Best Home Theater Receiver Under 500 (#3 is Manificent)

Check out this post if you're looking for a great home theater receiver without spending a fortune. We've found the best ones under 500!

Best Home Theater Receiver Under 500

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Check out this post if you're looking for a great home theater receiver without spending a fortune. We've found the best home theater receiver under 500!

Looking for a great home theater receiver without spending a fortune? We've got the perfect solution – the best home theater receivers under 500 dollars. These best av receivers have all the features you need to create an amazing home theater experience, and they won't break the bank.

You'll love the crystal-clear sound these receivers provide and their powerful amplifier that can drive even the most demanding surround speakers. Plus, they have all the four HDMI inputs and outputs you need to connect all your devices. Get ready to be blown away by your favorite movies and TV shows! Purchase your new home theater receiver today on our website!

How We Choose The Best Home Theater Receiver Under 500

When looking for the best home theater receiver under $500, there are several features you'll want to pay attention to power output, number of channels, surround sound support (Dolby Digital or DTS), 4K pass-through, video scaling capabilities, audio clarity/quality.

Power Output

Power output is important because it determines how loud your system can get. You'll also want to look at the total watts per channel and where the peak wattage is. Generally speaking, the higher the power output, the better your system will sound.

Number of Channels

The number of channels will determine how many speakers you can hook up to your receiver. It's important to check that your receiver has enough channels for all of your speakers.

Surround Sound Support

Surround sound support is important if you use a surround sound setup in your home theater. Check what type of Dolby Digital and DTS is supported by the receiver, and make sure they match the audio format of any movies or TV shows you plan on watching.

4K Pass-Through

4K pass-through allows content at 4K resolution (up to UHD 3840 x 2160) to be sent from a source device to the receiver and then out to a 4K capable display. This is important if you have a 4K TV or plan to get one soon.

Video Scaling Capabilities

Video scaling capabilities will maximize image quality by up-converting standard definition content to high definition if needed. Additionally, it can downscale higher resolution content (4K) to be compatible with your display device.

Audio Clarity

Finally, audio clarity/quality will depend on many factors, such as the type of amplifier used, frequency response, and signal-to-noise ratio. Review reviews and test any receivers you're considering before committing to one to get an idea of its sound quality.

Our Top Picks

You want a new home theater receiver but don't know which one to choose. It can take effort to figure out which home theater receiver is the best for your needs. There are many different brands and models on the market, all with different features. We've done the work for you and have compiled a list of the top 5 home theater receivers under 500 dollars.

1) Sony STRDH590 Home Theater Receiver

by Sony 

STRDH590 Home Theater Receiver

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Why We Think It's Rad

The Sony STRDH590 home theater receiver offers cinematic sound at home so you can enjoy movies, TV shows, and more in a theater-like experience. The force pro virtual surround sound technology lets you achieve a surround-sound effect with only two speakers - providing an immersive listening experience. And with Sony's smart connectivity, you can easily stream music or use Bluetooth Standby to turn the receiver on from your phone. With clear instructions in the installation manual and user guide, setup is easy, and troubleshooting steps are available for further assistance. Get Sony's STRDH590 home theater receiver and enjoy rich, cinematic sound at home anytime!

Rad Points To Know

The Sony STRDH590 home theater receiver is ideal for a powerful and versatile entertainment system. With 725 watts of power, 4 stereo RCA audio inputs, and 2 digital audio outputs (1 optical and 1 coaxial), it can deliver up to 5.2 channels of high-quality surround sound. smart connectivity allows you to stream music from your phone or tablet. In contrast, the multi-function system allows you to enjoy a multi-channel stereo setup, FM radio tuner, and 1/4 inches headphone jack.

You'll find all the components you need to get started, in the box, including a calibration microphone, FM wire antenna, remote control, and batteries. Set up is easy with step-by-step instructions, and you'll be ready to enjoy the Sony STRDH590 home theater receiver.

