We reviewed the Best 5-channel Stereo Receivers of 2020

Although soundbars boost the sound performance of your TV, you cannot have the proper home cinema experience without having the best 5-channel stereo receiver. A good stereo receiver brings the same quality to your home theater, just like a good quality chef to your kitchen.

Now the question is how to choose the best stereo receiver out of overwhelming products available on the market?

Don’t worry!

I have sifted through hundreds of products over the internet and shortlisted the best 5-channel stereo receivers for you.

Let’s find out what they have to offer.

Products reviewed in this article (in the appearance of Our rating):

No products found.

Denon AVR-S540BT Receiver – Our Pick

Denon uses precision Japanese technology in its construction, which delivers multi-dimensional sound along with multiple channels compatibility. Plus, support ultra HD 4k picture quality that is perfect for the entertainment system and home theater.

Features List

• Multiple Channel Options
• True Surround Audio
• Exceptional 4K Resolution
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Streaming Services
• Dolby Vision

Channel Options

Denon AVR-S540BT receiver provides you three channel options, including 2.1, 3.1, and 5.2, which deliver immersive audio with a clear picture. The 5.1 channel gives you a real home theater audio experience.

If you choose 3.1-channel, it will deliver stereo-quality sound and crisp dialogue for your entertainment. Besides, channel 2.1 is ideal for a small room to enhance your movie, music, and TV experience.

True Surround Audio

This 5-channel receiver will make your home a theater with great sound and a clear picture. Dolby TrueHD elevates your home theater’s audio, so you can enjoy a cinematic audio experience.

Exceptional 4K Resolution

With its ultra HD 4K Resolution, you can watch shows and movies with exceptional clarity, contrast, and colors.

Denon Receiver

The Denon receiver gives a cinematic sound experience and picture clarity in your home. However, its App on iPhone is inconsistent in connecting via Bluetooth.

PROS Comes with 5 HDMI input ports Equipped with on-screen easy setup assistance to connect it to your TV 4-select buttons on the front panel for selecting preferred audio settings Features inbuilt Bluetooth connectivity that permits you to connect 08 devices Give you a lossless surround audio experience with more clarity

CONS Your purchase doesn’t come with a manual It takes much time to connect devices wirelessly

Sony STR D590 Receiver – Runner-up

With this Sony STR D590 receiver system, you can connect your TV, smartphone, gaming devices via Bluetooth to enhance sound and sharp image quality.

Features List

• Multi-functional system
• Dynamic setup
• Smart Connectivity
• 4K HDR quality picture
• Auto Calibration

4K HD Quality

When you upgrade the home cinema setup with this Sony STR D590 receiver, you will experience a clearer and bigger picture. It features Dolby Vision, 4K HDR, and versatile surround sound.

Auto Calibration

You’re going to love its Digital Cinema Auto Calibration system. It automatically investigates your room audio, then calibrates and customizes the several audio parameters, optimizing the audio for your room.

Virtual Front Surround

It features S-Force PRO Front surround that provides a virtual sound experience by using 02 speakers.  Furthermore, you’ll get 1/4 inches jack, a multi-channel stereo setup, and Fm radio tuner.

Sony Receiver

It is suitable for a smaller room that is a perfect combination of outstanding sonic fidelity and high-performance video capability. However, this is not a full-featured stereo receiver because it comes with a lack of controls, including bass, tone, balance, and much more.

PROS Equipped with smart Bluetooth connectivity to play your favorite tracks The receiver has four input HDMI ports, so you can connect your gaming system, laptops, or TV Also accessible in five configurations, therefore, opt as your desired Purchase includes carrying case, foldable headphones, charging cable, and audio cable

CONS Lack of controls, such as adjusting balance, bass, tone, etc Audio quality is a little bit low

Yamaha RX-V485 Receiver

Yamaha is manufacturing exceptional audio equipment and musical instruments for decades. And, the RX-V485 model is one of them. It is equipped with MusicCast and multiple wireless options that deliver high definition pictures and superb sound clarity.

Features List

• Multiple wireless connectivities
• Ultra HD 4K support
• Streaming Speakers
• YPAO sound optimization
• MusicCast

Wireless Speakers

It is featured with an innovative MusicCast 20 or 50 wireless streaming speakers. These speakers allow you to enjoy home theater with crystal clear, realistic, and clutter-free sound.

YPAO Sound Optimization

It is easy to optimize the sound with Yamaha Parametric Acoustic Optimizer. It analyzes your room location and system. The precisely customize multiple parameters of audio for delivering the best sound experience.

Wireless Connectivity

You’ll get plenty of connectivity options with this stereo receiver, such as Bluetooth, Airplay, and Wi-Fi.

Here’s the best part….

You can enjoy networked audio such as NAS/PC. You can connect the receiver with your devices like gaming systems, smartphones, etc. via any wireless option.

Yamaha Receiver

The Yamaha RX-V485 receiver offers complete compatibility with AV receiver, HDMI standards, HDR, and much more. Nevertheless, you will face a little delay between switches input devices.

PROS It comes with a combination of MusicCast 20 or 50 wireless speakers that deliver realistic sound Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Wi-Fi compatible stereo gives an enhanced sound and picture quality Available in two colors, two styles, and three configurations, so choose as you want You can control voice by using the Alexa device like echo dot or echo Equipped with 5.1-channel, ultra HD 4K AV receiver, and MusicCast

CONS HDMI port isn’t long-lasting A little bit of delay occurs between switches input devices (FIOS, AppleTV, and DVD)

Pioneer VSX-534 Receiver

Pioneer VSX-534 has made it to the list of the best 5-channel stereo receivers due to its user-friendly design. The installation and usages of this smart audio receiver are effortless. You will enjoy 3D virtual surround effects with premium picture quality.

