5. The final verdict
OK, so you have done your homework and you are now ready to head down to your local store and buy a receiver.
When you are there make sure to check out these important areas...
User Interface
Since a receiver provides so many different functions in a home audio or home theater system, the user interface is critical in achieving ease-of-use.
A good user interface can make the home theater experience an enjoyable experience, while a poor user interface can render frustration. User interfaces are frequently overlooked by both manufacturers and consumers.
The user interface should make the initial set-up of the system and everyday use as effortless as possible. And since the home theater system serves as an entertainment center for the whole family, it should be easy enough for everyone in the family to use, not just the home theater enthusiast of the family.
On-Screen Display (OSD).
Since home theater receivers provide video switching, manufacturers have created on-screen displays using the TV output for displaying menus. Selections are made using the remote control's cursor control and enter buttons. On-screen displays make the set-up and configuration process much more intuitive and easier to navigate.
Remote Control Design.
A properly designed remote control can make aworld of difference. For everyday use, it serves as the primary user interface. A good remote control should be ergonomic (easy to hold and to operate). It should fit well in your hand and has buttons that are clearly marked, logically grouped, and easy to press. If you like to watch movies in a dark room (like us), a remote control with illuminated or glow-in-the-dark buttons is considered a must-have.
Universal and Learning Remote Controls.
To ease the clutter of numerous remote controls on your coffee table, some remote control units that come with receivers can also control other components like DVD players, VCRs, and TVs. Some can even be set to control components from other manufacturers. These universal remote controls have pre-programmed infrared codes for operating components made by major manufacturers. Taking the universal remote control concept one step further, some manufacturers include a learning remote control, which can learn the remote control code of any device. To program the learning remote, you will need the other remote. If the infrared codes are not pre-programmed, programming a learning remote can be a very time consuming process.
Macro Capability.
To make the system easier for other family members to operate, some of the better remote controls provide a macro capability, where a series of button presses can be programmed to execute with a single button press. For example, a macro button can be programmed to do the following sequence: turn on the TV, turn on the receiver, turn on the DVD player, select the right video source for the TV, select the right source for the receiver, and command the DVD player to start playing.
2-Way Remote Control.
Some receivers have 2-way remote controls with an LCD display. In these designs, the receiver can send status and song title information to the 2-way remote for display on the LCD display. This is a nice feature in that you can read the song titles from the display on your hand, without squinting to read them from the LED display on the faceplate across the room.
Volume Control.
A volume control knob usually has markings around the knob as a reference. Other volume controls have LED digital readouts in decibels. The latter is more useful in a dark home theater environment, where it would be difficult to see markings in the dark or across the room.
Construction & Build Quality
If you're more interested in buying a good performing receiver than in just finding the cheapest one available, you'll want to give some thought to the construction and build quality of a receiver. Receivers with solid construction and build quality will sound better and last longer than inferior models that are built to specific price points.
Gold Plated Input/Output Jacks.
Better receivers will use gold-plated input and output jacks to resist corrosion and to establish a better electrical connection.
Multi-Way Speaker Binding Posts.
Better receivers will employ five-way binding posts to accommodate all the possible loudspeaker wire connections, from spade lugs, to banana plugs, to pins, to bare wire. Mid-level receivers will use binding posts that allow banana plugs, pins, and bare wire. Budget receivers will only have spring clips that accommodate pins or bare wire.
Cooling Fins.
Look through ventilation holes on the top plate of the receiver and check out the cooling fins. Larger cooling fins will allow the receiver to efficiently dissipate heat through convection. A cooler running receiver will perform better and last longer. Large cooling fins should be sturdily built to resist vibration which can degrade sound quality.
Cooling Fans.
Some receivers will employ cooling fans like those in a computer to remove heat. These types of receivers don't need cooling fins as large as non-fan models, but make sure the fan noise is low enough that it won't intrude in your enjoyment of movies and music during quiet passages.
Weight.
Quality components like power transformers and a well-built chassis that resists acoustic vibrations lend themselves to the weight of the receiver. So in general, a receiver's weight is still a good indication of a receiver's build quality. Good receivers can weigh 20 pounds or more. The best receivers can weigh up to 60-something pounds! While the better receivers do weigh more, the receiver's weight alone does not guarantee top notch performance.
Upgradeability & "Future Proofing": protecting your investment
With the new surround sound formats and new high resolution, multi-channel audio formats coming out in the recent years, you may be wondering if your new receiver will be obsolete if new formats come along in a few years? That's a legitimate and real-world concern for home theater receiver buyers these days. So how do you ensure that what you buy today won't go obsolete in a few years (especially if you're spending upwards of $1,000 for a new receiver)?
A number of receiver manufacturers have attempted to make their gear "future-proof" by designing the product with a flexible architecture. These "future-proof" features are often found in higher-quality receivers in the $1,500+ range:
Software Upgradeability.
The best receivers feature a RS-232 serial port (like that in the back of your computer) as a means of performing software upgrades to the programmable processing chips inside these receivers. Software upgrades allow the chips to decode new surround sound formats and post-processing functions. Onkyo, Denon, Sony ES are some manufacturers that take advantage of this approach.
