Skip to content

How To Buy A Receiver May 2026

The first decision is deciding what you are actually hooking up.

Look for built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for streaming music via Spotify, AirPlay 2, or Chromecast. how to buy a receiver

The back of a receiver can look like a maze. Focus on these essentials: The first decision is deciding what you are

Ensure there are enough for every device (TV, PlayStation, Apple TV) plus one or two spares for future gadgets. Focus on these essentials: Ensure there are enough

Required for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X , which add "height" channels to make sound feel like it's coming from above you.

If you have a 4K or 8K TV, your receiver must be HDMI 2.1 compliant to pass those high-resolution signals through without losing quality.

Best if you only care about music . It typically powers two speakers and a subwoofer (2.1 setup).