13 CHANNEL AVR/PRE-PRO OPTIONS IN 2024 | Buying Guide

[@FURognar]

Dont forget to talk about DTS:X-Pro for channel counts over 11.1 (7.1.4) Most of the products you mentioned DO NOT have DTS:X-Pro and thus DTS:X and Neural-X are limited to 7.1.4 in those products. Of the current 13+ channel receivers and processors, the Denon, Marantz and Sony are the only ones you mentioned that have DTS:X-Pro. And of course Trinnov, Storm and Lyngdorf. All the others, Monoprice, Emotiva, Tonewinner, Anthem, Arcam and JBL are limited to 7.1.4 DTS:X playback without Pro.

[@snootz]

There's also AudioControl for AVR/processor options. Built in the US, and using the same platform that you'll see with Arcam & JBL Synthesis. Includes Dirac, DLBC multi-sub, Auro3D, etc. all included just like the JBL Synthesis SDR-38/SDP-58.

[@ealanosborne]

Oh yes! That's right! 🤘

[@michaelkreisel3573]

Upgrading to the mrx1140 from the marantz 7012 I would highly recommend the Anthem. I had high expectations and it exceeded in every way. It’s a shame you didn’t post this video a few weeks ago when crutchfiled was selling the 1140 for I think $3300 or maybe it was $3600

[@Spad3193]

Crazy I was considering going 13 channels. Thanks for this video gave me a few options!

[@ealanosborne]

Hey, you're very welcome! 😎

[@ModernTraveler]

The “8500 HA!” made me burst out laughing.

[@ealanosborne]

I was hoping it had that effect on SOMEONE! You win! 😄🤘

[@jjchmiel78]

Since you mentioned Emotiva products, I am surprised you didn't mention their upper line units. Is that because they expect their customers to be their beta testers? I have the Sony. Very simple setup, calibration use and good sound. Negatives are I haven't figured out how to get the calibrated sound without using 360SSM. 360SSM is hit or miss with sometimes you get a hiss and sometimes you don't. You have to turn it off and on. The remote and App are pure and utter trash. Overall I wouldn't recommend with that damn hiss.

[@ealanosborne]

OMG, duh! I completely spaced the RMC and XMC units. 🤦‍♂️😄 I knew there would be something I missed, though.

[@jimbob1424]

I have 33 base layer speakers and just cut my ceiling and roof out and have ALL the Atmos sound 😂

[@soundfactor3426]

Holy cow, talk about immersive audio, Ealan's like..."man, that's a lot of wiring"lol... but that's really cool...

[@UnitedRedDevil13]

I’ve got a Denon running 5.1.4 and an external power amp. I already have two ceiling speakers on either side of the MLP currently aren’t being used. Is it worth hooking those up and running a 5.1.6? And if so, what should I set them at?

[@scott336]

Great video. Thanks. I learned of a few new options to consider for my upgrades.

[@ealanosborne]

Hooray! 😃🎉

[@Sas-wk9lj]

Interesting video on exotic setup, crazy options as well as price. I think with this kind of extreme setup, one needs to plan from ground up, like first plan and design your house, design the dedicated A/V room layout with 13/15/17 channel audio setup in mind and all acoustic treatment, sealed wiring and what not. I was wondering if you'd have any views on the optimum no. of channels one can be most contented with, instead of scaling out linearly in horizontal and vertical direction. Second thing to consider is, are separates always a better sounding solution than integrated? Or are there exceptions.

