A good quality AV receiver is really important for your home theater. Selecting a receiver with all the necessary features among so many different brands is a tough task.
However, a bit of research and knowledge of some features and specifications can help you buy a good product in no time.
In this article, you will find top-reviewed AV receivers with a detailed description of their features and usage, pros, cons, buyer’s guidelines and more.
Top Pick
This neatly designed receiver comes with advanced circuitry design, Bluetooth streaming and two high-power channels. It can be a suitable choice for your home theater system.
Runner Up
An AV receiver with good performance, Wifi connectivity and Dolby Atmos vision, this speaker is great for casual users and experienced veterans alike. It’s also very easy to set up.
Also Great
This is a versatile AV receiver with Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in FM tuner and a power amplifier. It’s a great purchase if you have multiple types of devices you want to pair with it.
Best Receivers for Bose Speakers - Top 3 Reviews
These were our top picked AV receivers and now we will give detailed descriptions about their features and specifications.
#1: Best Sleek-designed Receiver for Bose Speakers - Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver Review
The Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver comes with the premium Yamaha audio features that will provide you with a cinematic home theater experience.
It provides you with wireless Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to stream multiple music services and applications on your phone or other media player devices.
The built-in FM/AM tuner provides a wide range of station channels that you can easily stream. The receiver channels ensure a high-power output
The sleek aluminium design gives it a premium look that will compliment the overall appearance of your home theater audio system.
Features of Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver
- Wireless Bluetooth connectivity
- ECO mode
- 40 station presets
- Frequency response: 10Hz-100kHz
- Multiple speaker connection
- Premium design and build quality
- Built-in FM/AM tuners
- Speaker selector feature
- Eco-friendly
- Multiple music streaming options
- The Bluetooth connectivity range is not wide enough
Best Sleek-designed Receiver for Bose Speakers
The best sleek-designed receiver for Bose speakers is Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver because it provides a good combination of high performance output, sleek build design and wireless connectivity.
#2. Best 2-Channel Receiver for Bose Speakers - Onkyo TX-8020 Stereo Receiver Review
The Onkyo TX-8020 two-channel Stereo Receiver is a budget-friendly AV receiver that delivers great performance with smart streaming functions.
It provides multiple connectivity options. You either use the Wifi streaming connection or you can use audio speaker cables. The wide range amplifier technology ensures a high quality audio production with a decent bass and balance controls.
You can easily connect this receiver with any speaker without worrying about the compatibility issues. It comes with a EI transformer that allows a fast connectivity with DS/AS Airplay devices like iPods, iPhones or iPads.
The high power 2-channel drivers and amplification features will uplift your home theater experience.
Features of Onkyo TX-8020 Stereo Receiver
- 2-channel drivers
- WRAT technology
- Balance control
- FM/AM tuners
- EI transformer
- Phono input
- Supports high-speed wifi connection
- Affordable price
- Easy compatibility
- Compact design
- Multiple wiring inputs
- Sound breakage due to connectivity issues
Best 2-Channel Receiver for Bose Speakers
The best 2-channel receiver for Bose speakers is Onkyo TX-8020 Stereo Receiver because it provides you with all the necessary features of a receiver at an affordable price. If you are looking for an AV receiver with multiple connectivity options and built-in sound amplifier then this might be a good option for your home entertainment system.
#3. Best High-resolution Receiver for Bose Speakers - Sony STRDH190 Home Stereo Receiver
The Sony STRDH190 Home Stereo Receiver provides you with high definition sound quality and built-in stereo audio system. It amplifies the entire audio system performance.
The built-in Bluetooth technology allows you to stream multiple music services from different audio channels and applications. It also comes with a built-in FM radio tuner that has 30 station presets.
You can connect upto four different speakers at one time without any cable or audio signal interference. It comes with a minimalist design and size that can easily fit-in your regular AV receiver cabinets.
Features of Sony STRDH190 Home Stereo Receiver
- High resolution audio
- In-built power amplifier
- 30 FM stations
- Wireless remote control
- RCA audio inputs
- Bluetooth technology
- Minimal compact design
- Easy installation
- Can connect upto four speakers at one time
- Packaging includes remote control and batteries
- Stereo sound experience
- Can’t efficiently handle high sound volumes
Best High-resolution Receiver for Bose Speakers
The best high-resolution receiver for Bose speakers is Sony STRDH190 Home Stereo Receiver because it comes in a compact design with high audio dynamics that will be suitable for your home theater audio system. If you need a high quality AV receiver with fast and easy wireless connection then this might be a suitable choice for you.
