Future-Proofing Your Home Theater: AV Receiver Features to Look for in 2024

Published on December 26, 2023 Updated on November 28, 2025

To be able to create a full-blown home cinema experience, you need to plan future upgrades, maybe invest in a future-proof TV or projector, perhaps a 4K resolution smart TV, some must-haves ports like HDMI 2.1, USB, Ethernet or Bluetooth. An intelligent wiring system and surge protection are also important.

Also, you can choose a 5.1 surround sound speaker system as your safest choice to future-proof your entertainment system at home. It consists of:

A front-centre speaker
A front left speaker
A front right speaker
A left surround speaker
A right surround speaker
A subwoofer

This 5.1 surround sound system is enough to support Dolby and DTS audio formats.

Having said that, when it comes to enjoying an immersive audio then a multichannel home theatre receiver is the real deal.

Also Read: Understanding AV receivers: Why do you need one?

That’s why most importantly, you need to look for AV receiver features in your bid to create the best Home Theater.

Ensure your AV receivers features include support for integrated music services (Spotify, Tidal, Deezer etc), either directly or via an app. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have become common features. Also important is to look for integrated Apple Airplay and Chromecast that simplify streaming even further.
While AV receivers are usually large and imposing, there are now options to pick from where you can choose slimline models which slot sensibly into regular AV furniture racks.
Among one of the important AV receiver features to consider, opt for a full-height AV receiver, and you’ll easily double your output power. Volume isn’t just about loudness. The easier it is for an AV receiver to reach a comfortable cinematic listening level, the less fatiguing it will sound.
Room equalisation during the set-up process is important for all AV receivers. As a useful AV receiver feature, using a plug-in microphone, can lead to results that are dramatically better. Alternatively, apply calibration to the surrounds but not the main stereo pair. It’s a good idea to experiment.
Dolby Atmos audio decoding is a prerequisite for any modern AV receiver. So it’s best not to overlook one of these key AV receiver features.
Look for AV receivers that allow you to run physical cables to a second location, either audio only or both sound and vision, for simple multiroom playback.

Also Read: Understanding AV receivers: A buying guide to help you choose one

Here are our Top Picks for 2024

1. Marantz Cinema 70s Slimline 7.2 Channel AV Receiver

Immersive spaciousness, warm and rich tone, extraordinary detail and lifelike dynamics are legendary hallmarks of the Marantz sound.

CINEMA 70s comes replete with the latest immersive audio formats, 8K video, room optimization, streaming, and more technology to simplify and elevate your enjoyment.

It features a highly compact slimline design, the iconic Marantz porthole, and symmetrical design.

2) Denon AVC-A110 - 110th Anniversary Edition Flagship AV Amplifier

Denon AVC-A110 is feature-packed with its truly stellar, monolithic power amplifier design to ensure a dynamic and precise entertainment experience with 13.2 channel processing to power up to a 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 speaker configuration for the most immersive, 3D audio experiences.

Renders 8K/60Hz pass-through or upscaling 4K/120Hz pass-through for gaming, and with the cutting-edge HDMI specifications.

3) Marantz AV 10 15.4 Channel 8K AV Preamplifier / Processor

Marantz AV 10 comes packed with the cutting-edge immersive audio formats, 8K video, room optimization, streaming, and more technology to simplify and enhance your enjoyment.

Dirac Live is an advanced room calibration solution that enables you to optimize the sound quality of your system. This world-class software is now available as an upgrade for AV 10.

A modern expression of timeless design principles, AV 10 features the iconic Marantz porthole, premium materials, and subtle sidelights that illuminate the front panel.

4) McIntosh MHT300 7.2 channel Home Theater AV Receiver

The McIntosh MHT300 Home Theater AV Receiver is a dynamic 7.2 (or 5.2.2) channel home theater powerhouse sure to heighten your emotional connection to what you are watching.

With full support for the superb 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video and leading home theater surround sound audio formats Dolby® Atmos and DTS:X™, plus rendering 120 – 150 Watts of legendary McIntosh power to your home theater speakers, the MHT300 will make your home theater dreams come to life.

5) Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A4A 7.2 Channel AV Receiver

This 7.2-channel AVENTAGE network AV receiver features Dolby Atmos and DTS: X for surround sound realism. With the most cutting-edge in HDMI technologies, experience movies in stunning 4K Ultra HD and high dynamic range (HDR).

The free MusicCast app makes it effortless to access your music library and streaming music services.