[@ealanosborne]

I’ve come realize lately that movie/TV watching habits play a big role in AVRs vs separates. When you go with separates, you do get more of a true cinematic experience, where the detail, channel separation and dynamics are unmatched compared to integrated systems. It’s simply incredible in my dedicated theater. But lately, in my living room, I scaled down slightly from a Marantz Cinema 70s + Starke Fiera8 amp to a Sony AZ3000ES because the dynamics were just too much for night time watching when my kids have gone to bed. Even when I had dynamic compression on high with the Marantz, the loud parts still got too loud with sleeping kids not too far away. I’ll be making a video on this soon, actually. 😎

[@baracudasmile]

Elalan I live in a small 9x9x9 rental apt where the living room is the home theater. Drilling holes in the ceiling is out. I bought the Sony STR AZ3000ES upon your recommendation but have up graded to STR AZ7000ES and run 6.2.6 system since the A95L center lift uses one channel. I have two RARS5s for my surround, yet they also are Atmos upfireing and consume four channels. I have four CSE Atmos speakers on the walls for fronts and mids. Sony 360 sound mapping also has phantom speakers. I usually leave the AVR on AFD which let's the processor mix to the speaker, and even you tube and adds have some sound coming from the heights. I also have 20 inch hard plastic dome light just in front of the listening position on the ceiling which helps bounce the blended sound down like a voice of god phantom. Now happy with my set up, time to Marty MCfly my neighbours and watch some movies. Finally I have two SW3 wireless subs. Goal is is we move displacement is minimal. We also like to watch the projector at the beach, and borrow a sub and the rears for the outdoor cinema.

[@Echo-jg8is]

So over complicated 🤔 should have done a high end 5.1 system rather than a mid end mega system...

[@daviddyer193]

So you've had and used IOTAVX for a little bit now. I am really considering getting it along with their amps. Currently using an older onkyo TX nr686. I want to get into the separate game, but I may have blown a considerable amount of my budget on a pair of Stereo Integrity 24s, a speaker power sp12000, and the GSG EVO series. In your opinion with a budget of around 4 to 5 grand what would you recommend to get as far as a processor and amps? Again I am really leaning towards the IOTAVX and the amp combo as it comes discounted buying the bundle.

[@ealanosborne]

No doubt, using the AVX17 has been a great ride into separates territory. I haven’t experienced the system with IOTA amps, though, so I can’t vouch for their performance, but I imagine they’re also great. I’m not sure what size configuration you’re gonna have, but I’ll tell you this - the only weird quirk I’ve dealt with is that the auto room correction tends to fail mid-measurements when dealing with a 7.x.6 configuration. When I switch to a 9.x.4 system, room correction sometimes fails, but not nearly as much as 7.x.6. Not sure why. But if you tend to skip auto room correction and do manual adjustments using REW or the like, you’ll be fine. Just a heads up. 😎 But once up and running, it’s the closest I’ve come to an actual cinema experience. That is until I can miraculously afford a Trinnov pre-pro. 😄🤘

[@daviddyer193]

​@ealanosborne awesome to hear! Not many have heard of it but I watched the podcast with Mr. Youthman and the fellas and you mentioned it on there and I've been interested ever since. I appreciate you taking the time to get back to me, thank you. That settles it, I'm going to get it.

[@davonfranklin5158]

Amazing video. You touched on everything. Dope.

[@soundfactor3426]

Ealan, 2+yr's ago when your (Costco Klipsch Video) Made me take the leap for the first time into the world of surround sound, I picked up the Marantz SR-8015 13 channel AVR from a local store (video only) I only paid $2500 plus tax out the door, Which at the time Crutchfield and Best Buy had it for $4000, the only downfall was I had to wait a month And a half to receive it.. I was told the delay was sound United had to assemble it...

[@ealanosborne]

The suspense is killing me! Did you receive it after all? 😄🤞

[@soundfactor3426]

@@ealanosborne I did, I had it put away in the box for almost a year, (I should've sent it to you(prepaid postage their and back) to let you do a review on it) (I wasn't thinking) a buddy of mine bought (2) Denon x4700h(one for his stepdad dad) who bastardized the set up and said the receiver was broke.. so I used it for about a year working flawlessly...

[@ealanosborne]

@@soundfactor3426 Haha! What a score with the X4700H!

[@ronaldbulatao]

Hi Ealan, I’m thinking of using two klipsch r52c as surround speakers, would that be a good idea? I have a Denon x3800h AVR for home system. Thanks for your nice videos.

