3 best component stereos

Component stereos, also known as component audio systems or component audio setups, refer to a type of audio system where various components are used separately to create a high-quality audio experience. These components typically include:

Receiver/Amplifier: The heart of a component stereo system is the receiver or amplifier.It serves as the central hub for audio input and output. Receivers can have various features, such as built-in radio tuners, multiple audio inputs (e.g., HDMI, RCA, optical), and integrated amplifiers to power speakers.
Speakers: Component stereo systems often include separate speakers for different audio frequencies. This includes tweeters for high frequencies, mid-range drivers for vocals and instruments, and woofers for bass. These speakers are typically connected to the amplifier.
Subwoofer: For deep bass reproduction, a subwoofer is added to enhance the audio experience. Subwoofers are specialized speakers designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds with clarity and power.
Source Components: These are devices that provide the audio signals to the receiver. Common source components include CD players, turntables (for vinyl records), digital media players, and streaming devices. These devices connect to the receiver's input ports.
Cables and Interconnects: High-quality cables and interconnects are essential for connecting the various components. These ensure a clean and reliable signal transfer between devices.
Remote Control: Receivers typically come with remote controls for convenient operation, allowing users to adjust volume, select sources, and control other functions from a distance.
Rack or Shelving: To house and organize the components, many component stereo systems use a dedicated rack or shelving unit. This helps keep the setup tidy and organized.
Acoustic Treatment: Some enthusiasts add acoustic treatments to the room to improve sound quality. This can include wall panels, diffusers, and bass traps to optimize the room's acoustics.

Component stereos are favored by audio enthusiasts for several reasons:

Customizability: Users can select each component individually to meet their specific audio preferences and requirements, allowing for a high degree of customization.
Sound Quality: By investing in high-quality components, users can achieve exceptional sound quality and accuracy, making them ideal for audiophiles.
Upgradability: Component systems are easily upgradable. Users can swap out and upgrade individual components as technology evolves or as their budget allows.
Separation of Functions: Separating audio components allows for better isolation of functions, reducing interference and improving overall audio performance.
Aesthetic Appeal: Component stereo systems often have an aesthetically pleasing, retro look that appeals to many users.

In summary, component stereos consist of separate audio components like receivers, speakers, amplifiers, and source devices, which are assembled to create a high-quality audio system. They are favored for their customizability, sound quality, and upgradability, making them a popular choice among audio enthusiasts.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best component stereos on the market

Sharp XLHF102B HI Fi Component MicroSystem with Bluetooth, USB Port for MP3 Playback, Built-in CD Player, AM/FM Tuners, 50W RMS, Remote Included, Black

Sharp

Based on 506 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Consisting of two speakers and a main control unit, the Sharp XL-HF102B Hi-Fi component system offers 50W of total power from two 2-way speakers. Bluetooth audio streaming is also provided by the XL-HF102B, allowing you to play music wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet. The system has a USB input for playing music from a thumb drive or a wired Android device. It has a built-in CD player and AM/FM tuners, and includes a remote control. 2-Channel configuration MP3 and WMA playback support programmable playback LCD with dimmer control bass- and treble-enhancing EQ modes x-bass function for additional bass boost

USB input with MP3 and WMA playback
Bass boost with X-Bass for all your great Beats
Bluetooth streaming for all Apple and Android compatibility
Includes: built-in CD player, AM/FM tuners, remote control and 2-channel configuration
Programmable playback and LCD with dimmer control

User questions & answers

Question:	Does it come with am/fm radio
Answer:	It has that option but sure a memory card or cloud account needed.
Question:	What is the size of each speaker
Answer:	Make sure you are downloading the correct LaView app as their are many to choose from on the app store and can be confusing. The app on my i phone is just LaView. Once we installed the correct app we had no issues connecting to wifi. Also, you will need to scan the bar code for each camera which can be found under settings in the LaView app
Question:	will the stero speeker pickup sound from my tv
Answer:	8 cameras on the laview system is the max
Question:	What are the speakers made of
Answer:	You don't necessarily have to have internet to use this camera and the SD card that comes with the camera. As long as you have Wi-Fi where the app on your phone can communicate with the camera, then there shouldn't be any problem.

Sony STRDH190 2-ch Home Stereo Receiver with Phono Inputs & Bluetooth Black

Sony

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Enjoy the sweet sound of vinyl, or streaming from your digital music collection. The perfect match for music lovers seeking a stereo system with classic sound from all your music sources. And with the low-profile design, it’s sure to fit into conventional AV cabinets. Power Requirement - AC 120 V 60 Hz.

Amplify and enjoy your home audio experience in the comfort of your home
100 watts x 2 (8 ohms, 1 Kilo Hertz). Speaker impedance - 6–16 ohms
Phono input, 4 stereo RCA audio inputs, 3.5 millimeter input, stereo RCA output
Built in Bluetooth lets you wirelessly stream your favorite music service, podcasts, and more from other Bluetooth devices.
Connect up to 4 speakers; A/B switching to play all at once, or in separate zones
Low profile design (5 ¼ Inch tall) fits easily into conventional AV cabinet
FM Radio with 30 station presets;

User questions & answers

Question:	Can I play my cds on this thing
Answer:	(1) I need a receiver that will accept wiring (not RCA plugs) into the 4 speaker connections. Will this receiver do that? (2) I also have a CD player. Can I connect my audio connections (2) to the receiver? (3) Directions say I can connect all 4 speaker connections (A & B) to play in 1 room. Is this true? Earl
Question:	with of device
Answer:	Hi Joseph, The width of this unit is approximately 430 mm(17 inches). And on a side note, the soundstage you’ll enjoy is much wider!!! -Sam
Question:	can i connect my tune table to this receiver
Answer:	Hi stephanie w, Yes, you can directly connect your turntable to this AV Receiver. Regards, David
Question:	What is the Bluetooth range
Answer:	Hi Gail Crawley, the maximum range is approximately 30 m (98.4 feet). For reference, please check the manual: https://docs.sony.com/release//Manual_4726907111.pdf see page 37. -Erin

Yamaha RX-V385 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with Bluetooth

Yamaha Audio

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Uncompromising value. This 5.1-Channel AV receiver brings the best technologies to your home including Dolby vision, 4K Ultra HD, HDR10 and Bluetooth at an affordable price. Standby Power Consumption (IR only): ≤ 0.2 W.

