Best 9 Channel AV Receiver Reviews

Picking the good AV receiver can make all the difference in your home theater experience. But with all the different models and brands, it can be tough to choose the optimal option. So I’ve put together this list of the best 9-channel AV receivers today. Whether looking for high-end features or budget-friendly options, see which one is right for you. I’ll also provide a buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision.

Our pick

Denon AVR-X4700H

Best 9 channel AV receiver

The Denon AVR-X4700H 9.2 channel 8K AV receiver with supports 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos®, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, DTS:X®, DTS Virtual:X™, IMAX® Enhanced and Auro-3D®. Read the full review.

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Best 9 channel AV receiver reviews

Denon AVR-X4700H – best overall

Denon AVR-X4700H is a 9.2-channel AV receiver with an 8K HDMI OUTPUT, 125W per channel POWER CAPACITY, and native Dolby Atmos, DTS:X & DTS Virtual:X (DD only). Additional features include 4K/120Hz pass-through for viewing video in stunning clarity; VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) to eliminate lag, latency and frame tearing; ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) that provides near instantaneous response time; Dynamic HDR to enhance contrast on large displays such as Samsung QLED TVs.

Design

The design of the Denon AVR-X4700H is fairly nice. It's sleek and comes in black. It's small but compact so it can sit nicely on your rack. The only downside is the weight, weighing in at 18 pounds so it would be best to have help putting this receiver on your rack but don't worry, you'll get used to taking care of it yourself.

Features and specs

The Denon AVR-X4700H's features make it one of the most feature-packed receivers on the market. It can deliver up to 165 watts per channel into 8 ohms. I tested the AVR-X4700H with a variety of speakers, and it had no trouble driving even the most demanding ones. Plus, the receiver's advanced 32-bit AKM DAC provides superb sound quality. And if I want to listen to music in another room, I can use the receiver's Zone 2 output to send audio to a second room.

I found it useful that the AVR-X4700H has eight HDMI inputs, three HDMI outputs, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so I easily connected all my devices, including a game console and a streaming device. Also, the AVR-X4700H supports Pandora, Spotify, SiriusXM, and even AirPlay 2 for Apple devices.

The thing I really love about the sound here is the built-in 32-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converter. It is the sign you'll get the best possible sound quality from your Blu-ray discs and other high-resolution audio sources. Plus, "Denon Virtual Speaker Mode'' up-mixes stereo and 5.1 content to create a virtual 7.1.2 speaker setup.

The receiver also has IMAX Enhanced certification, so it’s able to decode IMAX Enhanced content and pass through IMAX Enhanced HDR signals. Used with the support of Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and the latest 3D audio formats, it creates such a new sound dimension. The receiver passed all of my tests, and it handled HDR10 signals without any problems.

Setup

Setup of the Denon AVR-X4700H was a simple process. All I had to do was connect speaker wire from the speakers to the receiver and plug in all other wires. The Denon AVR-X4700H has an HDMI input, which is what we use for our inputs. It also has a variety of Digital Inputs, such as Optical and Coaxial, for people who still have Analog/Digital devices that they want to run through the system.

Sound quality

One of the Denon AVR-X4700H's specifications I was especially impressed with is the ability to reproduce delicate sounds. For example, in the movie "The Revenant," I could hear the subtle sound of leaves rustling in the wind. And in the song "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House, I could hear the delicate strumming of the acoustic guitar. The lows, mids and highs are all clear and crisp. AVR-X4700H handled loud and dynamic sounds that are neither too bright nor too dark.

Beyond that, the Audyssey setup was also flawless. Running this gave my system the tweaks it needed to sound powerful and provided enough power at low volumes.

Verdict about Denon AVR-X4700H

Onkyo TX-NR797 – budget

If you are not sure about this model, we suggest you read our Onkyo TX-NR797 review. The TX-NR797 is one of the most potent Onkyo receivers, and it differs from other receivers in its class in a few ways.

First, it offers plenty of features and capabilities to make your movie watching and music listening experience much better. For example, this receiver can decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks, which gives you an immersive surround sound experience. It also has very robust and feature-rich network audio capabilities. Finally, it allows you to access your music library from any device on your network, including PCs, smartphones, and tablets.

Build and design

It measures 17 1/8" x 6 13/16" x 14 15/16 inches and has a very sleek and modern design that will look great in any home theater. This receiver looks very attractive with its nice-looking curves on the front panel, which contains an aluminum facing plate combined with a black color metal casing.

