Best AV Home Theater Receivers for 2026
Denon has been part of the Audio Advice story since the late 1970’s, and they built their reputation on reliable, great sounding receivers that last for years. The AVR S770H brings that same DNA to a very approachable price. If you are building your first real surround system or upgrading an older HDMI receiver, this is one of the best budget AVRs you can pick.
Inside, you get 7 channels of discrete amplification that can power either a 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos layout or a traditional 7.2 system. For small to medium rooms, it delivers more than enough punch to bring movies, shows, and games to life. The discrete output stage and solid power supply give the S770H a clean, dynamic sound, with smooth music playback and plenty of impact during action scenes without harshness.
On the video side, you get 6 HDMI inputs, with 3 supporting 8K and 4K at one hundred twenty frames per second for next generation gaming and future sources. Dolby Vision and HDR10 are supported, and the receiver can upscale content to 8K.
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 has become one of the most popular midrange home theater receivers for a simple reason. It’s one of the most affordable AVRs that includes true Dirac Live room correction along with strong power, HDMI 2.1 support, and a feature set that used to require spending far more. If you’re building a higher performance living room or a dedicated theater and want to step up from the entry level segment, this is where things start getting serious.
You get nine channels of high current amplification rated at one hundred twenty watts per channel into eight ohms with two channels driven. That is plenty of power for most modern speakers in small to medium large rooms, and the RZ50 can comfortably handle layouts like 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 without external amps. The discrete output stages and robust power supply give it a punchy, controlled sound that works well for both movies and music. THX certification is another bonus that confirms the receiver meets strict performance and noise standards.
The Denon AVR X3800H is one of the most versatile receivers you can buy for under $2,000. Denon designed it as the perfect “grow with you” platform for home theater fans who want a strong amp section today with a clear path to bigger systems down the road. If you think you might eventually add external amplifiers, expand to 7.2.4, or fine tune multiple subwoofers, the X3800H stands out immediately.
You get 9 powered channels on board, which lets you run layouts like 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 right out of the box. The receiver can process up to 11 channels, so adding a two channel amp later gets you to a full 7.2.4 setup without replacing anything. Denon also gives you 4 completely independent subwoofer outputs that can be measured and corrected separately, which is rare even on far more expensive units. For rooms where bass matters, this alone can justify the upgrade.
On the video side, the X3800H supports 8K and 4K120 across six HDMI 2.1 inputs, making it fully ready for next generation gaming consoles and modern 8K displays. Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG, and ALLM are supported, and you get HEOS for music, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, and voice control through all major platforms.
The Sony STR-AZ5000ES is one of the most impressive 11 channel receivers you can buy without jumping into the ultra high end category. Sony completely redesigned their ES line, and the result is a receiver that delivers an incredibly immersive soundstage, strong power, and one of the most advanced calibration systems available. If you want an AVR that feels purpose built for cinema-like Dolby Atmos, this is the one to look at.
The AZ5000ES gives you 11 powered channels on board, which lets you run serious layouts such as 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 with no external amplification required. Sony uses a heavy duty chassis, a large power supply, and discrete amplification stages that help the receiver deliver a clean, authoritative sound with excellent channel separation. It weighs over 40 pounds, which tells you a lot about the build quality and why the audio performance punches above its price.
Sony’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX is a big part of what makes this receiver shine. Instead of just measuring distances, Sony maps your room in three dimensions and uses 360 Spatial Sound Mapping to create a much wider, more enveloping surround field. Even in challenging rooms, the AZ5000ES makes effects feel more pinpointed and height channels more convincing. For people who cannot run physical surround or rear speakers, Sony also gives you clever phantom and wireless speaker options to fill in the gaps.
The Anthem MRX 740 is where this guide shifts from versatility to pure sound quality. Anthem builds its receivers with the same engineering mindset found in their high end amplifiers and processors, and it absolutely shows once you listen. If you want an AVR that delivers exceptional clarity, dynamics, and precision along with one of the most advanced room correction systems available, the MRX 740 sits at the top of its class.
