Best Budget Receivers [Reviewed and Tested]

Denon AVR-S570BT – best overall

Denon receivers often become the leaders of my picks, which is not surprising, as the brand combines high-quality sound and components used and, at the same time, is not too expensive. In the segment of receivers under $500, Denon AVR-S570BT has an optimal price/quality ratio. That’s why it became the winner of my review.

The brand has not changed its design for many years. Even for the relatively new model S570BT, the LCD and buttons remained in the same places. The design is quite light, which is typical for inexpensive AVRs. But the controls work with great precision. However, I still don’t really like the narrow control buttons right on top of the LCD. If you have big fingers like me, you will definitely get the glass dirty. You can use the remote, but that’s pretty outdated too. However, the on-screen menu will be understandable even for a beginner. In general, Denon is like a good car – reliable and not frozen on unnecessary details. That’s why you get more inside than outside, and that’s good.

The power of the 5.2-channel surround sound receiver with support for basic Dolby Digital and DTS-HD Master Audio formats is 70W (8 ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 2ch). Still, I wouldn’t recommend keeping it at maximum volume for a long time, although a THD of 0.08% gives you such an opportunity without distortion and noise. The thing is that the AVR-S570BT heats up pretty quickly in such a mode. Giving credit to the protection, it must be said that the AVR shuts down when this happens. However, I should note that this is quite acceptable for inexpensive devices, as inexpensive components are used for their construction, which determines the price.

Released in 2022, the receiver is a 4/1 HDMI port version 2.1 and supports operation, 8K and 3D video pass-through upscaling, and HDR10+ format. Most receivers in this category and my rating do not. However, one output is not enough if you have a console or projector. You will have to rearrange the cable every time you change devices.

Wireless connectivity is extremely limited; you only get Bluetooth, but its version 4.2 allows you to use Spotify, Deezer, and Pandora with pretty good quality. It’s a pity that the AVR-S570BT doesn’t have Wi-Fi. I think this is simply unacceptable for a 2022 (model year release) unit. However, music is not the main thing in the receiver, and you can still get it using the phono input, connecting a vinyl player, or digital media sources.

On the other hand, movies with the Denon are a true delight. In a small room of up to 200 square feet, surround sound spreads evenly and richly. The manufacturer has focused on this very point. I watched The Man from U.N.C.L.E, and compared to more expensive devices, the difference is not so big (for an unsophisticated viewer). The sound is clear, perfectly balanced in frequencies, incredibly warm, realistic, and conveys a lot of detail. With a good sub, the bass is tight and rich.

Sony STR-DH590

A model from Sony occupies the second place. STR-DH590 is cheaper than Denon AVR-S570BT and loses first place only in the area of video capabilities. This is due to the 2018 year of its release when 8K was still out of the question. But the number of HDMI connectors is the same 4/1, and it works with HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats. By the way, it is worth mentioning that it is perfect for Sony TVs.

The build quality is much inferior to the Denon AVR-S570BT. Sony, in general, has kept all the design traditions from the 90s. It evokes nostalgia, but in the modern world, it looks simple. It’s not the only brand that still has spring terminals for connecting speakers, and they don’t inspire confidence. So, if I were you, I’d try to touch them as little as possible. The system itself should be assembled with trepidation as the case flexes a bit under your fingers. Besides, Sony STR-DH590 overheats more and faster than Denon.

Despite being the most inexpensive receiver in my selection, its power output is 90W (6 ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.09% THD, 2 ch), yet it works with speakers in the 6 to 16 Ohm range. And although it’s not stated in the specs, it works fine with 4 Ohm speakers. However, I wouldn’t experiment with max volume with it, either. The cause is severe overheating, which I’ve already mentioned.

In surround sound and wireless connectivity, the STR-DH590’s specs are identical to the AVR-S570BT, so I won’t repeat them. However, the overall soundstage is cooler and more neutral than the Denon. I enjoyed listening to streaming services in this tone.

In surround sound and wireless connectivity, the STR-DH590’s specs are identical to the AVR-S570BT, so I won’t repeat them. However, the overall soundstage is cooler and more neutral than the Denon. I enjoyed listening to streaming services in this tone.

AVR itself is very easy to assemble and install. The S-Force PRO feature allows for only 2 front speakers and simulates the feeling of surround sound. So, if you don’t already have a full set of speakers to build a system, this could come in handy.

Onkyo TX-SR494

As promised, a 7.2-channel receiver with 80W (8 ohms, 20-20kHz, 0.08%, 2ch) found a place in my selection. This is a product of the 2019 Onkyo TX-SR494, which, although the most expensive in this review, is still inexpensive, which means that the manufacturer has made special compromises.

