With movie studios starting to adopt the “straight-to-streaming” strategy for a number of big motion movies, there’s never been a better moment to turn your living room into your own personal home theater. The problem is that even the greatest 4K TVs (or projectors!) won’t be able to pull it off on their own.
While they provide the best current visual quality, they frequently fall short when it comes to audio. As the cornerstone of any successful home theater experience, the formidable AV receiver comes into action. They offer amplification for your speaker arrangement and serve as the all-encompassing maestro, selecting how and when to disseminate sounds with pinpoint accuracy.
As a consequence, you may enjoy an outstanding presentation of surround sound without ever having to fit into a movie theater seat again. Furthermore, AV receivers equipped with advanced networking technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth may function as a modern-day jukebox, playing music to your heart’s content.
We’ve assembled a comprehensive selection of AV receivers capable of satisfying any and all of your requirements. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our 5 Best 4K AV Receiver review for more information below.
Our Top Pick: Onkyo TX-NR6050
Description: The Onkyo TX-NR6050 7.2-Channel AV Receiver offers precise sound and pictures by incorporating significant noise-reduction enhancements into high-current amplification.
Features: Own your opponents with HDMI 2.1 upgrades for gamers, with an emphasis on an improved gaming experience.
The 4K/120Hz HDR pass-through allows for ultra-fast action. -VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) reduces latency, stuttering, and frame-tearing for smooth gameplay. – ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) reduces latency from source to screen; – QFT (Quick Frame Transport) reduces lag for a more fluid experience.
You may experience Dolby Atmos® and DTS: X® soundtracks through your height-enabled surround system or employ upmixing and virtualization technologies from DTS® and Dolby® to build a 3D sound-field from any layout while bringing 8K video to your compatible display through HDMI® 2.1.
If you are looking for the 5 Best 4K AV Receiver, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the best 5 Best 4K AV Receiver you can find. The TX-NR6050 AV receiver, with three HDMI outputs and 90 watts of power per channel, offers uncompressed HDMI 2.18K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision across 40 gbps, boosting bandwidth over predecessors.
This SMART AV ReceiverTM gives your living room an unrivaled movie, music, and gaming experience.
The receiver is simple to set up. All we had to do was connect our speakers and TV to get started. The Onkyo TX-NR6050 delivered a clean, crisp sound with an excellent bass response. In addition, the receiver had 4K passthrough, Bluetooth streaming, and a built-in Chromecast.
The Onkyo TX-NR6050 7.2-Channel AV Receiver is a home theater enthusiast’s dream come true, producing strong sound with exceptional clarity that will make you feel like your favorite movie star on-screen or listening to music from around the world! It has THX certification as well as Dolby Atmos support.
AirPlay, Wi-Fi networking, 4K Ultra HD passthrough, HDR compatibility, Bluetooth audio streaming, and much more are among its outstanding features. If you’re searching for a fantastic home theater receiver that can elevate your entertainment experience, the Onkyo TX-NR6050 is worth considering.
With the newest HDMI standards, you can now transfer 8K video and sound to your compatible monitor over a single connection – all without losing quality! With height-enabled surround systems, you’ll have no problem enjoying Dolby Atmos® or DTS: X ® songs.
Pros
- 8K with HDMI 2.1 40Gbps (3 ins)
- Built-In Streaming Services
- Discrete Zone 2 Audio and Video
Cons
- None
Runner Up: Sony STR-DH790
Description: The Sony STR-DH790 is an excellent choice if you want terrific sound from a low-cost home theater receiver.
Features: Do you have a 4K TV? This 7.2-channel receiver is equipped to handle the most recent Ultra HD material. With built-in Bluetooth, you have a plethora of possibilities for streaming music from a compatible device.
Furthermore, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding provide 360-degree surround sound for the most authentic movie experience possible at home.
This budget-friendly receiver offers 7.1 surround sound or 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos setups. Sony’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) technology delivers perfect sound in any environment. The included setup microphone assesses the acoustics of your home, allowing the receiver to adjust to your speakers and environment.
If you are looking for the 5 Best 4K AV Receiver, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the best 5 Best 4K AV Receiver you can find.
The STR-DH790 provides you numerous options for positioning your speakers. Even if you start with a pair of stereo speakers, Sony’s front surround sound technology allows you to enjoy rich surround sound effects.
With seven speakers, you may utilize the sixth and seventh channels for either Surround Back or Front High speakers. You may even utilize those channels to power a pair of “B” speakers in another room. If you’re content with a five-speaker arrangement, you may bi-amp a pair of compatible front speakers for more full-bodied, rich sound.
The Sony STR-DH790 is a 7.2 channel receiver with a lot of outstanding features at a reasonable price. The STR-DH790 is a considerable upgrade over Sonly’s previous STR-DH770.
While they both have the same amount of channels, the STR-DH790 has a more streamlined outside appearance and a slew of additional capabilities such as Dolby Atmos compatibility, a more advanced automated calibration system, and an improved audio return channel (eARC) HDMI connector.
