I’ve been an audiophile all my life and I can tell you from experience that owning a Hi-Fi Dolby Atmos Receiver has changed the way I enjoy movies and music. A set of Hi-Fi headphones are great to own, but until you truly experience the audio quality Atmos has to offer, you have not experienced what true sound is.
The majority of receivers in the market come with either Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and the thing here is that with Dolby Atmos you’re able to add more channels of sound apart from the regular 5.1 surround sound allowing you to have a true immersive experience.
So without further ado, let me list out the Best Dolby Atmos Receivers you can buy online.
- Denon AVR-X3700H
- Sony STRZA1100ES
- Denon AVR-X6700H
- Denon AVR-X2700H
- Yamaha RX-V685
- Marantz SR6014
Table of Contents
Best Dolby Atmos Receiver
A popular surround sound format, Dolby Atmos is commonly used in commercial cinemas and in home theaters. The main difference as compared to other formats like TrueHD, Digital, E, Stereo is that Atmos allows you to use a combination of channels so you have a complete listening experience.
Here are the top 6 best Dolby Atmos receivers
| Best Dolby Atmos Receiver | Specifications | Link |
| Denon AVR-X3700H | Channels: 11.2 Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi Tech: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced Output: 7 Rear HDMI ports | Check it out on Amazon |
| Sony STRZA1100ES | Channels: 7.2 Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi Tech: Dolby Atmos, eARC, IMAX Enhanced Output: 7 Rear HDMI | Check it out on Amazon |
| Denon AVR-X6700H | Channels: 11.2 Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi Tech: Dolby Atmos, eARC, IMAX Enhanced, DTS:X, Dolby Vision, Auro-3D Output: 11 Rear (8 In, 3 Out) | Check it out on Amazon |
| Denon AVR-X2700H | Channels: 7.1 Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi Tech: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision Output: 6 Rear | Check it out on Amazon |
| Yamaha RX-V685 | Channels: 7.2 Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi Tech: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision Output: 7 Rear | Check it out on Amazon |
| Marantz SR6014 | Channels: 9.2 Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth Tech: IMAX Enhanced, Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X Output: 10 Rear | Check it out on Amazon |
The question may arise: Why Do I Need Dolby Atmos?
The thing here is that Dolby Atmos lets you truly feel everything you hear. It immerses you into your movie/song if you have the right setup at home. A traditional 5.1 is not going to cut it and you may want to increase the number of speakers you have positioned at home, with Atmos that’s possible.
Dolby Atmos can handle a maximum of 128 channels of audio and can be routed to 64 individual speakers making it capable of delivering the most impressive sound quality possible.
If you’re wondering how many channels you need in order to have a great experience then here’s something I learnt from experience:
- 7.1 or 7.2 – Basic Atmos Configuration which consists of 7 surround speakers and two subs.
- 9.1 or 9.2 – Slightly better but still considered a basic configuration, this includes 9 surround speakers and 2 subs.
- 11.2 or 13.2 – Perfect for a fantastic experience, this configuration uses either 11 surround speakers/ towers and 2 subs or 13 surround speakers and 2 subs.
Now that you know why it’s needed, let’s take a look at some of the Best Dolby Atmos Receivers you can buy on Amazon
Denon AVR-X3700H
The X3700H from Denon is probably the best Dolby Atmos Receiver around today. This piece of tech has a 9 channel amplifier that is capable of providing around 180W per channel. By default the Denon AVR-X3700H is a 9.2 Atmos receiver but you’re able to increase the configuration to 11.2 by plugging in an additional amplifier.
It features 8K support via one HDMI input but comes with 7 additional HDMI ports for 4K or Full HD resolution. There’s also an in-built eARC (Audio return channel) that lets you play Dolby Atmos in the receiver from Smart TV applications.
You get room-specific sound optimization including a range of Audyssey sound correction capabilities.
In addition to that, the X3700H features:
- 4K/120Hz refresh rate
- Auto Low Latency Mode
- Fast Media Switching (QMS)
- Quick Frame Transport (QFT)
- In Streamer Mode
- Compatible with Spotify, Amazon Music HD, Tidal, Deezer and other services.
Specifications
| Maximum Number of Processing Channels | 11.2 |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes / Yes |
| HDMI Ports | 7 Rear |
| On-board Tech | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced |
| Power Output | 105W – 135W |
Click here to buy it on Amazon
Sony STRZA1100ES
This 7.2 channel receiver from Sony supports Atmos and is capable of decoding up to 9.1 channels by using 2 additional amps and 2 phantom rear surround channels. It comes 4K HDR ready with a combination of 6 HDMI input ports and 2 HDMI output ports.
The STRZA1100ES has been optimized for a custom in-home integration and includes an ES-grade multi channel sound system that for a clearer and more detailed music listening experience.
The Sony STRZA1100ES features:
- Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Surround Sound
- 4K HDR Ultra HD with eARC and IMAX Enhanced
- Custom Home Integration
- Music Connect
- Graphic User Interface
- Phantom Surround Back
- Web Browser Configurable
Specifications
| Maximum Number of Processing Channels | 7.2 |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes / Yes |
| HDMI Ports | 7 Rear |
| On-board Tech | Dolby Atmos, eARC, IMAX Enhanced |
| Power Output | 100 W + 100 W (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 2ch, THD 0.9%) |
Click here to buy it on Amazon
Denon AVR-X6700H
Denon’s X6700H is a step up from their 6500H series and is superior in terms of precision and audio quality. It’s an 11.2 channel, 8K Ultra HD AV receiver that delivers an unmatched 3D realism while watching movies at home via your home theater.
This high-performance receiver is capable of processing up to 13.2 channels allowing you to customize your speaker configuration.
