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Surround sound receivers are at the heart of any good home entertainment system. If you love gaming, watching movies, or listening to music, then getting a decent surround sound receiver is a good way of elevating your audiovisual experience. A good receiver will offer powerful sound and breathtaking images to bring that cinematic feel to your home. We take a look at some of the best surround sound receivers under $500 to help save you time.
Top Surround Sound Receivers Under $500
There are plenty of receivers available on the market today. And although the best ones are pricey, it is still possible to get a quality receiver at $500 or below if you do your homework well.
1. Sony STR-DH790 7.2-ch Surround Sound Home Theater AV Receiver
With this Sony STR-DH790 Surround Sound Home Theater, you can now enjoy a cinematic experience from the comfort of your home. Although it is ideal for small rooms, rest assured that the Sony STRDH790 won’t disappoint you. Indulge your eyes and ears as you immerse yourself in that theatre-like feel while watching your favorite movies.
The most outstanding feature of this device is exceptional audio quality. This receiver has an object-based decoding feature that accurately projects sound to every corner of your room and envelops you from every angle. The receiver also delivers unbelievable 4k quality and is compatible with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Hybrid Log-Gamma for clearer color and greater contrast and brightness.
There are multiple ways to connect to your source devices. You could use HDMI or even connect via coaxial cable for digital and analog audio connections. And if that’s not enough for you, Bluetooth is available too allowing you to stream music directly from your phone.
Pros
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Compact size
- Bluetooth Standby feature to switch on the receiver
- 4K resolution capability
Cons
- Lacks streaming capability
2. Yamaha RX-V385 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver
This receiver allows you to enjoy virtual 5-channel surround sound even when you place your speakers in front of the room. And the bass quality will impress you. It comes with low-range enhancement technology which makes it possible to produce richer bass than any other smaller-sized speakers. Also, it does not lose localization and sound balance even if you’re using a compact front speaker.
This device has complete compatibility and can connect with Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma to give you that smooth tone and awe-inspiring contrast with rich colors. You can connect it to your other devices via Bluetooth or even HDMI.
If you are a gamer or a fan of videos, this receiver can deliver videos of 4K quality at 60 frames per second pass-through for you to enjoy your movies like you would in a cinema.
It comes with a special app through which you can control different settings and functions using your smartphone or tablet. With this app, you can do many things including connecting speakers, the TV, and other source devices.
Pro
- Controller app
- Easy to use
- Versatile connections and compatibility
- Supports 4K resolution
- Ability to bi-amp front speakers
Cons
- Heats up fast
3. Onkyo Surround Sound A/V Receiver
The Onkyo TX-SR373 is an 80-watt receiver with a maximum power output of 155 watts. This makes it powerful enough to fill an entire room with high-quality sound. The crystal clear sound gives you that authentic cinematic sound allowing you to enjoy your movies and music. This device is compatible with both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. It also has a room calibration feature that measures and adjusts the output levels of the speakers depending on their positioning to deliver the perfect surround-sound.
You can connect it to your devices through Bluetooth, USB, or HDMI. There is also a provision to stream content. It has built-in Qualcomm aptX software to facilitate streaming. The video quality is also worth a mention as this surround system is capable of delivering 4K video
The process of setting up is fast and easy as the input and output ports are clearly labeled. You can set up the whole system without looking at the manual.
Pros
- Room calibration feature
- Easy to set up
- Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
- Compact and sleek design
Cons
- No Wi-Fi support
- Limited HDMI in ports
4.Sony STRDH590 5.2-ch Surround Sound Home Theater Receiver
Elevate your home entertainment experience with this cinematic upgrade from Sony, another revered brand in the surround sound receiver space. The Sony STRDH590 packs a punch with amazing features and solid performance. It is ideal for anyone who is looking for clear sound and exceptional video quality without having to break the bank.
However, affordability does not necessarily mean poor quality and this device is proof of that. It has a power output of 145W at 6-ohms which is enough to give a good performance on both the audio and video front. This receiver also supports 4K video and has HDR capability to provide that cinematic feel.
It has multiple input options including Bluetooth and HDMI, which offers the opportunity to play content from a wide range of devices. You can also use the Bluetooth standby feature to turn the receiver on at the touch of your paired device. There is also a provision for a coaxial audio connection. It comes with additional functional capabilities such as FM radio and a multi-channel setup.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to setup
- Value for money
- Bluetooth standby control
Cons
- Not compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Doesn’t support Wi-Fi
5. Denon AVR-S650H UHD Home Theater Surround Sound
Denon is one of the most respected brands when it comes to surround sound receivers and with this AVR-S650 surround sound unit, your movie and gaming experience will never be the same again. It offers an unbelievable resolution of up to 4K quality and supports HDR for exceptional clarity, contrast, and color.
You can connect to and play music from any room in your house by using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and even Airplay. You won’t need a command station or additional hardware for that. Isn’t that convenient?
This receiver also allows you to stream content from Deezer, Spotify, Pandora, and many other streaming services. It is compatible with Alexa meaning you can exercise full control of the system without needing a remote. Everything from switching content to switching inputs can be done using the voice.
And in case you are worried about how to set up, there is an onscreen Denon set up assistant that will give you step by step instruction on how to connect your TV, optimize sound, and configure the EQ settings.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Compatible with Amazon’s Alexa
- Allows streaming of content
- Multiple connectivity
- Supports 4K and HDR
Cons
- Not compatible with HDMI
Summary
As mentioned earlier, it is possible to find a good surround sound receiver without breaking your bank. You just need to pay attention to certain key details before making your decision. The above review should make your work easier.
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