2) YAMAHA RX-V385 Ultra HD Receiver

by YAMAHA 

RX-V385 Ultra HD Receiver

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Why We Think It's Rad

The YAMAHA RX-V385 Ultra HD Receiver is the ultimate entertainment solution for your home theater. With support for 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log Gamma, and BT.2020, you can enjoy stunning visuals with true-to-life color representation. YPAO auto-calibration technology ensures you get ideal sound quality tailored to your specific room environment.

In contrast, Yamaha rx v4a exclusive Cinema DSP technology supports playback HD Audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio, providing natural and expansive sound imaging. Additionally, built-in Bluetooth connectivity allows you to stream music from compatible devices directly through the receiver.

Rad Points To Know

The YAMAHA RX-V385 Ultra HD Receiver is perfect for an immersive home theater experience. This AV receiver features YPAO auto-calibration technology to provide ideal sound. It offers exclusive Yamaha Cinema DSP technology for playback of HD Audio (Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio, etc.), delivering natural and expansive sound imaging.

It also provides compatibility with the latest HDMI standards, allowing users to enjoy 4K video at 60 frames/second pass-through. It also supports HDR Video, including Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma. With YAMAHA RX-V385 Ultra HD Receiver, users can expect incredible contrast, smooth tone, and rich, bright colors when watching movies or shows.

3) Pyle Bluetooth Audio Stereo Receiver

by Pyle 

Bluetooth Audio Stereo Receiver

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Why We Think It's Rad

The Pyle Bluetooth audio stereo receiver is a powerful 300-watt peak power pre-amplifier designed for your home theater entertainment system. It features 4 channels and can handle up to 8 ohms of impedance, allowing you to enjoy high-quality amplified audio easily.

The Pyle unit also supports a wide range of inputs, including an SD/MMC card slot, USB port, MP3 player port, AM FM tuner input, AUX input for CD players or other portable devices, 2 microphone inputs with an echo for karaoke or event hosting needs as well as RCA and Bluetooth inputs. With the Pyle Bluetooth audio stereo receiver, you can easily enjoy optimal amplified audio quality in any setting.

Rad Points To Know

The Pyle Bluetooth audio stereo receiver is the perfect choice for any audio enthusiast looking to upgrade their sound system. This receiver offers a wide range of features and excellent sound quality. The integrated hybrid amplifier is equipped with Bluetooth, allowing you to stream music wirelessly from your favorite devices such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer.

You can also select between A and B speakers using the A/B speaker selector feature. Additionally, this receiver has crisp buttons to adjust equalizer control settings and select your desired audio source. With Pyle's Bluetooth Audio Stereo Receiver, you can enjoy a high-quality listening experience every time.

4) Sunbuck Wireless Bluetooth Receiver

by Sunbuck 

Wireless Bluetooth Receiver

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Why We Think It's Rad

The Sunbuck wireless Bluetooth receiver is designed to provide you with the best audio experience. It has a powerful peak music power HDMI output of 180 watts and an RMS of 2x30w at 4 OHM, making it perfect for karaoke and home theater systems. You can also choose from six HDMI inputs: USB/SD card/FM Radio/Bluetooth/2 1/4 inch microphone IN and various external sources RCA (R, L) audio input.

Plus, the two mics input gives you an even more powerful shock and heavier sense, making you feel like you're singing in the studio. With the Sunbuck wireless Bluetooth receiver, you can easily enjoy top-notch sound quality.

Rad Points To Know

The Sunbuck wireless Bluetooth receiver is an ideal choice for anyone looking to amplify sound and music in their environment. It is easy to set up and use, with knobs that control microphone echo/volume, balance, bass, treble, master volume, and remote control for distant audio adjustments.

The USB 2.0/SD Card Input feature supports flash drives or SD cards, allowing you to play your favorite audio files from your computer's media library when connected directly to the amp. Supported files include MP3, WAV, WMA, APE, and PLAC formats.

