How can you add Bluetooth to a stereo receiver?

Like a lot of audio equipment, receivers can be sensitive to harsh chemicals and can get damaged when cleaned improperly. The best way to tidy up your receiver is using a can of compressed air to dispel dust on the surface and in the cavities, especially useful if you open up the chassis. It's also advisable to occasionally remove the knobs, faceplate, or switches, and clean any point of contact with contact cleaner, which is specially designed for cleaning electronics.

How do you connect a subwoofer to a stereo receiver?

As our handy guide explains, it's easy to connect a subwoofer to your new receiver by way of RCA or LFE cables, or via the speaker output if your subwoofer features spring clips.

What's the best way to clean a stereo receiver?

Like a lot of audio equipment, receivers can be sensitive to harsh chemicals and can get damaged when cleaned improperly. The best way to tidy up your receiver is using a can of compressed air to dispel dust on the surface and in the cavities, especially useful if you open up the chassis. It's also advisable to occasionally remove the knobs, faceplate, or switches, and clean any point of contact with contact cleaner, which is specially designed for cleaning electronics.

The 4 Best Home Theater Receivers Under $400

The hub of the home theater system, receivers can produce dimension, clarity of sound, and, best of all, power. Combined with a 5.1 or a 7.2 channel home theater setup, it’s a significant difference in quality. It’s especially noticeable when contrasted with soundbars or the built-in sound systems available in TVs today, whose quality has steadily degraded as TVs have gotten thinner and thinner. Read on to see the best home theater receivers for under $400.

The Rundown

Best Overall:

Yamaha RX-V385 at Amazon

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Best 5.2 Channel:

Onkyo TX-SR393 at Walmart

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Best 7.2 Channel:

Sony STR-DH790 at Amazon

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Best Design:

Cambridge Audio AXA35 at Amazon

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in this article

Our Picks
What to Look For in a Home Theater Receiver
FAQ

Amazon

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What We Like

Excellent sound for an entry level receiver
Bluetooth enabled

What We Don't Like

No Wi-Fi connectivity
Not suited for larger rooms

The Yamaha RX-V385 offers a lot for its suggested price tag, such as a powerful 5.1-channel amplifier, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding for Blu-ray Discs. Also, built-in Bluetooth allows direct streaming from compatible devices, such as smartphones, and the receiver can send audio to Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones.

The SCENE function allows preset or customized listening and viewing modes. One feature I especially like is the Silent Cinema headphone surround output.

For ease of speaker setup, the RX-V385 includes Yamaha's YPAO system. Using an included microphone, the receiver generates test tones to analyze to get the best sound from your speakers in a given room.

Also included are four HDMI inputs and outputs that, in addition to 1080p, 4K, and 3D video signals, are also pass-through-compatible with HDR (HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Hybrid Log Gamma) and Wide Color Gamut. However, the RX-V385 does not provide additional video processing or upscaling.

Although Bluetooth is provided, the RX-V385 does not include built-in internet streaming capability. However, the front-mounted USB port allows the playback of downloaded music files from stored flash drives.

If you want a basic home theater receiver with valuable features, power, and performance, the RX-V385 offers a worthy option.

_{Wattage: 145W | Inputs: Stereo RCA (3), HDMI (4), Coaxial (1), Optical (1) | Outputs: Stereo RCA (1), Speaker Wire (5), HDMI (1) | Dimensions: 12.4" x 17.13" x 6.34"}

Adorama

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What We Like

Bluetooth connectivity
Supports 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS:X

What We Don't Like

No wireless internet support

Our review of a similar model

Easily the best 5.2-channel AV receiver for the price, Onkyo's loaded machine is an entry-level unit offering a variety of features and options that'll ensure you've got the perfect home theater setup for your needs. Configurable up to 3.1.2 channels, Onkyo ensures you can take advantage of the latest in immersive surround sound technology, whether it's Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or native object-audio playback.

James considered it a surprising standout since it's Onkyo's least expensive AV receiver from its 2019 lineup; the TX-SR393 includes four HDMI inputs and one HDMI (ARC) output. The speaker hookups accept banana plugs, which makes connecting them much more straightforward, and thanks to Onkyo's proprietary AccuEQ calibration technology, you can rest assured knowing that you'll have the best acoustics for the room you're in, no matter the size.

Thanks to its user-friendly GUI and remote control, the Onkyo TX-SR393 is easy to use and adjust as needed. It supports 1080p-to-4K upscaling, 4K HDR video at 60 frames/second, and HDR video passthrough. A firmware update brought the receiver into HDCP 2.3-compatibility, too.

Bluetooth connectivity, but notably no Wi-Fi connectivity, is a nice slice-of-life feature, allowing you to cast music and stream directly from devices to the TX-SR393. Overall, the main criticism of this receiver is that it simply can't perform at the same level as mid to high-end AV receivers, which offer more finesse and natural sound. Hardly a criticism, given the great value this budget system provides.

