"Think of Your Home Theater Receiver as the Brain,
Heart, and Muscle of Your Surround Sound System"

Once properly connected with the rest of your home theater component electronics and surround sound speakers, an A/V receiver switches between your audio and video source components at the mere push of a button or turn of a knob.  Buttons and knobs are the pre-amplifier controls that allow you to adjust surround sound settings to your specific tastes or room situation.  A volume knob and tone controls are examples.  A remote control allows you to adjust your home theater's audio/video settings without leaving your couch!

A home theater receiver has a built-in multi-channel digital surround sound processor and power amplifier whose job it is to decode your DVDs and HDTV signal and send out clean, high-quality, non-distorted audio signal to as many as 6 or 7 speakers.  Lastly, a surround sound receiver includes an AM/FM radio tuner, usually with radio station presets.  Other source components that will most likely be connected to the inputs on your home theater receiver include your DVD player, your HDTV, cable, or satellite dish receiver, your VCR, CD player, or even your audio cassette deck or phonograph.  (Word of warning:  Many AV receivers today DON'T have a phono input on the back.)

Of course, the video signal will be sent out to your television so you have a picture and your audio surround sound signal will be sent to your speakers and your subwoofer so you can hear sound that rivals that in your local movie theater or concert hall.

The quality and proper placement of your home theater speakers will make or break the overall sound performance of your home theater surround sound system.

Many new home builders wish to build a whole house audio system right into the building plans.  Your favorite music pumped through in-wall and ceiling speakers throughout your home and even to outdoor speakers is something that will NOT ONLY make your everyday living that much more enjoyable BUT ALSO will add considerable value and appeal to your house if and when you decide to sell your home!

TIGHT ON SPACE?  You
may need a thin AV receiver!

Pioneer receivers bundled with
Infinity speakers at great savings!

Denon AVR-3805 Receiver

Denon AVR3805

Denon AVR 3805 7.1 A/V Receiver With Dolby Digital Surround EX Dolby Pro Logic IIx & DTS ES Discrete 6.1/ DTS ES Discrete 6.1 And Matrix 6.1 Decoding/ HDCD Decoding/ 7 Channels Equal Power Amplifier x 120 watts per channel (8 ohms)  See more Denon receivers.

Yamaha HTR-5790 Receiver

Yamaha HTR-5790

The Yamaha HTR5790 delivers powerful 110 Watt x 7 channel sound. Discrete 7-channel amplification delivers high quality sound and YPAO (Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer) measures your room and automatically equalizes for the best sound.  See more Yamaha receivers.

Onkyo TX-SR701 Receiver

Onkyo TX-SR701

Step up to THX Surround EX Processing to get the most out of movie soundtracks.  The Onkyo TXSR701 includes the guarantee of build and sound excellence that can only come from THX certification.  Includes the latest decoding formats including DTS 96/24.  See more Onkyo receivers.