3 Best 9.2 Channel Receivers [2023 Review]

The fastest-changing device in today’s home theater is your AV receiver, not your TV, projector, player, or cable. Both audio and video data are transferred and processed because the AV receiver is so important in regulating the overall situation.

All of the current audio and video technologies and formats are improving at the same time. As a result, it has long been assumed that the AV receiver must purchase the most recent model.

Purchasing new ones is not a bad idea. However, today’s AV receivers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a wide range of pricing. What are the most cost-effective alternatives?

We included the 3 Best 9.2 Channel Receivers in this review. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our 3 Best 9.2 Channel Receivers review for more information below.

Our Top Pick: Denon AVR-X3700H 8K Ultra HD 9.2 Channel (105Watt X 9) AV Receiver

Features: Today, we’ll continue our review marathon of Denon’s 2020 AV receivers with another outstanding model from the company’s lineup.

Although there aren’t as many companies in the AV receiver industry as there are in the speaker business, there is one name that will undoubtedly claim one of the top slots, if not the top spot, and that is none other than Denon.

And to complement their monster AVR-X8500H, they’ve introduced four more devices in their more pricey X series for another year. We recently had the opportunity to test their entry-level model, the AVR-X2700H, so in today’s Denon AVR-X3700H review, we’ll take a step up and discover what new technology this 9.2 channel receiver has to offer.

If you are looking for the 3 Best 9.2 Channel Receivers, you should give this one a chance.  This one has one missing point that appears to be shared by all Sound United brands: the lack of a front HDMI input.

Everything else is the same, and the shell is likewise quite identical to the lower-tier AVR-X2700H, with the exception of some increased depth. As a result, the dimensions appear to be the same as the X3600H.

This indicates that we’re looking at a medium-sized AV receiver measuring 17.1′′ x 15.3′′ x 9.3′′ (434 x 389 x 236 mm), but the height can be reduced to just 6.6′′ (167 mm) by turning the antennas horizontally, which has no discernible effect on the AV receiver’s signal quality.

In terms of physical appearance, being a Denon receiver will not win any design honors. This is your conventional black box receiver with straight lines and crisp corners that sounds considerably better than it looks.

The front of the receiver, like other Denon receivers, has a brushed metal finish and the same shame layout as their 2019 edition.

Runner Up: Onkyo TX-NR797 Smart AV 9.2 Channel Receiver

Features: The TX-NR797 keeps all of the features from last year’s model while also adding some new ones. Apple AirPlay 2 allows you to stream content from your iPhone® or iPad® directly to your TV. You may also ask Siri to play Apple Music music.

To assist make your experience smoother and more pleasurable, the ‘797 has a new quad-core networking processor, an upgraded on-screen display, and new remote control.

In the future, IMAX® Enhanced, a new audio decoding feature that reproduces the full dynamic range of specifically coded IMAX movie soundtracks from suitable resources, will be available as a free system update.

If you are looking for the 3 Best 9.2 Channel Receivers, you should give this one a chance. In a 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos® or DTS: XTM system, use all nine channels, or go for a more modest surround sound setup and use the extra channels for music in another zone or two.

The TX-NR797 provides a wide range of wireless listening possibilities. You can also stream music over Bluetooth or the built-in Chromecast capability. We noted the new AirPlay 2 support.

This receiver supports Spotify® and Pandora® over Wi-Fi, as well as a variety of internet radio stations from across the world.

The Onkyo receiver has always been the best. It has a constant power output capability. The AV receiver’s huge toroidal transformer and high-capacity capacitor can ensure that each channel’s power output is steady and stable.

The peak output power of the TX- NR797 is 185W per channel. When watching movies, we can adjust the volume to the THX Certified Select reference level. The sound quality will be comparable to that of professional theaters.

We can set up several surround sound solutions at home thanks to the 9.2-channel power output. You can, for example, reach 7.1.2, 5.2.4, and so on. Signals are analyzed and adjusted whether playing Dolby Atmos or DTS: X immersive sound effects. As a result, the work is of the finest quality.

Best for Budget: Pioneer VSX-LX503 9.2 Channel 4k UltraHD Network A/V Receiver

No products found.

Features: The TX-NR797 keeps all of the features from last year’s model while also adding some new ones. Apple AirPlay 2 allows you to stream content from your iPhone® or iPad® directly to your TV. You may also ask Siri to play Apple Music music.

To assist make your experience smoother and more pleasurable, the ‘797 has a new quad-core networking processor, an upgraded on-screen display, and new remote control.

In the future, IMAX® Enhanced, a new audio decoding feature that reproduces the full dynamic range of specifically coded IMAX movie soundtracks from suitable resources, will be available as a free system update.

