The technological boom has gifted us with many marvelous things, and the AV receiver is one of them. AC receivers are smart devices that can enhance the watching experience by improving the quality of the picture and sound.

But buying an AV receiver can be a pain in the neck if you don’t know how to choose the right product. A plethora of brands are manufacturing AV receivers, and it is quite hard to make the best buying decision.

Here in this list, you will find the top-of-the-line best A/V receiver under $500 that is perfect to pair with your home theatre and can satisfy you in every way. Plus, these devices belong to recognized brands and are the freshest models available in the market.

• Brand and Build: Denon is the brand behind this receiver. Its robust black design measures 17.1 x 14.9 x 6.6 inches.
• Connectivity Options: It’s Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, and HDMI compatible. It offers 10 HDMI ports for versatile connections.
• Controller Type and Compatible Devices: It’s compatible with the Apple HomeKit. You can connect it to your speakers or television.
• Audio Output and Encoding: The receiver offers a surround audio output mode and stereo audio encoding. It creates a rich sound experience.
• Channel Configuration: It supports a 13.2 Channel or 11.2 Channel surround sound configuration. This gives you flexibility in sound setup.
• Immersive 3D Realism: With support for Auro-3D, IMAX Enhanced, DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Atmos, you’ll experience immersive 3D audio and video. Enjoy clear, sharp images with 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz* pass-through.
• Ready for Next Gen Gaming: The AVR-X6700H offers a smooth, lag-free gaming experience. This is achieved through 4K/120Hz pass-through, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
• Advanced Video Tech: Experience advanced video tech with Dynamic HDR and HDR10 plus. This 11.2 channel receiver delivers clarity, contrast & color. Quick Media Switching eliminates video delay.
• Extensive Connectivity: It supports connection with HD/Ultra HD TV, subwoofer, Blu-Ray player & turntable for superior stereo sound. It also has USB, 11 HDMI ports (8 In/ 3 Out) with HDCP 2.3 processing, Digital In, Phono input & Network support.
• Multi-Room Wireless Speakers: Extend your music to any room in the house via Wi-Fi, Airplay 2, or Bluetooth with HEOS. You can get Hi-Fi audio around your home with Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn & more.
• Voice Control Compatibility: It offers full voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa. It also works with Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and integrates with home-automation systems like Josh.ai & Control4 SDPP.
• Powerful 11-Channel Amplifier: The AVR-X6700H features a powerful 11-channel amplifier with discrete high-current amplifiers on all channels. It delivers 140W per channel to ensure a powerful and precise entertainment experience.

• Brand and Design: Denon, a top name in audio tech, offers this AV receiver. It comes in a sleek black color. The receiver measures 17.1 x 13 x 6 inches. This gives it a compact look to fit well in any space.
• Connectivity and Compatibility: The Denon AVR-S570BT uses Bluetooth and HDMI for connectivity. It offers easy control via iOS and Android apps. It works well with smartphones and speakers. This makes it a versatile choice for many users.
• HDMI Ports: This device features a total of five HDMI ports. There are four HDMI 2.1 8K inputs and one HDMI output. This allows for crisp visuals and multiple device connections.
• Audio Output and Surround Sound: The Denon AVR-S570BT offers surround sound. It uses a 5.2 channel configuration for immersive audio. This receiver can truly elevate your home audio experience.
• 8K Viewing Experience: This device supports an 8K viewing experience. It carries the power of 70W across five channels. This results in sharp visuals and strong sound. It’s the successor to the AVR-S540BT model.
• Cinematic Audio and Visuals: The Denon AVR-S570BT supports the latest video formats. These include HDR, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dynamic HDR. This makes for a true-to-life display. The receiver also supports the latest audio formats like DTS HD Master and Dolby TrueHD.
• Easy Setup and Control: Setting up this receiver is easy. It comes with an HD setup assistant to guide you. The specific EQ settings let you fine-tune your audio. You can control it using your Smart TV remote or the Denon Remote App.
• Wireless Music Streaming: With built-in Bluetooth, you can stream music wirelessly. You can use popular apps like Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, and more. This makes it easy to enjoy your favorite music anytime.
• Advanced Features: This AV receiver boasts high-current amplifiers for strong sound. It supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through for stunning visuals. It also allows for wireless, multi-room audio for a seamless listening experience.
• High-Quality Sound: The Denon AVR-S570BT features advanced acoustic hardware. It’s expertly tuned for clear highs and deep lows. The device supports internet radio and music streaming, making it perfect for music lovers.

These features make the Denon AVR-S570BT a top choice for home theater systems. Its mix of high-quality audio, advanced features, and easy setup makes it stand out.

Sony has left a mark on the world, all thanks to the high-quality products they manufacture! STR-DN1080 (best 4k upscaling receiver) is a high-performance AV receiver from Sony that has multiple functionalities available for improving the quality of audio and video.

Decent Auto Calibration

The receiver system has a smart auto-calibration that helps it to calibrate itself for delivering extremely pleasing outcomes.

With this Best AV receiver for the home theater, you don’t have to tune the receiver multiple times as it gets optimized accordingly to the supply and the availability of speakers.

Supports 4K HDR

Get sharp and clear images with STR-DN1080 due to the HDCP 2.2 Compatibility.

It offers a better 4K experience as compared to other 4K AV receivers.

Connectivity

The users can connect their STR-DN1080 via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology.

Establishing a connection with this AC receiver is an easy task, and you can do it quickly while referring to the instruction manual.