Sunbuck wireless Bluetooth receiver allows you to adjust your sound levels whenever needed while enjoying your favorite music and sounds. It has easy balance control knobs that you can adjust to control microphone echo/volume, balance, bass, treble, and master volume. It also includes a remote control for distant audio adjustments (with limited functionality). With Sunbuck wireless Bluetooth receiver, you can easily enjoy an enhanced listening experience!

5) Marantz Cinema 60 Home Theater Receiver

by Marantz 

Cinema 60 Home Theater Receiver

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Why We Think It's Rad

The Marantz cinema home theater receiver is the perfect way to upgrade your home theater system. Featuring 8K connectivity and 3D surround sound, you can experience pristine audio and video quality with Dolby Surround & DTS Neural:X upmixer for heightened realism.

Enjoy an ultimate cinematic experience with 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz pass-through, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, dynamic HDR, HLG, HDR10, and more. Upgrade your surround sound system with immersive 3D sound and support for QFT, QMS, VRR & ALLM for lag-free gaming. Get the Marantz cinema home theater receiver to take your entertainment to a new level!

Rad Points To Know

The Marantz cinema home theater receiver is packed with features to make your home theater experience more enjoyable and effortless. With its 8 HDMI ports, (3) 8K UHD inputs, (2) subwoofer optical digital audio outputs, phono input, analog and digital inputs, USB, and more, you can connect any HD/UHD TV, subwoofer, turntable, or Blu-Ray player for exceptional stereo sound quality.

This Marantz receiver allows you to create a multi-room surround sound system by streaming music via built-in HEOS wi-fi or Bluetooth and AirPlay 2. Moreover, you can enjoy HI-Fi audio around your home with Pandora or Spotify with its voice control feature that allows you to adjust volume, change inputs, and more with Alexa or Google voice assistant. Therefore, the Marantz cinema home theater receiver is the perfect choice for an effortless home theater experience.

Best Home Theater Receiver Under 500 FAQs

Trying to find the best home theater receiver under 500 can be a daunting task. With all the different brands and models on the market, how can you be sure you're making the right choice?

It is hard to figure out which home theater receiver is best for your needs, but it's also tough to know what features to look for in a model that falls within your budget. We've created this helpful faq guide to answer your questions about home theater receivers under 500 dollars.

How powerful of a receiver do I need?

It depends on the size of your space, the number and type of speakers you have, and how loud you like to listen. Generally speaking, if you're powering a single pair of bookshelf speakers in a small room, an amplifier with anywhere from 20-50 watts per channel should suffice.

If you're trying to fill a large space with several powerful speakers or want maximum acoustic power for music and movie soundtracks, it's best to get something that can deliver up to 100 watts per channel. Ultimately, the choice is yours - so take time to consider your personal needs before investing in a receiver.

Does a receiver affect sound quality?

Yes, a receiver can affect sound quality. Receivers act as the hub of your home theater, processing audio signals from multiple sources and adjusting the overall sound to create that cinematic experience. They also determine how loud the audio is and what speakers are used to deliver sound.

Good receivers should provide strong amplification, accurate signal processing, and clear audio components like DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters). With these features, receivers can help improve the clarity and quality of your audio. So if you're looking to boost your home theater's sound quality, investing in a good receiver could be a great place to start!

Do all receivers sound the same?

Some receivers sound different. The sound of a receiver can vary depending on its components and features, such as power output, pre-amplification, signal decoding, bass management, electronic crossovers, and equalization.

Additionally, certain models may use higher quality parts or have additional features than others that can affect their sound. So while some receivers may be similar in performance, they will still have unique characteristics that set them apart. Ultimately it is up to the user to decide which receiver sounds best for their needs. It's always a good idea to compare multiple models before making a final decision.

What are the qualities of a receiver?

A receiver is a person who can take in and process information quickly. They have strong listening skills, the ability to pay attention to detail, and the capacity to think critically. Additionally, they must interpret data accurately and make sense of complex conversations. A good receiver also has great communication skills; they are effective communicators, both verbally and non-verbally.

