer, but most people find zone 2 to be enough.
Added Features
To set themselves apart from the rest, many brands such as the Onkyo TX, need to have special added features in their receivers. Look for audio technologies in receivers that support 4K HDR, 4K UHD, HDR10 HLG Dolby Vision, DTS Play Fi, DTS Neural X, DTS HD Master, DTS Virtual:X and more to get the best music experience through streaming with Spotify, Tidal, and Pandora.
An AV receiver that offers compatibility for common wireless music streaming services such as Pandora and video streaming services such as Netflix automatically earn a place that’s higher on our list.
There are even A/V receivers that have MCACC auto room tuning system with zone 2 feature and fancy bells and whistles such as EQ calibration or YPAO room calibration.
To make your life easier when setting up and controlling your AV receiver, some even offer a virtual setup assistant and compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant and even Siri. These invisible voice control helpers can carry out basic commands with the response of your voice.
If you don’t like using a remote control, there are tons of 4K Ultra High Definition supporting receivers that can boost the sound quality from the compatible app. These apps will allow you to input your preferred settings and even calibrate the receiver to produce your preferred acoustic effects without using a remote control.
Many people are worried about the price range for A/V receivers under 500 that have many bonus add-ons. However, all of the added features we listed above fall under the 500 price range in models such as the ones on our list and the Onkyo TX series.
(If you are looking for compatible device for your turntables, then you can check out excellent receivers for your turntables here)
FAQ
What is the top AV receiver for under 500?
The superb AV receiver for under 500 is the STR-DN1080 of Sony. The STR-DN1080 receiver features support for all the latest video technologies such as 4K UHD, high quality connections via its six HDMI ports and one HDMI output. These receivers support Bluetooth, Airplay 2 and WiFi for wireless streaming.
Which receiver brand is best?
The superb receiver brand would be Sony – the STR-DN1080 7.2 ch to be exact. Sony has consistently created high end quality systems, which also applies to their receivers. The STR-DN1080 7.2 ch supports 4K video and Blu ray content and has a high power rating per channel.
How long do AV receivers last?
AV receivers can last for many years. The Onkyo TX series receiver is robust and carries out its task for a long time. As long as you do not overpower the system by plugging in speakers with incorrect power outputs and do the occasional maintenance, your receiver will have a long lifespan.
Do AV receivers improve sound quality?
Yes, an AV receiver can improve sound features. However, it doesn’t create better 3D audio quality but instead allows you to manage it better across your devices. It can support advanced technologies such as Dolby and DTS, and amplify the sound from the source to improve sound features.
Do AV receivers improve picture quality?
Yes, AV receivers improve picture attribute. They can clean up low quality signals with functions such as upscaling. While it doesn’t produce better pictures, a receiver supports the existing high definition format and relays it to your screen.
Are AV receivers worth it?
Yes, AV receivers are worth it. An AV receiver not only has a hand in improving your sound aspect, but the video aspect as well. Between a receiver or an amplifier, an AV receiver can both improve both audio and video quality. With an AV receiver, you can connect multiple devices and create immersive sound for the home entertainment system of your dreams.
Do I need an AV receiver with a soundbar?
Yes, you need an AV receiver with a soundbar. However, this is only true if you have opted for a passive soundbar. A passive soundbar does not have a built-in amplifier, If you have an active soundbar, you will not need an extra receiver because the amplifier is already built in.
Our Top Pick For an AV Receiver Under $500: Sony STR-DN1080
Our team’s final pick for the best AV receiver under 500 is the Sony STR-DN1080. This is one amazing receiver that can blow other models such as the Onkyo TX series out of the water. Other receivers under 500 don’t match up to the STR-DN1080 because of the supported sound formats, wireless compatibility, the amazing 7.2 channel design, and surround sound speakers.
For audio formats, the Sony receiver can process Dolby Atmos and DTS object-based surround sound system. This means it can calibrate itself to match the setup of your room for unhindered audio emission. With this receiver, you can experience surround sound and find your sweet spot easily.
The STR-DN1080 has multiple HDMI ports and other forms of connection including a USB port to make playing content even easier.
Want to improve the sound of your car audio system? You can check out our guide on how to wire a 4 channel amp to 6 speakers well.
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