Best Home Receiver under 500 Dollars

Best Home Receiver under 500
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Whether you are looking for speakers, heaters, televisions, or receivers – getting the best is important. This is why we went ahead before you to find the best home receiver under 500 dollars. Of the many options available, the YAMAHA RX-V385 remains the number one for this category.

Comparison Table for the Best Home Receiver under 500 Dollars

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S/NOIMAGENAMEFEATURES
1YAMAHA RX-V385 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with BluetoothWATERPROOF no
BLUETOOTH yes
REMOTE yes
STORE Yamaha
2Onkyo TX-SR494 AV Receiver with 4K Ultra HD | Dolby AtmosWATERPROOF no
BLUETOOTH yes
REMOTE yes
STORE Onkyo
3Sony STRDH590 5.2 Channel Surround Sound Home Theater ReceiverWATERPROOF no
BLUETOOTH yes
REMOTE yes
STORE Sony
4Denon AVR-S540BT Receiver, 5.2 channel, 4K Ultra HD Audio, and VideoWATERPROOF no
BLUETOOTH yes
REMOTE no
STORE Denon
5Pioneer VSX-534 Home Audio Smart AV Receiver 5.2-Ch HDR10WATERPROOF no
BLUETOOTH yes
REMOTE yes
STORE Pioneer
6Onkyo TX-NR595 Home Audio Smart Audio and Video ReceiverWATERPROOF no
BLUETOOTH yes
REMOTE yes
STORE Onyko
7Marantz NR1403 Slim Line 5.1-Channel Home Theater AV ReceiverWATERPROOF no
BLUETOOTH yes
REMOTE yes
STORE Marantz

Compare The Top 7 On One Page

Best Home Receiver under 500 Dollars

Good sound doesn’t just end with getting good speakers.

There is a reason why we also consider the additional sound components when we look for the best speaker.

The best home receiver will improve the quality of sound you get from your system drastically.

That being said, finding the best is usually going to be harder than we thought.

This is because a lot of stores have made so many options for you to choose from.

All these options claim to be the best and this makes it hard to identify which is and which is not.

How to Identify the Best Home Receiver under 500 Dollars

 

  • The ports and connectivity options available
  • How many channels does the receiver come with?
  • If it supports 4K or 3D files
  • The technologies that the system brings
  • Presence of a remote control

1. YAMAHA RX-V385 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with Bluetooth is the No 1 choice for the Best Home Receiver under 500 Dollars

There are so many options available to us but we just couldn’t resist the urge to start the list with this store.

The decision was a combination of two things, the first being the quality that the Yamaha store is known for.

As long as sound products and even electronics are concerned, this is one of the best stores in terms of quality products.

The range is sometimes unbelievable as they make top-notch products going from boat engines to musical instruments and speakers.

That being said, a store can be known for delivering amazing quality and still send in one subpar product.

This is not the case here as this receiver comes with some of the best features both inside and outside.

Technology is the first place you go when you are trying to find reasons why this should be the receiver for you.

It comes with the Yamaha room Acoustics Optimizer technology or as most people prefer to call it YPAO.

This is available to improve the sound quality and it does so by analyzing everything that would affect the sound.

It looks at the room where your home theater speakers are – the size, shape, and dimension of the room.

Then it compares that with the sound variables of the system and adjusts it to get the best match.

This is a smart receiver as it comes with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity options to improve its functionality.

Asides from these connection options, there are wired methods of connection available via ports depending on what is to be connected.

You have 4 HDMI 2.1 input ports with HDCP 2.2 and one for output on this receiver.

Pros

  • Can play some of the most difficult sound spectrums
  • A 7.2 channel receiver
  • Comes with the Yamaha DSP and the exclusive low-range enhancement technology
  • Remote control is included in the package

Cons

  • Not a waterproof receiver

Buy the YAMAHA RX-V385 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with Bluetooth from Amazon by clicking on the image link above

2. Onkyo TX-SR494 AV Receiver with 4K Ultra HD | Dolby Atmos

With a very popular store at number one, we might be forced to look down on some of the available options.

We do that a lot because we have this misconception that popularity will always be equal to quality products.

When in reality, popularity has very little effect if any even on the quality that a product brings to the table.

Some stores might lack it but they come with some of the best products in the market – this is an example.

The Onkyo store is one of the stores we ignore but gives us one option for the best home receiver under 500 dollars.

The first of many features to talk about here is sound decoding and its ability to reproduce difficult sounds.

Sounds like the Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X can be reproduced on this receiver with pinpoint accuracy.

