receiver

Denon AVR-1912 review: Editors' Choice AV receiver

The Denon AVR-1912 is the most complete midrange AV receiver we've seen in 2011 so far.

It's one of the only two receivers in its class (the other being the Pioneer VSX-1021-K) with built-in support for Apple's AirPlay, a feature that lets you use any iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad as a wireless music source. While the Pioneer has a nicer interface, the Denon outdoes it with slightly better sound quality, a sixth HDMI input, a two-year warranty, and onboard support for Pandora, Rhapsody, and Napster.

The Denon AVR-1912 is our go-to pick if someone asks, "… Read more

Pioneer VSX-1021-K review: Built-in AirPlay, top-notch sound

Pioneer has undeniably been the main innovator in the midrange AV receiver space over the last few years. For example, the company added the ability to connect an iPod/iPhone directly via USB, and included a cable for that purpose, before anyone else. Now Pioneer is making iPod support one step easier with the VSX-1021-K, letting you wirelessly stream music from an iOS device--such as an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch--using AirPlay, Apple's proprietary media-streaming format (check out our full hands-on). In addition to AirPlay, the VSX-1021-K also features a slew of other attractive features, including five HDMI inputs, DLNA compatibility, and Pioneer's iOS remote-control app, iControlAV2. Not to mention the fact that it sounds pretty great, too.

As impressive as that package sounds, it's still not quite enough to make the VSX-1021-K our top midrange receiver pick of 2011. The Denon AVR-1912 edges it out just slightly by also offering AirPlay, plus one more HDMI port, a two-year warranty, more built-in streaming media services, and slightly better sound quality. That still makes the VSX-1021-K our second-favorite receiver of the year and it could be the top choice for some buyers who really can't stand the inferior onscreen display of the Denon.… Read more

Are home-theater-in-a-box systems yesterday's news?

The home-theater-in-a-box systems (HTIBs) I reviewed 10 years ago were pretty lame, but I've been amazed by the progress of these systems over the years. The best of the breed, like the Onkyo HT-S990THX and the Samsung HT-BD1250, produce astonishing sound quality for not a lot of money.

But the market appears to be moving away from HTIBs, as more and more of today's buyers are opting for easier-to-install sound bar speakers. I can understand why; HTIBs may be one-box solutions, but they still require extensive setup routines, and you have to run wires to five or more … Read more

Hands-on with the Pioneer VSX-1021-K: AirPlay and iControl2 app

The Pioneer VSX-1021-K was the first midrange AV receiver announced with built-in AirPlay functionality, and it's also the first one we've received for hands-on testing. We've had the VSX-1021-K set up for less than 24 hours, but that's enough time to jot down our initial impressions on its built-in AirPlay functionality and Pioneer's iControlAV2 iOS app.

AirPlay: The ultimate digital music remote Simply put, built-in AirPlay lives up to the hype.

Once you get the VSX-1021-K on your home network (either via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, using the $150 adapter), streaming music from an iOS device (any iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad) is as simple as playing a song, hitting the AirPlay icon, and selecting the VSX-1021-K. Music played using the iPod app will have full cover art and artist info displayed on the connected TV, plus you can adjust the volume of the receiver using your iOS device's built-in volume controls.

AirPlay also works with a ton of third-party apps, so we were streaming music from Pandora and Rhapsody in no time. Even though we've had plenty of experience using other digital music streamers, like Squeezebox, there's no denying that it's pretty fun to stream audio straight from an iPhone.

AirPlay also isn't limited to music on your iOS device. Fire up Apple's Remote app, select an iTunes library from a networked computer, and you can stream music from that computer using your iOS device as the remote.

Or, if you don't have an iOS device, you can use your computer as the controller--just hit the AirPlay icon the bottom right and select the VSX-1021-K. The only slight downside is you'll need to leave your computer (with iTunes running) on for both of these methods to work.… Read more

How to stop subwoofer bass from 'leaking' into other rooms

Everyone at one time or another has been annoyed by the unpleasant bass thumps of a neighbor's subwoofer or large speakers. While midrange and high-frequency sounds are more easily enclosed by walls, low bass frequencies pass right through them. And, of course, it's not just a noise problem from neighbors; home-theater bass can disturb other family members within a house or apartment.

Methods used to isolate or restrict bass from going through walls, floors, and ceilings can get expensive, and unless recording-studio construction techniques are employed bass is hard to control. Brick and concrete are more effective than … Read more

Denon's 2011 core line of AV receivers compared

Denon is the last of the major AV receiver manufacturers to announce its 2011 lineup, but it was worth the wait. The company introduced four new receivers in its "core line" last week, including the $530 AVR-1912, which Denon is referring to as the least expensive AV receiver with built-in AirPlay. (The Pioneer VSX-1021-K has a list price of $550.) Below is a detailed breakdown of the main feature differences between Denon's new receivers.

Denon AVR-1312

Key features of the Denon AVR-1312:

5.1 AV receiver, 110 watts per channel Four HDMI inputs 3D video pass-through, standby pass-through, and audio return channel Graphical user interface, overlaid on HDMI sources Two digital audio inputs (one optical, one coaxial) $250 list price; available later in April

Denon AVR-1612… Read more

Denon's midrange AV receiver has AirPlay too

Pioneer's VSX-1021-K was the first midrange receiver we've seen with built-in AirPlay support, but it's about to get some competition. Denon has announced its entire 2011 line of AV receivers today, including the $530 AVR-1912 with AirPlay support. All three of Denon's higher-end "IN-Command Series Models"--the $600 AVR-2112CI, $800 AVR-2312CI, and $1,000 AVR-3312CI, also include AirPlay functionality, as well as Rhapsody, Napster, Pandora, and DLNA support.

We're currently at the event getting the full details on these new receivers and we'll be posting a more detailed comparison of Denon's … Read more

Get a Yamaha home-theater receiver for $149.99

A home theater isn't really a home theater unless it has speakers, preferably of the 5.1-channel surround variety. Of course, you can't just plug them directly into your TV; you need a receiver to act as the hub and amplify the audio.

Receivers can cost a small fortune, but here's your chance to score a killer deal: Newegg has the Yamaha RX-V367 5.1-channel digital home theater receiver for $149.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code EMCKFJH22 at checkout. (Note: you must be a Newegg newsletter subscriber to use the code.)

The RX-V367 is … Read more

Yamaha's four new AV receivers compared

Yamaha announced four new AV receivers yesterday in its RX-V line, ranging from the $250 RX-V371 to the $600 RX-V671. Like many other manufacturers, the higher-end RX-V671 offers a host of iPhone/iPod-related features, such as an app to control the receiver and an iPhone/iPod-compatible USB port, but no AirPlay like on the Pioneer VSX-1021-K. Here's a quick look at the key feature differences for the whole line.

Yamaha RX-V371

Key features of the Yamaha RX-V371:

5.1 AV receiver, 100 watts per channel Four HDMI inputs 3D video pass-through, standby pass-through, and audio return channel Four digital audio inputs (two optical, two coaxial) $250 list price; available now

Yamaha RX-V471

… Read more