AV Receiver Consumer Guide

AV Receiver Purchasing Tips

One of the most important tips to keep in mind when selecting the best AV receiver for you is to consider the connections. What types of connections do your other components need? Keep in mind the number of inputs and outputs an AV receiver offers. The more connections available, the more components you can include in your system. Considering today’s home theater components, be sure the receiver you are considering accepts audio signals via high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI®) cables. A receiver should also convert analog video sources to HDMI output.

Assessing an AV receiver’s power is important. Can the receiver power your speakers and provide the levels of sound you want? Also, remember to consider the number of channels an AV receiver offers because the number of channels impacts the type of surround sound you can receive. The number of channels should correlate to the number of speakers you will include in your home theater set up.

Related to power, consider the room where you will use the AV receiver. Smaller rooms need less watts per channel while larger rooms need more watts per channel to achieve the maximum audio for the room.

Keep your sound in mind in relation to the type of input you use the most. Different receivers process different types of sound formats, and most receivers allow for Dolby Digital and DTS sound, which are perfect for broadcast and DVD input. However if you want to experience the utmost from higher input like Blu-Ray, look for receivers that offer more support for higher definition sound like Dolby TrueHD.

Do you need help with speaker set up? Then pay attention to the calibration options any receiver offers. Some come with automatic speaker calibration for utmost east and convenience.

Related to set-up, consider overall convenience. How easy if the receiver to use? Does it have an easy and understandable user interface?

Consider the latest technology. What type of connectivity do you need? Is the ability to stream or use wireless important to you? Different receivers offer different options when it comes to streaming music or computer files, to working with Apple or Android devices and so forth.

Of course, price is a consideration when purchasing an AV receiver. AV receivers are generally considered to come in three levels: entry, mid and high. An important purchase tip is to consider the relative bang for the buck each receiver provides. Users can find some incredible value and offerings in every AV receiver price range. Determine your budget and then consider the receivers in your price range. Look for the best value for the money you have to spend.

Most importantly, consider the full spectrum of AV receiver purchase tips. Do not over emphasize any one area or specification. Instead, consider the entire range of specifications and factors in order to get the best overall picture of the AV receiver you are considering.