Buyers' Guide
What is an AV receiver?
If you are setting up your home theater system for the first time, you must be new to a lot of terms and audio features/products. An AV receiver is one of the most important audio components in a home theater system.
It is important for you to have a basic concept of its specifications and features so that you can buy a good quality product.
An AV receiver is responsible for receiving, interpreting and processing the TV audio signals before sending the final audio output to the TV screen and speakers.
You can connect multiple speakers with one receiver, depending on the receiver’s capacity. Generally, a standard AV receiver can support more than five amplifiers that can be connected with more than five speakers at one time.
Stereo Speaker
If you don’t want a multiple input receiver then you can opt for a stereo receiver.
A stereo receiver has two amplifiers that are used to power two stereo speakers. This receiver can be connected to a TV but it will not give a stereo sound experience.
What are the important factors to consider while buying an AV receiver?
A good quality AV receiver is important for a home theater audio system. It acts as a main hub that connects your speakers with different audio components that will uplift your listening experience.
Whether you are upgrading your receiver or buying it for the first time, searching for a good product can be a tough task because you need to look for multiple factors and specifications.
Following are some important features to consider before you buy an AV receiver:
Power Output
Power output is one of the important factors to consider while buying a receiver. Your receiver purchase will depend on the power rating of your speakers. Generally, the power rating of AV receivers is mentioned in watts per channel.
Each channel indicates one speaker. You need to check that the resistance/impedance rating of your speakers matches with the rating of receiver. Most of the AV receivers have an impedance rating of 8 ohms.
The power rating and impedance of the speakers is generally mentioned on the speaker itself or in the user manual that is provided by the manufacturers.
It is always better to buy a receiver that has a considerably high power rating than the speakers.
Video Inputs
The video input in an AV receiver provides video signal connectivity. The latest AV receivers have the HDMI input feature for a smooth and quality connection with your TV or projector screen.
If you want this feature then it is important for you to buy a receiver which is compatible with your TV or whatever video equipment you are using.
However, if you want to connect multiple devices then you will be needing a receiver with multiple HDMI inputs. It is preferable to buy an AV receiver that has at least three HDMI inputs.
Audio Inputs
An AV receiver is capable of accepting audio signals from different mediums and inputs. It supports audio from HDMI inputs, digital optical cables and analogue stereo inputs (AUX wire cables).
All these audio inputs do not require any particular specification in the receiver but if you want to listen to the vinyl records then you will have to buy a receiver that supports phono input.
You can also connect your media/audio player devices with the receiver using an additional AUX cable. There are many AV receivers that provide a standard 3.5mm jack for AUX cables and a separate jack for connecting a microphone.
AirPlay Compatibility
If you are an IOS user then this feature is something that you might consider looking for, while buying an AV receiver.
The latest receivers offer the AirPlay feature that allows the IOS device users to wirelessly stream music from different audio streaming applications on the device.
If you want to play your music collection that is stored in your phone or any other device then buying a receiver with AirPlay feature might be a good option for you.
Receiver Calibration
When you are setting up a home theater system, it is important for you to check that all the audio components are connected properly and have a smooth functioning.
The automatic speaker calibration is a feature that allows the AV receiver to analyze the audio of speakers and automatically adjust it according to various dynamics.
The receiver determines the speaker size and speaker distance from the listener by testing tones and monitoring the sound through a microphone. This technology enables the entire audio system to have a top notch connection and functioning.
How many channels are required in an AV receiver?
The channels of an AV receiver can be referred as speakers. You can as many receiver channels as you want, depending on the number of speakers in your theater audio system.
The more number of speakers you will have, the better will be the listening experience. Generally, a standard AV receiver has five channels. But if you are looking for an actual cinematic sound experience then you should buy a seven channel receiver.
Following are some of the channels and their specification:
2-channels
A 2-channel receiver is used for old two-speaker stereo sets. These are outdated and are not used commonly these days.
2.1-channels
This receiver is designed for a slight upgrade in a stereo system. This stereo set has two speakers and an additional subwoofer.
3.1-channels
A 3.1-channel receiver is compatible with an audio set that has two front speakers and one center speaker.
