With so many features, brands and models to choose from, it’s hard to know which AV receiver is really going to suit your needs. The model you choose will need to serve a number of purposes in your home theater setup. It should play nice with the TV you have and any TVs you plan on adding in the future, while also fitting snugly into a designated space on a wall or bookshelf.
In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the best AV receivers under $500 that are available on the market today. We’ll discuss what they offer as well as their pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision as to which one meets your needs best
Top 8 Best AV Receivers Under $500 Reviewed
1. Denon AVR-S540BT
Denon is usually known as one of the brands that make audiophiles happy. Their products are always high quality. One of the outstanding representatives of the Denon name that must be mentioned is the Denon AVR-S540BT AV receiver with a versatile design that has completed all users’ movie viewing experiences.
This AV receiver costs just under $500, so any audiophile can afford this design. Despite being a highly affordable option, the AVR-S540BT still has many state-of-the-art audio technologies.
Users can find a lot of modern technology applied in the AV receiver. Specifically, This device has 5 HDMI inputs with 3D support. Out of the 5 HDMI inputs, there are 3 of which that support HDCP 2.2/4K 60p and 4K Ultra HD with 4:4:4 Pure Color for more immersive movie experiences.
The AVR-X540BT also has Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to play music wirelessly from your phone. The USB port on the front of the receiver supports WAV, MP3, WMA, FLAC, and AAC music formats so you can plug in your USB and go.
Denon AVR-X540BT is a 5.2 channel receiver with 130W of power on each channel and is compatible with 6 Ohms impedance speakers. The Eco mode changes the number of watts your receiver emits in this unit depending on how loud you are playing. This can save a lot of energy.
2. Sony STR-DH790
The Sony STR-DH790 AV Receiver is one of Sony’s most popular receivers because it gives you the best surround sound experience for today’s movies and TV Shows.
This receiver has both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to give you the best audio quality possible. It also comes with a 7.2 channel configuration for delivering immersive surround sound with dynamic clarity.
It supports all types of modern inputs including 4K video and HDMI 2.1 and Bluetooth, so there’s no need to worry about your old devices not working with this receiver. With 4 times more pixels than Full HD, for a more detailed picture that’s crisper and clearer on larger screens.
STR-DH790 AV Receiver is an audio system that has the D.C.A.C feature to analyze and adjust the audio for optimal sound in every room, Dolby Atmos decoding to create three-dimensional surround sound. It also has a low profile design that makes it easy to place on top of your TV set, bookshelf or desk without getting in the way of other electronic components.
The Sony STR DH790 is one of the best AV receivers under $500. It provides excellent value and can be great if you are looking to upgrade your current system.
3. Sony STR-DH590
The Sony STR-DH590 is a 5.2-channel AV receiver that will be perfect for your home theater. It offers a range of features that are designed to make the user experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
It has four HDMI inputs, one HDMI output, HDCP2.2 making it easy to create a system that accommodates your high definition (HD) TV, Blu-ray Disc player, game console, and various other audio/video components. You will enjoy the crisp sound and an excellent picture with this receiver.
The S Force PRO delivers virtual surround sound for an immersive cinema experience. The receiver also has Bluetooth standby, so you can turn it on from your phone to resume your favorite TV show or music after getting home from work.
Sony STR-DH590 AV Receiver is designed to enhance the audio and video experience. It provides 4K HDR picture quality that improves the quality of your viewing experience. You can enjoy movies in 4K HDR without having to install any additional equipment or pay for extra features you don’t need like wireless streaming services (Netflix, Hulu). So with this receiver, you can enjoy what you want to currently watch on your TV at no extra cost.
4. Yamaha RX-V4A
The RX-V4A is a product from Yamaha, with a beautiful design and most modern equipment. It is ideal for a movie theater with its robust sound quality. You can enjoy movies of high quality without interruption.
The front of the RX-V4A is arranged scientifically with the power button system, control tray, and detailed and precise display screen to monitor and control easily. The back is the connection port and jack to connect with other devices, meeting the diverse entertainment needs.
Yamaha RX-V4A AV Receiver has 5.2 channels and up to 80W of power for each channel, providing a realistic sound. It is the perfect combination of shape and performance.
The RX-V4A supports HD and HDR video, giving you images with contrast that is more vibrant than ever before. Bright, captivating colors make every frame in your favorite movie genuinely come alive.
Supports resolutions up to 8K/4K and high-refresh rates, the upgrade cable seamlessly integrates with HDMI, delivering the highest quality when enjoying sharp, action movies.
The eARC enhanced audio feedback channel delivers high-resolution, multi-channel audio formats for movies.
Smart voice control with professional assistants Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, everything becomes professional and modern.
5. Onkyo TX-NR595
The Onkyo TX-NR595 AV Receiver is the flagship model in the TX series. It has six HDMI inputs and dual HDMI output, which can be used for audio-visual devices like Blu-ray players, game consoles, and media players.
The TX-NR595 has an easy setup that can be completed in less than 10 minutes. The remote control is easy to use, and the user interface is not complicated. There are three different preset settings for movies, music, and TV so that you can get started immediately without any complications.
