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AV Receivers Buying Guide
Everything you need to know
What is an AV Receiver?
An Audio/Video Receiver (AVR) controls what you see on your TV and what you hear on the speakers of your home theater. It’s a hub managing multiple device sources, such as cable TV, Blu-Ray or DVD player, CD player, turntable, gaming device or streaming services. Your AVR allows you to connect, play and switch between all these sources seamlessly. Think of it as the quarterback of your home theater.
What does an AV Receiver do?
An AV Receiver (AVR) organizes the audio and video inputs and outputs of your home theater system and allows you to control them in one easy-to-use interface. The inputs come from the devices you'd like to connect and play from, such as cable TV, Blu-ray player, turntable, or gaming device. The outputs would be the video you see on your TV and the audio you hear on your speakers. Since AVRs control and refine the signals between the devices, they also greatly influence the video & sound quality of your entertainment system.
Is an AV Receiver with speakers or a Sound Bar right for me?
If you are looking for the highest quality surround or 3D audio experience and enjoy wired front, rear, floor and overhead speakers, an AV Receiver (AVR) is most likely the right solution for you. If you are looking for a simpler home theater solution that improves your TV sound without running wires to passive speakers, a sound bar is probably more suitable for you.
Is an AV Receiver and surround sound worth it?
If you enjoy watching movies in vivid and clear audio detail, we think it is definitely worth it. Adding surround sound speakers (or surrounds) to your home cinema setup will completely immerse you in the movie experience as all the action happens around you. Try adding a subwoofer for even more impact.
How to choose an AV Receiver?
This depends on the size of your entertainment space, how many devices and speakers you'd like to connect, and which features you want to take advantage of (certain features can enhance how enveloping the sound is such as Dolby Atmos or IMAX Enhanced). Bigger spaces need more power to adequately fill the space with sound. You'll also need to consider how much you'd like to spend. Denon has a wide range of legendary AV receivers to fit every budget.
How much power do I need for my AV Receiver?
The main rating you should consider when shopping for power is “Watts Per Channel”. Generally, this will vary from 70 to 150 watts per channel. The amount of power you need depends on the size of the room and richness of sound you’re looking for. For most typical living spaces, 70-100 watts per channel will be plenty, but if you need more power, we’ll always have a good solution for you.
How many channels do I need for my AV Receiver?
Channels equals speakers, so the right number of channels depends on the size of your space and how immersed you want to be in the sound. 5 channels gives you simple surround sound. More channels could be used to add floor speakers and overhead speakers, which will enhance the 3D impact of the sound.
What AV Receiver is best?
The best AV Receiver is the one that most closely matches your entertainment needs. Pick one that has enough channels, the wattage you want, and that fits in your desired entertainment space. You should choose one made by a reputable brand with great customer reviews and amazing quality. Ideally, that brand has a long history in the business, like Denon's legacy of over a century.
Why should you buy Denon AV Receivers?
We’ve been consistently pushing the boundaries of audio equipment for over a century, and we’ve been at the forefront of AV Receiver technology since, well, AV Receivers were invented. Buy a Denon AV Receiver because they’ll last for years to come, have incredible customer support, and are built with the passion and precision of people who really care about great sound.
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