5.1-channels
A 5.1-channel receiver is used for a theater audio system. This supports an audio system with two front speakers, two back speakers and one center speaker.
This speaker setup provides a much fuller and multi-dimensional audio dispersion. You can get the 5.2-channel receiver if you want to add an additional subwoofer to uplift your overall audio experience.
7.1-channels
If you have a wide theater area then you will be needing more speakers for a loud and high quality audio dispersion. Following the same speaker setting as 5.1-channel, there will be additional two speakers in the 7.1-channel receiver.
9.1-channel
A 9.1-channel receiver is required when you need a high definition cinematic home theater experience. It works for an audio set that has front, back, center and ceiling speakers. This speaker setup will deliver a three-dimensional sound with detail and accuracy.
What are the major functions of an AV receiver?
Before you buy an AV receiver for your theater speaker setup, it is important for you to know and understand the features. Following are some main functions and features of an AV receiver:
Connecting and Switching between audio sources
You can connect different audio sources like digital audio players or CD players with your AV receiver. You can connect all the audio sources at one time and play them according to your preferences.
The receiver allows you to switch between different sources without manually inserting or removing any connection cables. You can connect the audio sources and easily select the one that you want to listen to.
Connecting and Switching between video sources
The AV receiver also allows you to connect different video sources. The content in these video sources is further transferred to the TV or projector screens.
There are multiple advantages of this receiver function. It is helpful when you want to select between blu-ray or DVD media, connect the gaming consoles or other media player devices through which you can stream different media channels and applications.
You can easily switch between these sources using the receiver buttons or the remote control that is included in the receiver package. You will not have to manually change the cables of any particular video source.
Amplification of Audio Signals
The major function of an AV receiver is the provision of 5 or more channels for the entire speaker range in your theater audio system.
The receiver channels provide adequate power to the speakers that ensure a multi-dimensional sound surround output. The receiver ensures that the right channel signal reaches to the right speaker.
It delivers a clear and accurate audio without any interference and distortion.
Decodes Sound-surround Audio Format
The latest home theater speaker systems come with sound surround technologies like Dolby Atmos, for multi-dimensional sound experience.
The AV receiver decodes the analogue and digital sound surround formats. These audio formats deliver a true cinematic sound. This audio decoding function is only supported by the AV receivers.
FM/AM Tuners
Most of the AV receivers have built-in FM/AM tuners. You can easily tune in your favourite radio channels with any additional configurations. The latest AV receivers have satellite audio receivers that might charge for additional service charges.
User Interface
The AV receiver provides you with an easy user interface that allows you to set the entire theater system.
There are multiple user interface options that include the receiver’s remote control, the front panel display of the receiver and the on-screen display of the TV or projector. You can easily connect and optimize the theater audio system.
Multiple Connectivity Options
The latest and upcoming AV receiver models provide different connectivity options like Wifi, Bluetooth wireless connection, wireless video casting or screen-mirroring (for IOS devices).
You can easily get the receiver and main set of speakers paired with your media player devices using any of these connectivity options.
If your device is not compatible with any of the wireless networks, you manually connect it with the receiver using the AUX cable wire. The receivers have a standard AUX jack and an additional AUX cable wire for an easy connection.
What features are important to connect the AV receiver with a TV or projector screen?
Following are some important key features that are important to consider for connecting the receiver with your TV:
Switching 4K Signals
It is important for the receiver to support the 4K switching of video signals. 4K is one of the best and highest video resolutions that are available for home video mediums. It ensures the deliverance of high-quality image and graphics.
Even if you sit near the screen, you will get a clear image quality without any distorted pixels.
Built-in Wireless Connection
If you want to stream videos and movies then you need your TV to be connected with the home Wifi network.
To avoid the manual-wired connection with the Wifi network, you should buy an audio system that provides a built-in Wifi feature so you can easily connect all the speakers and TV with your media player devices, wirelessly.
Sound Surround Formats
Sound surround formats are important if you need real cinematic sound in your home theater system.
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are the most commonly used sound surround formats that deliver a high-quality multi-dimensional audio.
So if this feature is important in your audio requirements, you should buy an AV receiver that supports both or any one of these audio formats.
HDR Formats
This is another latest video format that provides a high dynamic range of different video characteristics like colour, contrast and quality of picture.
