10 Best Surround Sound Av Receivers 2025 in the United States

The Denon AVR-X3800H is designed to elevate your home theater experience with impressive 9.4 channels of surround sound and powerful 105W output per channel. One of its standout features is the support for the latest audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, ensuring captivating 3D audio that immerses you in your favorite movies and shows. It's also future-proofed for video, offering 8K resolution pass-through and support for advanced formats like HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making it a great match for modern 8K TVs.

Connectivity is another strong point, featuring 9 HDMI 2.1 ports, which include both inputs and outputs, and options for both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming. This allows seamless integration with various devices including Blu-ray players and turntables, plus the ability to stream music throughout your home via HEOS multi-room capabilities.

Setup is user-friendly, thanks to the on-screen GUI setup assistant and Audyssey Room Correction, which helps tailor audio performance to your specific room layout. This makes it accessible even for those who may not be very tech-savvy.

The Denon AVR-X2800H 7.2 Channel Receiver is a feature-packed option for a home theater setup. It boasts 95 watts per channel and supports the latest audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, ensuring an immersive 3D audio experience. This receiver is built for the future with 8K/60Hz pass-through, which means it can handle the highest quality video and audio formats currently available, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.

Its wide range of connectivity options, including 8 HDMI ports and built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HEOS, make it versatile for different devices and streaming services like Spotify and TIDAL. The Audyssey Room Calibration Suite helps fine-tune the audio to your room's acoustics, enhancing your listening experience further. On the downside, this receiver might be overkill for smaller setups or those who don't plan to upgrade to 8K anytime soon.

Additionally, its abundance of features could be overwhelming for users who prefer a simpler, more straightforward system. At 0.388 ounces, it is quite lightweight, but this might raise questions about its durability. Still, it is a well-regarded product that offers a lot of value for home theater enthusiasts looking to future-proof their system.

The Sony STR-AN1000 is a 7.2-channel A/V receiver, making it suitable for those who want to build a robust home theater system. With a power output of 165W per channel at 6 ohms, it provides ample power for most home environments. This receiver supports advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which are known for their immersive, object-based sound, enhancing your movie and gaming experience.

Connectivity is a strong point, with six HDMI 2.1 inputs and two outputs, allowing you to connect multiple devices like game consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices. It also supports 8K and 4K/120 video, ensuring compatibility with the latest video standards. Wireless options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay, and Spotify Connect, which offer extensive streaming capabilities.

The Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping help optimize the audio performance by adjusting the sound settings based on your room's acoustics, ensuring the best possible audio experience. Additionally, the receiver supports leading HDR formats such as Dolby Vision, HDR10, and IMAX Enhanced, which contribute to superior video quality. One of the convenient features is its compatibility with Sonos, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with an existing Sonos system. It also supports multi-zone audio, making it possible to play different audio sources in separate rooms.

On the downside, the receiver's power consumption is relatively high at 240W, which might be a concern for energy-conscious users. Additionally, the setup interface, though user-friendly, might still be a bit complex for those who are not tech-savvy. In summary, the Sony STR-AN1000 is a feature-rich A/V receiver ideal for users looking to enhance their home theater experience with high-quality audio and video performance, extensive connectivity options, and advanced room calibration features.