Neural Surround AV receivers

The Bottom Line: The Sony STR-DN1000 offers solid sound and basic AV receiver features at a bargain price, but it's not nearly as good as last year's STR-DG920.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, Universal remote control (Infrared), Gloss piano black

The Bottom Line: Yamaha's HTR-6260BL includes more features than its predecessor, but it doesn't sound as good, has poor video upconversion quality, and doesn't let you assign digital-audio inputs.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 630 Watt, 20 - 20000 Hz, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Universal remote control (Infrared), Black, 17.1 in x 14.4 in x 6 in, 18.7 lbs

The Bottom Line: Yamaha's RX-V665BL includes more features than its predecessor, but it doesn't sound as good, has poor video upconversion quality, and doesn't let you assign digital-audio inputs.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 630 Watt, 20 - 20000 Hz, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Universal remote control (Infrared), Black, 17.1 in x 14.4 in x 6 in, 18.7 lbs

The Bottom Line: Sony's STR-DG920 is a standout midrange AV receiver, with a basic graphical user interface, four HDMI inputs, and solid video processing.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 770 Watt, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Remote control (Infrared), 16.9 in x 13.9 in x 6.2 in, 23.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Yamaha HTR-6160 sounds great, but it's tough to recommend with its paltry HDMI connectivity, poor upconversion quality, and other design quirks.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 735 Watt, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Universal remote control, Black, 17.1 in x 15.5 in x 6.7 in, 26 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Yamaha RX-V663 sounds great, but it's tough to recommend with its paltry HDMI connectivity, poor upconversion quality, and other design quirks.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 665 Watt, 20 - 20000 Hz, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Universal remote control (Infrared), Black, 17.1 in x 15.5 in x 6.7 in, 26 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Denon AVR-789 sounds great and is fully featured, but isn't the easiest receiver to set up and use.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS-HD High Resolution, Digital graphic - 9 bands, Universal remote control (Infrared), 17.1 in x 14.8 in x 6.7 in, 25.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Pioneer Elite VSX-91TXH AV receiver delivers excellent audio quality and a host of cutting-edge features, but competing models offer even better values at this price point.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 770 Watt, 20 - 20000 Hz, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, THX Select 2, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Digital - 9 bands, Universal remote control (Infrared), Black, 16.5 in x 18.3 in x 6.8 in, 33.7 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Onkyo TX-SR805 is an all-around excellent AV receiver with plenty of audiophile appeal, but its less-than-ideal video performance may give HDTV aficionados a reason to hold out for higher-end alternatives.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 910, 20 - 20000 Hz, Dolby TrueHD, THX Select 2, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital Plus, Remote control (Infrared), Black

The Bottom Line: The Onkyo TX-SR805 is an all-around excellent AV receiver with plenty of audiophile appeal, but its less-than-ideal video performance may give HDTV aficionados a reason to hold out for higher-end alternatives.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 910, 20 - 20000 Hz, Dolby TrueHD, THX Select 2, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital Plus, Remote control (Infrared), Silver