There are other formats like HDR10, Dolby Atmos and HLG that provide the high definition video/audio experience. It is important for you to check before buying the receiver whether the receiver is capable of supporting these formats or not.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do I need an AV receiver?
For any home theatre speaker system, AV receivers are significant or referred to as the nervous system of the sound system. From this metaphor, we can extract the need of AV receivers that is to provide many functions as mentioned below:
- It works and sorts out the format associated to your DVD for surround sound
- It drives your loudspeakers
- As home theatre sound system consists of both audio and video components, it helps in switching between them
- Produces a better and high fidelity surround sound
Conclusively, if you are looking out for a good and fine sound system for your home theatre then you will have to get an AV receiver of high quality.
How many inputs are required?
Under normal conditions, an AV receiver should have six inputs. These are the audio inputs that a receiver should have because it fulfills the metrics of sufficient signals.
As there are chances of analog signals being disturbed. Even in this case, these inputs might be occupied by the six outputs.
Can I use an AV receiver for music?
For the loud music listeners, it is actually not an ideal component. AV receivers fail to produce a sufficiently powered sound or music. The fact is that they are underpowered.
AV receivers usually fail to produce concert-like signals for a good and loud sound. However, they can improve your sound quality.
What is the difference between an amplifier and receiver?
An amplifier is equipped with a speaker to turn low sound signals into high ones. It helps the signals gain enough power to work on a pair of speakers.
On the other hand, a receiver is an amplifier but with an inbuilt radio. This radio is another input attached to an amplifier but you won’t need more components than a pair of speakers merely.
Conclusively, all receivers are amplifiers but not all amplifiers are receivers.
How do I set up my receiver with the home theater system?
There are three cables namely as, Coaxial cable, audio cable or optical digital cable. You can connect either of these to the Audio output jack present on your television.
Take the other end of any cable you choose to connect and plug it to the jacks which are corresponding to the cable present on AV receiver or your home theatre speaker.
However, the input can be labeled as both TV input or Video input and it depends upon the type of device you are using.
Can a receiver be used as a power amplifier?
Yes, however it is not an ideal option to choose. For true music listeners, it will not be as good an alternative as it will not give out fine sound quality.
How can I uplift my home theater experience?
Following are the 8 ways to uplift your home theatre experience
- Make sure you buy matching speakers
- A dedicated circuit might prove beneficial for system
- Changing the placement of speaker
- Changing or replacing the cabling system of your theatre system
- Enhance your subwoofer quality for a deep bass
- Keep your amplifier or speaker upgraded
- Improve your center channel
- Keep the lights of your room under your control
Can two AV receivers be connected together?
Although, it is technically not possible to connect but there is a way to generate multiple audio. You can connect another (second) amplifier to your speaker through an AV receiver.
This may help you to connect numerous speakers to your system. It will provide you with stereo sound with a comparatively fine vocal quality.
From where can I get a budget-friendly receiver?
Maximum price range of the receivers is up to $1000. Most commonly, people buy receivers from brands that have their price ranging from $200 to $600.
Receivers for beginners or the listeners who want to remain basic with their music experience can buy receivers ranging from $150 to $300 with following features.
- Audio channel 5.1 (basic)
- Basic surround sound decoding that is DTS (Digital Theatre Systems) or Dolby Digital
- Single frequency with power wattage of 50-100 watts
- Limited bandwidth
- Multiple connectivity features like S-video, video, or digital audio inputs
Midrange receivers have price ranging from $300- $600 with features namely as,
- Advance surround sound decoding with additional audio channels 7.1 and 6.1
- On screen set up for easy access to control center
- Has advance DSP sound modes
- Higher number of connectivity inputs
High range receivers have a price range of $600 or above. They provide you with numerous features in accordance with their price.
- Crystal clear sound
- Multi-connectivity is a feature that allows you to connect two or more rooms at once or play several devices simultaneously
- A/B speaker switching and multi-connectivity
- Has high power wattage because of which it gives out finely clear sound
- Bass control options
- Has inbuilt and automatic room setup
Final Verdict
In this article, we have enlisted the top three receivers for Bose speakers to uplift your home theater sound experience.
Observing their features and reviews, Sony STRDH190 Home Stereo Receiver is the best among all. As compared to the other AV receivers, it is the highest resolution receiver with an in-built power amplifier, wireless Bluetooth connectivity and a compact-sized build structure that can easily fit-in the cabinet.
Let us know about your thoughts in the comments below.