How many channels do I need in an AV receiver?

For a standard surround setup a 5.1- or 7.2-channel receiver is plenty, and most shoppers in the reviews we read land on a 7.2 model like the Denon AVR-X1700H or AVR-S970H. If you want Dolby Atmos height speakers or a large room with multiple zones, step up to a 9.4- or 11.4-channel unit such as the Denon AVR-X4800H. Buy for the speaker layout you actually plan to install, not the maximum the box supports.