Also, you get the most immersive sound possible thanks to the Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer technology available on this receiver.

The Onkyo TX-SR494 is a 5.2 channel receiver which means it can carry 2 subwoofers alongside five speakers/drivers.

This home receiver weighs around 21.3 pounds and has a dimension that is measured as 17.13” X 15.94” X 6.3”.

Another place where we win the battle is when you look at the connectivity options available to you with this receiver.

There are various wired options for connection and then you have the Bluetooth method covering the wireless side of things.

All the channels on this Onkyo receiver will give you a power output measured to be around 160 watts.

So, it is recommended to connect speakers that have peak power within this level to avoid overloading.

Pros

  • The best of technologies and components
  • Wired and wireless connectivity is available here
  • Wireless remote control is available here
  • Good sound decoding

Cons

  • Does not come with an outdoor model

Purchase the Onkyo TX-SR494 AV Receiver with 4K Ultra HD | Dolby Atmos from Amazon by clicking the image link above

3. Sony STRDH590 5.2 Channel Surround Sound Home Theater Receiver

It is impossible to have this conversation without mentioning the Sony store at some point while you are talking.

The quality is just that much and it doesn’t even matter where we are looking at as they are the best everywhere.

From game consoles to smartphones and TVs, there is nowhere you won’t find the Sony store top.

As long as you are looking for the best in the electronics world, coming to the Sony store will always be a good option.

The STRDH590 has everything you are looking for and this is why we add it to our list of the best.

Technologies are the first place you visit when you are analyzing the features that make this receiver stand out.

We have the S Force PRO technology which is on hand to give you virtual surround sound with just 2 speakers.

With this feature, you are sure of getting amazing sound quality without having to combine a lot of speakers.

There are so many wired connection options available here like 2 digital audio outputs (optical and coaxial), 4 stereo RCA inputs.

For output, you have a ¼” headphone jack and this is combined with the FM tuner to increase the functionality here.

You also have the wireless connection option thanks to the presence of Bluetooth connectivity and it comes with some advantages.

These advantages are the reason why most users prefer using the wireless method to connect devices to this receiver.

The amazing sound components and the quality of this receiver make getting cinematic sound an assurance here.

Pros

  • LED screen in front to make control easy
  • Comes with a wireless remote control
  • Can connect two subwoofers as it is a 5.2 channel receiver

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with the most power here

Get the Sony STRDH590 5.2 Channel Surround Sound Home Theater Receiver on Amazon by clicking the image above

4. Denon AVR-S540BT Receiver, 5.2 channel, 4K Ultra HD Audio, and Video

We are still considering the stores in totality and not just the popular ones and this is another one that stands out.

The Denon store is relatively new but it still manages to come with the best products in different categories.

This has given them increasing fame and is part of the reason why this is one of the fast-selling receivers.

It is also why it is an option as we go about our search for the best home receiver under 500 dollars.

Compatibility is top on the list of features we looked out before considering this receiver as one of the best.

A long list of devices can be connected here, ranging from televisions to speakers, personal computers, and smartphones.

For connectivity, you have all the available options as it comes with both the wired and wireless methods of connection.

For the wired connection here, you have the five HDMI ports to connect your receiver to aby device with HDMI compatibility.

You also have wireless connectivity which comes with a lot of advantages when compared to the wired option.

Asides from Bluetooth connectivity, you also have Wi-Fi connectivity here which makes this receiver compatible with different platforms for streaming movies/music.

Some of such platforms would include Pandora, Spotify, TIDAL, and the house-owned Denon HOES link.

One of the amazing things this receiver brings to your home theater system is the best surround sound experience.

Thanks to the inclusion of the DTS-HD master audio, you are sure of getting lossless multichannel surround sound here.

It also comes with the Dolby TrueHD which assists in giving you an amazing cinematic sound experience when you use this.

Pros

  • 140 watts of power per channel
  • Control of sound customization is available here
  • Has amazing sound decoding

Cons

  • There is no remote control here

Purchase the Denon AVR-S540BT Receiver, 5.2 channel, 4K Ultra HD Audio and Video from Amazon by clicking the image link

5. Pioneer VSX-534 Home Audio Smart AV Receiver 5.2-Ch HDR10

Another fast riser when it comes to the production of sound productions and components is the Pioneer store.

Some of the best stereo speakers in the market today both passive and powered come from this amazing store.

It is not one of the popular stores and this shows that popularity will not be a factor when finding the best.

There are many things to consider here when we are asked about the reasons why we call it one of the best.

The first feature here is the fact that this receiver comes with one of the best sound decoding in the market.

