The entire set up of a home entertainment system hinges upon the best possible configuration of the AV receivers so you enjoy the best possible performance with high-fidelity audio and crisp images. Failing the optimal set up of an audio visual receiver, you can end up with muddy visuals and lo-fi music.
The AV receiver (AVR) is often the most misunderstood and underutilised component of multichannel home theatre systems. And, that’s why to help you enjoy improved sound and video quality at home and help you understand and utilise this component better, you must consider these tips.
But first, let’s understand, why do you need an AV Receiver?
An A/V receiver is the electronic component that controls and drives your home theatre experience.
It takes in audio and video signals from various sources and routes them to their respective outputs. AV receivers these days are well-equipped to handle much more than audio signals. There are also handy and budget-friendly options like an audio receiver with bluetooth that allow you to connect a non-Bluetooth device to your smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device and stream from them.
This includes speakers, docking stations, HiFi, headphones, and car stereos.
Key functions of a regular AV Receiver
- Connecting and switching between audio sources
- Connecting and switching between video sources
- Amplifies audio signals to drive multiple speakers
- Decodes surround-sound format
- Radio tuning
- User interface for home theatre setup
In many ways, the AV receiver is the hub of a home theatre system. Without it, you would have rather limited options when it comes to entertainment options in your home theatre setup. Also your home cinema experience would be completely lacklustre.
Tips for enhancing the AV receiver performance for optimal audio and video performance
1. Turn off Eco mode
AV receivers can consume a lot of power, putting a strain on users’ energy bills. To ease those frustrations, some AV receivers come with an economy power mode enabled. “Eco mode” can cut down the amount of energy an AV receiver consumes when it sits in standby mode.
However, Eco mode causes a noticeable dip in audio quality, as it can limit volume levels and dampen performance.
Moreover, network connectivity is typically turned off during Eco mode, preventing users from any internet-based control devices.
2. Keep DRC in check
A preset configuration to watch out for, Dynamic Range Compression (DRC) can be useful when employed right. It can prevent movie dialogue from getting buried underneath a wall of sound during an especially action-packed sequence. If you like to watch movies late at night, DRC can bring both loud and soft sounds to the forefront.
However, leaving DRC enabled all the time could hurt the audio experience when listening to audio that uses dynamic changes in sound for dramatic effect. All of the tension created from the push and pull of soft and loud dynamics would be totally lost, leading to an audio performance that falls flat.
3. Go beyond stereo
Even some of the most sophisticated AV receivers often get set up with stereo sound enabled. That can be a banal experience. So, don’t be intimidated to play around with your settings based on what you’re watching or listening to. It’s a sonic miss otherwise.
4. Calibrate your system
The more complex your home theater system is, the more important it is that each component works in a synergy towards a harmonious audio experience. Several factors could affect the quality of your sound, from the size and type of speakers used to the location of your equipment.
Calibrating your home theater system will ensure that each speaker and subwoofer is precisely set up to provide optimal audio quality.
So, keep these tips on AV Receiver and Calibration in mind and enjoy the most superior audio and video quality.