Any dwelling cinema goes to wish an AV receiver or an AV processor. However how are you aware which is correct in your set up. Stuart Pritchard delves into the subject and finds even when one choice seems proper in your buyer now, it’s necessary to additionally take into consideration future wants.
Right here at HiddenWires, we all know that specifying the right package for every distinctive set up job could be a tough activity, with many components to think about. There’s what the consumer desires versus what the consumer’s finances is, there’s the bodily practicalities of the area you must play with, and naturally whether or not mentioned package you’re specifying is match for function or presumably – on the different finish of that spectrum – utter overkill.
Which brings us to the enterprise of AV receivers and AV processors; all dwelling cinema spec lists are going to wish one or the opposite, however which one does your newest temporary require? Whereas on the floor they could appear to do the same factor, the distinction between the 2 can typically be huge by way of each worth and efficiency. So, what precisely do they do? And which choice is best for you? Let’s begin firstly…
AV receivers
The lower-cost choice that may allow you to adhere to a tighter consumer finances, the AV receiver is a one-box resolution with built-in amplification that marshals all of the various audio and video indicators despatched out of your linked AV leisure tools, akin to Blu-ray gamers, video games consoles and CD-players, then decodes and routes the indicators to their appropriate, corresponding output tools, akin to loudspeakers, TVs and projectors, letting house owners change between these elements with ease.
Catering for all AV comers, across the again of the common AV receiver you’ll discover an array of connection choices, consisting of ample HDMI ports, optical and coaxial connections, analogue audio inputs, and speaker and subwoofer outputs, amongst many others.
Typically utilized in smaller area installations on account of their restricted built-in amplification on provide, many fashions do, nonetheless, function the choice of sending indicators to a second zone (or extra if it’s multiroom succesful), that means customers also can ship audio to loudspeakers in a unique room. A pleasant promoting level, definitely, however this operate does scale back general energy to all audio system and can also be restricted to solely enjoying the identical supply as that of the first zone.
“The modest nature of the primary set up would name for an AVR, which is less expensive, however presumably compromised by way of efficiency,” advises Dave Pedigo, COO, Trinnov Audio USA. “Then, all of it will depend on your definition of multiroom. Taking part in the identical supply throughout a number of rooms is lots simpler than having the ability to play completely different sources in several rooms. The character of the supply additionally makes an enormous distinction. HDMI sources with bitstream audio, requiring decoding and object rendering, will not be distributed as simply as a primary PCM stereo stream.
“But when we’re speaking about beginning a one-room set up, after which including one other leisure room that needs to be operated individually from the primary room, I might say that AVR multi-zone functionality is normally so compromised and restricted that it will not be a viable choice.
Furthermore, by counting on a single product, you create a single level of failure throughout a number of rooms, which can also be one thing fairly necessary to think about.”
Economic system or false-economy?
With a lot meals for thought for the customized installer from Trinnov, we additionally requested the opinion of Roland Hoffmann, director of product advertising and marketing, Steinway Lyngdorf, on the professionals and cons of the AVR.
“There’s not a lot distinction on the decoding aspect, nor with the variety of channels, so on this regard AV receivers could be simply as well-equipped as AV processors.
Steinway Lyngdorf MP-40
“An built-in AV receiver appears handy, space-saving, and budget-friendly, which can all be necessary for an entry-level encompass, however for extra bold dwelling cinemas, we additionally want to take a look at different precious elements: extra highly effective amplifiers driving extra demanding audio system, an audibly higher sound efficiency, and better reliability.
“If the system doesn’t ship true efficiency and an impressive expertise for the proprietor, all of the space-saving and budget-cutting isn’t price a lot. Or not less than not for lengthy.”
AV processors
Pondering exterior the one-box resolution as we transfer into the realms of larger, higher-end dwelling cinema installations, akin to the AV receiver the AV processor permits for switching between sign sources and likewise decodes all of the differing audio codecs previous to passing the indicators on, however the AV processor doesn’t possess any amplification of its personal. The rationale for that is, in case you consider the AV receiver as the center of your own home cinema, processing and pumping out the audio indicators to the encompass sound audio system, the AV processor is extra just like the brains of the operation, in that it collates all indicators, functioning as a central hub, processes them and feeds them out to an influence amplifier to deal with the job of driving the audio system.
It is designed this technique to ship a much-enhanced high quality of audio, as separating the audio and video sign processing part from amplification reduces distortion, whereas additionally being optimised to eradicate noise too, the end result is a a lot larger high quality of sound.
Steinway Lyngdorf P300 rear view
The opposite benefit of an AV processor and energy amplifier combo is that they ship way more oomph than AV receivers can dream of. Whereas essentially the most highly effective receivers can provide round 13 channels at as much as round 150W in stereo, with an AV processor and energy amp, you can’t solely up the channel ante but in addition improve that wattage by a substantial quantity to drive all of the loudspeakers and subwoofers in dwelling cinema installs of even epic proportions.
