The front of an AV receiver with a large volume dial. - Alexstepanov/Getty Images You can't have a home theater without an AV receiver to power speakers and handle device connectivity. Surround sound ...

To the untrained eye, an AV receiver may just look like a big black box that a bunch of TV and speaker wires run in and out of. Far more than a junction box for your go-to components like streaming ...

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The rise in popularity of soundbars and powered speakers over ...