It uses Dolby Atmos surround sound technology to provide an impeccable audio experience. It also supports the latest surround formats like DTS:X so you can enjoy your favorite movies in their best possible quality.
The TX-NR595 has been engineered from the ground up to be the ideal blend of power, ease of use, and elegance. The cleverly designed aluminum front panel gives it a look that sets it apart from other devices in its class. Combining this with its black high gloss finish makes for an impressive home theater solution that blends in beautifully with any room’s decor.
6. Onkyo TX-SR494
The TX-SR494 is the perfect upgrade for customers who need a receiver to power their home theater or music system. This receiver has got it all. It is built with modern technologies and features an elegantly simple design that makes it easy to use. It is truly one of the best AV receivers under $500 on the market today that will fit into every customer’s needs, both audiophiles and casual listeners alike.
Onkyo TX-SR494 is a 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Atmos-enabled receiver with built-in Bluetooth. The receiver supports all three major high dynamic range formats, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG. This means that the user will enjoy a more immersive listening experience with this product because it delivers high-quality audio with precision and clarity.
7. Yamaha RX-V385
The Yamaha RX V385 is supported with a 5.1 surround sound configuration with a 100W/channel capacity. In which two channels, Front L and Front R, can pull the driver impedance down to 2 Ohms, pushing the power up to 180W/channel.
The RX-V385 integrates Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master formats thanks to three Burr-Brown 384 kHz/32-bit DAC chips. It also features wireless connectivity via built-in Bluetooth, allowing users to stream music from Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Another useful feature of the Yamaha RX-V385 is the YPAO (Yamaha Parametric Acoustic Optimizer). The algorithm automatically corrects the room acoustics thanks to the acoustic analysis system using the included microphone. It automatically updates a few parameters for optimal sound quality and is best suited to the user.
8. Yamaha RX-V383BL
This receiver is one of the most popular products in Yamaha’s Aventage Series product line. It’s also fairly small, making it easy to transport and set up.
The Yamaha RX-V383BL AV receiver is an excellent choice for your next home theater setup. With its 5.1 channel surround sound, you can enjoy movies, music, games, and other media in stunning clarity. And with wireless Bluetooth capability, you can stream music from your phone or tablet without the mess of wires.
With 4K Ultra HD pass-through with HDCP 2.2 support, the RX-V383BL supports all of your favorite entertainment in beautiful high definition.
The outer metal cover is designed to protect the contents of the system, so it’s sturdy and strong. It also has great thermal conductivity, which means you can cool off your device more efficiently while it’s running at full speed.
What is an AV Receiver?
An A/V receiver is a device that receives audio and video input signals, then processes these signals into their respective audio and video outputs.
The receiver does this by means of digital-to-analog conversion for video, analog-to-digital conversion for audio, buffering, switching of sources to displays or recording devices, and other signal processing. The A/V receiver may also provide other functions such as Ethernet connectivity for IP control of playlist selection. AV receivers are sometimes included in home theater systems.
The AV Receiver is the central hub for all of your entertainment needs. You can watch movies on your TV with the help of an AV Receiver. In order to do this, you will need an AV signal from your DVD player or digital media player as well as an HDMI cable from the device into the TV.
How to Choose the Right AV Receiver for You
Below is a list of some of the factors you should consider when looking for a good AV receiver under $500:
Number of channels
The number of channels in an AV receiver will depend on what you plan to use it for. The more channels, the more speakers and inputs you can connect.
For example, if you want a receiver that supports 5.1 surround sound and possibly even 7.1 surround sound, then look for one with at least 8 channels and five inputs – ideally with a minimum number of HDMI ports too. If you want to connect your TV as well as the rest of your components to the receiver, then opt for one with three or four HDMI ports as well as two or three RCA ports (for analog connections).
The first thing to consider when choosing an AV receiver is what type of sound system it will be used with – either stereo or 5.1 surround setup or any other variation thereof. This decision will help you to narrow down the features available and the size of the unit required
Power output
The power output refers to the total continuous audio power that an audio system can produce. The specification for this is given in watts (W). The higher the number, the better it is for your speakers as they can produce higher volume sound.
The power level of your receiver will dictate the size and quality of speakers that you can attach it to. You want a system that can handle everything from large home theaters with massive speakers, to smaller setups with just a couple of rear speakers and an in-wall subwoofer.
Some receivers also have a feature called “surround sound” which determines the amount of speakers you will need in order to get surround sound from your AV receiver.
Connectivity
Today’s AV receivers provide plenty of connectivity options including HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, Bluetooth aptX, ARC (Audio Return Channel) or Wi-Fi which allow for connecting many types of devices to your TV. The more connectivity options an AV receiver has, the more flexibility it offers to its users allowing them to freely choose the best connection option for their needs
Conclusion & Recommendations
This article has explored the best AV receivers for under 500 dollars. For this category, we have selected AV receivers that are both affordable and versatile.
One of the most important aspects of your home theater is the receiver. If you are in the market for a new receiver, there are a lot of options available to choose from. Often, people will spend hours or days researching possible options before making a decision on what they would like to buy. However, if you just want something to work well but cost less than $500, these receivers will work just fine for you.
We recommend the Denon AVR-S540BT because it has many features that make it worth every penny spent on it.
