Do Expensive AV Receivers Sound Better than Cheap Ones?
Do Expensive AV Receivers Sound Better than Cheap Ones?
Audioholics GoFundMe: https://bit.ly/GOFUNDAUDIOHOLICS
We discuss whether or not higher priced AV receivers can sound better than inexpensive ones. Many factors determine sound quality such as the ability for the receiver’s amp section to supply distortion free wattage to your speakers. What do you get with the more expensive receivers that can lead to better sound quality? Watch this video to find out.
For the full written review, please visit:
https://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews
Audioholics Recommendations Amazon Shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/audioholics
Audioholics Recommended Cables:
250ft CL2 12AWG Speaker Cable: https://amzn.to/2vwS9QH
Locking Banana Plugs: https://amzn.to/2ZQt15x
9ft 4K HDR HDMI Cables: https://amzn.to/2WiIXeD
Audioholics Recommended Electronics:
Onkyo TX-RZ840 THX7.2CH AV Receiver:https://amzn.to/2n6NzrK
Yamaha RX-A3080 9.2CH AV Receiver: https://amzn.to/2VzA03v
Denon AVR-X6500H 11.2CH AV Receiver: https://amzn.to/2LelABB
Audioholics Recommended Speakers:
SVS Prime 5.1 Speaker / Sub System: https://amzn.to/2GWoFCn
Klipsch RP-8000F Tower Speakers: https://amzn.to/2Vd8QQn
Pioneer SP-FS52 Speakers: https://amzn.to/2n7SyIJ
Sony SSCS5 Speakers: https://amzn.to/2ndEn56
SVS SB-3000 13″ Subwoofer: https://amzn.to/2XYxqBr
Follow us on:
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/audioholics
FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/Audioholics
GOOGLE PLUS
https://plus.google.com/+Audioholics
TWITTER
Tweets by AudioholicsLive
#receivers #audiophile #amplifiers
I think viewing habits as a part to say in this subject, for example if you’re into action movies, you can more less get away with a budget receiver! but if ones favourite genre is horror then one would be looking more for a refined AV, so when the quiet scenes come in, that’s exactly what you hear QUIETNESS rather than hear the cheap standard Transformers humming away in the background! Lol
That’s why old analog is better for music
I went from a 7.1 channel sony dh520 receiver that was about 299 bucks, to a sony 7.2 sony dn1040 for $599, and there’s a big difference. My speakers are polk audio t15- 5.25 inch bookshelf speakers ($99 each pair) for the front and surrounds. And a polk csr dual 5.25 inch center channel($49 online newegg.com). A polk audio 12 inch psw505 sub($169 new online at newegg.com). The upgraded receiver brought out better clarity and dynamics and the extra processing features helped make it sound better as well. So yes even for a 300 dollar increase, I could hear the difference on even lower end budget speakers. I can only imagine what a sony flagship 3,000 receiver is like or even separates.
How is it that a 5 ,7 or whatever channel receivers can possibly work well with one power supply, yet, 70s audio gear often use 2 separate supplies .
yeah, i have a creative soundblaster zxr in my computer and the lowest end pioneer receiver. I also have a dolby atmos system with klipsch premiere 600 series speakers. long story short I had to take my sound card out to get dolby atmos working and now everything has defects, sound cuts out periodically, and there is a low static noise. which receiver do you think would maximize these speakers?
The microphone choices in these videos are different eras. This was part of the Tribble era 🤣. Great content as always so a huge thank you, Gene
Buy a killer preamp and a powerful PA main amp (i.e. QSC, CROWN, ASHLEY, etc.) You can drive 4 ohms (or possibly less) easily, safely, and with great dynamics, dependability, and reliability. I would rather have a great 2 channel system with amazing speakers then a mediocre multi-channel system, anyday- even for movies. I don’t like subwoofers for listening to music because the bass can tend to be "non- musical". Just my opinion. I use a 500 watt per channel QSC amp in my system with 10" 3-way sealed cab speakers that I designed. Very tight, musical bass and amazing clarity and headroom. You won’t get that with the majority of today’s receivers.
