A Guide To The Top Slim AV Receivers

In the great variety of receivers, when choosing a new one for modernizing the system, you can go crazy not understanding the belonging and importance of functions and their dependence on the price rank. And when it comes to searching for a thin-profile device that differs from the standard one in some aspects – even more so. Realizing the problems of such a situation, I have written a review to help you choose your best slim AV receiver. After all, when creating a home theater that will serve you for years, it is important to choose an ideal option that will maintain high sound quality reliability and not bankrupt you at the same time. Compact home theater receivers have advantages regarding a small room and a small space to house all the components. But let me start with how they differ from the standard ones.

Our pick

Marantz NR1510

Best slim AV receiver

The Marantz NR1510 features an amplifier section with identical power on all five channels (50W per channel) and low-impedance drive capability for superb speaker control. Read the full review.

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Slim AV receivers comparison table

How does a slim AV receiver differ from a regular one?

Low-profile AV receivers basically retain the quality of internal components and functionality of the device. However, 3 main aspects must be considered before purchasing such a device:

1. Size is an advantage of a narrow receiver regarding the convenience of system placement, but it affects the location of internal electrical components. Logically, their closer proximity to each other implies an increased possibility of distortion and interference during playback.
2. For this reason, mini AV receivers usually have lower power and higher THD, which can affect the overall soundstage. They also usually have fewer channels and connections. This is why I insist that the narrow profile is for smaller living rooms.
3. If you come across a more or less similar slim and standard receiver, the former is likely to be cheaper. This can also be seen as an advantage if your budget is limited, but let’s be frank – price matters.

Best slim AV receiver reviews

Marantz NR1510 – best overall

Drum roll… Fireworks! Meet the winner of my rating, which (as it often happens in my reviews) has the main advantage over other models, namely the optimal price/quality ratio. The Marantz NR1510 is a 5.2-channel receiver with dimensions of 17.4″ x 4.3″ x 15″ and a weight of 18 lbs.

Its power output is minimal at 50W (8 Ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.08%, 2ch Drive), but it’s not the only low-power representative of my selection. However, it is worth noting that the distortion index compensates for the lack of power with the purity of sound at the highest volume. The brand never sacrifices the quality of sound reproduction, finding compromises that condition the low price in other areas.

Since it’s not new to the Marantz lineup, the receiver was released in 2019, providing video broadcasting at 4K/60Hz resolution. But it has many HDMI ports (and further in the review, you’ll see that for a 5-channel AVR, it’s quite a lot), and they all work very well (6 inputs and 1 output). Often, in such models, you can find a delay when switching the source or desynchronization of the signal. But the NR1510 does well in this area.

You’ll be able to view content with DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks in the original, thanks to the HDMI eARC feature. The receiver doesn’t decode the other formats, but you’ll hear them differently than the director intended. Believe me, in a system like this, you won’t know what I’m talking about. The receiver sounds great for its rank. And I highlighted very clear dialog.

Even though I was somewhat, so to say, unimpressed with Bluetooth (I noticed some minor delays in playback), the NR1510 is otherwise a pretty advanced device. It’s got Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, TuneIn, and a built-in HEOS multicomputer broadcaster. So, it supports some of the most popular streaming services. The M-DAX technology improves the quality of compressed audio (like MP3s), and I even noticed that my old speakers sound brighter.

Marantz Cinema 70S – 7 channels

In second place is again the smallest AV receiver from Marantz and also the newest (year of release 2022). The dimensions of the Marantz Cinema 70S are identical to those of the selection leader. Still, its weight is slightly higher (19.2 lbs), which indicates that some circuitry used inside the case is obviously better quality than the NR1510. Though the differences are mostly about functionality, as in power delivery, the receivers are also the same (50W (8 Ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.08%, 2ch), which is quite strange when we are talking about different numbers of channels.

In this case, we are facing a 7.2-channel receiver with 8K resolution video processing and upscaling (the only one on the list). 3 of its 6/1 HDMI ports are version 2.1. And so you can use the receiver to watch movies of any quality from any source (be it a streaming site or BluRay disc) and play games on consoles (all the necessary functionality is available). Not without reason in its name, there is the word “Cinema”. Today, it meets all the parameters and will not need to be upgraded.

Cinema 70S is also great for listening to music in high-quality stereo from a digital source or vinyl. Its wireless capabilities are also similar to the NR1510 options, but I liked the level of digital signal transmission better (not surprisingly, the receiver is almost twice as expensive as the chart leader). It is, by the way, perfectly compatible with any Apple equipment; it is even stated in the specification. This model also sounds more authentic with vinyl. Such a warm, smooth, clear, and at the same time rich sound. I generally think the model outperforms most competitors in its category, especially considering the narrow design. Bravo, Marantz!

