Are you looking for the best small 5.1 receivers? You’re in the right place.
These audio setups have come a long way.
The original bulky 5.1 AVRs have evolved to the extent where the entire system is now available in a more compact form. You can install compact 5.1 receivers in small living rooms or bedrooms without sacrificing the quality of audiovisuals.
Welcome to the world of innovative small 5.1 receivers that scream versatility!
Though nearly infinite brands of small 5.1 receivers are available both online and offline, we fine-tuned our search by looking exclusively for products that delivered both in terms of performance and features. Consequently, we had to sift through fewer products with a small footprint to develop the four best compact 5.1 receivers.
We’ve reviewed all the 5.1 receivers on an impartial basis, weighing up each against a set of standard quality parameters.
Top 4 Best Small 5.1 Receivers
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Yamaha RX-V383BL 5.1-Channel AV Receiver (Editor's Choice) | Check Price |
 | Marantz NR1506 Audio/Video Surround Receiver (Smallest Receiver on the List) | Check Price |
 | Pioneer VSX-531 5.1-Channel AV Receiver (Close Runner-Up Overall) | Check Price |
 | Onkyo HT-S3800 5.1 Channel Home Theater Package (Compact and Sturdy) | Check Price |
Yamaha RX-V383BL4K Ultra HD Receiver (Editor’s Choice)
The Yamaha RX-V383BL4K is the best compact receiver available on the market.
Packed to the hilt with an array of versatile features, it transforms your living room into a movie theater.
Apart from being outfitted with all the standard functionalities, it features the futuristic HDCP2.2. This technology is exclusively companionable with 4K Ultra HD media, including the 4K ultra high definition TV.
Hence, to take advantage of this functionality, you’ll have to go for a new HDTV or home theater system that supports HDCP2.2 (if you don’t have one already) as the technology is not backward compliant.
If you bought your HDTV, which was companionable with HDMI2.0, even a few years back, then the chances are that the appliance may be incompatible with HDCP2.2. The audiovisual quality delivered by this technology more than makes up for its restricted accessibility.
The Bluetooth feature lets you tune in to your favorite music and tracks archived in smartphones, PCs, and other digital devices. The Compressed Music Enhancer syncs with all Bluetooth/wireless audio and music playback, thereby guaranteeing premium sonic quality.
Patented YPAO technology allows you to modify the audio by your room’s acoustics. You can calibrate the RX-V383BL to make it deliver audio, which is simply music to your ears, regardless of the environment. And fortunately for you, this Yamaha 5.1 compact home theater receiver isn’t too expensive.
Marantz NR1506 Slim Line
You probably won’t find a compacter receiver than the Marantz NR1506 Slim Line. It’s just 14.8 x 17.3 x 4.1 inches all around! It’s the smallest audio receiver on our list.
Priced above $500, the NR1506 Slim Line surely does not come cheap. However, its impressive list of innovative features more than compensates for its high price.
This 5.2 channel network audio/video receiver is reinforced with capabilities, enabling it to project down-to-earth surround sound from numerous sources.
This mini AV receiver is compatible with the latest HDTV models that support 4K Ultra HD video content and HDCP2.2. Simultaneously, the product can be set up with 4K Ultra HD and 3D-pass through media.
The NR1506 functionalities facilitate tuning into musical repositories in your iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone via AirPlay. Music streaming from Pandora, Spotify, and Sirius XM is a breeze with the Marantz NR1506 Slim Line.
The Marantz Remote App comes in handy if and when you feel the need to exploit this 5.2 receiver’s features from your iOS or Android smartphone. The multi-Zone feature lets you project music from the main setup to your bedroom or study.
Marantz has retained all the standard HDMI receptacles from the previous model (NR1506) in the new version. All in all, the compactness of this remote HDMI receiver makes it appropriate for hooking it up with your home theater arrangement or a 4K Ultra HDTV.
Onkyo HT-S3800
The Onkyo HT-S3800, in sharp contrast to its two predecessors, offers a package that is much more standardized. For instance, all input requirements are taken care of by the standard HDMI ports, while support for 4K Ultra HD is fulfilled by HDMI 2.0.
This type of arrangement is definitely on its way out. However, a good proportion of home theaters still use it. Why? Primarily because the setups still take advantage of HDMI2.0 and HDMI.
The HT-S3800 supports DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby True HD, besides the standard Bluetooth. The receiver boasts of a very receptive interface. It not only incredibly easy to set up but convenient to use as well.
It’s ideal for a small home office, dorm room, and living room. This pocket-friendly Onkyo HT-S3800 will amply serve your needs until you graduate to a more versatile product.
Pioneer VSX-531-K
If you’re keen to make the most of a realistic and genuine musical experience from your home theater, then look no farther than the Pioneer VSX-531-K.
This 5.1 channel receiver from Pioneer takes you through a high-definition immersive surround sound journey. That became possible because of the 4 HDMI ports and the Ultra HD (4K/60p/4:4:4) with pass-through for HDCP2:2.
The receiver is compilable with the advanced HDR video standardizations, allowing you to enjoy vibrant and lifelike playback.
The VSX-531-K, very much like its earlier editions, delivers high-decibel performance at a price that will cheer you up.
The intuitive amplifier delivers up to a maximum of 140W of power on all the channels. That results in a crisp and clear reproduction of audio. Pioneer’s signature ‘phase control’ technology can be exploited to attune every speaker for facilitating balanced audio performance.
Considering that the VSX-531-K is small and rudimentary, it punches above its weight.
So, What’s the Best Compact 5.1 Receiver?
Every 5.1 receiver assessed above has its distinct set of features implying that any specific product will be good enough for a limited number of setups and cannot be used across-the-board.
That said, what you’ll finally select boils down to your personal preferences and requirements. Talking about compact 5.1 AV receivers, you’ll have to cope with certain limitations.
For instance, some small home theater receivers will support a set of features but may lack functionalities that are standard in other models. Simply put, it’s hard to find a small footprint AV receiver that incorporates all the standardized features in a single package.
While screening 5.1 mini receivers for this review, we made it a point to select the four best compact models that were companionable with the state-of-the-art 4K Ultra HD technology and supported the prevalent HDMI interfaces.
We ensured to pick up budget-friendly models of small receivers that delivered on the performance front. You’ll be able to select a good small form factor receiver from the ones we’ve reviewed.