Do I need an AV receiver for a soundbar?

No — soundbars are all-in-one solutions. AV receivers power separate speakers for better sound quality and flexibility. If you want true surround with dedicated speakers, you need a receiver.

Can I use an AV receiver for music?

Absolutely. Modern receivers stream via AirPlay, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and more. Yamaha receivers in particular excel at two-channel stereo music reproduction.

Best Budget AV Receivers 2026