If you are looking for the 3 Best 9.2 Channel Receivers, you should give this one a chance. In a 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos® or DTS: XTM system, use all nine channels, or go for a more modest surround sound setup and use the extra channels for music in another zone or two.

The TX-NR797 provides a wide range of wireless listening possibilities. You can also stream music over Bluetooth or the built-in Chromecast capability. We noted the new AirPlay 2 support.

This receiver supports Spotify® and Pandora® over Wi-Fi, as well as a variety of internet radio stations from across the world.

The Onkyo receiver has always been the best. It has a constant power output capability. The AV receiver’s huge toroidal transformer and high-capacity capacitor can ensure that each channel’s power output is steady and stable.

The peak output power of the TX- NR797 is 185W per channel. When watching movies, we can adjust the volume to the THX Certified Select reference level. The sound quality will be comparable to that of professional theaters.

We can set up several surround sound solutions at home thanks to the 9.2-channel power output. You can, for example, reach 7.1.2, 5.2.4, and so on. Signals are analyzed and adjusted whether playing Dolby Atmos or DTS: X immersive sound effects. As a result, the work is of the finest quality.

Buyer’s Guide for 3 Best 9.2 Channel Receivers

The entire purpose of AV receivers is to enable superb home theater system surround sound.

Yes, AV receivers can now do a variety of things, which we’ll go over, but in general, if you’re watching the playoffs and want to feel like you’re in the stadium, or if you’re watching a movie want to feel like you’re right there in the moment, you’ll need an AV receiver connected to your TV.

What follows are all of the factors to consider when selecting the finest receiver for you, your room, your preferences, and your budget. There are various aspects to consider while selecting a home theater receiver.

After all, your stereo or multi-channel system’s controller and centerpiece will be this device. While there are many choices, it’s critical that your new receiver meets your demands and is compatible with your source components, which could be smartphones, streaming devices, Blu-ray players, or gaming systems.

With that in mind, wireless and wired networking choices, as well as multi-room capability, automatic speaker configuration, video handling, and more, are all critical considerations.

That may seem like a lot to take in, but don’t worry—we’re here to help you navigate these feature-rich seas without the need for a life jacket. Let’s delve a little deeper into some of these feature concerns and see how they affect your home-theater experience.

What is an AV receiver?

An AV (Audio/Video or Home Theater) receiver is more than just a power source for your home theater system; it’s also the brains behind it.

The job of the AV receiver is to receive, analyze, and process the TV audio signal that comes into the house (by cable or dish box, for example) before transmitting it to its final destination: the TV and speakers.

Five or more amplifiers (at a minimum) drive five or more speakers in an AV receiver. Why are there so many? A basic home theater system includes five speakers that work together to produce surround sound and the AV receiver needs to provide each speaker its own audio stream.

Many home theaters now have more than five speakers, including ones that support Dolby Atmos. In fact, many home theater systems today incorporate a dozen or more speakers, many of which are disguised and/or embedded into walls and ceilings for the best possible, mind-blowing effect.

Do you need an AV receiver?

It all comes down to money and priorities in the end. An excellent AV receiver with 4K video switching and Dolby Atmos costs $800. If music is more important to you than movies with surround sound, the same $800 will get you a fantastic (better than excellent) 2-channel stereo receiver (but no surround sound).

Bottom line: AV receivers were created primarily for televisions in order to provide a true cinematic experience in the home.

You can always use your AV receiver for TV and music because AV receivers do more than stereo receivers. On the other hand, as previously stated, a stereo receiver and television combo do not provide surround sound on their own.

Connectivity

There can never be too many inputs or outputs. One of the main reasons is all of the upcoming events… new devices, gadgets, and methods of accomplishing things… You’ll want to be a part of it since it’s the future.

You also want to ensure that you can connect to whatever you have right now. A minimum of four HDMI inputs are required to connect a cable box, a Blu-ray player, a PlayStation, and at least one additional port for future expansion. Are you looking to hook up to a turntable? Make a point of looking for phono input.

Wired vs Wireless

Manufacturers seemed to be rushing to cram as many inputs as possible into receivers just a few years ago. As HDMI has become the standard wiring connection for high-resolution devices, interconnection has become more straightforward, and mid-range receivers with five or more HDMI inputs are widespread.

While having more alternatives is a wonderful thing, it’s more vital to examine your system’s needs than it is to prioritize the number of inputs your new receiver has.

For instance, if a receiver has four HDMI inputs but you only have two HDMI source components, the receiver will meet your demands for that connection type while still leaving an opportunity for expansion.