[@ealanosborne]

A speaker is a speaker, so if you have extras lying around, I don’t see why you couldn’t at least experiment with that idea. 😀

[@evilimpss1647]

Since you are talking about the under $10k price point I would also suggest the Acurus brand. They have the Muse (15.1 channels) and the Act 4 (15.5 channels). Unfortunately no Auro 3d, Imax Enhanced, or DTS-X Pro listed at this time. Don’t know if a future upgrade is possible. Cool thing is they are made in USA.

[@ealanosborne]

Oh right! Forgot about that brand. But yeah, come on now…at least IMAX or Auro support at that price point. 🤔😄

[@djparra41]

I have a Denon 6700 H currently running a 5.3*.6(Two top front, two top metal and two top rear). What changes if I were to switch to top LCR, voice of God and top rears?

[@ealanosborne]

Well only one way to find out! Although since that would be an Auro configuration, you may get a more active height experience with Atmos content using the Auromatic upmixer. 🤷‍♂️

[@djparra41]

@@ealanosborne yeah I figured the only reason why I was thinking about switching was because I really wanted the top center speaker which would not only lift the acoustical center, but would also theoretically increase the center channel output

[@michaelkreisel3573]

@@ealanosborneand is there any aura 3D content?

[@ealanosborne]

@@michaelkreisel3573 I’ve recently gotten lucky with having someone who works at Auro starting to send me titles as they get released, but they’re imports from Belgium. The menu systems are in English, but the movie always defaults to Belgian subtitles, which I can easily turn off. But little quirks like that. I’ll be making a video hopefully soon on how to more easily score native Auro 3D titles 🤞

[@michaelkreisel3573]

@@ealanosborne I torrent everything. So beggars can’t be choosers 😂 and I don’t have a dedicated theatre room just a converted family room. So I guess fir the full blown all in theatre room aura 3D should be considered

[@davidgerald1639]

I’m enjoying my system 7.2.8, denon A110, svs ultra speakers and elevations, and dual sb3000 subs

[@ealanosborne]

NIIIIICE! 🤘🎉

[@laatinable]

​@@ealanosbornedear Ealan, is the Sony STR AZ3000 (9.1) able to expand to 11.1 matting it with an external Amp?

[@ealanosborne]

@@laatinable No, sorry. Just 9 channels, since it has no pre outs except for the subwoofers.

[@laatinable]

@@ealanosborne got it pal. I cant understand why would they put pre out for subs since they only manage one channel tho, very confusing

[@824tonimarie]

For my space it would be an overkill...I have a 7.1.4 now but I can dream for the the next five years. 😌👍

[@Sas-wk9lj]

Sorry to butt in, but I'd rather have a proper room planned that can accommodate 13/15/17 channel setup, instead of cramming the same old space with more speakers and amps. If the room layout and acoustic treatment is right, a 7.1.4 can sound better than 9.1.4 or 11.1.4

[@824tonimarie]

@@Sas-wk9lj yes I'm very happy with my set up. I just got it finished 2 weeks ago 🎉 I will extend that room into the grarage once I retire and then upgrade in about six years hence I will keep that in my dream state 😂

[@824tonimarie]

I agree😊

[@gowthamk5392]

So considering power amp for ear levels the towers n the other three Is it ok to but 5 altogether or buying 2 chnl n 3 chnl amp separately!?! My Ln R towers are max 300W heco floor standings!?!

[@ealanosborne]

Yeah, it just depends on how much power your other speakers can handle. It's probably going to be more affordable to get multiple amps, since one multi-channel amp that can handle 300 watts per channel would be very expensive.

