It's probably been a while since you've bought a new audio/video receiver or maybe I'm being assumptive and this is your first foray into surround sound. No worries...we'd be happy to help. Your audio/video receiver is the heart of your music and entertainment system. Making the right choice here assures sonic excellence and also provides you the flexibility to hook up future components. However, dealing with the big-box stores or attempting to figure out what to buy on the Internet can be painful (aside from this article, of course). Here's a quick guide to picking the right audio/video receiver.
What is it: Your receiver acts as the hub of your audio/video system. All of your components like cable boxes, video games, Blu-ray players, streaming devices, etc. hook into the receiver and it provides the sound for your speakers. Pick your receiver based on:
1) How many devices you will be hooking up to it?
2) Will you be connecting other areas/rooms of speakers?
3) How important is it to get the best surround sound experience you can?
Brand to Buy: Yamaha. Why? In a nutshell, they rarely break, provide great sound and have plenty of inputs. You can Google different brands, models, histories and other facets but we've already done that. We've also performed thousands of installations and sold receivers for over 20 years. We know what is the best NOW. NOTE: If this ever changes, we'll let you know and we'll change our mind. However, for the time being, Yamaha is our choice for the best receiver at the price point.
GOOD: Yamaha RXV377. 4 HDMI inputs, 70 watts X 5 channels @ $249.99. Buy this if you are on a budget, will be hooking up four components or less and aren't hooking up speakers in any other areas of the house. NOTE: Plan on how many components you will be hooking up not just now, but in the future as well.
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v377_black_u/
BETTER: Yamaha RXA740. 6 HDMI inputs, 90 watts X 7 channels, video upconversion, multi-source/multi-zone @ $649.99. Buy this if you will be hooking up 6 components or less or if you will be hooking up speakers in other areas (ex: Outside, other bedrooms, etc.). This is also a good choice if you have older components as it plays nicely with legacy video formats (Wii game systems, VCRs and certain cameras come to mind).
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/aventage/rx-a740_black_u/?mode=model
BEST: Yamaha RXA2040. 8 HDMI inputs, 140 watts X 9 channels, improved audio processing, Dolby Atmos @ $1599.99. Buy this if you are hooking up 8 components or less and if you want the best in today's surround sound formats. Our earlier article about Dolby Atmos goes ito depth about the latest surround sound mode. This receiver also sounds noticeably better than step-down models due to its particular high-end construction.
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/aventage/rx-a2040_black_u/?mode=model
http://www.airetheaterdesigns.com/blog/item/125-atmos-in-san-diego
Now you're dangerous...you've got some good information. Stop by or call one of our product experts and let us simplify your decision to purchase a surround sound receiver. Aire Theater Designs, San Diego's Yamaha and surround sound experts.
San Diego Home Theater Installers Aire Theater Designs proudly serves all of San Diego County which includes Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, Talmadge, Kensington, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, El Cajon, Blossom Valley, La Mesa, Lake Murray, Friars, North Park, Balboa Park, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Imperial Beach, Pt Loma and Downtown San Diego. We also gladly serve those in North San Diego County which includes Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, Elfin Forest, Oceanside, Escondido, Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, Santaluz, La Jolla, Poway, and Rancho Bernardo.