Furthermore, receivers should possess problem-solving abilities and a willingness to work collaboratively with others to come up with practical solutions. Finally, a receiver must be organized and have excellent time management skills to stay on top of tasks and handle multiple assignments simultaneously.

How many speakers can a receiver handle?

The number of speakers that a receiver can handle depends on the type of receiver you have. Generally, most receivers can support up to 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound systems, which means they can accommodate up to six (5.1) or eight (7.1) speakers and one subwoofer, respectively.

Some receivers even offer Dolby Atmos support for up to nine speakers and two subwoofers for immersive cinematic audio experiences. So depending on your setup, you can choose the right av receiver under 500 to power your system and enjoy exceptional sound quality in your home theater setup.

How many channels does my receiver need?

The number of channels your receiver needs depends on the type of surround sound system you are using. If you are using a basic 2-channel stereo system, then your receiver will only need two channels. However, if you use a 5.1 surround sound system, your receiver will require six channels: Left Front, Right Front, Center (Front), Left Rear, Right Rear, and Subwoofer.

In addition, some more advanced systems could require up to eight or even eleven channels for optimal performance. It is, therefore, important to check the specifications of the speaker setup you plan on using before choosing a receiver.

It's also worth noting that many receivers have built-in decoding processors to decode digital audio signals from Blu-ray discs and other sources directly without needing an external processor. This means less equipment and a simpler installation process are required.

What speakers need a receiver?

Any speaker that uses either radio or wireless connectivity technology will require a receiver. It includes stereo speakers, home theatre systems, and many computer audio systems. Wireless speakers typically send out an audio signal picked up by the receiver, amplifying the sound.

Without a receiver, these speakers would not be able to receive audio signals from other devices and play them back. In most cases, the receiver also acts as a hub for all your connected audio sources so you can easily mix and match sounds. Receivers are essential for any device that relies on wireless signals to play sound.

It's important to note, however, that some speakers do not require a receiver to work properly. Passive (non-powered) speakers, for example, do not require a receiver to work. These speakers can directly receive sound from an external source and amplify it without needing a receiver. On the other hand, active (powered) speakers will require a receiver to amplify the signal and produce sound.

Can the receiver power speakers?

Yes, a receiver can power speakers. A receiver is an all-in-one device that combines the functions of a radio tuner, amplifier, and other audio processing components into one unit. Most receivers have built-in amplifiers, so they can power speakers directly without needing additional equipment.

Additionally, many receivers are equipped with multiple outputs for connecting multiple speakers or subwoofers for more powerful sound systems. This makes it easy to use your receiver to create a multi-speaker setup to get the best possible sound from your system. With so many features and options, using a receiver to power speakers makes it easy to create an impressive home theater or music system.

Do audio receivers use a lot of power?

Audio receivers typically use less power. Depending on the type and quality of receiver you choose, they will consume an average of around 20 to 50 watts. In comparison, most home appliances, such as washing machines or dryers, can draw up to 500 watts. Therefore, audio receivers are considered relatively low-power devices compared to other common household appliances.

However, checking the device's specifications for its exact wattage is always important before making a purchase. Additionally, having multiple receivers in a home can add up and cause higher electricity bills.

To minimize energy usage and maximize savings, it is recommended to look for receivers that are Energy Star certified or have other power-saving features. Ultimately, audio receivers do not use excessive amounts of power, but there are still ways to reduce their energy consumption further.

Best Home Theater Receiver Under 500: Wrapping Up

Whether you want to upgrade your home theater system with an immersive 3D sound experience or need a reliable receiver that can power multiple speakers, finding the best av receiver for your needs is essential. With these av receivers under 500, you can enjoy unbeatable audio quality and all the features necessary for a true cinematic experience. Now it's time to pick one and dive into the world of movie magic! Good luck with your search for the perfect home theater receiver!

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