It allows you to connect to any HD/Ultra HD TV, Blu-Ray player, Subwoofer, or turntable via any of the 11 HDMI ports, Digital In, Phono-In or Wirelessly.
The Denon AVR-X6700H features:
- 4K/120Hz refresh rate for gaming
- Full 3D Audio Support
- 11 Channel Amplifier with the latest Home Cinema Specs
- Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
- Quick Frame Transport (QFT)
- In Streamer Mode
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Josh.ai, Control4 SDPP and other services.
Specifications
| Maximum Number of Processing Channels | 11.2 channels |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes / Yes |
| HDMI Ports | 11 Rear (8 In, 3 Out) |
| On-board Tech | Dolby Atmos, eARC, IMAX Enhanced, DTS:X, Dolby Vision, Auro-3D |
| Power Output | 140W – 175W |
Click here to buy it on Amazon
Denon AVR-X2700H
The X2700H is a futuristic AV receiver from Denon that offers 7.1 channels with full support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. With Dolby Atmos, the X2700H is able to simulate height channels by using Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization and is known for its ability to safely drive low-impedance speaker units.
The video capabilities are pretty impressive with it being able to deliver 8K video at 60Hz. It also supports all HDR formats such as Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG.
For those looking to stream wirelessly, the X2700H comes equipped with built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi allowing you to connect to a range of wireless devices for a complete experience.
The Denon AVR-X2700H features:
- 4K/120Hz pass through
- Full 3D Audio Support with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- 7.1 Channel Amplifier with the latest Home Cinema Specs
- Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
- Quick Frame Transport (QFT)
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Josh.ai, Siri and other services.
Specifications
| Maximum Number of Processing Channels | 7.1 |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes / Yes |
| HDMI Ports | 6 Rear |
| On-board Tech | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision |
| Power Output | 95W – 125W |
Click here to buy it on Amazon
Yamaha RX-V685
This great Hi-Fi receiver from Yamaha is one of their most sought after devices online. This receiver offers up to 100 watts per channel and is capable of decoding Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D sound. It even includes Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization for heightened channels and is able to drive low-impedance speakers smoothly.
The V685 supports up to 4K/120Hz with high bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP 2.3)and eARC. You’re able to connect multiple devices to the receiver simultaneously and pairing is carried out by either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
The RX-V685 permits you to stream wirelessly and includes dual HDMI outputs.
The Yamaha RX-V685 features:
- 4K/120Hz refresh rate for gamers
- Full 3D Audio Support with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- 7.1 or 7.2 Channel Compatible
- 4K Ultra HD with HDCP 2.3 and eARC
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Sirius Internet Radio, Siri and other services.
Specifications
| Maximum Number of Processing Channels | 7.2 |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes / Yes |
| HDMI Ports | 7 Rear |
| On-board Tech | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision |
| Power Output | 90W to 150W per channel |
Click here to buy it on Amazon
Marantz SR6014
Consider it the Ferrari of AV Receivers, the Marantz 4K Ultra HD Receiver uses some of the latest sound formats and is compatible with an entire range of devices. This powerful amp uses 9.2 channels to deliver detailed sound, it also supports object based audio formats and offers high-def video processing capabilities.
For an ultimate cinematic audio experience the SR6014 delivers 110W per channel and uses the latest audio formats such as IMAX Enhanced, Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X.
For an effortless control of the receiver, the SR6014 comes with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri or Josh.ai voice control function and can be connected to popular services like TuneIn, Spotify, Google Music, Tidal, Netflix, Amazon Prime and so on.
The Marantz SR 6014 features:
- 4K Ultra HD compatibility with 120Hz refresh rate
- Full 3D Audio Support with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- 9.1 or 9.2 Channel Compatible
- HDCP 2.3 and eARC support
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Tidal, Prime Video, Netflix, Sirius Internet Radio, Siri and other services.
Specifications
| Maximum Number of Processing Channels | 9.2 |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes / Yes |
| HDMI Ports | 10 Rear |
| On-board Tech | IMAX Enhanced, Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X |
| Power Output | 110W per channel |
Click here to buy it on Amazon
FAQ
Do I need a new receiver for Dolby Atmos?
You would not require a new Dolby Atmos receiver as long as the Blu-ray player that’s hooked up supports Atmos. All it will do is output a bit-stream audio signal that your receiver can decode.
Can you get Atmos through Optical cable?
Unfortunately, Dolby Atmos can only be passed on via a HDMI cable and will not work if the audio is passed through optical or coaxial outputs. So if you’ve connected your speakers via optical or coaxial then you’d have to change it to HDMI for you to receive the desired Atmos effect.
How many speakers are required for Dolby Atmos?
Based on setup and configuration, the base speaker layout for Atmos will be 4 main units. This allows you to get precise and realistic sound while focusing on overhead sounds as well.
Takeaway
Choosing the Best Dolby Atmos Receiver is surely not easy as there are hundreds of receivers with different channel configurations and capabilities, not to mention the difference in the price.
This list will help you decide if you want to go for something that costs less like the Yamaha RX-V685 or if you’re not worried about spending a lot of money then any of the Denon’s or the Marantz will prove to be worth every penny.
For a piece of helpful advice i would suggest you to buy a Dolby Atmos Receiver from a trusted source, only then you can rest assured that if anything happens (touch-wood) you can get it fixed under warranty.
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Greetings! My name is Michael and this is my website.
I've been specializing in audio equipment and accessories for a while and have a little something in store for every kind of hi-fi enthusiast.
Based in California, I keep attending special launch events across the globe. This has helped me understand the products better, and with a unique hands-on experience I'm able to provide you with easy to understand reviews about the best in audio tech from around the world.
