Best Receiver Reviews

Wize Buying Guide for Receivers

The features and specs of digital receivers can be daunting; with big technological advances in just a few years, digital receivers have come a long way. But you can find a digital receiver that is right for your home entertainment center, and if you know what to look for, you might find the decision to be relatively easy.

To help you in your search, here are a few features and specifications to consider to ensure that you go home with the best possible receiver.

Channels

The more channels your receiver handles, the better your listening experience will be. In the old days of stereo, 2 channels was standard; today it's hard to find a stereo receiver with fewer than 5.1 channels, and you'll probably want at least that many. The numerology can be confusing, so here's a breakdown of what all of those channels entail:

• 2.0 Channels – front left and right speakers

• 5.1 Channels – front left and right, center, left and right rear surround, sub-woofer speakers

• 6.1 Channels – front left and right, center, rear surround, sub-woofer, 2 side surround speakers

• 7.1 Channels – front left and right, center, left and right rear surround, sub-woofer, 2 side surround speakers

• 9.1 Channels – front left and right, center, left and right rear surround, sub woofer, 4 side surround speakers

(“.0” = no sub woofer and “.1” = 1 sub woofer)

Look for an output of at least 100 Watts per channel.

Digital Sound Features

There are currently 10 surround sound formats on the market, and your receiver does the job of "decoding" those formats and outputting sound. Your price range, how many speakers you have or want to purchase, the quality of sound and the kind of sound you want to hear (movie sound effects, classical music, thumping bass) are are all determined by sound format:

• Dolby Digital - with 6 discreet sound channels, this is the standard of HDTV and DVD, and most entry-level stereo receivers will be equipped with Dolby Digital 5.1 

• Dolby Digital EX - a little "extra" with center and rear channels
  

• DTS – multi-channel surround sound, comparable to Dolby Digital but bassier
  

• DTS-HD -- high-resolution master audio common to Blu-ray discs and players; a higher-end format
  

• DTS NEO:6 – converts stereo sound to 5.1 or 6.1 channels

• Dolby Pro Logic – approximates 7.1 sound playback; great for classical music enthusiasts
  

• Dolby Digital Pro Logic II – extracts 5 channels from stereo source

Best Digital Receivers

Based on customer reviews, the best digital receivers in specific categories are as follows:

• Home Theater: Onkyo TX – SR 705 and Onkyo TX – R805

• Audio and Video: Onkyo TX – SR 705 and Onkyo TX – SR 305

• Surround Sound: Onkyo TX – SR 705 and Onkyo TX – R805

• High End: Onkyo TX – R805 and Yamaha RX – V2700

Buying a Digital Receiver

To narrow down your choices once you have a better idea of the digital receiver you want, make sure you consider some of the little details that distinguish good receivers from great ones. 

• Controls: does the receiver have a clear, legible on-screen display? Does the control console look easy-to-use and intuitive?
  

• Set up: Look online to find a product guide, and read customer reviews. Will the receiver be simple to set up and compatible with the rest of your audio system? Do you have the peripherals you need, or will you have to purchase extra speakers and cables?

• Type of remote: Make sure the remote is streamlined and easy-to-use, with big buttons and backlighting. If it does not come with a remote, you will need a compatible universal remote.

• Inputs and outputs: Think about all of the equipment your receiver is going to handle: A VCR or DVD player, cable or satellite TV, CD players, iPods or other mp3 players, turntables, etc. Make sure the receiver has enough sources and will be compatible with the connectors you are going to use. The same goes for output: consider all of the speakers and amplifiers you want your receiver to communicate with.
  

• Special features: many of the receivers on the market today have the capability to access the internet, play XM/satellite radio, even download digital media files from your computer or from the web. These special features can be enticing, but especially if you're on a budget, consider sound quality first, whistles and bells second, so you get the best possible value.
  

You may want to go to the store to see these digital receivers up close and personal, but remember that comparison shopping online tends to get you the best deal. Good luck!