Although it has 7 powered channels onboard, the MRX 740 can process up to 11 channels, allowing you to expand to a full 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos layout with external amplification. The internal amp section is substantial, using a high current power supply and discrete output stages that give the receiver a natural, highly detailed presentation with excellent dynamic punch. Music sounds open and engaging, and movie soundtracks have outstanding clarity, impact, and spatial definition.
ARC Genesis room correction is another major part of why Anthem receivers perform so well. ARC gives you an extremely deep level of control, letting you adjust each speaker’s response, define target curves, fine tune crossover settings, and perfectly blend your subwoofers.
The Marantz Cinema 30 sits at the top of Marantz’s receiver lineup and is designed for people who want premium sound, premium design, and premium flexibility all in one chassis. It feels every bit like a luxury product, from the build quality to the sound signature to the advanced processing under the hood. If you want an AVR that looks as stunning as it sounds, the Cinema 30 is the clear choice.
With 11 powered channels onboard, the Cinema 30 can run full 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 systems without needing any external amplification. Marantz uses a large toroidal transformer and discrete HDAM amplifier modules, giving the Cinema 30 its signature warm, musical sound. Dialogue is rich and natural, music has body and texture, and Atmos soundtracks have a smooth, enveloping quality that feels effortless even at higher volumes.
One of the Cinema 30’s biggest strengths is bass management. You get four fully independent subwoofer outputs, each with its own distance, level, and EQ control. This gives you far more precise bass performance across multiple seats and makes the Cinema 30 a perfect choice for immersive rooms where low frequency accuracy really matters. Marantz also allows channel reassignment and full 11.4 processing, offering a lot of flexibility for system growth.
The ARCAM AVR31 is a dream receiver for anyone who loves both home theater and high end two channel music. It’s one of the only AVRs on the market to feature Class G amplification, a design ARCAM developed to deliver the purity and finesse of a great audiophile amplifier while still providing the dynamic power needed for big soundtracks. If music performance is as important to you as movie performance, the AVR31 rises to the top instantly.
ARCAM equips the AVR31 with 7 powered Class G channels and processing for up to 16, allowing you to build a full 7.1.4 or even 9.1.6 Atmos system with external amps. The internal amplifier stage is substantial and incredibly refined. Class G uses multiple power rails to deliver low distortion and high current on demand, which results in cleaner dynamics, better detail, and a noticeably more natural presentation compared to traditional Class AB receivers.
The digital section is equally impressive. ARCAM uses audiophile grade ESS 9026PRO DACs with reference voltage regulators, giving you superb clarity with high resolution music. The AVR31 supports MQA, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon, aptX HD Bluetooth, and nearly all major streaming platforms. Whether you’re listening to a stereo album or switching back into a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, the receiver keeps everything smooth and cohesive with a level of musicality that stands out.
The Denon AVR-A1H is the most powerful and most advanced home theater receiver Denon has ever built. At over 70 pounds with a massive 29 pound transformer inside, it’s designed for enthusiasts who want the most immersive, highest channel count home theater experience possible without stepping into full separates. If you want a receiver that can anchor a reference grade system, the A1H is in a class of its own.
With 15 powered channels, the A1H lets you run extremely advanced layouts like 9.1.6 or 7.1.6 without adding any external amplification. You can even bi-amp your front speakers if you’re not using all channels for Atmos. The amplifier section is muscular and incredibly dynamic, giving you the kind of effortless slam, clarity, and headroom that makes large speakers and big rooms come alive during action movies, concerts, and gaming.
One of the A1H's most impressive features is its bass management system. You get 4 fully independent subwoofer outputs, each with its own delay, EQ, and level settings. This makes it possible to build a world class multi-sub system with perfectly blended low frequency response across multiple seats. It includes Audyssey MultEQ XT32, and you can upgrade to Dirac Live and Dirac Live Bass Control for even more precise fine tuning, putting you in the same league as high end processors.
Denon AVR-S770H 7.2 Channel Receiver
$749.00
Onkyo TX-RZ50 9.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver
$1,399.99
Denon AVR-X3800H, 9.4 Channel Home Theater Receiver
$1,799.00
Sony STR-AZ5000ES 11.2 Channel 8K AV Receiver
$2,599.95