Many users love Onkyo. The brand’s receivers are clear and simple. The buttons under the bright, readable LCD are wide and comfortable as if specially made to fit the shape of your fingers. But the push-button bass and midrange adjustment are fuzzy. You select settings from those offered, and there’s no question of nuance. There are also spring terminals for connecting the speakers, as in the Sony STR-DH590, but the chassis is stronger and more reliable. In general, it is a serious device for its money.

To begin with, it has the same number of HDMI ports (4/1) with 4K support, just like the Sony STR-DH590. But you’ll need a special HDMI cable, as the TX-SR494 is pretty finicky. You can read more in the product specs on Onkyo’s website.

Just like the Denon AVR-S570BT and Sony STR-DH590, the Onkyo TX-SR494 doesn’t have Wi-Fi. But unlike them, the Bluetooth built into the receiver is the usual one, although it does support the AAC codec, which has better pairing with Apple tech. Still, even that didn’t impress me with streaming services, a pretty ordinary connection not without momentary lapses. But it did a good job with my media library playlist.

In terms of surround sound, of course, there are advantages relative to the other rating participants. The 5.2.2 configuration allows for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks. But if you don’t want to drill the ceiling, you can use Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer and DTS Virtual:X technologies. The receiver sounds good in these immersive sound formats, no worse than with ceiling speakers, and given the small room the TX-SR494 is designed for, that’s an extremely effective bonus, in my opinion. But the automatic calibration is like a joke; it doesn’t do any job, and I had to do everything manually. It’s not too difficult, but I still would have liked at least a little help from AVR. But credit should be given to the voice tuning feature, which improved the dialog level to a very high level.

Pioneer VSX-534

Toward the end, I always suggest two receivers that, although they didn’t take the first three places in the rating, can still be an alternative to them for reasons of your personal preference, such as sound, functionality, or even design. And one of them is Pioneer VSX-534 – the owner of some unique features.

The receiver does not differ much from the competitors in the rating in terms of build quality and design. The small round buttons are inconvenient but present in both Denon AVR-S570BT and Onkyo TX-SR494. The LCD is bright, like most older models. But I would point out the controls because they are as smooth and crisp as Denon’s. It’s a very pleasant experience. And there are spring terminals for 5 speakers here, too.

The receiver nominally has a power of 80W (8 Ohm, 20Hz – 20kHz), but the THD distortion factor is 0.8%, which is much higher than previous models. In practice, this translated into noise and crackle.

VSX-534 is a 2019 receiver, so it doesn’t support 8K video and has a standard set of HDMI ports (4/1) and an extremely limited number of other types of connectors for my selection (like all other models, though). All the same features and in the area of wireless connectivity as the competition. But in the surround sound area, we are in for a surprise.

So, although MCACC autocalibration is the most primitive of all, in this receiver, you have the Personal Preset option, which allows you to save settings for three different scenarios. In my opinion, this is very cool because you can choose individual settings for each family member.

But things are even more complicated with this receiver. The manufacturer claims the 5-channel AVR decodes Dolby Atmos or DTS:X surround sound formats. Well, perhaps it is a too-loud statement because Dolby Atmos in the 3.1.2 configuration will never sound like at least in 5.2.2, not to mention 7.2.4. But let’s take it without skepticism. Virtualization of the high-rise channels is also available if you don’t choose ceiling-mounted speakers. Information about which audio track the content is broadcast with will pop up on the screen. And you can also listen to the sound in the second zone with wireless headphones. Not bad for a budget receiver, don’t you agree?

Yamaha RX-V385

And the last alternative affordable receiver for you in this review is the Yamaha RX-V385. The model was released in 2018, so it doesn’t differ much from its predecessors, except that the system uses only 1 subwoofer instead of 2 like all the others. Its output is 70 watts (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.09%, 2ch) and sounds quite clean at high volume, with a distinctive neutral, as its fans call it, that gives the overall soundstage a crystalline feel.

The dish is served with the same sauce: upscaled 4K video, HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, 3D Pass-through (4/1 HDMI ports), basic Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound formats, and no Wi-Fi.

On the plus side, we can highlight the CINEMA DSP mode, which produces the effect of concert hall acoustics. It’s a really very interesting sound picture, adding the effect of layering and systematic sound spread in the room. And also, Virtual CINEMA FRONT allows you to place all your speakers in front of you and still hear surround sound.

I liked the two-way Bluetooth performance, which performed better than the other models in my top. The YPAO calibration was pretty simple and quick and did a pretty good job; it’s worse with larger systems, and here, I didn’t even need to adjust manually.

Of the outright flaws, I noticed that HDMI is worse when the cable is long. Video spontaneously, but rarely, lags for a few seconds. I found no problems with the short cable, although it was of worse quality.