Smartphones, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Other Connectivity:
Interested in streaming the latest Kanye West song from an iPhone right to a receiver? No problem. Modern receivers can interface with just about every device one can think of. They are often equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi which enables them to stream content from smartphones, tablets or portable music players. Receivers can also connect to wireless networks giving them access to music from a home network, thousands of internet radio stations and even subscription-based services like Deezer, TIDAL, SiriusXM and Spotify. Many have Apple’s AirPlay, allowing them to stream music from Apple products. RJ45 Ethernet ports and USB ports are standard equipment these days. With these, one can connect to media servers, external hard drives, NAS, thumb drives and pretty much anything else. There’s no lack of connectivity in today’s products. Once connected, just about every file format can be taken advantage of including MP3, WAV, AAC, WMA, AIFF, FLAC 24 bit/192 kHz, DSD and ALAC. Check the specs of a receiver to make sure it accommodates desired file formats. Many receivers also include a feature to enhance compressed audio files like MP3s.
In addition to the classic remote control, manufactures now provide iOS and Android apps to control their receivers. Web interfaces also allow computer or laptop control. Receivers can even be integrated into home automation systems via RS-232 ports. Some models also provide 12 volt triggers to turn on other equipment.
THX and other Certifications:
It might be easy to think that THX is merely a neat little video clip with cool sound effects but it’s so much more. THX is a certification program that guaranties that AV equipment meets a certain minimum performance standard. The program was named after George Lucas’ 1971 film THX 1138. Equipment submitted for certification is put through a battery of tests to ensure two things; quality and its ability to play at the THX reference level of 85 dB with 20 dB of headroom. This means that a fully certified THX system can operate comfortably with peaks up to 105 dB with minimal distortion. This allows the listener to experience the movie’s soundtrack exactly as intended by the studio. To achieve this, the volume setting of a certified system must be set to “0”. Needless to say, the full benefits of THX, are only realized when the receiver, speakers and subwoofers are THX certified and properly calibrated.
There are three levels of THX certification. Each caters to a differently sized listening environment. The THX I/S Plus level applies to bundled systems including both a receiver and speakers. It is aimed primarily for small spaces like a dorm room where the viewing distance would be in the 6 to 8 foot range. The THX Select2 level is for medium sized spaces where the viewing distance is in the 10 to 12 foot range and the total size of the room does not exceed 2000 cubic feet. Finally, the THX Ultra2 level is for large home theaters with viewing distances in the 12 foot or greater range and total sizes in the 3000 cubic feet ball park.
Not having THX certification doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s poor quality equipment. In fact, there’s plenty of fabulous gear out there whose manufacturers have simply chosen, for whatever reason, not to get certified. Some products offer other options like the Image Science Foundation’s (ISF) ISFccc Video Calibration Control certification. This ensures that the receiver has a full complement of video calibration features allowing a complete optimization of image performance.
The Final Test and Conclusion:
Once a receiver with all the required features has been identified, a final test must be performed. A prospective buyer should grab their favorite music, Blu-rays and DVDs and head to their local dealer for an audition. Don’t underestimate the importance of this crucial step. The receiver may have every feature one could ever want but if the listener can’t live with the sound, it’s just not the right choice. If the dealer happens to have the same speakers as the buyer, these should definitely be used for the audition. One could even consider bringing their speakers to the store. If these options aren’t viable, multiple speakers should be tried. This will provide a better overall feel for how it sounds. Some vendors may even allow in-home trials. This is the best possible test but dealers that would allow this are definitely in the minority. However, one shouldn’t hesitate to ask, the worst they can do is say no.
Listening is only half the equation as we are, after all, talking about audio-video receivers. Prospective buyers should throw in those Blu-rays and see what happens. One should choose discs with difficult scenes that can really reveal what the video subsystem is made of. A good quality display should be chosen for this test and any processing done by the TV or disc player should be turned off. This way the receiver’s performance is being evaluated, rather than the other components. DVDs should be tried as well since they will reveal the machine’s scaling capabilities. If the unit sounds great, looks great and has all the desired features, it’s clearly the right receiver.
There’s no question that today’s receivers are immensely capable compared to models of the past. They can play just about every audio or video format one could hope for and interface with just about any other device. In addition to the standard AM/FM tuner, some models have added HD radio to the mix. They can also be controlled in a variety of ways and can do pretty much everything one could want a receiver to do. They are indeed tremendously powerful machines. One manufacturer even states that the DSP system in one of their models can perform 10 billion calculations per second. An old comparison to a Saturn V rocket comes to mind. Despite the fact that even today’s flagship models will never get you to the moon, they’ll do one hell of a good job with a movie like Apollo 13!
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