[@gowthamk5392]

@@ealanosborneyeah ok 🆗 😊

[@frenzy786x]

Looking into denon 8500. I have an outlaw amp 5000. Would it be better to get an outlaw 7000x to supplement the 7 channels? Does denon 8500 really need external amplification for sound or will the internal amps suffice? With regards to external amplification is it ok to mix an outlaw 5000 class ab with an HTD-8150 class d or is it better to keep the amp manufacturer and amp type the same? Thanks

[@ealanosborne]

The more external amplification, the better, since it alleviates some of the processes that the AVR has to do. If you eventually power ALL your speakers with external amps, all the AVR has to worry about is audio processing, HDMI switching, HDR, etc. Not having to power anything improves its performance overall. And yes, you can mix amp types, it’s just a matter of level matching, since Class D is typically just a tad quieter. Not worse, just quieter, mind you. 😁 For awhile I had the Outlaw 7000x powering my ear level speakers, and the Starke Fiera8 powering the heights. Worked great. 👍

[@frenzy786x]

@@ealanosborne thanks for the advice! Any preference in brand between outlaw audio and OSD audio for amps?

[@ealanosborne]

@@frenzy786x Either should be fine. I personally have heard Outlaw (which are excellent) and Joe n Tell swears by OSD Nero Amps. So you shouldn’t go wrong with either. 🎉

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Had to choose HT or 2 channel Have 2 or 6 channel options 😊

[@bwheels02]

All I want is AVR with the latest tech but only 5.1 or max 7.1. I feel like we are over paying for all these channels just to get better tech features. OR paying for a smaller unit that lacks features. Is the average person really running more than 7.1 or 5.1.2?

[@ealanosborne]

Great question! Tough to say, though. Immersive audio systems (with height channels) are definitely getting very popular. I think 5.1.4 or 7.1.4 are what most are going for as a goal with AVR’s like the affordable Onkyo RZ50, or Denon X3800H with all its features and support for up to 4 subwoofers. 🤷‍♂️ I hear ya, though. I want manufacturers to finally offer a 5 and 7 channel preamp processor so the price of entry into separates isn’t so high!

[@kewlbug]

Does Iota 17 have eq for each channel? Or still sticking some together? My room is not symmetrical, so this is a deal breaker for me.

[@ealanosborne]

Still sticks a few together. I can’t remember off the top of my head, but I think it’s something like Front L/R, Center, Surrounds, Surround Backs you can dial in the EQ in those pairs (besides the center channel by itself), but no, not each channel individually.

[@kewlbug]

@@ealanosborne have you had a chance to try manually tuning a system with REW?

[@ealanosborne]

@@kewlbug Not really. I attempted that with Home Theater Gamer joining me over Zoom, but then my MacBook did some weird sh*t so now I need to steal my daughter’s Windows laptop and try again. 😭

[@BFArch0n]

I think the Anthem 70 with mini DSP for 4 subs is the best route, especially bang for buck

[@ealanosborne]

Just wish it had Auto 3D support, personally. Then it would be perfect 😭

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Great follow up =)

[@Steelersinfinity]

Tonewinner 11 channel amp? 300WPC LCR and 100WPC for the other 8. $1775 best deal out there.

[@michaelkreisel3573]

Made to break Chinese junk

[@demariow78]

Anthem has their own Amps as well that work great.

[@ealanosborne]

Oh yes, true. 👍

[@texmuphy68]

Funny to see that when you say 'focus' at 9m23s, that your cam goes out of focus! 😂

[@ealanosborne]

Just some Hollywood magic! 😄

[@babymaker13th]

Right now I have the marantz 6014 with a 2 channel amp and I would like to get an additional 5 channel amp to complete 7.2.4 is that possible and is the emotiva ok or should I get another avr with 13.2 power ?

[@ealanosborne]

Since you're already invested into external amps, that's the trajectory you want to stick with. I would see how you personally enjoy adding a 5 channel amp to the system before upgrading the AVR. I think you'll like the results powering 7 of your channels with external amps. :) And yes, Emotiva amps are affordable and make a difference.