_{Wattage: 155W | Inputs: Stereo RCA (5), HDMI (4), Coaxial (1), Optical (1) | Outputs: Stereo RCA (2), Speaker Wire (3), HDMI (1) | Dimensions: 12.9" x 17.1" x 6.3"}

"It doesn’t have some of the connected features that many home receivers have, but if you’re not interested in these features, the TX-SR373 is a great choice." — James Huenink, Product Tester

Onkyo TX-SR373 — Lifewire / James Huenink

4.2

Amazon

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What We Like

Supports 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound
Easy-to-use auto calibration

What We Don't Like

Not rated for 4-ohm loudspeakers
Can’t fine tune second zone

Sony STR-DH790 7.2 Channel Receiver Review

The Sony STR-DH790 offers excellent value for the price. Able to support a 5.1, 5.2, or 7.2 channel home theater system setup and rated at 145 watts power-per-channel, it's got plenty of options and power for most needs. Even better is its support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. For any 5.1 or 5.2 channel users, it also offers room to grow if you're considering adding additional speakers later for even more immersive sound quality.

The STR-DH790 comes with four HDMI inputs, all supporting HDR and 4K video at 60 frames/second, and one HDMI (eARC) output, including 3D video pass-through technology. Our reviewer, Jeremy, found it worked seamlessly with his home theater setup. With Bluetooth connectivity and a variety of Sound Effect options to optimize listening, the STR-DH790 offers competitive features.

Like many entry-level AV receivers, the STR-DH790 doesn't include Wi-Fi connectivity. While the spring-clip connections are annoying and the setup wizard leaves a little to be desired, the Sony auto-calibration makes finalizing your home theater system a breeze. Do be aware—it doesn't support wireless speaker connections. Still, with low harmonic distortion of .9%, this system offers a clean, robust sound, great bass, and excellent features at a reasonable price.

_{Wattage: 145W | Inputs: Stereo RCA (5), HDMI (4), Coaxial (1), Optical (1) | Outputs: Stereo RCA (2), Speaker Wire (5), HDMI (1) | Dimensions: 11.75" x 17" x 5.25"}

“The Sony STR-DH790 is a highly capable 7.2 channel receiver that’s perfect for home theater newbies and anyone looking to put together a decent setup on the cheap.” — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester

Cambridge Audio Integrated Stereo Amplifier

Amazon

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Phono-stage built-in for turntable attachments

What We Don't Like

No Bluetooth connectivity, coaxial or optical inputs
Remote control can be finicky

The Cambridge Audio AXA35 is an affordable, entry-level amplifier for home theater or music lovers. It provides input for up to five sources, although it's lacking some key features we've grown used to seeing as standards, such as Bluetooth connectivity and coaxial or optical inputs. Its design is otherwise intuitive and attractive, from the silver finish, beveled heat vents to reduce sharp edges, and its almost floating nature thanks to its low-profile supports. Combined with a convenient remote and good power at 35 watts of power-per-channel, the AXA35 integrated amplifier is an excellent fit for small to medium-sized rooms.

In addition to its sleek design, it includes a USB B port for powering smartphones, tablets, and other media devices. Unfortunately, it cannot play music directly from external sources connected to this port.

Once it's all hooked up, it's easy to see why those seemingly standard features were dropped: to support clean, crisp, and surprisingly strong sound quality. Cambridge Audio's selective focus on the AXA35's components and minimalist features has paid off, making it the best-designed budget amplifier today. It's excellent quality for the price.

_{Wattage: 35W | Inputs: Stereo RCA (5), 3.5mm Headphone Jack (1) | Outputs: Stereo RCA (2), 3.5mm Headphone Jack (1) | Dimensions: 13.2" x 16.9" x 3.3"}

What to Look For in a Home Theater Receiver

Connectivity

Before you buy a receiver, look at how many devices you want to connect. Ensure the receiver has enough HDMI, RCA, optical, and other inputs to accommodate your equipment. If you need wireless connections, look for a receiver with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or both.

Audio Formats

Most inexpensive home theater receivers support older codecs like Dolby TrueHD and DTS:HD. If you want the best surround sound experience possible, look for a receiver that supports the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X codecs. You'll also want to look at what home theater setups they support. Some will only work for 5.1 or 5.2, or 7.2 systems. Look at our overview of the 2.0, 2.1, 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 channel systems.

Room Correction

In this price range, built-in room correction software is one of the most significant difference makers in terms of audio quality. Using this feature takes a little extra work, but you’ll notice the difference if you choose a receiver with excellent room correction. Our guide for how to set up a home theater system can help you evaluate your options for better digital room correction.

FAQ

How can you add Bluetooth to a stereo receiver?

Like a lot of audio equipment, receivers can be sensitive to harsh chemicals and can get damaged when cleaned improperly. The best way to tidy up your receiver is using a can of compressed air to dispel dust on the surface and in the cavities, especially useful if you open up the chassis. It's also advisable to occasionally remove the knobs, faceplate, or switches, and clean any point of contact with contact cleaner, which is specially designed for cleaning electronics.
How do you connect a subwoofer to a stereo receiver?

As our handy guide explains, it's easy to connect a subwoofer to your new receiver by way of RCA or LFE cables, or via the speaker output if your subwoofer features spring clips.
What's the best way to clean a stereo receiver?

Like a lot of audio equipment, receivers can be sensitive to harsh chemicals and can get damaged when cleaned improperly. The best way to tidy up your receiver is using a can of compressed air to dispel dust on the surface and in the cavities, especially useful if you open up the chassis. It's also advisable to occasionally remove the knobs, faceplate, or switches, and clean any point of contact with contact cleaner, which is specially designed for cleaning electronics.

Best Overall

Yamaha RX-V385 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver

Best 5.2 Channel

Onkyo TX-SR393 Home Theater Receiver

Best 7.2 Channel

Sony STR-DH790 7.2 Channel Receiver

Best Design

Cambridge Audio AXA35