5.1 channel powerful surround sound
Bluetooth for wireless connectivity. Rated Output Power (1kHz, 1ch driven) 100W (8 ohms, 0.9% THD); Rated Output Power (20Hz 20kHz, 2ch driven) 70W (8 ohms, 0.09% THD); Maximum Effective Output Power (1kHz, 1ch driven) (Jeita) 145W (6 ohms, 10% THD)
HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.2 (4 in/1 out)
4K Ultra HD support, HDR10, Dolby vision, hybrid log gamma and BT.2020
YPAO auto calibration technology for ideal sound, Exclusive Yamaha Cinema DSP technology supports playback of HD Audio (Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio, etc.), providing natural and expansive sound imaging
Providing complete compatibility with the latest HDMI standards, this AV receiver delivers transmission of 4K video at 60 frames/second pass through; It also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) Video including Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma which provides incredible contrast, smooth tone and rich, bright colors

User questions & answers

Question:	Do I need to use an optical cable to set up my tv? I thought an HDMI would do, but I cannot hear any sound without use of an optical cable
Answer:	No optical cable needed. Just connect your TV Arc to the receiver arc . With that every thing else you connect in the back of your receiver HDMI port like the blue ray , Amazon Fire TV , projector ect souls come up on your TV screen with a sound . If not your receiver sound is low just increase your receiver sound higher Using the remote and the sound Should come out . For a better quality use the HDMI cable cinema plus 2.0 that has HDHomeRun 2.2 Dolby vision Dolby atmos DTS:X . You may use an optical cable if you do not have an Arc HDMI on your TV . If you have it on both TV and Receiver and Connect the 2 should work. If not your initial sounds on your sound setting is low just increase the sound using your remote
Question:	When playing music in stereo, does the unit drive the subwoofer along with the two front speakers
Answer:	There is only a pre amp output for subwoofer so you need to have a powered subwoofer. A non powered subwoofer would not be able to be connected.
Question:	Does this avr support zone 2 speaker pair? can it play a+b simultaneously
Answer:	befuddled: the v385 has no zone 2 outs yet, correy says zone cont'rl zone 2 powered!?????can i run my rs 700 off this new rcv'r--y-n??
Question:	What’s the difference between this and the 383 model
Answer:	All 5 of the channels take banana plugs as input in the 385. 3 channels are direct speaker wire in the 383

Product features

RX-V385

Uncompromising Value. This 5.1-channel AV receiver brings the best technologies to your home including Dolby Vision, 4K Ultra HD, HDR10 and Bluetooth.

4K Ultra HD HDMI Support

Providing complete compatibility with the latest HDMI standards, this AV receiver delivers transmission of 4K video at 60 frames/second pass-through. It also supports HDR (high dynamic range) Video including Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma which provides incredible contrast, smooth tone and rich, bright colors-giving you full, high-definition enjoyment with an exceptionally realistic and natural picture quality.

Bluetooth with Music Enhancer

Thanks to its built-in Bluetooth functionality, this AV receiver lets you enjoy easy wireless music playback from smartphones and other devices. If you are looking to have a more private session, you can Bluetooth out to a pair of headphones that can connect via Bluetooth also. The Compressed Music Enhancer from Yamaha is now optimized for Bluetooth audio transmissions to ensure that your music will have vivid, dynamic sound quality during wireless playback.

Cinema DSP

Exclusive Yamaha Cinema DSP technology supports playback of HD Audio (Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, etc.), providing natural and expansive sound imaging. Cinema DSP transforms the dynamics of the listening environment, with acoustic reproduction of famous venues such as the Bottom Line, Roxy Theater, and European cathedrals-letting you experience their ambience right in your room.

Easy Sound Optimization with YPAO

YPAO (Yamaha Parametric room Acoustic Optimizer) analyzes the room acoustics and your system, then precisely adjusts various audio parameters to provide the best sound for your room. By placing the supplied microphone at your listening position and switching YPAO on, the system is automatically tuned for optimum performance in your home.

Virtual Cinema Front

Even when it is impossible to install surround speakers behind the listening position, you can enjoy virtual 5-channel surround sound with all of the speakers placed in the front of the room.

Rich Bass Reproduction

This exclusive low-range enhancement technology delivers richer bass than you would expect from smaller-sized speakers while maintaining good localization and sound balance, even with compact front speakers.

AV Setup Guide

Use this special app and get expert assistance with cable connections between the AV receiver and source devices. It even guides you through various other settings such as speaker connections, TV and source device connections and power amplifier assignments.

Bi-amp Connection

The RX-V385 offers the ability to bi-amp the front speakers (L, R), which drives the treble and bass ranges with independent amplifiers. In addition to providing greater power, it also prevents interference between the high and low sounds, further improving the sound of the front speakers.