Dude you’ve been brainwashed. We buy entire production of manufacturers. They can’t even keep up. Same with motorcycles. It’s all they can do just to keep up.
Not true! I have both high end & low end receiver! I have both Marantz SR8500 & Marantz SR5600, both sound awesome! Love it!
with all respect but to me its BS about the impedance switch. My 4om speakers sounds better when its on the 4om position and if its on 6om they just booming annoyingly and the res becomes hot
What if you’re not interested in 11 channel surround sound? Maybe you are happy with only two channels (or perhaps 4 max).
Why would I want to decorate my small living room with a plethora of speakers when I would enjoy this type of sound maybe once or twice a year?
I think you could buy a set up with one or perhaps two decent stereo receivers with speakers and everything with really good sound for 1500 dollars or less.
I’m in the market for a new AV receiver. Doing a lot of research I find that The AV receivers with 9 or more
audio outputs weigh a lot more than AV receivers with 7 or fewer outputs. Price wise I’d say around $1,000.00
for an AV receiver with 9 outputs. Old saying "You get what you pay for"!!!
Wow lots of info, great…
What if you have 8ohm speakers them do you still need a 2k receiver? Like then would a 700 receiver be ok
But not everyone needs 11 or 13 channels and and 140 watts per channel.
Think he’s a Trekkie!
Are the more recent Arcam receivers considered robust compared to Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, Onkyo?
What would happen if i connected a horn speaker to an av receiver?
Uh what? English, please lol
Agreed. I ran 5803. Great sounding amp. Thought I could get away with a newer a lot less expensive denon. Nope. Couldn’t drive speakers and just lacking features. 👍✌
My wife and I purchased a system back in the late 80’s or 90’s, can’t remember when: Onkyo M508 and P308 Amp/Preamp system. How does that stack up to today’s equipment on the market. Might be moving to Europe in about 5 years and wondering whether power step down will be an issue ?
I’d love to do an a/b test. Flagship vs mid-level AVR or even an entry-level model. Same room same speaker same volume. Maybe you could do this for us since you have access to so much gear. Blind fold 3 people. People who know nothing about electronics. Not interested in HT tech/HiFi tech. Then take 3 "experienced" listeners.
I’ll bet if you take the 850 and the new 6600 or 4400 8k AVRS…play them at the "same" volume levels…You won’t hear a difference. The volume you watch movies at usually. Or listen to music at. Most of us don’t watch movies at reference levels. Or anywhere close to.
Guys, if you can afford, Yamaha Aventage Receivers are the one to go for Music lovers, as it has a full-bodied sound over any of the denons available today.
Do the other 2 guys ever talk?
No. Consumer Reports noted in the 90’s that receiver and amplifier electronics reached a point where they were all excellent at reproducing sound with low THD. Only difference is power.
And tube amps? Questionable at best. See Rick Beato’s investigation of different sampling rates where a musician/producer with perfect pitch did no better than a coin flip picking higher fidelity samples. It’s a way to beat the Jonses and that’s about it.
Hard to find acheap, slim av receiver, all I need is a good amp for pc, the hdmi is just easy and good, all I want is 1 hdmi in (pref 2 because console, or better yet 1 dp in and 1 hdmi in) and 1 hdmi out. (or dp, also fine), DTS and Dolby in, and banana plugs if possible. Add in 3D sound for headphones (or not if too expensive) and done. Do not need a load of power anyway, 20-50 watts per channel in more than enough.
They should really make something like this and sell em. I would happily do it myself but hdmi and Dolby and DTS licensing and chips are not for the DIY crowd at all.
Where have all the av receivers gone? Is the pandemic causing them all to be bought up? I cant find any for sale except used ones on ebay.
Also did Yamaha stop making receivers in 2018?
Not going into diminishing returns, I am totally happy with a $300 Sony 5.1 AV receiver. And by the way, who has an ideal room for listening?
Uuuh yes
Great, I just learned a lot, and all that I did not know, and a lot of don’t understand my question is the Denon 4500H good for mid size bedroom?
If this guy’s saying that a $500 receiver is no good, _who knows_ how trash my current $250 receiver is! 🙁 And here I thought I was going big if I was to consider a $400-600 receiver.