[@michaelkreisel3573]

Are you sure that marantz is worth investing in? I upgraded from the 7012 to the anthem 1140 and it was night and day. Anthem exceeded my expectations in every way. And after 5 years my marantz needed repair, blew a channel. I did fix it for $300 and gave it to my dad

[@ealanosborne]

@@michaelkreisel3573 True. TechnoDad said the AV10 he tested has handshake issues intermittently. 🤷‍♂️ Trust me, I want an Anthem badly, but they don’t support Auro 3D, and I’m gonna start reviewing a lot more Auro content, so that’s an unfortunate deal breaker for me. 😭

[@michaelkreisel3573]

@@ealanosborne but there really isn’t much content. Heck there isn’t even a lot of atmos

[@kev3226]

So what movies would use all that many channels?

[@ealanosborne]

Dune Part 1 & 2, Bladerunner 2049, all the most recent Godzilla/Kong movies, Twister, The Matrix, 300, just to name a few off the top of my head.

[@michaelkreisel3573]

For the best audio experience I highly recommend fury road. And in my opinion best audio track daft punk in Tron Legacy

[@annebokma4637]

Wanting a trinnov, going with emotiva 😂

[@ealanosborne]

I hear ya! 😂🤘

[@percybedford6266]

Tonewinner makes reasonably priced amps as well.

[@ealanosborne]

Very true! Forgot about that! 🎉👍

[@michaelkreisel3573]

Worth forgetting. Chinese junk

[@induction7895]

15 height channels would be perfect. 3 front, 9 enveloping the (rich) audience and 3 rear. 12 ear level channels. Somebody should standardize 12.4.15 channel setup. We can sell more speakers, avrs, amps, processors etc to the same group.

[@senyonjobrian1002]

Hello

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks

[@ealanosborne]

You’re welcome, Craig! 😎

[@Tonyplat98]

Okay I don't wanna watch any more of your videos because my wallet is getting very very slim... No offence they're great vids :D

[@ealanosborne]

Heeheeeee! 😊

[@chebrubin]

Why Sony won't make a processor variant of the 7000ES kills me. Sony are we listening? A processor for custom installers. Your friends Chana and Joe N Tell will tell you buy a few OSD Nero multichannel amplifiers and Tonewinner AT 300. And save some money on those overpriced Denon A1H. Elon have you thought about trying Joe N Tell Magic Bean true target with your IOTA AVX17 parametric equalization for room correction (with REW)?

[@ealanosborne]

Thought about it! Haven’t gotten around to it, though. Especially since it’s summertime and I have limited time in there before it gets hot like a sauna 🥵 I do love my AVX17, but I do hope to expand to my theater room’s limit and have a 9.4.6 setup to test all kinds of stuff for y’all. That and IMAX Enhanced and Auro 3D support are necessary for other tests I want to perform. 🤘

[@turagsoy6719]

I say I go for 11.2 channels, 13 channels is too much

[@tarunkesavk]

1 day will complete setup🥹

[@UnitedRedDevil13]

I’ve got a Denon running 5.1.4 and an external power amp. I already have two ceiling speakers on either side of the MLP currently aren’t being used. Is it worth hooking those up and running a 5.1.6? And if so, what should I set them at?

[@ealanosborne]

Which Denon do you have?

[@UnitedRedDevil13]

@@ealanosborne x-3800 and basx-a3 amp

[@ealanosborne]

@@UnitedRedDevil13 Huh…yeah, if you mean those unused in-ceiling speakers are straight above (basically in-line with the MLP) I’d say try it out! Might as well since you’re not dealing with the hassle of installing those speakers anyway. 👍

[@UnitedRedDevil13]

@@ealanosborne what would be the ideal speaker, layout settings in the Denon if their positioned above on either side of me in the ceiling? Rear heights? They’re close to directly above my ear level surrounds

[@ealanosborne]

@@UnitedRedDevil13 Since you mentioned you already have a 5.1.4 setup with front and rear heights, you should be able to assign the unused ceiling speakers as Top Middle.