The Bottom Line: The Sony STR-DN1020 isn't a bad AV receiver, but it lags behind its competitors in just about every attribute we consider important.

Specs: AV receiver, 110 Watt -, 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - 7 channel(s) (Surround), 8 Ohm - 7 channel(s) (Surround), Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS decoder, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby TrueHD, DTS 96/24

The Bottom Line: The Yamaha RX-V671 sounds excellent and supports several high-quality streaming-music services, but it lacks built-in AirPlay support.

Specs: AV receiver, 125 Watt -, 8 Ohm - THD0.9 % - 7 channel(s) (Surround), Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio

The Bottom Line: The Onkyo TX-NR609 has six HDMI inputs and lots of built-in streaming music services, but it lacks AirPlay and doesn't sound quite as good to our ears as some competitors.

Specs: AV receiver, 125 Watt -, 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD0.08 % - 7 channel(s) (Surround), Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, DTS decoder, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby TrueHD

The Bottom Line: The Denon AVR-1912 gets our Editors' Choice Award in the midrange AV receiver category, with built-in AirPlay, outstanding sound quality, and six HDMI inputs.

Specs: AV network receiver, 90 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD0.08 % - 7 channel(s) (Surround), 125 Watt - 6 Ohm - THD0.7 % - 7 channel(s) (Surround), Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby TrueHD, DTS 96/24

The Bottom Line: Pioneer's VSX-1012-K is an excellent AV receiver with built-in AirPlay and top-notch sound quality, but Denon's AVR-1912 is just a little better.

Specs: AV receiver, 120 Watt -, 8 Ohm - 7 channel(s) (Surround), 6 Ohm - 7 channel(s) (Surround), 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD0.08 % - 7 channel(s) (Surround), Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio

The Bottom Line: The Harman Kardon AVR 2600 is a handsome 7.1 audiovisual receiver with a great GUI, but it's hard to recommend with its high price and comparatively lackluster performance.

Specs: AV receiver, 65 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD0.07 % - 7 channel(s) (Surround), Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS decoder, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby TrueHD, DTS 96/24

The Bottom Line: Yamaha's RX-V667 is one of the best midrange AV receivers of 2010, with excellent sound quality, a best-in-class user interface, and more connectivity than its competitors, but it may be more AV receiver than you need.

Specs: AV receiver, 90 Watt - 20 - 20000 Hz - 7 channel(s) (Surround), Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS decoder, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo:6, DTS Express, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby TrueHD, DTS 96/24

The Bottom Line: The Denon AVR-1911 costs more than competitors and has fewer features, but its outstanding sound quality bests competing 7.1-channel AV receivers.

Specs: AV receiver, 90 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD0.08 % - 7 channel(s) (Surround), 125 Watt - 6 Ohm - THD0.7 % - 7 channel(s) (Surround), Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS decoder, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, DTS Express, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby TrueHD, DTS 96/24, Dolby Digital Surround EX

The Bottom Line: The Marantz NR1601 has a stylish, slimline design and excellent sound quality, although other AV receivers offer more features for less money.

Specs: AV receiver, 50 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD0.08 % - 7 channel(s) (Surround), Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, DTS Express, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby TrueHD, DTS 96/24

The Bottom Line: Sony's midrange AV receiver improves on its predecessor with new HDMI features like standby pass-through and 3D compatibility, but it lacks a compelling reason to pick it over its competitors.

Specs: AV receiver, 110 Watt - 8 Ohm - THD1.0 % - 7 channel(s) (Surround), Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS decoder, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby TrueHD, DTS 96/24