I have a denon 3600h, would adding an emotiva basx a300 do anything? I just have some klipsch rp8000f
The problem see with new receavers they put to much stuff in them that you won’t use a they are complicated for most peaple and they are price range for most peaple the higher end is better can’t afford it I like old stuff better when it comes to music
I use The new preamp mode on my sr7015, the internal is completly off.
This video answered clearly why my vsx 530 sounds better than 932. Thanks for ur Video. Having more channels doesnt have a big deal unless we have content to feed.
Power, power, money into power. I have learned the first thing to look at is the power supply. Second thd. Thirdly that it has some future proofing. (Well, first I get into my price bracket and know I need to move up notch. Cheap is always bad in home audio. Always.)
Denon receivers are great if one like having a soundtrack loud all of the time, but when one has got the volume on low to medium that’s where one can’t hide the quality of its sound. A good quality AV doesn’t just sound good on high volume it should sound good on low volume too! after auditioning a couple of Denon receivers the 3600h and the 6500h ‘there anything but quality’ all one can hear is the Transformers hammering away in the background! Lol
There are cheap receivers too?
hi i recently jumped from 4400h to 8500h, same songs same movies sounded more roomy and dynamic on the 8500. it is like a black and white difference……
What is the purpose of a reciver? As far as i read it on google it says it recives signal of audio and video and send it to screen. I understand the purpose of an Amplifier, as far as i know it sends power to passive speakers, but receivers, i dont see a market
I have not been able to find anything as good as my Yamaha DSPA 1
What about older expensiv or newer cheaper? I bought recently older pioneer vsxD 2011 7.1 5x100W and newer pioneer vsx 930k 7.2 5x100W didn’t test them yet coz I sold my speakers to upgrade for jamo c97. I can say straight away that older has better quality materials and is 10 kg heavier. But newer has atmos . But which will have better quality sound?
Not always, depends on so many factors and your overall setup in our opinion.
Hello Sir, can you advice me which avr to buy for my existing speakers?
6
Yes.. durp, because a cheap receiver is not going to have the capacity for clean conversion , isn’t going to have the DACs, the wattage, or even the hardware to do a great (let alone magnificent) job @ decoding, upscaling, or converting anything. You get what you pay for in MOST cases, but even NOW ‘flagship’ AVRs are missing crucial abilities and capacities. I bought the Onkyo 3030.. the last great AVR ONKYO produced, and FUCK ME if they left off DTS-X after promising to make it available in a hardware update
I appreciate your videos, even though I did a tone of research I’m still unsure of the exact receiver to buy. I understand what your saying about receivers under $500 but until I can afford better can you give you opinion on what I should go with between Yamaha RX-V685, Yamaha Avantage RX-A680 or Denon AVR- S750H
There might be some differences in sound between a cheap receiver and an expensive receiver, but I expect those differences to be so small (unless you’re talking about a REALLY cheap receiver) that they won’t make much if any difference to most people.
There IS a good reason not to buy more expensive receivers though. Basically all HDMI-capable receivers these days are basically DSP computers with an attached amplifier, and when something on that digital board goes, the end result is a useless hunk of metal and a repair bill that’s likely to be so high that it makes more sense to just buy a new receiver. Gone are the days when a tech could go in there with a multimeter and a soldering iron and fix the problem with a $5 part. And yes, this is what has happened to my current receiver. Seven years of service and now it’s a useless hunk of plastic and metal. And my 30 (!) year old and still perfectly-functioning stereo integrated amplifier is filling in duties for the moment.
For this reason I’ve set $500 as the MOST I’d spend on any modern receiver, and I’m currently looking at the Yamaha RX-V585. At $499 (B&H), it offers all the features I need and more, and at 80 Wpc (2 channels driven), it will be more than enough for my small system. I’d have gone for one of the lower models, but they don’t offer 7.1 channels or surround sound. Sony has cheaper 7.1 receivers available, but they don’t offer connectivity to Deezer.
An ideal solution would be a separate HDMI-capable "pre-amp", but good luck finding one that offers the same features that can just get in a cheap receiver anyway.
Great job
I am looking for a 7.2 receiver. Please recommend which one sound the best