Home Theater Amplifiers

home theater amplifier

A home theater amplifier is a type of audio amp designed for use in the home to power a speaker system for surround sound. It consists of a preamplifier and a power amp, and is usually integrated into a single box. It can also be referred to as an AV receiver, although this term is often misused.

The main difference between a stereo amp and a home theater amplifier is that a stereo amp is designed to amplify audio signals while a home theater amp is designed to amplify both video and audio. Therefore, the types of home theater amplifiers that you need will depend on how you want to set up your speakers and what type of movies or TV shows you plan to watch.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a home theater amplifier, including how much power it can deliver, the number of channels you need and whether or not it supports immersive surround sound codecs like Dolby Atmos. Once you have those factors under control, you will be in a better position to make an informed decision on the best home theater amplifier for your needs.

Inputs

The inputs on a home theater amplifier should be able to handle a variety of different media sources, from cable boxes and DVD players to satellite dishes and streaming devices. In addition to HDMI connections, most home theater receivers will have a built-in digital optical input as well.

You may also want to look at inputs that support Dolby Atmos height virtualization, IMAX Enhanced and DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as direction connections for AirPlay 2, HDR10+ and HLG. These features are important to consider because they will enable your home theater receiver to work with the latest high resolution, high dynamic range audio and video formats from the latest Blu-ray and streamed content.

Ideally, the inputs on your home theater amplifier should be able to handle the rated impedance of your speakers. This is listed in a manufacturer’s specifications under a figure called “nominal impedance” which will help you decide whether or not the amplifier will be able to drive your speakers properly.

Power Amp Matrixing

If you have a good power amp that you are planning to use with your home theater amplifier, you will want to make sure that it can be accessed and used from within your receiver. Typically, you will find this in the settings menus on most receivers.

Connecting HDMI Devices

If your home theater amplifier is going to be connecting multiple HDMI-connected devices, then you will need to know if it has a built-in HDMI switcher or if you have to hook up separate cables to each source. A built-in HDMI switcher will save you time and effort, as it can automatically route your connected media sources to the appropriate channels.

AVRs that can handle Immersive Surround Sound Codecs

Buying a home theater amplifier that can handle the full array of surround sound codecs is a crucial step in achieving the ultimate home theater experience. This means that your amp will be able to decode the full suite of surround sound codecs in the latest DVDs and streaming media services. You will also need to be sure that your amp has codecs for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, as well as Auro-3D.