Home Theater Blog
Is a Universal Remote Worth the Money?
Having several remotes can be annoying, which is why many consider investing in universal remotes. However, universal remotes can be pricey; are they worth it? Universal remotes are worth the money if you have multiple devices (over three, for instance). High-quality...
How to Connect Any Laptop or PC to an AV Receiver
There are many ways to connect a laptop or PC to an AV receiver, depending on the type of audio equipment you have and the system setup. When determining the best way to connect the two, you should consider several factors, such as whether the receiver has an onboard...
Can You Do 5.1 on a 7.1 Receiver?
Having a surround sound setup is one of the best things you can do for your entertainment center, next to having a cutting-edge display. A receiver can take your experience to the next level, especially if it supports many speakers at once—but what if you don't need a...
6 Reasons Why Your Receiver Is Overheating
Your AV receiver is at the center of the best things about your audio system. It decodes surround sound formats, drives your speakers, and ensures easy switching between audio and video components. However, like all other electronics, overheating can reduce the...
Why Are Receivers So Expensive?
Getting the most out of your home theater setup requires choosing the right hardware. If you are serious about your entertainment's sound quality, you may have looked into getting an AV receiver - only to be in for sticker shock. Some receivers can cost well above...
10 Tricks to Hide Speaker Wire or Audio Cables
Having wires or audio cables visible can be annoying and can make the room look messier. Fortunately, there are a few tricks to hide your speaker wires or audio cables. Some of the tricks to hide speaker wires or audio cables include hiding them in your carpet, behind...
How Hot Is Too Hot for an AV Receiver?
Have you noticed your AV receiver is running hotter recently? Are you concerned it may be on track to overheat? Without proper maintenance and preventative measures, overheating is possible. Anything hotter than 85℉ (29.4℃) is too hot for an AV receiver. Every 10℉...
The Cost of an AV Receiver: How Much Should You Spend?
Many people know that AV receivers should be a part of a sound and entertainment setup, but some are still unsure if these gadgets are very useful or just another nice-to-have. There's also the debate around how much is too much to spend on one. How much you should...
Are Refurbished AV Receivers Worth the Risk?
High-quality AV receivers can be rather expensive and risky if you are unfamiliar with the technology. However, second hand shopping can be a great way to snag a quality AV receiver. A refurbished model is a cheaper alternative, but will it give you more trouble than...
AV Receivers: How Many Watts Per Channel Do You Need?
Having a receiver as part of your entertainment center is a great way to give your content a great surround sound experience. But like with anything that runs on electricity, some are curious about how much power their devices are using. Receivers have multiple...
Can You Use Two AV Receivers Together?
You may have different speakers across separate rooms within your house, and you want to connect two receivers into one speaker or wish to use the second receiver as an amplifier. Is this possible? Can you use two AV receivers simultaneously? Yes, you can use two AV...
Why Do AV Receivers Have Ethernet?
Some of the AV receiver models you will find include ethernet connectivity. This can make a receiver model more expensive, but the real question is, is it needed? How do AV receivers use ethernet connections, and does it justify the price point? AV receivers have...