AV Receivers

An AV (Audio/Video) receiver serves as the central hub for your home entertainment system, routing audio and video signals from various sources to the appropriate output devices, such as speakers and a TV or projector. It amplifies audio signals for a powerful, surround-sound experience and may offer additional features like 4K video support, wireless streaming, and multi-room audio. An AV receiver is essential for creating a cohesive and immersive home theatre experience.

Most speakers can be connected to an AV receiver, but compatibility depends on the receiver's output power and the speakers' impedance ratings. Ensure your receiver can handle the impedance of your speakers (measured in ohms) and provides sufficient power (watts) to drive them effectively for optimal sound quality. Additionally, consider the receiver's supported speaker configurations, such as 5.1 or 7.2 surround sound setups.

When selecting an AV receiver, consider the following key factors: the number of input/output connections you need for your devices, the supported audio formats (like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X for immersive sound), video features (such as 4K and HDR compatibility), power output to match your speakers, and any additional features like wireless streaming, multi-room audio capabilities, and ease of use. Your room size and acoustics should also influence your choice.

These numbers refer to the speaker configurations supported by AV receivers. A 5.1 system includes five speakers (front left, center, front right, rear left, and rear right) and one subwoofer. A 7.1 system adds two more speakers (usually placed behind the listener) to the 5.1 setup. Atmos systems, such as 5.1.2, add height channels (the last number) to create a three-dimensional sound experience, with sounds coming from above the listener as well as around them.

While AV receivers primarily handle audio processing and amplification, they can impact picture quality through video pass-through features. Modern receivers support 4K, HDR, and other video enhancements, ensuring that the video signal from source devices to your TV or projector is of high quality. Some receivers also include video upscaling, which can improve lower-resolution video to better match the capabilities of a 4K display.