Cheap Surround Sound Receivers under $300
Cheap surround sound means different things to different people. If you are an average listener, who watches the occasional movie and a bit of music here and there, then you probably don’t need much more than a home theater in a box system. But if you are a movie buff on a budget, then buying your surround sound system in components is the best way to maximise your end result. You can spend thousands on a receiver if you really want to, but if that is a bit out of your price range, then check out these surround sound receivers to get good bang for your buck:
Yamaha RX-V465 Surround Receiver
Price: $273.03
At just under $275, the Yamaha RX-V465 Surround Receiver provides a very low entry point into a component-based home theater system. But don’t think that because it is cheap that it isn’t worth having. This receiver will do just fine for your first surround sound system.
It has 4 HDMI inputs to allow you to connect your Blu-ray player, Playstation, and whatever else you need. It is iPod and Bluetooth compatible, meaning you can play all your favourite music over bluetooth or via your iPod. When you do play your MP3s, it has compressed music enhancement capabilities to make everything sound richer and more realistic.
This receiver can transmit HDMI at 1080p (full HD) at 24Hz. This is the same speed that movies are played at in the cinemas, so you get to experience your movies exactly as the director planned.
Yamaha include the YPAO sound optimization system which helps you to correct for any problems with your room acoustics in less than three minutes. This makes set-up a real breeze.
If you don’t have a full set of speakers yet, you can use a function called virtual cinema DSP. This gives you virtual surround sound from 3 or less speakers, which helps you to enjoy your system even if its not fully complete.
So, what about the power? The Yamaha RX-465 delivers plenty of grunt to power your speakers, with a healthy 525 watts (105W per channel)
Where to get it: 237.71 @ amazon.com
Onkyo TX-SR307 Surround Receiver
Price: RRP $299, you can proably get it for around $240
Onkyo is a known and respected audio brand, and at under $299, this receiver makes a great choice for a cheap surround sound system. It has 3 HDMI inputs, which should be sufficient for most home users. It is iPod compatible through a front panel input, and has music optimization to improve the sound qualities of the MP3s.
Like the Yamaha above, the TX-SR307 is bundled with a microphone to help optimize the sound based on your room’s acoustics. On top of this, this receiver also has a couple of special functions to maintain a constant volume, while optimizing frequency to give you a great sound experience at any volume level.
It also has four gaming modes to help you dominate the playing field. Whether it is Rock, Sports, Action, or Role Playing Game (RPG) you can be sure the Onkyo will be well optimised to match your gaming experience.
The TX-SR307 has 65W per channel, which should be plenty, especially if you haven’t got a large space to fill.
Where to get it: under $299 at amazon.com
Either one of these surround sound receivers offers great quality and features at an excellent price. The Onkyo TX-SR307 is a touch cheaper, and has some great qualities from a renowned audio manufacturer. This makes it an excellent choice for a cheap surround sound system, especially if you are a fan of the brand. However, it is worth thinking about the Yamaha RX-465 (above), which provides more HDMI inputs and a bit more power to boot. In my eyes, this makes it a slightly better buy despite being a touch more expensive.
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