Best Budget AV Receiver Reviews – Maximizing Your Audio Experience Without Breaking the Bank

Choosing system components is always complicated, as the market offers various models of different ranks and functionalities. Choosing an affordable AV receiver for home theater is even more difficult, as you must balance your finances and quality. After all, even in this case, you want to buy a thing that will serve you for years, not months. That is, from all the variety, to pick the best budget receiver possible, isn’t it?

I decided to write this review and offer you my preferences in different categories (7-, 5-channel, and stereo receiver up to $500), which, in my opinion, can meet the user’s basic needs, giving an improved experience of watching movies and listening to music, without disturbing your economic balance. If you are a fan of simplicity and quality – let’s go!

Our pick

Denon AVR-S660H

Best budget AV receiver

Designed for 4K or 8K setups, the AVR-S660H has 5.2 channels with 75W amplification, delivers superior 3D audio home theater/gaming experiences, and supports the latest HDMI specifications. Read the full review.

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Budget AV receivers comparison table

What a budget receiver can offer?

In this segment, you can expect the simplest basic options in surround sound, video, audio decoding, and wireless connectivity from receiver models. The same goes for the additional features of devices of this class. Let me give you the main factors of budget AVRs so that you have a clear understanding of their capabilities:

1. They are mostly 5-channel models, but newer receivers released in recent years can have 7 channels of amplification (I have one in my review).
2. Accordingly, processing of surround sound formats involves decoding Dolby Digital and DTS-HD Master Audio, but for 7 channels, Dolby Atmos or DTS:X are also available.
3. These models are characterized by power in the range of 50-80W, sufficient for rooms of 150-300 square feet.
4. Fewer connections, including simpler versions of the HDMI port with support for 4K (rather than 8K) video. But more content is being released of that quality today.
5. Most receivers don’t have built-in Wi-Fi or an ecosystem. But they often have pretty good Bluetooth for wireless music streaming.

Best budget AV receiver reviews

Denon AVR-S660H – best overall

In 2021, the Denon brand released a wonderful 5.2-channel AVR-S660H receiver, rightfully at the top of my ranking. And that’s because, against the rest, this budget surround sound receiver is in the optimal price/feature position in this selection, offering you state-of-the-art features and great sound.

The 75W (8 Ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 2ch) and 0.08% THD deliver warm, balanced, dynamic, vibrant sound, although the receiver can only handle the basic Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master surround formats. That said, I often favor Denon, as their units sound better than many higher-order models from other brands. And that’s always more important to me. In addition, the receiver has a phono input, and despite the simplicity of the preamplifier, it sounds very convincing with vinyl. I’m a fan of analog sound, and I know what I’m talking about. With a simple turntable with no frills, the Denon enhances its sound, creating, if not an audiophile aura (of course not), then an atmospheric authentic one for sure.

As a device released with the latest version of HDMI 2.1 (3/1) ports, the AVR-S660H is capable of 8K video, upscaling to 8K resolution, HDCP 2.3, eArc, and ALLM, VRR, and QFT features. Video transfers well, although there are occasional delays. But, my darlings, for its price – it does just fine! The other 3 HDMI inputs are for 4K video. This is the only multi-channel receiver of my selection with processing of the maximum video resolution with Dolby Vision, HDR 10+, and Dynamic HDR formats. So let’s look for the advantages, not the disadvantages.

It’s also the only multi-channel AVR with built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 support, and HEOS multi-room audio. It also has Bluetooth but no frills. Still, I like to have it on hand if I just want to listen quickly to something from my phone’s media library. Of course, there are tradeoffs here, too. For example, sharing the Denon and HEOS apps together has pissed me off with its slowness. It’s a disaster, to be honest, but I found a solution by not touching them too often (ha-ha!).

Yamaha RX-V385 – also a great choice

Next, I suggest you consider the Yamaha RX-V385. If you prefer clean, crystalline, neutral sound, this 5.1-channel receiver is perfect for your ears. But in terms of functionality, it is somewhat inferior to the leader of the selection AVR-S660H.

Well, for example, with it, you can use only 1 subwoofer, not 2, as with Denon. It has less power; it is 70W (8 Ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.09%, 2ch). As I mentioned above, the receiver has an inherent cold metallic tone to its sound. That’s fine for stereo, but not everyone prefers that sound for movies. Nevertheless, the brand has many fans, and you may be among them. But for those unfamiliar with this distinctive feature – I recommend listening to it.