As for surround sound, if we’re talking about Cinema, the 7-channel system implies a 5.1.2 configuration, which means you can enjoy the most popular today immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats. But I dare to remind you that the AVR has a small output, and having tried it in different rooms, I concluded that a 250 square-foot room is the maximum possible. In this case, the sound is balanced and reaches every corner of the room with equal intensity and nuance. As for the calibration system, the model in question has a better calibration system than the NR1510. Audyssey MultEQ is more advanced and adaptive than its earlier versions, and therefore, it will be easy to handle even for a beginner. For the average viewer, the automatic settings will be enough.

Sony STRDH590 – compact

The next entrant in this “competition,” Sony STR-DH590, is a very inexpensive, compact 5.1 receiver. Its dimensions of 17″ x .3″ x 11.8″ are not so small compared to the dimensions of the reviewed Marantz models, and its weight is less, at 15 lbs. This, as you already know, is indicative of low-quality construction components. But it was clear when I looked at the price tag.

I’m not an ageist, but for tech, age matters. And a receiver released in 2018 will be inferior to newer models on all fronts. So comparing it to the Cinema 70S is out of the question. Although it is quite similar to the Marantz NR1510, for example, it provides 4K/60Hz video in the realm of video capabilities. But the STR-DH590 has fewer HDMI ports (4/1), just like the NR1510 – with basic functionality. Nevertheless, I should note that such a picture will suit the viewer quite well because most content today is released with this resolution.

What favorably distinguishes the model under consideration from its predecessors is the power. It is 90 W (6 Ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 2 ch), which is quite a lot for a 5-channel receiver. That said, the STR-DH590 is compatible with a wide range of speakers from 6 to 16 ohms. And you can even connect 4 ohms to it, but keep an eye on the temperature because the unit overheats in this case. However, during prolonged use, I also noticed overheating, which is not strange for the price category of the receiver.

The wireless capabilities of the model are limited by the presence of Bluetooth. But it’s version 4.2. copes quite well with audio broadcasting. I listened to my playlists with Spotify, and I will say that almost all songs sounded pretty convincing. Sure, it doesn’t have the richness and bass you can hear with more expensive models, but the STR-DH590 does quite well as an amplifier. Sony’s slightly cool sound gives a certain charm to the music.

Surround sound is available in Dolby Digital and DTS-HD Master Audio formats, which is standard for 5-channel AVRs. But the S-Force PRO feature is worth mentioning here. It allows you to use only the front speakers to simulate surround sound. Let’s say it’s not a full immersion into the soundstage, but it’s still more interesting than stereo sound. Plus, it can save you from buying a full-fledged speaker system if you’re not ready due to finances.

Pioneer VSX-534

The latest in my list, Pioneer VSX-534, may be far from the smallest surround sound receiver. But it does have reduced dimensions relative to standard AVRs (17.2″ x 5.8″ x 12.6″ and weighs 17.6) and can decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound formats unique to a 5.1 system.

Yes, you didn’t make a mistake when you read that. And I wasn’t wrong when I wrote it. Pioneer has developed the only receiver that, in a 3.2.1 configuration, broadcasts the soundtrack of the most popular and available with only 7 channels of immersive formats. But let’s be honest. Of course, the sound of your home theater with the VSX-534 as the centerpiece can’t compare to even the simplest 7.1-channel receiver in terms of soundtrack distribution. It’s just not possible. And yet, by attaching two speakers to the ceiling, you can create overhead channels, depriving yourself of a couple of floorstanders. Using wireless headphones, you can listen to audio in the second zone. Cool for such a small device.

As I started with sound, it’s worth noting that the VSX-534 is the most powerful receiver on my list. Its rating is 80W (8 Ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 2 ch), but you should pay attention to the THD of 0.8%. Such a figure indicates that the sound will have interference at maximum volume. So, in practice, we are dealing with a still underpowered compact receiver.

This budget AVR is the same as the Sony STR-DH590 or Marantz NR1510 regarding video functions. The model was released in 2019, so it skips 4K video, but unlike its competitors, it can also enhance lower-resolution video to that level.

Of the additional features, there is Bluetooth 4.2 with support for SBC and AAC codecs and the MCACC calibration system, considered one of the most primitive. But it’s not for nothing that I listed it as an “extra” option because, in the case of the VSX-534 model, you can save 3 customization options, so you don’t have to go back and customize the system every new time.

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