Satellite receivers: how to choose?

What is an AV receiver?

The AV receiver is the central hub of your home theater system, the “brains” of your entire setup.

It makes it easy to connect many devices to your speaker system and TV/projector, allowing you to connect and switch between multiple playback devices: Blu-ray players, game consoles, camcorders, CD players, even content from mobile devices.

AV receiver is an amplifier that powers the speaker system and sends the image to a TV or projector.

The ability to connect multiple devices to one makes it much easier to set up and manage multiple audiovisual sources.

Features of AV receivers

Each AV receiver manufacturer has so many different models that it can be a real headache trying to decide which one to buy.

You must understand that all brands produce a range of surround sound receivers at different prices.

You may see several receivers with different model numbers, but they are very similar and are simply part of the same series with an increasing number of features as the price goes up.

Now I'll go over some of the main differences you'll encounter. This should help you decide what is important to you.

Number of channels

Audio/video receivers are designed to support a variety of surround sound schemes. You need to buy a receiver that takes into account the type of speaker configuration.

What you choose may simply come down to how much you want to spend.

Or simply how much space you have in your room for all those speakers.

Standard 5.1 surround sound system. This means three speakers in the front - center, front left and front right. Then there are two surround back speakers on the left and right.

Many AV receivers have a minimum of 7.1 channels or more.

If you only want 5.1, that's fine. You can buy a 7.1 audio-video receiver and simply not connect the additional two channels.

Or use these two additional channels to power stereo speakers in another room.

Many receivers support different "zones". These are other areas in your home where you can route the same or different audio.

If you only need 5.1 sound, you can save money by purchasing a receiver with 5.1 channels. Often budget models will only be 5.1.

But they are less common now, so you may not have a choice.

Dolby Atmos, DTS:XTM and Auro-3D

A new development is the introduction of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Sound effects can be placed using a combination of height, front/rear and left/right speakers.

There is another option when it comes to 3D surround sound, namely Auro-3D.

Developed by Auro Technologies, this is another possible surround sound format that you can find with an AV receiver.

Some of the top models provide this as an extra.

There are many AV receivers that support these audio formats. Of course, it all depends on whether you'll be adding auxiliary speakers to your room.

Or if you have movies that provide this format on disc.

For DTS:X, you can use your existing 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system. No need to install additional speakers.

Dolby Atmos will require adding at least two additional height columns to a 5.1 or 7.1 setup.

The Dolby Atmos speaker configuration with two additional height speakers is recorded as 5.1.2. Or 7.1.2 for the seven-channel version.

Additional speakers for Dolby Atmos can be either in-ceiling or dedicated high-rise speakers.

Raising speakers are easier to install because you simply place them on top of your existing floorstanding ones.

Some people simply use standard direct-firing height speakers and say they prefer the sound that way.

Auro-3D is based on a standard 5.1 or 7.1 sound system. The base setup is a 9.1 speaker configuration with raised-height speakers front and rear.

There is also a 10.1 version that adds one "Voice of God" right above the listening position.

If you don't have enough speakers at the moment, there are additional options for versions 11.1 and 13.1!

Number of connections

One of the best features of an AV receiver is the number of connections on the rear panel.

The advantage is that you can easily connect various devices to the system.

The number and type of connections depends on the model.

When choosing a model to buy, it's important to think through all the devices you want to add to your setup. And what type of connections they require.

One of the most important connection characteristics is the number of HDMI inputs and outputs.

Most modern audio-video devices use HDMI for signal transmission - both image and sound. So look at the number of HDMI inputs on your receiver.

Usually it is written something like this - 7/2. This means there are 7 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs.

Sometimes this can be written as 6+1/2, meaning there are 6 HDMI inputs on the back and 1 on the front (and 2 outputs).

This way you can connect up to seven external devices to the receiver via HDMI.

When it comes to HDMI outputs, most people only need one - to their TV or projector.

However, some models offer two (or more), which can be useful if you want to send an image to another display or projector at the same time.

Beyond HDMI connections, think about all the other devices you might want to connect and the types of connections they use.

Game console? Camcorder? CD player?

Does the receiver offer all the connection types you need? Maybe consider a couple extra ones for the future?

Network AV receivers

Another feature you might want to look at is network connectivity.

A fairly recent innovation, a networked AV receiver can have an Ethernet connection, allowing it to be connected to your home network.

This allows you to use various internet features such as online music streaming and radio.

You can also stream your own music collection over the network using DLNA.

The best receivers will also be able to connect via WiFi, Bluetooth, Chromecast or AirPlay.

It also allows you to stream music from the web or send videos or music to your system via a mobile device such as a phone.

You can also connect to wireless speakers throughout your home.

Make sure the receiver you purchase has the correct network connection.

Rated powers

Many AV amplifier models will display the unit's wattage rating. Simply put, it shows how loud the sound is.

Typically, more expensive models will have more power. But there are many other reasons why they cost more.

A little more power is just one reason - and not the most important one.

You should also be aware that it can be difficult to compare the power ratings of two different AV receivers.

There are various ways to measure the power an amplifier can produce. So you have to be sure that you are comparing like with like.

A higher number is not always better!

You should compare power values ​​that are calculated using the same tests. Otherwise it doesn't mean anything. Common variables:

• number of controlled channels - for example, 2 channels;

• test signal frequency - for example, 20Hz-20kHz;

• resistance of the controlled speaker - for example, 8 Ohms;

• recorded distortion level. Less than 1% is acceptable - for example, 0.06% THD.

Also, you should know that a higher power rating does not mean that the amplifier will be significantly louder than an amplifier with a lower power rating.

Many people won't need the extra volume anyway.

Doubling the power only increases the sound level by 3 dB. To the human ear, 10 dB is “twice as loud.”

More power doesn't mean it will necessarily sound better.

But the differences may not be as big as the numbers suggest. And many of those differences will have more to do with build quality than "power."

Typically, rated power ranges from 50 to 200 W.

For most medium-sized rooms, 50 to 100 watts will be sufficient.

However, there is no problem with purchasing one that has more power. Just make sure your speakers can handle the extra power if you plan on playing them very loud.

The specifications of your speakers should indicate the power range they can handle. You'll have plenty of wiggle room, so you're unlikely to get into trouble unless you take things to the extreme.

Most amplifiers and speakers intended for home use will work well together.