AVR & amplification

Real buyer questions on avr & amplification, answered in plain terms.

Do I need a separate power amplifier with my AVR?

Three situations justify it, and outside those three the money is better spent on speakers or the subwoofer.

AVR & amplification
AV receiver vs stereo amplifier β€” which should I buy if I mostly listen to music?

Be honest with yourself about the split, and the answer follows from it. Mostly two-channel music: stereo integrated. Regular movies too: AVR, possibly with a stereo amp added later.

AVR & amplification
Do amplifier watts matter? How much power do I actually need?

Less than the spec sheets suggest, and much less than the marketing suggests. Loudness comes from your speakers' sensitivity and your room, not from chasing watts.

AVR & amplification
What do 5.1, 7.2, 5.1.2 and similar channel numbers actually mean?

First number: ear-level speakers. Second: subwoofers. Third, where present: height channels for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. That is the whole code.

AVR & amplification
How do I choose an AV receiver for my room?

Room first, speakers second, sources last. Work backwards from the sofa, not forwards from the spec sheet, and the right receiver usually turns out to be one step below the one tempting you.

AVR & amplification

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