When building an optimized home theater system, selecting the appropriate audio/video receiver is of paramount importance. As the central processing and amplification component, the receiver is in charge of crucial responsibilities that will impact the overall performance and user experience. If you don’t know much about the AV receiver, keep reading to understand what it does and what you need to consider when choosing one.
What is an AV Receiver? Why Do You Need It?
Simply put, an AV (audio/video) receiver is the central hub of your home theater system. Often referred to as a home theater receiver or A/V receiver, it’s an electronic device that accepts audio and video signals from various sources and processes them to drive multiple speakers and displays.
Essentially, an AV receiver has four key jobs. First, it’s got the power – receivers are packed with amplifiers capable of driving even the biggest speaker setups. If you need to connect your front, center, surround, and subwoofer speakers, your receiver will have the powerful amplifiers needed to drive them.
Secondly, modern receivers provide many inputs, for example, multiple HDMI ports so you can connect different audio/video sources. Whether you have streaming devices, gaming consoles, or Blu-ray players, you can connect them to your receiver and simplify your wiring needs, avoiding the need for separate switches.
The receiver’s third job is processing. It does the job of decoding audio formats and applying surround sound effects. It’ll place different channels all around the listening area, creating an immersive theater experience.
This brings us to the fourth role – control. Once you connect everything to the receiver, you can control volume, inputs, and power for your whole theater. All you need is a single universal remote to control the unified interface which connects all your components.
Features to Consider
Power & Channels
Consider your receiver’s power output and make sure it has the power to properly drive larger speakers, especially subwoofers and tower speakers. Also, pay attention to the number of channels – you’ll want some space for future upgrades.
Connections
Equally important is the number of supported channels. Entry-level models usually offer 5.1 configuration while mid-range support 7.1 or 7.1.2. For better flexibility, look for a receiver with 9 channels or more.
Audio Formats
Does your receiver support Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and more? How about the newest immersive formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS? You may want to look for the latest immersive audio standards as well as legacy formats.
Convenience Features
Don’t forget wireless options that allow compatible devices to stream music and connect to speaker zones without wiring. Also, look for handy technologies like onboard room correction from Audyssey or YPAO. Set up will be a breeze with these assistants doing the work.
Choose The Right Receiver For Your Home Theater
Ultimately, there’s a lot to look into once you start comparing the specifications of various brands and options on the market. However, the right receiver is one that’s designed around an individual setup to seamlessly integrate all components into a cohesive, high-performance audiovisual solution.
When equipped with the right receiver as the core of your home theater system, you will be able to fully enjoy an exceptional cinematic experience. Don’t hesitate to call us today and let us help you find the receiver that’s a perfect symphony with the rest of your setup.