5 Best AV Receivers Under $1000 for Home Theater

A home theatre receiver or AV receiver (AVR) might not be the most appealing component of home theatre systems, but it is the most instrumental. The component is the magical intersection of video and audio to relay soundtracks and music to the speakers of your home theatre. A home theatre receiver brings together a tuner, preamplifier, and amplifier into a single unit. 

The availability of a wide array of receivers makes choosing one a challenge. However, this article will make your choice easier by discussing some of the best home theatre receivers for under 1000 dollars. In addition, we will highlight some of the crucial features you should consider before buying one and list the pros and cons of each model.

Best Home Theater Receiver Under 1000 Reviews

Pioneer VSX-LX305 Elite 9.2 Channel Network AV Receiver

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With this 9.2-Channel VSX-LX305 Elite AV Receiver, you will realize a multi-dimensional home entertainment appeal. The design of the receiver features DIRAC Live Room Correction which is tailored as the cornerstone of the ultimate music, gaming, and movie experience.

IMAX-enhanced means that your concerts, movies, and game streaming experience are delivered to you with crisp visual enhancements and a heart-thrilling sound bringing the whole world into the home theatre as intended by sound editors and filmmakers. You can also watch whatever you desire or stream songs in various rooms in resolutions of up to 8k.

Review

With a pair of HDMI-out options and continuous 100-watt power per channel, the 9.2 channel VSX-LX305 Elite receiver offers uncompressed HDMI 4K/8K 40 Gbps transfer. This, as a result, increases its bandwidth compared to its predecessor while still making the most of next-gen gaming characteristics.

This home theatre receiver from Pioneer also allows you to stream songs from any location in your home. You can also watch any content you desire in resolutions of up to 8K HD in whichever room you are most comfortable with.

The home theatre receiver unit is contemporary room correction digital technology that enhances the general audio experience throughout the entire frequency band without requiring extra upgrades. DIRAC Live calibrates your room sound automatically through a wired mic and a smartphone, or you could use the virtually wireless option of the Dirac Live PC app and a USB mic (third party).

With Dirac Live, you can unlock the full potential of your loudspeakers despite your listening environment and realize a one-of-a-kind listening experience.

Pros

• Ultimate gaming experience
• Dirac Live Room Correction feature
• Inbuilt music streaming
• iMax enhanced
• 100 watts for every channel
• Has HDMI 2.1

Cons

• It does not support 5.1.4 speaker configuration
• Bluetooth does not work with some devices

Onkyo TX-NR6100 7.2 Channel THX Certified Network AV Receiver

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This 7.2-channel Onkyo TX-NR6100 is an AV receiver capable of accommodating 5.2, 5.2.2, or 7.2 speaker layouts. Do you wish to have a Dolby Atmos system installed in your room? Then all you will need to do is add a pair of height speakers or elevation and experience the incredible Dolby Atmos sound effects.

This, however, does not mean you can install a layout of 7.2 speakers and a pair of Atmo speakers – you will not be able to do this since only seven power channels are available. 

Nonetheless, you can capitalize on the inbuilt audio processing modes of the speaker system through which you can mix basic soundtracks to utilize the Atmos speakers.

Review

The DTS Neutral and Dolby Surround work well to upmix 5.1 surround and standard stereo mixes into the elevation or height speakers. In addition, you can use DTX Virtual:X or Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization if you do not wish to install Atmo speakers. This provides a virtual 3D sound experience on your standard 7.1 or 5.1 speaker layout. 

The rating of the receiver is 100 watts for every channel – eight ohms, 0.08% THD, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, FTC, two-channel-driven. Among the standout features of Onkyo receivers is their THX certification, and this is a similar model. 

Designed to reference standards of THX, you are guaranteed that the sound from this receiver will be excellent regardless of the audio style playing through the system. Six HDMI inputs of the receiver are positioned towards the rear end, and though they might be less than in some models, three are compatible with HDMI 2.1 and support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through.

You also get a pair of HDMI outputs useful in sending your output to various locations in the same room or a different one. One outstanding feature that sets aside this receiver from the competition is the dedicated two-channel power for a different speaker set in zone 2.

This implies that you will not need a second amplifier in the other room. Two simple passive speakers are enough, and you can operate them from the receiver. Many receivers in the same price bracket as this may come with powered zones – though you typically need to utilize the rear reserved 7.1 layout channels.

Pros

• Outstanding performance
• Significant additional features
• HDMI 2.1 ports (bug-free)
• THX certified 

Cons 

• Extremely rare in the market
• Remote could use some improvements
• Packs Dirac Live

Pioneer VSX-LX105 Elite 7.2 Channel Network AV Receiver

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The VSX-LX105 Elite receiver packs many features into a single device to introduce a next-level sound experience to your entertainment. Are you enthusiastic about listening to your playlist in an immersive environment or a movie guru looking to experience such a sound experience? You should experience the Dolby-powered 5.2.2 channel surround sound.

You can wirelessly stream songs through various streaming services and Bluetooth through this receiver. In addition, it features DTS Neutral:X Upmixing, Dolby Surround Upmixing, DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, MCACC Auto Room Tuning, Dialog Enhancement, dedicated DAC powered Zone 2, three Personal Preset buttons, and wireless headphones Zone B output.

Review

Let the 5.2.2 channel surround sound from the DTS:X or Dolby Atmos engulf you. Furthermore, even without surround or height speakers, you can enjoy similar effects with the DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer. Experience superior quality images with HDR10, Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, and HLG pass-through. This home theatre receiver is also compatible with HDMI 2.1 x 1 for ALLM, 8K, QFT, and VRR pass-through for next-gen gaming and video. 