However, if you’re like us and have more source components than time to enjoy them, you’ll need as many inputs as possible. Other wired connections, such as constituent and full video, optical and digital coaxial, and analog stereo, should be treated in the same way.

4K

For commercial video at home, 4K is now the best-possible, highest definition video format. The image is so detailed in 4K that you can sit right in front of the TV with your nose almost touching the screen and still have a superb picture.

That’s especially crucial now that the cost of larger screens is coming down, and we mean WAY down.

However, your AV receiver must be capable of switching 4K signals in order for this to work. If it is, you can use your sound system to communicate both sound and pictures from all of your video sources, allowing you to enjoy live performance and sound without sacrificing any video detail.

Another thing to keep an eye out for is HDCP 2.2 support. HDCP 2.2 is the most recent copy-protection technology designed to prevent unauthorized copying of video content, especially 4K footage.

Here’s why it’s crucial: Your screen will go black if you try to watch an HDCP 2.2 copy-protected movie on a 4K Blu-ray player or AV receiver that isn’t permitted to support HDCP 2.2 material. All 4K TVs and receivers, thankfully, include at least one HDCP2.2 input.

HDMI

For commercial video at home, 4K is now the best-possible, highest definition video format. The image is so detailed in 4K that you can sit right in front of the TV with your nose almost touching the screen and still have a superb picture.

That’s especially crucial now that the cost of larger screens is coming down, and we mean WAY down.

However, your AV receiver must be capable of switching 4K signals in order for this to work. If it is, you can use your sound system to communicate both sound and pictures from all of your video sources, allowing you to enjoy live performance and sound without sacrificing any video detail.

Another thing to keep an eye out for is HDCP 2.2 support. HDCP 2.2 is the most recent copy-protection technology designed to prevent unauthorized copying of video content, especially 4K footage.

Here’s why it’s crucial: Your screen will go black if you try to watch an HDCP 2.2 copy-protected movie on a 4K Blu-ray player or AV receiver that isn’t permitted to support HDCP 2.2 material. All 4K TVs and receivers, thankfully, include at least one HDCP2.2 input.

Installation

The integration of automatic speaker setup and calibration is another great addition to the growth of home theater receivers.

This technology comes in a variety of flavors, depending on the manufacturer and receiver price point, but they all aim for the same thing: optimal speaker performance in your listening environment with minimal end-user effort.

A calibration microphone is frequently included in receivers with this feature. Once you’ve connected the microphone, the receiver will guide you through the process of positioning it in one or more spots in your listening area, as well as making the required internal changes for optimal playback.

The degree to which your receiver’s calibration processes are advanced will determine the extent of automatic adjustment.

So you aren’t bound by the receiver’s automatic calibration procedures, technology like this needs to be smart and flexible. If audiophiles with fine-tuned ears desire, they can still use the classic SPL meter and make adjustments manually.

Built-In Features

Built-in support for wireless technologies like multiroom audio, AirPlay, Chromecast, and Bluetooth is quite beneficial. AV receivers have a history of adding dubious features that aren’t all that useful.

The pitch for wireless connectivity is simple: load any app on your smartphone or tablet, such as Pandora or Spotify, and wirelessly stream it to your AV receiver in seconds using either technology.

It’s the pinnacle of quick satisfaction, especially if your music tastes are centered on your smartphone. While most receivers now connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, it’s still worthwhile to look for one that supports streaming services.

Although some receivers have their own proprietary apps, such as Yamaha’s MusicCast or Denon’s HEOS, the majority of them can also connect directly to popular apps like Spotify and Pandora.

AM/FM Tuner

One of the finest venues to hear new artists, as well as deep cuts from old favorites, and keep up with the latest news, is on the radio. The Yamaha R-N303 offers 40 AM/FM presets, allowing listeners in urban areas to quickly select their favorite stations.

Replace the small wire antenna that comes with your receiver with a more powerful AM/FM antenna if you live in a remote region, wish to draw in stations from the next town over, or simply want the greatest signal you can get.

Frequently Asked Questions: 3 Best 9.2 Channel Receivers Review

Conclusion: 3 Best 9.2 Channel Receivers [2023 Review]

You’ll need to upgrade from a soundbar to an AV receiver with separate speakers if you want truly superb sound. What you should know is as follows.

Even the best soundbar won’t suffice if you want genuine home theater sound in your living room. Soundbars are convenient, simple to put up, and sound considerably better than the built-in speakers on your TV, especially for TV shows and movies.

An AV receiver connected with a set of independent speakers, on the other hand, delivers immersive, strong audio that outperforms a soundbar, especially if you listen to music as well as watch movies. We hope you liked our 3 Best 9.2 Channel Receivers review and it was helpful.