Features List

• Bluetooth Compatible
• Auto MCACC room tuning
• Dolby Atmos Virtualization
• Personal Preset
• Unique range control

Auto MCACC Room Tuning

You can build an optimum environment for developing a recording studio. You can use a microphone with this MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System) feature. Because, it automatically balances for differences in speaker level, distance, and size, plus equalizes response.

Bluetooth Compatible

It comes with an inbuilt Bluetooth technology, so you can connect multiple devices with it via wirelessly for enjoying superb sound quality. Additionally, it supports AAC or SBC codec’s and AVRCP or A2DP profiles.

Dolby Atmos Virtualization

Another best thing is that whenever you are playing any file of Dolby format, this feature enables an immersive listening experience.

Pioneer Receiver

Pioneer VSX-534 receiver comes with HDR 4K Ultra HD, so you can enjoy the high-quality picture in your home. However, you may face some issues with the HDMI port connection after some time.

PROS Object-based audio enables interactive audio and new immersive experience Equipped with Bluetooth compatible so that you can connect your tablet, PC, and phone The personal preset button is placed on the front panel that activates your current setting of volume and listening mode A remote controller provides you plenty of useful controls

CONS An auto MCACC room tuning features aren’t working appropriately HDMI port is not working for a longer time

Marantz NR1509 Receiver

You can enjoy your favorite movies on TV, and connecting the Marantz NR1509 receiver with TV enhances your entertainment level. Additionally, it provides ultra HD 4k picture quality along with a superb realistic sound.

Features List

• Voice control
• User-friendly setup
• Integrated Phono Input
• Audio support
• Wireless capability

Voice control

A voice control function is compatible with multiple assistants, and that’s another reason that it is the best 5-channel stereo receiver. It perfectly works with Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Amazon Alexa.

Wireless Capability

It is featured with a twin antenna system that allows you to stream music services via AirPlay, the HEOS app, and Bluetooth. Furthermore, you can also use other platforms for listening to music, including TuneIn, Pandora, Spotify, Deezer, and much more.

Audio Support

This 5-channel stereo receiver can decode multiple high-resolution acoustic FLAC, WAV, and ALAC lossless files more than 24-bit, DSD 2.8MHz, plus 5.6MHz tracks.

Marantz Receiver

It is a high-performance stereo receiver that features an output HDMI and 06 input HDMI. You can connect multiple devices such as TV, laptop, and any gaming device. However, your purchase doesn’t come with a user manual, so you have to configure it all on your own. But you can explore the internet for its manuals.

PROS It comes with 06 HDMI ports one on the front panel and remaining on the back Equipped with a discrete 5-channel power amplifier for providing you exceptional sound Listen to music via USB because the front panel has a USB port for your convenience Featuring two antenna systems for streaming famous music services via Airplay, HEOS, and Bluetooth You can also connect an analog turntable with the receiver and enjoy all recordings

CONS Your purchase doesn’t come with a user’s manual

Buying Guide

Here are some key factors that you need to consider before buying a 5-channel stereo receiver. In this buying guide, I’m going to highlight all of them briefly.

Connections

You need to understand what type of connections are available with your 5-channel stereo receiver. Instead of focusing on too many inputs and outputs, you need to have the pre that can connect maximum smart devices. Connection to the cable box, Blu-ray player, Android or Apple TV, and Playstation are a must.

Ready for TV

You need to be 100% sure that your 5-channel stereo receiver is ready for your television. And it is not about those old TVs that have been around for many years. It is about those 4K and 8K televisions. These are the highest resolutions available; therefore, you need to pick a 5-channel stereo receiver that can receive and transmit 4K signals.

Inbuilt Wi-Fi

This is a no brainer because everyone understands the importance of internet access today. So inbuilt Wi-Fi is something that you will find quite frequently in today’s electronics. It is going to be a very handy feature if you can run those wires through your apartment walls.

Power

You need to pick the right amount of power for your space. There is not much difference if you compare 70W with 100W. The human ear is not capable of detecting this much difference. But as you increase the wattage, the difference will increase. Some of the units also enable you to add power through amplifiers and boost power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add music to other rooms as well using a 5-channel stereo receiver?

Yes, you can add other rooms for music, but your better choice is to go wireless. You don’t need to drill holes now and can expand the range according to your needs and preferences.

What will be the results in the second zone?

For a multi-zone receiver, you can easily set up two different zones, and both the sources can display different videos. It is something very advantageous for a 5-channel stereo receiver. An additional cable and box will be required for the second zone, but the results will be the same.

What about my current receiver?

If you already own a receiver and it is more than five years old, then you need to upgrade it as soon as you can. The newer models are coming with newer features so you can connect the latest smart devices.

Conclusion

The winner of this roundup of the best 5-channel stereo receiver turns out to be the Denon AVR-S540BT Receiver. It is by far the best on the market because it comes with precise Japanese technology, and it can conveniently handle multi-dimensional sound. It also supports 4K HD and works pretty well with the latest models of home theatres and entertainment systems.

So which one of these are you considering for your lounge or bedroom? Let me know by leaving your comments and suggestions in the space given below!

Read more from our page: Looking for a Home Shelf Stereo System? We Reviewed the Best Ones.