So you’ve got the high-def, wide-screen, 4K video television, multiple surround speakers and a subwoofer the size of a dorm fridge. You’re almost there — but if you want the full home theater experience, you need an AV receiver to ride herd on all of it. These are the four best models CNET has reviewed over the last year.
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Sony STR-DN1080
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/sony-str-dn1080/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: The Sony STR-DN1080 offers all of the features you could want in a modern receiver — multiroom music, Chromecast streaming, AirPlay, Dolby Atmos and a slew of 4K-compliant inputs. Sound quality is excellent, especially for movies. The user interface is easy to follow, and it is coupled with a friendly remote.
The bad: Sound quality is a little less full than on last year’s model, meaning it may not be quite as forgiving of bright speakers.
The cost: $498.00 to $499.99
The bottom line: The Sony STR-DN1080 is fully featured and easy to use, and it sounds great, making it the best AV receiver available for the price.
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Yamaha RX-V483
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/yamaha-rx-v483/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Yamaha RX-V483 offers excellent performance for the money with both music and movies. Multiroom music and Bluetooth adds playback flexibility. Build quality is solid, and the remote control isn’t terrible.
The bad: There’s only four HDMI ports, and the user interface is a little tired-looking. Not compatible with Chromecast or Dolby Atmos.
The cost: $329.95 to $399.95
The bottom line: As long as you don’t demand the latest surround and streaming features, the Yamaha RX-V483 offers excellent sound at an affordable price.
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Onkyo TX-NR575
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/onkyo-tx-nr575/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Onkyo TX-NR575 offers excellent design, solid build quality and superb usability. Its wealth of features includes Dolby Atmos, Chromecast multiroom, Play-Fi and 4K HDR throughput. Sound quality is detailed and nuanced, particularly for movies.
The bad: Chromecast audio streams are stuck in AllChStereo mode.
The cost: $279.99 to $399.99
The bottom line: The midpriced Onkyo TX-NR575 receiver sounds good and comes fully loaded with Dolby Atmos and Chromecast built in, but it’s not our first choice.
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Denon AVR-S730H
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/denon-avr-s730h/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Denon AVR-S730H is among the least expensive receivers with this level of features, including 4K/HDR compatibility, multiroom music, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Sound quality is very good with both music and movies, regardless of the speakers we used. Auto calibration worked well.
The bad: Competitors such as the Sony STR-DN1080 sound even better. The HEOS music system isn’t as capable or easy to use as Sonos, Google Cast or Yamaha’s MusicCast.
The cost: $429.00 to $429.99
The bottom line: The Denon AVR-S730H is the most affordable Dolby Atmos/DTS:X receiver we’ve tested, and a superb value overall.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: CNET contributor Steve Guttenberg, Senior Associate Editor Ty Pendlebury and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
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