As Pedigo states: “Many AVRs do not need the wanted wattage to adequately drive audio system, with out distortion. That is additionally true when driving a number of audio system at one time. So, when making an attempt to determine whether or not to make use of an AVR, or an AV pre-amp and amp(s) mixture, energy is definitely an enormous consideration. For prime-performance rooms, it’s nearly all the time a good suggestion to have {hardware} devoted to a particular activity, akin to one system for processing and one for amplification. There’s nothing improper with utilizing an AVR, which is analogous with utilizing a Swiss military knife for AV, however sooner or later the efficiency turns into restricted.”
Pondering forward
One other important issue to recollect is that AV processors are additionally extra more likely to be upgradeable, making certain the future-proofing of installations because the evolution of AV know-how continues apace.
“If the producer continuously affords upgrades and updates, the AV processor could be saved within the system for longer and also will maintain its worth for longer, factors out Hoffmann: “For instance, we have now provided each HDMI 2.0 and currently HDMI 2.1 {hardware} upgrades for our current processors out there, in addition to including new bi-amping and sound equalising options on the software program aspect.”
Storm Audio ISP EVO
And in case you wanted any extra convincing, promoting the extra properties and significance of the AV processor, Olivier Thumeral, CEO of StormAudio, sums up: “The audio processor is the center of any dwelling cinema and as such, it performs a significant function within the installations, providing a spread of advantages. It permits immersive encompass sound, manages audio sources, helps numerous audio codecs, offers room correction capabilities, and integrates seamlessly with management programs. By enhancing the general audio expertise, the audio processor turns into a vital part, making certain a charming and cinematic ambiance in your house theatre.”
Making the selection
So, now you realize the place the similarities sit and the place they savagely finish. In a nutshell, the AV receiver is best suited to smaller installations the place indicators want decoding and feeding out to shows and audio additionally wants amplifying earlier than being fed to a restricted variety of loudspeakers. The AVR greatest serves a single zone, however (relying on the mannequin) the choice of including a ‘zone 2’ and generally extra could also be obtainable. However the trade-off there being that the higher variety of loudspeakers that share the receiver, the much less energy there’s to go round.
Nice for switching indicators between AV tools, making operation easy for the person, the AV receiver stands out as the ‘finances’ choice, however for the smaller dwelling cinemas the place comfort is king, it may be all that’s required.
Trinnov Audio Altitude 32 4K
“The benefits (of an AV receiver) could be extra consistent with comfort,” says Pedigo. “An AVR has each the processing and amplification inside some chassis. Due to this fact, there aren’t exterior cables to handle between the processor and amplifier(s). There’s additionally much less rack area, sometimes, required for an AVR in comparison with a separate processor and amps, notably when a number of amplifiers are getting used.
“There’s additionally possible much less energy consumption when utilizing an AVR in comparison with a combo processor and pre-amp. As a result of many devoted amplifiers are constructed to essentially drive audio system, their power effectivity is often lower than their AVR counterparts.
Trinnov Audio Altitude 32 from rear
“And final, an AVR can also be simpler to regulate, given it’s a single system versus a number of.”
With a wealth of choices on the market, it’s advisable to stay to these names that rank chief with customized installers and customers alike, and look to the likes of Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, Arcam, Marantz or Sony for stable, well-spec’d receivers.
Going giant… for the long run
However for larger installations the place extra energy is required to drive a bigger variety of loudspeakers in lots of differing zones (multiroom), the mix of a pricier AV processor and energy amp shall be required to make sure the exacting quantity of amplification is achieved for every. Additionally, separating the sign paths from the amplification assists within the optimisation of the signal-to-noise ratio, making for superior, distortion-free sound.
“For our engineers, separating processors from amplifiers merely permits higher efficiency for each elements, says Hoffmann. “Placing each into one case all the time means compromises on the PCB (printed circuit board) and elements inside; it impacts the audio and video sign paths, raises the noise flooring, requires extra warmth administration, and compromises the facility provide. Separating processors from amplifiers additionally means extra flexibility when selecting the facility amps.
“If the area is there or could be discovered, and the efficiency calls for are already excessive, go for separates. Search a future-proof processor, whereas the facility amps ought to match each the chosen loudspeakers and the room measurement they should fill. And don’t underestimate the client – calls for normally develop over time, and with many AVRs you’re form of caught, not having the ability to add extra channels nor improve the output energy nor improve to raised audio system.”
Choices right here additionally quantity within the plentiful, however with regards to reaching peak efficiency for essentially the most in depth of installs and equally most demanding of shoppers, good choices are Trinnov and its vary of Altitude and Amplitude merchandise, StormAudio’s ISP sound processors, the undoubted high quality of Steinway Lyngdorf, NAD has some robust choices, or audio knowledgeable Focal’s Astral 16.
In conclusion
So, there you could have it – when it comes right down to similarities, it’s in regards to the core function of organising, processing and sending AV indicators to the place they should be. Due to this fact, for smaller dwelling cinema installations, an AV receiver will usually be excellent for the job. However for extra prodigious installs, the AV processor is the reply.
Finally, then, when it comes right down to AV Receivers vs AV Processors, the underside line is that it’s all about scale, efficiency, upgradeability and, in fact, that all-important, all-dependent, all-overriding age-old concern of consumer finances vs consumer expectation.