Can a $300 receiver power floor-standing speakers?

Yes, for moderate listening levels in typical rooms. Sensitive speakers (90dB+) pair best with budget receivers. Avoid power-hungry planar or electrostatic designs.

Is it worth buying a receiver without HDMI 2.1?

If you don't game at 4K/120Hz, it's perfectly fine. For movie watching and music, HDMI 2.0 handles 4K/60Hz HDR without issue.

Best Budget AV Receivers Under $300 2026