Onkyo TX-SR304

The 5.1-channel Onkyo TX-SR304 home theater receiver lacks many of the bells and whistles found on more expensive options. Connectivity is on the sparse side and there's no HDMI support at all, but reports say that it delivers what matters most: great sound quality, especially considering its budget price. At 65 watts per channel, you won't be able to rock out an auditorium with the Onkyo TX-SR304, but it's powerful enough for a moderately large listening space. Still, all agree that this Onkyo receiver is a great choice for a starter home theater, or for surround sound in a bedroom or den. If you have a bigger budget, the Yamaha RX-V463BL (*Est. $300) is also a great performer; has better connectivity, including HDMI; and has features that make setup and use a bit easier. It is also more powerful at 105 watts per channel. On the other hand, it costs roughly twice as much.

While professional reviews are limited for the Onkyo TX-SR304 home theater receiver, Robert Silva at About.com weighs in with a worthwhile review. There's also a great deal of user feedback on Amazon.com and JR.com.