The whole front panel is very logical and well designed. All connectors are labeled nicely with their names, making setting up much easier for connections between various devices. In addition, a front panel includes Power and Station preset buttons, a Volume control dial, a Mute button, Input selector, and Tuner.

The Onkyo TX-NR797 receiver is not difficult to set up. The receiver has a guided setup process that makes it easy to follow.

Features and specs

Onkyo TX-NR797 is a 9.2 channel network A/V receiver that supports 4K Ultra HD video playback, HDR10, and Dolby Vision passthrough. According to Onkyo TX-NR797 features, the power is 100 Watts, 0.08% THD, when two channels are driven. Furthermore, it has a built-in Chromecast that helps to stream content from your devices easily and quickly.

In addition, Onkyo TX-NR797 has AM and FM tuners. So, you can listen to your favorite radio stations. Furthermore, it includes AirPlay support, so it gives a possibility to stream music from your Apple devices. The Onkyo equipped this receiver with FlareConnect Multi-room Audio playback, which allows you to send audio to compatible speakers in other rooms.

The Onkyo TX-NR797 has a lot of different inputs and outputs that will fit any modern home theater system configuration. We have found the number of ports quite impressive. On the back side of this model, you will find 7 HDMI inputs, composite video inputs, digital and analog audio inputs. Besides, you will find 2 HDMI outputs, one composite and component video outputs. Besides, there are three digital and seven analog audio outputs.

In addition, the Onkyo equipped TX-NR797 with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. So, you will be able to connect wirelessly to your home network and as a result stream your music from computer or mobile device. Furthermore, you will get access to Internet radio stations to discover new music or listen to your favorite online radio shows.

Let's consider some Onkyo TX-NR797 video specifications. This receiver supports video playback in 4K resolution. It has built-in HDMI 2.0a connections so that you can connect 4K video sources directly to it without extra converters. The TX-NR797 can also upscale lower resolution video to near-4K quality so that you can enjoy your old movies and TV shows with improved detail and clarity.

Sound

The sound quality is excellent, and it can quickly fill a large room with sound. The Onkyo TX-NR797 offers excellent sound quality when listening to music. This receiver generally produces clear and powerful sound, making it the perfect choice for movie enthusiasts.

In addition, it's perfect for listening to all types of music, from classical to rock. The technology that Onkyo TX-NR797 uses is Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It delivers impressive 3D surround sound effects, especially if you have a speaker system capable of reproducing height effects. This receiver also features THX Select2 Plus certification, which guarantees high-quality sound reproduction.

However, some users argue that this model has better but not the best sound compared to some other receivers.

Verdict about Onkyo TX-NR797

Marantz SR6015

Maintain your creative freedom to produce superior sound with the Marantz SR6015 receiver. It is the perfect choice for any home theater system. It's equipped with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding, which will let you enjoy your favorite movies and music in stunning detail.

Plus, this receiver also supports 4K Ultra HD video with HDR and Dolby Vision. You'll be able to enjoy your favorite movies and shows in crystal-clear detail. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Build and design

Let’s get started with the specifications of Marantz SR6015. This receiver is a little over 18 inches wide, almost 8 inches tall, and just over 15 inches deep. It’s made of high-quality materials and feels solid and sturdy. The design is sleek and modern with a black finish and silver accents.

Marantz SR6015 only has a few basic buttons on the front, so I find all of the controls to be intuitive. All of the ports and connectors are in easy-to-reach places. The receiver also comes with an on-screen display and handy remote control. The only thing that takes a little getting used to is the location of the power button, which is on the left side of the receiver instead of the front.

Features and specs

The Marantz SR6015 is a great choice looking for a high-quality receiver with all the features you need to enjoy your favorite movies and music. It has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding, which lets you experience surround sound in a whole new way. It also supports 4K Ultra HD video with HDR and Dolby Vision for crystal-clear visuals. Plus, it has 8 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs so you can easily connect all of your devices. The receiver also has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay 2 support for easy streaming. Plus, the intuitive setup and operation make it easy to get started.

One of the top features of the Marantz SR6015, in my opinion, is its multi-room capability. In case you want to explore Hi-Res Audio, the SR6015 has you also covered with built-in HEOS technology, support for FLAC, ALAC, and DSD files. With HEOS built-in, you can easily stream music to any room in your house. And with Amazon Alexa, you can control your receiver with your voice. But the SR6015's real strength lies in its ability to produce reference-level sound. Thanks to Marantz's proprietary HDAM circuits, you'll enjoy exceptionally detailed and musical audio reproduction.