Add audio in up to 9 additional rooms with MusicCast wireless speakers or other MusicCast devices. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay wireless connectivity, a phono input for vinyl playback and Zone B HDMI out provide added system versatility.

Also Read: What to look for when buying an AV receiver

Hopefully, this article helped you get insights into the concept of a future-proof home theater including the key AV receiver features that can help you make savvy decisions that will keep your entertainment experience top-notch for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. 1. What is the difference between a 5.1, 7.1, and 9.1 AV receiver?

The numbers in 5.1, 7.1, and 9.1 refer to the number of audio channels an AV receiver can handle:

5.1: Supports five channels of surround sound (front left, front right, center, surround left, and surround right) plus one subwoofer channel for low-end frequencies.
7.1: Adds two additional surround channels for more detailed audio, providing an enhanced surround sound experience.
9.1: Includes even more surround channels, offering more immersive sound. It’s ideal for high-end home theater systems that support advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Q. 2. Do I need an AV receiver for streaming services like Netflix or Spotify?

While somesmart TVsandsoundbarshave built-in streaming capabilities, anAV receivercan enhance the experience by providingsuperior sound qualityandmultiple device connections. You can stream audio from services likeNetflix,Spotify, andApple Musicdirectly through the receiver, especially if it hasWi-FiorBluetoothsupport.

Q. 3. How does Dolby Atmos improve sound in AV receivers?

Dolby Atmosis an advancedaudio technologythat creates a3D sound environmentby adding height channels to traditional surround sound. This allows for more immersive audio that moves around you, including overhead effects, making it perfect forhome theater systems. In 2024, many high-endAV receiverswill supportDolby Atmos, enabling you to experience movies, TV shows, and games in a new way.

Q. 4. How do I set up my AV receiver for optimal sound?

To set up your AV receiver for the best sound, follow these steps:

Place your speakers properly (front speakers at ear level, surround speakers at sides or behind the listening area).
Connect all devices (TV, Blu-ray player, gaming console, etc.) to the receiver using HDMI cables.
Use the auto-calibration feature (if available) to optimize the sound based on your room’s acoustics.
Adjust the audio settings (e.g., speaker distance, crossover frequency) according to your preferences.
Test and fine-tune the audio by playing content in your preferred surround sound format (like Dolby Atmos).

Q. 5. Can I control my AV receiver with Alexa or Google Assistant?

Yes, manyAV receivers in 2024offer integration with voice assistants likeAmazon AlexaandGoogle Assistant. This allows you to control various functions likevolume,input selection, andplaybackusing voice commands, making it easier to manage your home theater setup without needing a remote.

Q. 6. Do AV receivers support streaming in high-resolution audio formats?

Yes, many modern AV receivers support high-resolution audio streaming formats such as FLAC, ALAC, DSD, and WAV. With built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities, you can stream high-quality music from services like TIDAL, Spotify HiFi, and Apple Music, providing audiophile-level sound for your home theater system.

Q. 7. Can I connect an AV receiver 7 2 to 5 1 speakers?

Yes, you can absolutely connect a 7.2-channel AV receiver to a 5.1 speaker system without any issues. AV receivers are designed to be flexible, allowing you to configure them based on the number of speakers in your setup. In this case, you will simply use five speakers and a subwoofer while leaving the additional surround speaker outputs unused.

Most AV receivers have an automatic speaker setup process that detects the connected speakers and adjusts the output accordingly. If your receiver has a manual speaker configuration menu, you can go in and disable the extra surround channels to ensure they are not trying to send audio to non-existent speakers.

A 7.2-channel receiver typically includes outputs for front left, front right, centre, surround left, surround right, surround back left, surround back right and two subwoofers. Since a 5.1 system only requires front left, front right, centre, surround left, surround right and one subwoofer, the surround back speaker outputs will remain unused. If your receiver allows for channel reassignment, you might be able to re-purpose those extra amplifier channels for other uses, such as bi-amping your front speakers or powering a second audio zone.

Using a 7.2 receiver with a 5.1 setup may also provide some advantages. It allows you to upgrade to a full 7.1 or 7.2 setup in the future without needing to replace your receiver. Additionally, many 7.2 receivers offer enhanced upmixing algorithms, such as Dolby Pro Logic IIx or DTS Neural:X, which can optimise a 5.1 speaker layout for a more immersive experience.

A 7.2-channel AV receiver will work perfectly fine with a 5.1 speaker system. The extra surround outputs will remain unused unless repurposed and the receiver will automatically adjust its settings to match your current speaker configuration.