In addition, you can stream your favorite music from various sources through Bluetooth, Music Server, Sonos system, Apple AirPlay 2, and DTS Play-Fi. The device is Roon Tested; thus, using AV equipment to stream music is easy. Other features include the Powered Zone 2 characteristic with a particular DAC, a pair of HDMI outputs, personal preset buttons, and is compatible with Hey Google/Alexa. 

The HDMI 2.1 ensure you get a powerful gaming and viewing experience. The receiver is also appropriate for the 5.2.2 channel configuration of Dolby Atmos, the most recent theatre sound platform. Object-oriented sound reproduction is smooth and accomplished in curving movements or the factual 3D overhead movement of the upper speakers. In addition, you can upmix alternative audio codecs like DSD and PCM using Dolby Surround for a delightful three-dimensional surround sound. 

With the Personal Preset feature, you only need to press the button located on the front panel and hold it for three seconds to save your current settings, like listening mode and volume level. A maximum of three presets can be registered, and you can call them up quickly from the remote control or front panel button.

Dialogue enhancement, on the other hand, is an exceptional mid-range sound control capability. You can adjust the volume independently to the range with the remote control’s up/down key, including dialogues in films.

Pros

• Dedicated DAC for the powered Zone 2
• Voice control capability
• Discrete Zone 2 switching of the HDMI
• Features wireless headphones Zone B output
• Dolby/Dolby Atmos surround upmixing
• Inbuilt wireless Bluetooth technology

Cons

• Incompatible with DNLA devices
• It heats up after some hours of use

YAMAHA RX-A2A AVENTAGE 7.2-Channel AV Receiver with MusicCast

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This 7.2 channel entry-level model, the YAMAHA XR-A2A, ranks among the high-range AVENTAGE AV receivers series. Have you used a Yamaha amplifier and appreciated the ‘Yamaha sound?’ Then the Yamaha AV receiver is like the other Yamaha range of products – you should expect a great amplifier to serve you well. 

Though the Yamaha receivers feature higher specifications, they have a price to match. Therefore, this is the receiver to consider if you want a rigid receiver and are on a tight budget. 

Review

The 7.2 channel Yamaha RX-A2A is an AV receiver that supports DTS:X and Dolby Atmos formats. As such, it is possible to install a 7.1 or 5.1 surround sound system in a room or include height speakers to have a layout of 5.2.2 if you prefer such a layout. 

Its brand-new High-Slew Rate Amplifier circuit is among the standout features in this new Yamaha amplifier range. The circuits enhance the accuracy of sound reproduction while reducing distortion. It is nice to see the effort Yamaha puts into improving the quality of sound of their amplifier for all their models – high-end and otherwise.

This home theater receiver outputs 100 watts per channel each of 8 ohms which is a significant amount of power even for the most demanding speakers. The harmonic distortion (0.06%) is an improvement over other amplifiers in the same price range. Though it is a minor specification enhancement, it exhibits progressive performance improvement from earlier years. 

The Yamaha RX-A2A features a fresh look where its large volume button is shifted to the front panel at the center and relocated from its display panel. This is not influential enough to make you pick the amplifier, though it is nice to see the brand try to enhance its traditional AV receivers’ appearance. 

Pros

• Amazing Yamaha amplifier tech
• HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (HDCP 2.3), and Dolby Vision
• DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD, and Dolby TrueHD Master Audio
• Turntable phono input connection
• HDMI 2.1 supported 4K/120p and 8K/60p video
• Bluetooth output and input

Cons

• HDMI 2.1 and 8K support are unavailable until the release of a firmware update
• Lacks second HDMI output for a different zone 

Marantz NR1711 8K Slim 7.2 Channel Ultra HD AV Receiver

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The Marantz brand has created a name for itself for producing excellent-sounding audio devices, and the Marantz amplifiers remain audiophiles’ best year after year. If you are looking for sound quality as one of the fundamental features, look no further than the Marantz AV receiver.

The NR series receivers feature a slim design and compact casing to minimize the space the receiver consumes. This should be the receiver to reach out for if you desire a sleek look and excellent performance AV receiver in your room.

Review

This NR1711 Marantz AV receiver model has 7.2 channels and thus can support standard 7.1 and 5.1 surround speaker layouts. You can also have 7.2 and 5.2 surround by taking advantage of the independent pre-out of the additional subwoofer.

If your desire is something more than the standard surround sound arrangement, installation of 5.2.2 a system should help you realize your desire for Dolby Atmos.

This model’s additional audio processing modes are helpful if the speakers in your room are height speakers. You will not come across many dedicated DTS:X or Dolby Atmos soundtracks. Therefore DTS Neutral:X and Dolby Surround should transform 5.1 soundtracks through the extension of the audio into the height speakers. 

Since these are convincing modes, you should reap the most from the Atmos speakers. You can also utilize the modes to extend the stereo audio around your entire home theater speakers. If you are reluctant about installing height speakers, use DTS Virtual:X or Dolby Height Virtualization, which gives the height speakers’ effect.

Among the key attributes of the Marantz line of products is their musical sound. Like other Marantz devices, expect outstanding music and movie performance though the model lacks the proprietary Marantz HDAM (Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules) tech. 

Pros

• Has HDCP 2.3
• Supports HEOS multi-room audio
• Compact design
• Features Dolby Height Virtualization, Dolby True HD, Dolby Surround, and Dolby Atmos
• It supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz
• Improved audio return channel

Cons

• Single HDMI 2.1 input
• Reduced power than same price range alternatives

Final Verdict

If you are looking for the best home theater receiver under 1000 dollars, we recommend choosing from one of the options reviewed. These home theater receivers offer excellent value for money and do not compromise on quality while staying within budget.

You can also get additional features, such as a pre-out connection to connect to a power amplifier. If a basic surround sound speaker can meet your needs, then picking from these high-quality home theater receivers is the best thing to do.