Sound

The features of Marantz SR6015 are a powerhouse when it comes to sound. You'll never have to wish you could listen to what the actors are saying again. Every line is crystal clear and the visceral enjoyment coming from the sound effects is movie studio worthy. The sound is such a relief because every other receiver I had was too bright and would give me headaches. I can watch for hours with no fatigue.

The sound quality is amazing from vinyl to streaming digital. It has a warm, natural sound that is detailed and precise. I also tried MultEQ X to provide a sound configuration for the acoustics of my room. It was stunning to hear nuances in my music that I never knew existed.

Verdict about Marantz SR6015

Yamaha RX-A6A

Are you in the market for an amplifier that can handle all your audio and video needs? If so, Yamaha has a model that may interest you – the RX-A6A. So far, I've been very impressed with its quality, whether I was watching movies, listening to music, or gaming. Keep reading this Yamaha RX-A6A review to find out why.

Build and design

The Yamaha RX-A6A is a beautiful amplifier. It has a sleek, modern design with a black finish. It's also quite large, measuring in at 17-1/8 x 7-1/2 x 17-3/8 inches and 41.2 lbs, so you'll need some space for it.

But it's not just about looks – the RX-A6A is also built to last. It has a robust construction with a metal chassis and thick, heavy-duty speaker terminals that will last for years and can handle even the most strenuous listening sessions.

The front panel of the RX-A6A is quite simple, with just a few buttons and an LCD display. The buttons allow you to control basic functions such as power, volume, input selection, and sound mode. The LCD display provides information about the current settings and status of the amplifier. The back panel features more HDMI inputs and outputs, as well as a variety of other audio and video connections.

Features and specs

The Yamaha RX-A6A is a comprehensive amplifier, with plenty of features to satisfy even the most demanding user. It's a 9.2 channel receiver that can handle up to 150 watts per channel. The RX-A6A also features Yamaha's Compressed Music Enhancer, which restores lost detail and dynamic range in compressed music files. Multi-room listening is available here, so you can listen to music in 4 different rooms of your house or even in the backyard.

Bi-amp capability is included too, which allows you to use two amplifiers to drive your front speaker set. If you're concerned about expensive power bills, there's an ECO mode that cuts electricity use by up to 20%.

RX-A6A has a wide range of inputs and outputs, like 7 Inputs and 3 Outputs for HDMI. As an example, you can use them to connect with a Blu-ray player, cable box, gaming console, and other devices. I like that this model supports probably all current connecting options, including wireless: analog and digital, coaxial, USB connections, composite video inputs/outputs, network port, front AV input, a headphone output, WiFi, Bluetooth, and more. In fact, you can connect just about anything to it. If you are a fan of radio, here is a built-in FM-tuner quality too.

Some other specifications of Yamaha RX-A6A in terms of video quality include 4K Ultra HD pass-through, HDR support, and Dolby Vision, near-4K quality. You are able to get the most out of your current video collection. It also supports 3D audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. And if you're a gamer, the RX-A6A has you covered with its low latency mode and various gaming modes that optimize the sound for different types of games.

Sound

My experience with the sound quality of the Yamaha RX-A6A has been overwhelmingly positive. The amplifier is able to deliver clear, crisp audio with excellent dynamics. Whether I was watching a movie or listening to music, I was always impressed by the powerful sound that this receiver produces and particularly with how well it handled gaming audio – gunshots and explosions sounded realistic and immersive. And its low latency mode ensures that there is no delay between what you see on the screen and what you hear, so you won't miss a single beat.

A listening mode selector that allows you to choose from three different listening modes: music, movie, or game. These modes optimize the sound for different types of content. A custom mode that you can use to create your own personal listening settings. For films, the cinema DSP mode creates a truly cinematic experience. There's also a dialogue lift mode that raises the level of dialogue in movies and TV shows to make it easier to hear. For music, the stereo mode creates a wide, spacious soundstage. And for games, the game mode provides an extra level of immersion.

Verdict about Yamaha RX-A6A

Pioneer Elite SC-LX704

In this Pioneer's Elite SC-LX704 review we will take a look at one of the company's top-of-the-line AV receivers. It is a full-featured AV receiver with a bevy of advanced audio processing capabilities that should appeal to a wide range of users. While it's not the cheapest receiver on the market, it definitely offers a full performance.

