10 Best Surround Sound Receivers 2026 in the United States

The Denon AVR-X4800H 9.4-Ch Receiver is a powerful and feature-rich option for home theater enthusiasts. Its 125W per channel power output is well-suited for larger spaces, delivering robust and immersive audio. With support for up-to-date formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, IMAX Enhanced, and Auro 3D, it provides an impressive surround sound experience. The 8K/60Hz pass-through ensures compatibility with the latest high-resolution video content, making it a future-proof choice for 8K TV owners.

Connectivity options are plentiful, with 10 HDMI ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HEOS multi-room streaming capabilities, allowing seamless integration with various devices and streaming services. The inclusion of Audyssey Room Calibration helps in fine-tuning the sound to fit your room's acoustics, enhancing the listening experience further. The user interface is designed for ease of use, featuring an on-screen HD GUI setup assistant, which simplifies the initial setup process.

The receiver is quite heavy at 34.8 pounds, which might be a consideration for some users, and its advanced features might be overkill for smaller rooms or simpler setups. Ideal for users looking to build or upgrade a comprehensive home theater system, the Denon AVR-X4800H offers extensive capabilities and high-quality performance.

The Denon AVR-X3800H is a robust 9.4-channel surround-sound receiver designed for home theaters and large-scale audio setups. It delivers 105W per channel, which is ample power for creating an immersive audio experience. A standout feature is its support for 8K video passthrough and advanced HDR formats like HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, ensuring top-notch video quality alongside its impressive audio capabilities.

Users will appreciate the broad compatibility with audio formats including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, IMAX Enhanced, and Auro 3D, which cater to a truly enveloping 3D audio experience. Furthermore, the receiver's Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X upmixer enhance legacy content, adding to its versatility. Connectivity is another strong point, with 9 HDMI 2.1 ports (6 inputs and 3 outputs), supporting 8K and 4K/120, along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HEOS multi-room streaming for extensive device integration.

The receiver also includes analog and digital inputs, and a phono input for turntables, which makes it versatile for various audio sources. The built-in HEOS technology allows for multi-room audio streaming, making it perfect for spreading music throughout your home. Room calibration is handled via the Audyssey Room Correction Suite, which tunes audio output to suit your specific room setup, enhancing the listening experience. The user interface is designed to be user-friendly, with an on-screen HD GUI setup assistant to guide users through initial setup and configuration.

However, the extensive features and high performance come at a premium price point, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. Additionally, the high power output and complex setup might be more suited for advanced users or those willing to spend time on fine-tuning their system. In conclusion, the Denon AVR-X3800H is an excellent choice for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts looking for a high-performance, feature-rich receiver that excels in both audio and video capabilities.

The Onkyo TX-RZ50 is a powerful 9.2-channel AV receiver offering up to 120 watts per channel, which is strong enough to deliver immersive sound for medium to large rooms. It supports advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, allowing for a three-dimensional sound experience that brings movies and games to life. One of its standout features is Dirac Live room correction, which automatically adjusts sound based on your room’s acoustics, improving clarity and balance without needing expert setup. The receiver also includes THX certification, ensuring that audio playback stays true to the original source without unwanted changes.

Connectivity is well-covered with 8 HDMI 2.1 ports, supporting up to 8K resolution and 4K at 120Hz, which future-proofs your system especially for gaming and high-definition video. It also integrates smoothly with the Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to easily add it to multi-room setups. Bluetooth streaming supports high-quality aptX HD codec, making wireless listening convenient with good sound quality.

Onkyo partnered with Klipsch to optimize speaker settings based on your chosen models, simplifying speaker setup and improving performance. The user interface benefits from app control, which tends to be more user-friendly than traditional button-only remotes. While the Dirac Live system greatly improves room acoustics, it requires either a smartphone with the included mic or a PC with extra gear, which may add complexity for some users. The 9.2 channel configuration and 7.2.4 pre-out capability provide flexibility, but fully utilizing 11.2 channel processing requires additional equipment. Also, at over 36 pounds and fairly large dimensions, it needs ample space. This receiver is ideal for home theater enthusiasts seeking a reliable, high-performance unit with advanced room correction and top-tier certification. It suits those wanting to combine great sound with modern connectivity and streaming options, including multi-room integration with Sonos. For users desiring straightforward setup alongside solid future-ready features and premium sound control, the TX-RZ50 represents a strong choice.