Fluance Audio's video: How to Choose A Home Theater Receiver or Amplifier for Your Speakers

The Ultimate Guide to Home Theater Setup - https://blog.fluance.com/home-theater-setup-guide?utm_source=Receivers&utm_medium=YouTube Types Receivers may be classified into stereo, and A/V types, the primary difference being that A/V receivers can route video signals and include surround-sound decoding, as well as the extra amplifiers needed for the extra surround channels. It might seem that a stereo receiver is a low-end option, but many audiophiles prefer them for their simplicity. An A/V receiver is essential for a home theater system. Today’s A/V receivers include at least 5 channels of amplification (for front left, center, and right plus two surround speakers) as well as a line output for a powered subwoofer. A/V receivers also have many other features that are rarely found on stereo receivers. Specifications One of the most critical steps in selecting a receiver is ensuring that it has enough power output to drive your speakers. Most receivers have enough power to drive most speakers to a loud level. As long as your speakers have a sensitivity rating of at least 84 dB or so, a receiver with 80 to 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms should be powerful enough. Connectivity An A/V receiver will have at least 5.1 channels – five amplifiers plus a line output for a subwoofer – and most now have at least 7.1 channels. The very latest Dolby Atmos-compatible receivers offer 13.2 channels of sound – 13 speakers plus connections for two subwoofers. Most of the sources that connect to an A/V receiver – Blu-ray Disc players, satellite receivers, cable boxes, video streaming boxes, gaming consoles, 4K Ultra HD etc. – will connect through HDMI cables, so make sure the receiver you choose has enough HDMI inputs for all your devices plus a couple to spare. Although analog video sources such as VCRs are no longer common, most receivers will have a couple of composite and component video inputs for them or DVD players without an HDMI output, with accompanying analog and digital audio inputs. They’ll also offer at least a couple of analog inputs for devices such as cassette decks and MP3 players, and many include an input for a turntable. Make sure any receiver you consider has all the inputs you need. Price Points AV Receivers can be classified into entry-level, mid-level and high-end models, based on the minimum features you can expect of each category. This information can change quickly as prices drop and new features are added. Entry-level receivers are available for less than $300 and should have 5.1-channel surround sound with decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master formats. Some receivers in this price range may have 7.1-channel formats. The power rating of these receivers will typically be between 50 and 100 watts. The connections they offer will be limited—usually three or four HDMI inputs plus a couple of analog audio/video inputs—so if you buy a receiver in this price range, be sure that it has enough inputs for all your sources. Many also include Bluetooth wireless, and some include a home network connection that allows them to be used in a multi room audio system, or to stream music from the Internet. A mid-level receiver costs between $300 and $600. At a minimum, they’ll offer Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Toward the top of the range, you’ll also find receivers with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the new “immersive” audio formats that let you add height speakers (either ceiling speakers or speakers that bounce sound off the ceiling) for increased ambiance. However, receivers in this price range probably won’t include enough amplification channels for the height speakers so you may have to add an extra amplifier to power those. More reliable power ratings are a common characteristic of mid-level receivers, primarily due to components of better quality, and many of these receivers put out more than 100 watts per channel. Mid-level receivers also have more inputs and more likely to offer inputs on the front panel, and most have some sort of automatic room equalizer function that optimizes the sound of your speakers to suit the acoustics of your room. Expect these receivers to include Bluetooth and some sort of network audio and streaming technology, such as Apple AirPlay or Google Chromecast. High-end receivers cost more than $600 and should provide accurate power ratings with very low THD. Most put out 120 watts or more per channel. They include Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, with as many as 13 channels of amplification to power the extra speakers. Multiroom amplification and speaker switching are also common features in this price range. Follow us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluanceAudio?utm_source=Receivers&utm_medium=YouTube Twitter: https://twitter.com/fluance?utm_source=Receivers&utm_medium=YouTube Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluanceaudio?utm_source=Receivers&utm_medium=YouTube