Build and design

The Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 has a sleek and elegant design that will look great in any home theater setup. The front panel is glossy black with a silver Pioneer logo in the center. The rest of the receiver is made of high-quality materials and feels very solid. It's not too big or bulky, and the front panel is relatively uncluttered. The receiver also has a built-in AM/FM tuner and comes with remote control. From my point of view, the buttons on the remote are a bit small and cramped. Even so, they become convenient once you get used to them.

The SC-LX704 is relatively easy to set up. The onscreen display is clear and easy to navigate, and the receiver comes with a well-written manual that will help you get everything up and running in no time. Included setup microphone makes calibrating your speakers a breeze.

Features and specs

Let's see what features Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 hides inside. The receiver has a 9.2-channel amplifier and a power output of 140 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.08% THD). Thanks to the A/B speaker, it's possible to use two different types of speakers. At the same, the Bi-Amp mode allows using the front left and right channels for bi-amp operation with compatible speakers. In addition, Multi-Tone Control adjusts the sound of each individual channel to match your speakers.

The SC-LX704 has a variety of inputs and outputs, including HDMI, a subwoofer output, an RS-232C port for integration with custom control systems, and a USB port for connecting a storage device. You can wirelessly stream audio from your mobile devices, using built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or connect wirelessly to speakers and favorite services like Spotify, Pandora, and Tidal. There's also support for AirPlay, Chromecast, and DNLA. If you're into vinyl, the SC-LX704 has a phono input for connecting to a turntable.

The Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 also supports 4K Ultra HD pass-through with HDR support. This means that you'll be able to enjoy the latest and greatest in video quality, without having to worry about compatibility issues. The receiver comes with a variety of pre-set sound modes, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Surround, and DTS Neural:X. There's also a Cinema EQ mode that automatically adjusts the sound quality for movies and a Music EQ mode that does the same for music.

Sound quality

I've tested a lot of receivers before, and the Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 is definitely one of the finest. The calibration process, from my point of view, is better than many others. Besides, I tried to play the soundtrack of "Mad Max: Fury Road" with the Dolby Atmos enabled, and it sounded fantastic, with plenty of depth and detail. The explosions and gunfire were incredibly loud and realistically portrayed, and the sound stage was huge. The SC-LX704 handled music well, delivering a smooth and natural sound with good bass response. Even at higher volumes, the Pioneer is rich and full.

Verdict about Pioneer Elite SC-LX704

9 channels receivers buying guide

Receivers power rating explained

The power an AV receiver can deliver to each channel determines the receiver’s power rating. For example, a receiver with a power rating of 100 watts per channel can deliver 100 watts of power to each of its channels. The number of channels a receiver has will also affect its power rating. A receiver with more channels will typically have a higher power rating than a receiver with fewer channels. That’s because each channel requires its amplifier, and more amplifiers require more power. The higher the receiver’s power rating is, the louder and more apparent the sound will be. However, it’s essential to remember that other factors, such as the quality of the speakers, can also affect the sound quality.

Pay attention to the necessary connections

The first step is ensuring that all your components are compatible with your AV receiver. Many receivers have specific inputs and outputs that can be used to connect additional devices and other tasks. For example, if you hope to create a whole surround sound experience, you’ll need a receiver with more than two channels. Also, consider the type of connections you need. Most receivers will have multiple HDMI inputs and outputs, but if you’re using older equipment, you might need to look for receivers with component or composite inputs.

4K, 8K, HDR formats

4K, 8K, and HDR are all video formats offering improved picture quality over the standard and high definition. 4K offers four times the resolution of HD, with a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels. 8K offers an even higher resolution, at 7680×4320 pixels. HDR, or high dynamic range, provides improved contrast and color accuracy. These formats are becoming increasingly common in televisions, Blu-ray players, and streaming services. To take advantage of these formats, you will need a 4K or 8K TV or a TV that supports HDR. If you have a standard HD TV, you can still enjoy 4K and 8K content by upscaling it to fit your screen. However, this will not provide the same level of detail as native 4K or 8K content.

Surround sound formats

Surround sound is an audio technology that creates an immersive listening experience. There are a few different surround sound formats, the most common of which are 5.1, 7.1, and 9.1. For example, 5.1 surround sound uses five speakers and one subwoofer, while 9.1 surround sound uses nine speakers and one subwoofer. Both formats provide excellent sound quality, but 9.1 is considered superior because it offers more channels and a more realistic surround sound simulation. In addition to home theater systems, many video game consoles and computers now support surround sound.

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