| How Much Does a Stereo Receiver Cost? |
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| | | For listening to music, a two-channel receiver - which has only left and right speakers - is all that is needed, but these are becoming less common in favor of multi-channel receivers, which support surround sound using front, center and rear speakers, as well as a subwoofer. | | |
| Typical costs: | - For under $250, expect to buy a basic stereo receiver with an output of 50 to 100 watts, possibly a slightly older model, with no HDMI inputs. An example of a stereo receiver in this range is the Onkyo TX-8222. An example of a multi-channel receiver in this category is the Pioneer VSX-517-K/S.
- For $250 to $500, expect to buy a solid mid-range stereo receiver with 100 watts or multi-channel 6.1 or 7.1 sound with as many as two HDMI inputs and possibly two zones to allow for multi-room use. An example of a stereo receiver is the Harman Kardon HK 3485, which sells for between $250 and $400. A multi-channel receiver in this range is the Onkyo TX-SR605, which sells for $400 to $500.
- For $500 to $1,000 or more expect to buy a 7.1 multi-channel receiver with at least two HDMI inputs, output up to 150 watts and at least two zones of inputs to allow for multi-room use. Examples include the Pioneer Elite VSX-91TXH, which sells for between $700 and $1,000 and the Onkyo TX-SR875, which sells for about $1,200 to $1,500.
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| What should be included: | - A basic stereo receiver will pick up AM and FM radio signals, receive signals from a CD or DVD player, and transmit them to speakers. A receiver usually contains a tuner, a preamplifier and a power amplifier and comes with a remote control. An A/V receiver can power a home theater system as well.
- Crutchfield Advisor offers a primer on stereo receivers.
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| Additional costs: | - To make good connection, you will need to purchase speaker cables, audio cables and a power protection strip to keep your receiver safe from power surges.
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| Shopping for a stereo receiver: | - Tip: Make sure the receiver you choose has enough inputs to connect a CD player, cassette deck, turntable or even a television. And, if you wish to listen to music in several rooms, look for multi-room audio outputs. Crutchfield Advisor has a guide to multi-room outputs.
- Also, look for a receiver that accepts durable, well-performing connectors, such as banana plugs, rather than just bare wire.
- Consider power - watts per channel - which is more important if you like to listen to music at high volume. Ask the sales staff if you can take home your chosen receiver to see how it sounds in your home and whether it is user-friendly.
- If you know exactly what you want, you can probably find the lowest price at a reputable online dealer such as Amazon.com or J& R Music World.
- If you would rather buy in person, a big box retailer, such as Best Buy or Circuit City probably will have lower prices, but smaller specialty stores often have more knowledgeable sales staff.
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Article updated November 2007 |
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Recent Posts |
| Amount: $250.00 receiver only |
Wow - i LOVE my Onkyo TX SR603X
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| Posted by: PCGuyinCali in Campbell, CA. | Purchased: November, 2006 |
| Brand: Onkyo | Model: TX-SR603X |
| Store: Fry's - Campbell |
I decided to replace my receiver when the remote to my old one broke and they wanted $50 just to replace the remote! I did some research, and heard Onkyo had highly regarded receivers. I am junkie of Fry's ads in the San Jose Mercury News, and I saw the Onkyo TX-SR603X, usually $300, was on sale for $250, so I went and bought it. This receiver totally rocks; it is my favorite electronics purchase in a while. Usually, the conventional wisdom is that upgrading speakers delivers the biggest bang for the buck, but upgrading my receiver made the biggest improvement I've seen (but maybe my speakers were already good and my old receiver was holding me back). Another reason to upgrade -- the new receiver came with a very nice universal remote that made it easy to control my TV, VCR, DVD Player and Receiver with one remote. It can't turn my VCR on/off (only change channels), maybe because my VCR is so old. FYI, for you Fry's ads junkies that don't get the paper San Jose Mercury News, the Fry's ads are online at:
http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/ROP/Subcat.aspx?cat=3339&subcat=3525 |
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