Outstanding Audio Output

With the help of Phantom Surround Technology, you can enhance the quality of output with few speakers. You can even attain a seven-channel audio output with five speakers only if you have Sony STR-DN1080.

Onkyo TX-SR373 is a compact AV receiver that looks brilliant and has a powerful mechanism.

The receiver system may appear basic, but it has all the required features needed in a receiver.

Flawless Connectivity

You can connect Onkyo TX-SR373 (best 4k upscaling receiver) with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices on the go. The pairing process is really simple, and Qualcomm aptX makes it even better with its interrupted playtime.

Audio Decoding For a Cinematic Experience

Onkyo TX-SR373 features DTS-HD Master and Dolby TrueHD that decodes the audio and creates a whole new definition of cinematic experience. The decoder controls the rate of audio, and it takes audio to the next level.

Easy Room Calibration

The great thing about Onkyo TX-SR373 is that it automatically calibrates the audio as per the size of the room and the distance of the speakers.

It also calibrates the frequency for crisp and clear sound.

Easy To Set Up

You don’t have to be a pro for setting up this budget stereo receiver for music. All you have to do is plug in the power cable, connect the HDMI and other input/output cable, and it is done. The instruction manual is a masterpiece, and you can learn the setup process easily with the help of diagrams explained.

When it comes to buying the best audio video receiver under 500, even proficient experts can get confused. There are so many features to look for in an AV receiver.

Below-mentioned is some of the crucial features you should consider in a device before buying it.

AV Receiver Channels

You might have seen that AV receivers come with numbering on the package like (5.1, or 7.1), it refers to the number of speakers and other equipment available in the device.

A 5.1 channel receiver has (5.) mid-range or high-range speakers, and also it has a low-end speaker (.1) or a subwoofer that’s the reason why receivers come with channel badges. 

The most common channels are 7.1 and 5.1 channels, which you will find on several devices.

On the other hand, receivers over 500 dollars have more powerful channels and can deliver a better quality experience.

The choice of channels is completely up to you, if you have a big room, then 7.1 or 7.2 channel equipment is excellent. However, you can also get a brilliant experience with a 5.1 receiver if you don’t mind mounting your own speakers.

Connectivity

AV receivers have come a long way from wired to Bluetooth, and now many devices even support Wi-Fi technology. If you want to operate the receiver from your smartphone, then you should buy the devices that offer greater Bluetooth compatibility and have a higher Bluetooth version.

In case you want to get an even better experience then you should select receivers that are compatible with Wi-Fi so that you can stream online without any interruptions.

Wattage

Wattage is again another important factor that impacts the performance of an AV receiver. Wattage is the total amount of power the receiver will supply to the speakers. You need to make sure the speakers of your system are capable of handling a great amount of power without any problems.

Wattage ranges from 500 watts to 30 watts based on the preference and demands of the customers. For making a good decision, you need to check the power consumption of your speakers and other attached equipment.

Every receiver with a different channel has distinct wattage consumption. Keep in mind that a more or less powerful receiver is of no use as you will not achieve the right balance needed for a perfect cinematic experience.

HDMI Ports

The back of an AV receiver can have more than five ports, which can make things quite confusing. Some of them even feature 6-7 HDMI ports, and that is enough to create confusion on whether to buy it or not.

The choice of HDMI ports is entirely up to you. If you want to connect multiple devices like gaming consoles, home theatre, and other smart gadgets, then HDMI ports are crucial.

You don’t buy AV receivers every day, and it makes it even essential to buy the best device. Make a checklist of the devices you want to connect, and then buy a receiver that has one or two more HDMI ports left for future use.

Price

All the products mentioned in this list are under 500, but you need to choose the one that suits your budget. Buy an AV receiver that has all the features you need. Don’t go for options that are too cheap as low as 100 dollars, as they don’t have a reliable build and cannot deliver an excellent cinematic experience.

Does a 4K receiver make a difference?

Yes, a 4K receiver can make a difference. If you have a 4K TV and 4K content, a 4K receiver ensures you get the full resolution and quality from your content. Without it, you might not be maximizing the potential of your 4K TV. It also future-proofs your setup as more and more content becomes available in 4K.

What is the difference between 4K upscaling and 4K passthrough?

• 4K Upscaling: This is a process where a device takes a lower resolution signal (e.g., 1080p) and artificially enhances it to fit the 4K resolution. It doesn’t add real detail to the image, but it adjusts the existing pixels to fill a 4K screen. Think of it as stretching and refining a photo to fit a larger frame.
• 4K Passthrough: This means the receiver can take a 4K signal from a source (like a 4K Blu-ray player or a streaming device) and send it directly to a 4K TV without altering the resolution. It’s essentially allowing the 4K content to “pass through” the receiver without any change.

In simpler terms: Upscaling tries to make lower quality content look better on a 4K screen, while passthrough simply lets original 4K content flow through the receiver to the TV.

Does my receiver need to support 4K upscaling?

The Blu-ray player or receiver used in an upconverting process does not need to be connected to a 4K TV.

Is it possible to disable 4K upscaling?

The TV can take a variety of input signals, but they are all upscaled to fit the screen. Upscaling 4K can only be prevented by maintaining a 1:1 image. You will receive a 35″ 1080p image in the middle of a 70″ 4K TV if you feed it a 1080p image.

Is picture quality improved by upscaling?

An image is upscaled if it is too small to fit on the display. If you had a 1080p screen, you could upscale a 720p video. A higher resolution image is first rendered before it is downscaled. Image quality is improved after downscaling.