Continuing to talk about the sound, it is worth mentioning Yamaha’s unique technologies, which are implemented in this seemingly simple model. Despite the support of basic surround sound formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio (like AVR-S660H), the receiver can reproduce the effect of echo or concert hall acoustics in CINEMA DSP mode. I’ve watched concert recordings on purpose, and it’s just an amazing feeling of being somewhere in the middle rows, whether it’s Metallica or a symphony orchestra. I really enjoyed it. Another technology of the home theater amplifier called Virtual CINEMA FRONT may appeal to those who don’t want to put speakers around the room because you can put them all in front of you and still get the impression of surround sound. I won’t say it fully replaces the rear speakers, but the effect is definitely there.

The Yamaha RX-V385 is a rather “older” model. It was released in 2018, and therefore, video (only 4/1 HDMI ports, which is less than Denon) broadcast 4K video in UHD HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats.

The receiver has no Wi-Fi. But the available two-way Bluetooth (including an enhancer for it) works just great. I didn’t expect such a level of signal transmission from an inexpensive receiver, I’ll be honest. Plus, the RX-V385’s DAC handles 384 kHz/32-bit audio, so you’ll hear your music as you should. Or even better, since there’s also a Compressed Music Enhancer feature. All in all, stereo lovers, you won’t be short-changed in this area.

Onkyo TX-SR494 – 7 channels

Although Denon and Yamaha are considered more premium brands, Onkyo can offer richer functionality for the same price. And in the case of TX-SR494, you get a big 80W power (8 Ohms, 20-20 kHz, 0.08%, 2ch) and as many as 7 channels of amplification. And that means that the only Atmos receiver in the selection is in front of you.

The model was released in 2019, which indicates that it is somewhat behind the current trends in the field of home theaters. But that’s what accounts for the price, after all! For example, the HDMI ports are only 4/1 (like the Yamaha RX-V385), which is insufficient for a 7-channel AVR. After all, the leader of my selection, Denon AVR-S660H, with 5 channels, has more of them. Besides, they support only 4K videos. This is not a tragedy, but probably a worthy compromise for advanced surround sound. Do you agree? Besides, user reviews say HDMI cables must be picked up (it doesn’t work with all of them), as TX-SR494 is quite picky. But this is the only receiver of the selection to provide sound broadcasting to 2 zones.

This model also does not have Wi-Fi. Bluetooth is ordinary and works with some bugs, but it supports the AAC codec and perfectly interfaces with Apple devices.

You can build a 5.2.2 configuration by drilling holes in your ceiling for built-in speakers. And you may not do it because immersive Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer and DTS Virtual:X formats for such a system may well replace a full-fledged speaker system. The receiver sounds decent in any supported 3D format, even without any frank advantages or disadvantages. But the AccuEQ calibration system with the microphone is rather primitive, in my opinion, but simple. Sometimes, and with the help of manual manipulations, I brought the sound to the level desired by most of the audience. There is no need to be wary of it. And with the voice tuning feature, you can achieve a good level of dialog sound.

Sony STR-DH190 – stereo receiver

Well, in this review, only the best budget stereo receiver is left to talk about. And my choice is the 2018 Sony STR-DH190 at an unthinkably low price! Yes, often the most inexpensive models are time-tested, with many fans and reviews (Don’t believe me? See for yourself) receivers. Actually, these numerous high ratings, tested by me in practice, give me reasons to form ratings and describe receivers as they are with all the pros and cons inherent in the chosen category.

Like other Sony receivers, the STR-DH190 works with speakers of varying impedance from 6 to 16 Ohm and delivers 100W of power (8 Ohms, 1kHz, THD 1%). It’s not so much that you’ll be impressed with these stats, but I remind you of the price. All the puzzles immediately fall into place. These are perfectly normal parameters for such a device. You can also connect 2 sets of speakers and a sub to it. But the receiver overheats if you don’t let it rest for a long time.

There is a phono input, USB port, and headphone output. You can listen to the radio with it (the FM antenna is built in) or use an Ethernet cable for streaming audio or Bluetooth wireless. But there’s no Wi-Fi.