Thanks to this feature you are sure of getting one of the most interactive audio experiences with immersive sound.

Sound decoding makes it possible for you to playback some of the most difficult sound spectrums (DTS:X and Dolby) with ease.

Technological advancements available for use are another reason why this receiver stands out from the rest in this category.

With the Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer technology, you are assured of getting one of the most immersive listening experiences.

It does this by giving the needed effect for every sound it plays without the need to pack so many speakers.

During customization, you can save the sound settings you are currently using thanks to the personal preset button available here.

The independent range control is an amazing feature that can be found with this system as it gives you conditional adjustment.

Thank this feature, you can adjust the volume at a particular range rather than adjusting the whole thing.

Pros

  • Comes with a wireless remote control
  • You enjoy wireless connection as well as wired here
  • This is a 5.1.2 channel speaker
  • Comes with amazing technologies

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with as much power as others

Click the image link to buy the Pioneer VSX-534 Home Audio Smart AV Receiver 5.2-Ch HDR10 from Amazon

6. Onkyo TX-NR595 Home Audio Smart Audio and Video Receiver

The quality of the Onkyo store is shown here as there are two amazing options to pick from them.

It is however no surprise as this store has a lot of quality products on their shelves ranging from different categories.

For example, what we want here is the best home receiver under 500 dollars and this store gives you the TX-NR595.

THE Sonos compatibility is the first of many reasons why this receiver is the best when you look at receivers under 500 dollars.

It can join an existing Sonos home sound system or it can be used to start one when paired with a Sonos connect.

Thanks to the Wi-Fi connectivity here this receiver comes with a smart AVR which opens you to a world of opportunities.

This makes streaming of content possible from platforms like Pandora, Amazon Music, Spotify, Deezer, TuneIn, and TIDAL possible.

Thanks to amazing sound decoding here, this receiver can reproduce the most difficult sound spectrums with some ease.

The DTS format gives you advanced sound mapping which affects the move you get from speaker to speaker.

You also have the Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer which is available to give an immersive sound experience without the addition of speakers.

This is a 5.2.2 channel receiver and what this means is that you can connect 2 subwoofers here at the same time.

In terms of connectivity, you enjoy both the wired and the wireless method of connection when you come here.

Pros

  • Comes with a remote control
  • Amazing technologies can be found here
  • Wired and wireless connectivity are available here

Cons

  • Not a waterproof receiver

Click the image link to get the Onkyo TX-NR595 Home Audio Smart Audio and Video Receiver from Amazon

7. Marantz NR1403 Slim Line 5.1-Channel Home Theater AV Receiver

The list closes with the Marantz store and this in no way has to do with the store being one with less quality.

Just making the list already is more than enough reason to celebrate as this list is filled with some of the best qualities.

The Marantz is not the most popular but that does not become a problem as popularity doesn’t count.

What counts is the quality you get from the receiver and if that is the case, this sound system wins.

This is a 5.1 channel receiver with the full discrete power amplifier design for all the channels that it comes with.

Thanks to this feature, each channel will operate with speakers of power outage around 50 watts at an impedance of 8 ohms.

Since it is a 5.1 channel system, you can connect a subwoofer to it and create a 5.1 surround sound system.

There are 6 HMDI input ports on this receiver to help accommodate a wide array of devices and 1 HDMI output port.

This receiver also encourages wireless connectivity thanks to the presence of Bluetooth connectivity here.

The Marantz NR1403 comes with a dimension measured to be 14.4” X 17.3” X 4.1” and weighs 19.8 pounds.

The slim profile of this receiver makes it a favorite for a lot of users in the market today.

One amazing feature here is the sound decoding which makes it possible for this receiver to reproduce difficult sound formats.

It comes with a 3D-pass through which is on hand to help with when you want to play 3D videos.

Pros

  • Comes with a wireless remote control
  • LED screen and knobs in front to help with control
  • Headphone jack included as one of the output ports

Cons

  • Not as much power as the others

Purchase the Marantz NR1403 Slim Line 5.1-Channel Home Theater AV Receiver from Amazon by clicking the image link

Conclusion on the Best Home Receiver under 500 Dollars

It doesn’t matter what you are looking for; getting the best is usually the plan.

However, most people relent on this plan because they think they do not have the finances to get it.

This is a flawed mentality as the best will not always be the most expensive on your list.

What makes a receiver the best is the fact that it comes with the most quality when compared to others.

This is how we went about things as we searched for the best home receiver under 500 dollars.

We found seven amazing options during our research with the best of the bunch being the YAMAHA RX-V385