Best 5.1 Receiver for $350

[ParkerAudio]

Okay, so I would like to get the parents a new receiver for Christmas. God, the options are endless at this price point, might think about going an extra $50, but that is about it, they are getting other crap as well.
They will never have more than 5 speakers, they need three HDMI inputs, of course a microphone for setting up the surround sound is a must. Needs to handle Bluray. Does not need to upconvert. 99% of the time it will be used for movies. They do not listen to TV through the receiver, and they will not be using a subwoofer.

 

[skizzerflake]

I never know what's "Best" but, Yamaha offers good units, with all the features you want, for under $350. They have decent power (100 WPC), a range of inputs (including a bunch of HDMI), and newer ones have a calibration microphone. I also have found that they offer good quality sound and that the often cryptic setup menus are easy to understand on Yamaha units.

 

[ParkerAudio]

there is a HTR line with Yamaha and a Rx-V line, both, in the 5.1 seem to be about the same price. I can't figure out what the difference is.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Here they are.

1. Onkyo TX-SR607 for $329.99
@ http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR607BLK/Onkyo/Tx-sr607-7.2-channel-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html

2. Marantz SR5002 for #319.99
@ http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5002/Marantz/Sr5002-Receiver-90w-x-7ch-Hdmi-Home-Theater-Surround/1.html

))) Anyone of these two would make your parents very happy.