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 TODAY. 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 surround sound receiver at the price point.
ENTRY LEVEL AVR
GOOD: Yamaha RXV4A. 4 HDMI inputs, 80 watts X 5 channels @ $499.99. 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. 4K compatible. Streams Yamaha MusicCast which is Yamaha's music streaming service.
STEP-UP SURROUND SOUND RECEIVER
BETTER: Yamaha AVENTAGE RXA2A. 7 HDMI inputs, 100 watts X 7.2 channels, video upconversion, multi-source/multi-zone, Dolby Atmos @ $999.99. This is part of Yamaha’s AVENTAGE step-up line. Buy this if you will be hooking up 7 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). 4K compatible. Streams Yamaha MusicCast which is Yamaha's music streaming service.
BEST AVR YOU CAN BUY
BEST: Yamaha AVENTAGE RXA6A. 7 HDMI inputs/3 outputs, 150 watts X 9.2 channels (11 channel processing), improved audio processing with superior DACs, step-up YPAO room adjustment, Dolby Atmos @ $2299.99. Buy this if you are hooking up 7 components or less and if you want the BEST in today's surround sound formats and processing. Our earlier article about Dolby Atmos goes into depth about the latest surround sound mode. This receiver also sounds noticeably better than step-down models due to its particular high-end construction. Got a man cave that has multiple TVs? This receiver can provide picture and sound to all of them. Streams Yamaha MusicCast which is Yamaha's music streaming service.
http://www.airetheaterdesigns.com/blog/item/125-atmos-in-san-diego
Now you're dangerous...you've got some good information. There are other Yamaha audio/video receivers in their line-up including the RXV385, RXV6A, RXA4A, RXA8A, etc. Got questions about those? 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 Yamaha receiver and surround sound installers. If you aren't in the Southern California area, please consider purchasing through the Crutchfield links below as it helps to support our video channel and one day, we may be able to go to lunch. THANKS!
✅ Yamaha RXA8A: https://www.pntrs.com/t/1-9448-301982-9448?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crutchfield.com%2FI-rppjc1CK1%2Fp_022RXA8ABL%2FYamaha-AVENTAGE-RX-A8A.html
✅ Yamaha RXA6A: https://www.pjtra.com/t/1-9448-301982-9448?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crutchfield.com%2FI-rppjc1CJS%2Fp_022RXA6ABL%2FYamaha-AVENTAGE-RX-A6A.html
✅ Yamaha RXA4A: https://www.pntrac.com/t/1-9448-301982-9448?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crutchfield.com%2FI-rppjc1CJT%2Fp_022RXA4ABL%2FYamaha-AVENTAGE-RX-A4A.html
✅ Yamaha RXA2A: https://www.gopjn.com/t/1-9448-301982-9448?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crutchfield.com%2FI-rppjc1B58%2Fp_022RXA2ABL%2FYamaha-AVENTAGE-RX-A2A.html
✅ Yamaha RXV6A: https://www.pntrac.com/t/1-9448-301982-9448?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crutchfield.com%2FI-rppjc1AOB%2Fp_022RXV6ABL%2FYamaha-RX-V6A.html
✅ Yamaha RXV4A: https://www.pjtra.com/t/1-9448-301982-9448?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crutchfield.com%2FI-rppjc1AO8%2Fp_022RXV4ABL%2FYamaha-RX-V4A.html
P.S. Got PS5 problems? All of the new receivers from multiple manufacturers have had issues processing signals from the new PS5 game systems AND with certain types of resolutions. Buy it through us and we can take you through how to set up your Yamaha receiver correctly to minimize these issues.
Yamaha surround sound receiver experts are here! We've been selling Yamaha audio for over 20 years! Aire Theater Designs proudly serves all of San Diego County which includes Del Cerro, 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, Point 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 CA, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cielo, The Bridges, The Crosby, The Lakes, Torrey Pines, Alta Del Mar, Carmel Mountain, Carmel Valley, Coronado, Fairbanks Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, Santaluz, La Jolla, Poway, and Rancho Bernardo. Need help in Murrieta, Wildomar, Temecula, Fallbrook or Bonsall...we're there too. House by Pardee, Shea, Lennar or other builders? We can help!