Onkyo is one manufacturer that has actually provided a consumer installable software upgrade kit ($50) for DTS-ES discrete 6.1 and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding. You simply hook up a serial connector cable from the receiver to your desktop or laptop computer, load the upgrade CD-ROM into your computer, and follow the instructions on your computer screen.
Hardware Upgradeability.
There are two foreseeable hardware upgrades for receivers, the IEEE-1394 ("Firewire", also known as Sony's i.Link) and DB-25 multi-channel audio connector. The IEEE-1394 "FireWire" is the digital connection of the future for all things audio or video. It has a bandwidth of 400 Mbps, far greater than the maximum of 10 Mbps data rate for DVD, and the 20-35 Mbps data rate for HDTV. Not only will the IEEE-1394 provide connectivity for all digital audio and video components, it will support the concept of "plug and play". For the few receivers that are designed from the beginning to support the IEEE-1394 Firewire upgrade (e.g., Denon), it is expected to be serviced by the factory or a factory-authorized service center. The upgrade involves installing a new circuit board with a IEEE-1394 Firewire jack on the rear panel. If you look carefully at these hardware upgradeable receivers, you can notice a small panel on the back with screws, ready to be replaced by one with a IEEE-1394 Firewire jack.
Alternatives to a Receiver
If you are a serious home theater enthusiast or a high-end audiophile, you should consider separate components instead of a single-unit A/V receiver. Separates, as it's sometimes called, refer to a system of separate components: a surround sound processor/pre-amplifier/controller and a multi-channel power amplifier.
The advantages of separates are: (1) flexibility in choosing a component that will perform the surround sound processing and another component that will serve as the power amplifier, and (2) potentially much better sonic performance due to better isolation of signals and use of high-end audiophile quality parts. The downside is high cost and extra space required for two chassis. It costs more for two separate chassis, even if the parts were identical. It also costs more to connect the two separate components, and these two chassis now take more space than a single receiver chassis. But usually, separates are high-end in construction and make use of top quality parts in comparison to their receiver counterparts.
For most "everyday consumers", not only receivers will provide better than "good enough" sound quality, but receivers are generally more within reach of most "everyday consumers". Separates, with its positive and negatives, are more suitable for the very serious high-end enthusiasts and audiophiles with generous budgets.
Comparing Receivers
Firstly establish a budget!
With so many receivers on the market, and prices spread over a wide range from a few hundred dollars to over four grand, you'll want to do a feature comparison to narrow down your choices. But first, establish your budget. Make sure your 'significant other' is comfortable with it. We don't recommend buying a home theater receiver for less than $600. There are too many compromises in sound quality and performance. The sweet spot for receivers is between $900 and $2000. Here, you'll find the best value with good performance.
Better performing receivers cost in the range of $2000 to $3000. These are meant for serious home theater and audio enthusiasts.
Top notch receivers can be had in the $4000-$5000 range and are meant for audiophiles with the means ($$$$!).
Narrow Your Choices.
In comparing features, look for the host of surround sound decoding features, amplification specifications (remember to watch out for specsmanship), and the number of audio and video inputs and outputs.
If you plan to enjoy DVD-Audio or SACD, don't forget to look for at least one set of 5.1-channel analog audio inputs. Even if you don't, it offers flexibility that you may use later.
Forget about DSP modes or simulated soundfields. They don't add real value. Consider a THX-certified receiver only if you've got a receiver budget of at least $1000.
Don't forget about the warranty, don't consider any receiver with less than a one-year and look out warranties with separate periods for labor and parts (e.g., "1-year parts and 90-day labor"). Labor can be a significant amount should your receiver require service after the labor portion expires.
Better-built receivers will come with a one year full warranty.
Auditioning Receivers
Specifications, however, do not tell the whole story about a receiver's sound quality. While you can compare receivers based on specifications alone to narrow down your list of candidate receivers, the final tests should be a listening audition. Here are some tips for auditioning receivers in retailer showrooms:
Choose the loudspeakers for your audition carefully. Ideally, you should audition receivers with the same loudspeakers you have at home. But of course, this is frequently not possible. So the next best thing would be to audition them with similar or equivalent speakers, those that are made by the same manufacturer, or have the same general design or layout, or the same nominal impedance rating, or even in the same price range. Even if the showroom has the exact same loudspeakers as you have at home, the sound in the showroom will be somewhat different from what you'll hear at home, since the room acoustics play a large part in what we actually hear. Whatever you do, audition different receivers with the same set of loudspeakers. The idea is to minimize differences in any comparison test.
Use the same source equipment. Likewise, use the same CD player or DVD player when auditioning different receivers. Again, to minimize variations in what you're hearing.
Bring your own selections of audio CDs and DVDs. It helps to bring along a few of your favorite music audio CDs and DVD movies to conduct listening tests. Don't count on the retailer to have audition material to your liking. With familiar material, you're more likely to pick out subtle differences in sound quality between receivers.
And don't forget to pick up the remote control and use it.
Make sure you're happy with the remote control. It's a critical part of the user interface.