The Sony STR-DH790 is slimmer than its predecessor, with the USB connector gone, the calibration input moved to the headphone jack, and the button labels moved from the display to the actual buttons.
Pros
- 3D and 4K HDMI pass-through
- HDMI standby pass-through allows access to all HDMI connected devices without having to power on the receiver
- BRAVIA™ Sync for one-remote operation with compatible Sony components
Cons
- Lacks Wi-Fi or ethernet connectivity
Best for Budget: Sony STRDH590
Description: The STR-DH590 is a 5.1 channel receiver with Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and on-board DSD decoding. The manufacturer claims 145 watts of power at 6 ohms, 1 kHz, and 0.9 percent THD when driving a single channel.
Features: The DH590 supports complete 4K / 60p 4: 4: 4 signal processing, as well as 3D, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision.
Sony has dropped the networking functions included in many more costly AV receivers than this model, allowing it to sell for a considerably lower price. So don’t anticipate AirPlay, Chromecast, or DTS Play-Fi, or services like Spotify, Pandora, TIDAL, or TuneIn. It has simply a Bluetooth 4.2 connection.
If you are looking for the 5 Best 4K AV Receiver, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the best 5 Best 4K AV Receiver you can find. Unsurprisingly, for an entry-level model, the STR-DH590 has a thinner body than a typical AV receiver – smaller and lighter than, say, the Onkyo TX-RZ900.
The front panel is accessible in a simple but elegant rubbed black design, with two input and volume knobs, a headphone output, and a lengthy row of black buttons for multiple things (speaker on / off, FM tuning, sound adaptive control, Bluetooth, Pure Direct configuration, and so on), and has a moderate Led screen.
The rear panel features just four HDMI 2.0a inputs with HDCP 2.2 and one HDMI 2.0a output with Audio Return Channel.
HDMI inputs 1 and 2 are labeled Media Box and BD / DVD, respectively, to denote the source formats. We connected the receiver to a Sony UBP-X800M2 Blu-ray player and used Bluetooth to play music from a PC and an iPhone 8.
The Bluetooth devices were simple to link with the receiver (a pairing button is located on the remote control), and the connection remained steady after connecting.
There are also coaxial and optical digital audio connections on the back panel, as well as four stereo audio inputs, two subwoofer outputs, and an FM antenna input. The linked mobile device is powered by a single Type A USB port, which does not permit media playback.
The DH590 has direct 2-channel stereo and inter sound styles, as well as DPL II Music, Enhancer (to enhance lesser quality songs) formats, and modes such as Hall, Jazz, and others for music.
Pros
- Good performance
- Budget choice
- Easy setup
Cons
- Sound is rough at first
Pioneer VSX-534
Description: Pioneer produces a lot of high-quality budget sound systems, and the VSX-534 is one of them.
Features: It’s the lowest-priced member of their newest VSX series (released in 2019), but it still provides amazing specs and characteristics at a very competitive rate, and it would be enough for pretty much any entrance home theater system.
The interface is clean and basic, with an input selector and volume knob, three pre-set buttons, and a few more common input connectors. If you are looking for the 5 Best 4K AV Receiver, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the best 5 Best 4K AV Receiver you can find.
Pioneer excels in creating basic and straightforward back panels. Has all of the input types that the majority of users would ever require. At this pricing range, only one coax, three RCA, and two dedicated pre-sub-out inputs are unusual.
Most people won’t need or utilize two subwoofers, but it’s still an outstanding inclusion. The surround speaker terminals are spring clips rather than binding posts like the primary left/right speakers, which is a little inconvenient but shouldn’t affect overall sound quality.
The power specifications are particularly outstanding for the price – the obtained total harmonic distortion for the standard response range is somewhat lower than any of the competitors we’ve looked at. Enough to make a difference? Most certainly not, however, it is possible in specific circumstances. 150 W per channel at 1kHz @ 6 ohms is enough to power almost any current speaker.
Compatibility with Dolby Atmos is another great bonus at this price, however… the type of staging Dolby Atmos offers doesn’t really come into play until you have 7.X+ channel receivers with up/down oriented speakers and the VSX-534 only has 5 primary channels.
With enough set-up and location fiddling, you might be able to create a discernible impact. A normal battery-powered remote is available for those who choose to use one, but the VSX series is also Bluetooth compatible.
The casing, with a few additional aesthetic touches, is essentially the same as that used in Pioneer’s previous models, and it’s robust, with decent space and ventilation. The guarantee on the VSX is one year, which is pretty much the bare minimum. Other rivals provide a longer warranty of two years.
Pros
- Powerful
- Accurate
- Good sound
Cons
- None
Yamaha-RX-V385
Description: When it comes to purchasing a home entertainment system, the Yamaha RX-V385 is a fantastic affordable alternative.
Features: It is still used in Yamaha’s well-liked home entertainment systems. While it may not be the most feature-rich system available, it is an excellent choice for an entry-level model.
The Yamaha RX-V385 debuted in the market in 2019. It has evolved into the entry-level model in Yamaha’s extensive series of AV receivers. The RX-V385 is a 5.1 channel receiver with a power output of 70 Watts. It supports Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and the YPAO audio calibration system.
