Budget Receivers

Decent home theater receivers for less than $350

According to the reviews we read, many budget receivers aren't a great value. Those mainly get mixed reviews, and many complain that there aren't enough features or flexibility. That said, reviews reveal that some less expensive home theater receivers are better than others. Keep in mind that in this price range, you could also consider a home theater system, which includes both a receiver and speakers in the same box.

The Pioneer VSX-821-K (*Est. $315) is one of the more expensive budget receivers around, but it's also one of the best reviewed. Although most publications shy away from reviewing budget receivers, About.com's Robert Silva, BigPictureBigSound.com's Rachel Cericola and the reviewers at HomeTheaterGears.com put Pioneer's budget receiver through the paces and come away impressed.

On its own, the Pioneer VSX-821-K is a 5.1-channel receiver, meaning it can drive five satellite speakers and a subwoofer, but the unit is capable of 7.1 surround sound if you hook up a separate 2-channel amp. All the major surround-sound formats are supported, including Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master Audio.

The VSX-821-K pumps out 110 watts to each of its five speakers, and reviewers report that sound quality is generally very good. At BigPictureBigSound.com, Rachel Cericola reports "stellar sound effects" from the receiver during standard TV and movie viewing: "Overall, we weren't just pleased; we were actually impressed." The anonymous editors at HomeTheaterGears.com call the VSX-821-K's sound "fantastic" for movie viewing and "stunning" during CD playback. They report that listening to David Bowie's "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" "felt akin to actually being in the studio, hearing it live."

Video performance is capable, but you won't find some of the bells and whistles you would in higher-end home theater receivers. The VSX-821-K includes four HDMI 1.4a inputs, making it 3D-compatible, but unlike pricier receivers, the unit doesn't offer any optional video processing features such as analog-to-digital upconversion or video upscaling. Reviews say the VSX-821-K does an admirable job of switching between signals without any lingering visual artifacts. Both BigPictureBigSound.com and HomeTheaterGears.com report flawless video pass-through with all content types, including 3D video.

The Pioneer VSX-821-K includes some notable features. In addition to passing through 3D audio in its full resolution, the HDMI 1.4a ports also support audio channel return, which lets compatible TVs send audio upstream back to the receiver via the same HDMI cable, making some hookups simpler. The receiver additionally sports a port that allows you to stream music from your iPod, iPad or iPhone to the unit via an included cable, although the feature's retro white-on-black block-letter user interface leaves both reviewers and consumers wishing for something better. You can also stream music wirelessly from a Bluetooth-enabled device, but only after investing in a separate Bluetooth dongle. If the integration of Apple products isn't an important feature for you, Pioneer's VSX-521-K (*Est. $250) offers the same basic features as the VSX-821-K at a lower price.

The VSX-821-K uses Pioneer's proprietary Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration Control (MCACC) speaker setup program. Most feel that the software is relatively effective, though Rachel Cericola says that the bass response needed some tweaking. In addition, we saw some grousing that the MCACC on-screen GUI is not available via HDMI, meaning you need to run a composite or component cable to your TV or resort to using the receiver's front-panel display.

The Sony STR-DH520 (*Est. $230) also bears consideration, although it doesn't garner the same accolades as the Pioneer VSX-821-K. Still, the receiver boasts two things that Pioneer's offering can't claim; native 7.1 surround sound and a price point that falls under $200 at many retailers. Those two elements alone mean the STR-DH520 needs to be included in any discussion of budget AV receivers.

Only PC World (Australia) takes a swing at reviewing the STR-DH520. Reviewer Campbell Simpson notes several upsides to the low-priced hardware. For one thing, it's capable of passing 3D signals through its four HDMI inputs and includes audio return channel support. The STR-DH520 also comes with an auto-setup function to optimize the sound levels of the speakers, which receivers in its price range often omit. Sony's receiver can also upconvert video to 1080p, a feature that the VSX-821-K lacks. Few quality receivers in this price range offer support for 7-channel surround, and the STR-DH520 can kick out 100 watts per channel.

The trade-off for all of this is audio performance that falls short of some only slightly more expensive home theater receivers. Simpson, for example, says the audio performs well enough, but only labels the STR-DH520 as "competent" -- not exactly the most resounding endorsement. He also thinks that the unit is "unattractive." One complaint, the lack of DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD codecs, does not apply to versions of the STR-DH520 sold in the U.S. User reviews are relatively -- though not universally -- good, but still sparse.

The Onkyo TX-SR309 (*Est. $200) is another budget receiver that sees some praise, though mainly by owners reporting at user review sites. HomeTheaterGears.com does provide a short review, but it seems based on specs rather than any hands-on testing.

The Onkyo TX-SR309's features are slim, but the three HDMI ports support 3D video and audio return channel. There's also iPod/iPhone support, a front-panel USB input for an Apple sync cable and support for the basic surround-sound formats, including those for Blu-ray Discs (DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD). Some might like the effects imparted by Onkyo's proprietary Advanced Music Optimizer.

With a rated output of 65 watts per channel, the TX-SR309 won't rock a very big room, but sound quality generally draws appreciative comments. Setup is called easy despite the lack of any type of automatic speaker setup utility.