Best AV Receiver for the Money 2017 Review

Sometimes it can be hard to know exactly what will give you the best bang for your buck when picking out an AV receiver. There tends to be little difference between the latest model and the previous generation, but you pay significantly more for the latest generation.

In this post, I'll review the AV receivers out there right now that seem to give you the best overall bang for your buck for under $150, $300, and $400.

Onkyo has a longstanding reputation for its excellence in sound reproduction. The Onkyo TX-8020 Stereo Receiver continues to build that reputation, as it is the epitome of quality and budget friendliness. With a solid power supply to drive your speakers and its host of features, the TX-8020 is one of the best AV receivers for the money.

The Onkyo TX-8020 is a receiver with two 50-watt channels that will please your ears with the outstanding sound it produces. The TX-8020 features five sets of RCA audio inputs and two sets of RCA audio outputs to accommodate many system configurations. The TX-8020 also features dual-room capability and great overall functionality.

With individual treble, bass, and balance controls, the Onkyo TX-8020 allows you to customize the sound of your music to your taste. The TX-8020 also features a Remote Interactive (RI) port which allows you to connect your iPod or iPhone directly to the receiver, making your aux device, in effect, another Onkyo component flowing through the receiver.

The Onkyo TX-TX-8020 delivers powerful, clean, outstanding sound that will have you wondering how something that sounds so good could cost so little.

The Onkyo TX-NR626 AV Receiver is a great combination of quality, versatility, features, and great sound. It features a space-saving design with a footprint of 14 inches. The receiver's height, at four inches, is half that of traditional receivers. In addition, this receiver's looks will make it a sleek, stylish addition to any AV system. Featuring 7.2 channel surround sound that delivers 95 watts of equal power and quality, the NR626 produces an enveloping surround sound experience.

With 4k pass through and upscaling from compatible devices along with the most internet radio and music streaming services you're kept up-to-date with what you want in the future.

In addition, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth audio technology can stream hi-res, lossless, and compressed formats from all your devices.

Final Thoughts: There is a newer model of this mid 2013 release model available in the Onkyo TX-NR636. That being said at nearly 40% more than this model I still feel this one gives you the best bang-for-your-buck.

Sony is almost synonymous with music and audio reproduction and is a staple brand name when it comes to home theater electronics. The Sony STRDH720 7.1 Channel 3D AV Receiver builds on a tradition of excellence and quality and offers great features for a great price.

The STRDH720 is a 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver with seven 105 watt channels at eight ohms. With a total of six HD inputs, there are plenty of opportunities for system expansion. Four of the HD inputs feature 3D pass-through allowing you to connect a 3D Blu-ray player, Playstation (PS) 3 system, cable/satellite, or any other device and get a full 3D experience. The STRDH720 will also upconvert/upscale analog video signals to near HD quality and output them via HDMI. The STRDH720 also features an Audio Return Channel that lets audio return to the receiver using the same HDMI cable being used to send audio from the receiver.

The Sony STRDH720 features an integrated user interface for 2011 Sony BRAVIA TVs, including the ability to use BRAVIA Sync to control multiple Sony devices with one remote. The convenient Standby Pass-Through allows for the use of HDMI-connected devices without having to power the receiver on. Digital Cinema Auto Calibration and Quick Speaker Set Up make installing and configuring your system for optimal sound a breeze.

With support for advanced audio formats including Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, and True HD, the sound will be clean and clear. The Sony STRDH720 is a great receiver and will be a great centerpiece of any home theater system.

Yamaha has been making great sound equipment for decades. The company's vast experience and dedication to sound shines through in the RX-V671 7.1 Channel Network AV Receiver. The Yamaha RX-V671 is one of the most affordable network receivers on the market today. You can have all of the advanced features that a network receiver affords while maintaining a budget. Because the receiver can access your home or office network, you can listen to Internet radio stations, streaming services like Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, or SIRIUS, and even audio files from your home computer or network attached storage device.

The Yamaha RX-V671's advanced features don't stop there. You can control the RX-V671 from your smartphone or tablet using the free AV Controller app that is available from iTunes or Google Play. The RX-V671 also functions as a two-zone receiver so that you can be watching a movie in the den and music can be playing on the patio.

Then there are the superb electronics and sound processors that make Yamaha sound systems great. The RX-V671 features some of Yamaha's exclusive technology such as CINEMA DSP and Adaptive Dynamic Range Control. With an advanced on-screen display that is easy to read and navigate, setting up and changing the settings on the RX-V671 is easy and intuitive. The Audio Delay function keeps the audio and video in sync to give you a more realistic viewing experience.

The Yamaha RX-V671 has a power output of seven 105 watt channels and a frequency response of 10Hz - 100KHz +0, -3dB. The RX-V671 will deliver great sound, innovative and advanced features, and great quality, all at a great price.

The Denon AVR-1712 A/V Surround Receiver delivers advanced processing, exceptional performance, and convenient features, so you can have a great home theater experience. The AVR-1712 features premium audio technologies that support high-resolution audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. It supports HDMI V1.4a so that you can get the most from advanced content. The AVR-1712 has convenient digital inputs that include a dock connectivity option for iPods and iPhones so that it can truly be your all-in-one solution.

The Denon AVR-1713 features Equal Power Amp design, which means that each of the seven 90-watt channels is powered by its own discrete circuit to produce original sound more faithfully than conventional models. The Denon AVR-1713 also utilizes Audyssey MultiEQ to create the optimal acoustic profile for your home theater.

With an on screen GUI (Graphical User Interface) Overlay and Remote, the AVR-1712 can be easily programmed. The front panel is well organized with clearly labeled buttons and includes a bank of quick select buttons to allow for the quick changing between video and audio sources.

Denon has produced quality audio equipment for a long time and the AVR-1712 is another addition to their great lineup of A/V receivers.

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