If you are looking for the 5 Best 4K AV Receiver, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the best 5 Best 4K AV Receiver you can find. Bluetooth, 4K support signal, Virtual Cinema DSP, HDMI upscaling, HDR passthrough, and Biamp capabilities are a few more outstanding features. It’s also pretty inexpensive. All of these features and more are available for roughly $250.
The RX-V385 is designed exactly like its predecessor, the RX-V383. This isn’t much of a disadvantage because most AV receiver lines look, design, and construct pretty similarly.
Most Yamaha items have a glossy black surface on the top, with a good aluminum finish that has a brushed effect on the bottom. This ensures that, although being a low-cost model, it has the appearance of a high-end home entertainment system.
The primary display appears on the upper half and communicates all of the receiver’s functionalities. A little circular button on the right is for Direct, while the main power button is on the left. The mic port for the YPAO function is located on the left side.
Other controls, such as tuner, info, and memories, may be located in a few little buttons just below the main display. Further to the left, there’s a connector for headphones, a bigger knob for volume control, an audio input, and a USB connection.
Because the RX-V385 is at the starting level of the AV receiver series, it is not too large. Because of its size, it is great for keeping in all of your TV cabinets and other storage locations. It just weighs 17 pounds, so it’s not too difficult to transport.
Remote control is included with the receiver. There’s nothing out of the ordinary about the remote. It can, however, perform all functions. It’s a standard plastic remote with grouped buttons all over it. The only disadvantage may be that the button grouping could be a bit better.
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- Very nicely constructed
- Virtual elements and mixing techniques are featured.
- Connected speaker binding post style
Cons
- DTS:X and Dolby Atmos are not included.
Buyer’s Guide for 5 Best 4K AV Receiver
As you may have deduced from this article, there are several AV receivers on the market today, each with its unique set of features, specs, and price tags. To help you make the best selection possible, here are a few crucial features to look for in an AV receiver, regardless of your budget.
The home cinema amplifier is the brains and powerhouse of any home cinema system, ensuring that your TV and movies sound forceful, detailed, and dynamic, really immersing you in the experience according to our 5 Best 4K AV Receiver review.
The most important factor to consider when purchasing an AVR is matching it to the size of your surround system and considering whether to allow for future expansion. Many AV receivers now have Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capabilities for adding additional sound channels using height channel speakers. These channels can sometimes be used to create a second zone.
Another key consideration is the quantity of HDMI inputs required. Most AVRs include a plethora of HDMI ports capable of passing 4K (and even 8K) and HDR video. Still, consider if you’ll benefit from HDMI 2.1’s next-generation gaming capabilities or whether you’ll be utilizing your home theater mostly for film and TV, in which case cheaper HDMI 2.0 connections would serve.
Setting up an AVR on your own might be intimidating, but many companies include a microphone and step-by-step audio to assist you through the process. Others go a step further and can be extended by third-party calibration software for additional in-depth customization according to our 5 Best 4K AV Receiver review.
Whether you hire a professional to install your AVR or do it yourself, be sure you’re comfortable with the interface’s usability. Modern AVRs have evolved into actual home entertainment hubs, bringing a slew of capabilities to your system like as Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, multi-room streaming, and DAB, making it truly versatile and multi-functional.
Above all, the greatest AV receivers provide excellent, room-filling sound. And these are our favorites, all of which have been tried, evaluated, and assessed in our specialized testing rooms according to our 5 Best 4K AV Receiver review.
Determine the optimal number of channels
Whether you’re dealing with stereo speakers or a whole surround sound system, finding a receiver with enough audio channels to adequately handle all of them is critical. And, if you can manage it, having a few more channels to play with in case you wish to grow in the future never hurts.
To some extent, power matters
When a receiver is capable of delivering more watts per channel, it typically signifies that it can manage larger levels more readily. There is greater headroom, if you will, for the speakers to which these receivers are attached. The caveat is that power is not everything.
There are numerous receivers that don’t have a lot of amplification but nonetheless sound fantastic when combined with the correct speakers according to our 5 Best 4K AV Receiver review.
Wi-Fi is required
This extends beyond the seemingly limitless possibilities of music streaming and interaction with popular voice assistants. Wi-Fi-enabled receivers may accept software upgrades, which are critical to ensuring that your investment runs as smoothly as possible. If you’re on the market for a new AV receiver, be sure it supports Wi-Fi according to our 5 Best 4K AV Receiver review.
The minimum is 4K passthrough
You’ll need an AV receiver that can transfer a 4K signal from a streaming device to your display if you want to watch the recent video in the highest resolution that’s widely accessible. Furthermore, if you want to prepare for the inevitable adoption of 8K content, you may go a step further and choose a receiver that supports 8K video passthrough.
Conclusion: 5 Best 4K AV Receiver [2022 Review]
There are several more factors to consider while evaluating your AV alternatives. However, we’re convinced that with these recommendations and a great lineup of receivers chosen for your enjoyment, you’ll be able to choose the AV receiver that’s suitable for you. We hope you liked our 5 Best 4K AV Receiver review and it was helpful.