So you may have just got yourself an AV receiver (aka audio visual receiver, aka the magic box that makes your home theater sound epic), and now you wanna boss it around using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant? Good news: it's totally doable, and it's not even that hard! Let's walk through it step by step, so you can be yelling “Hey Google, turn up the bass!” in no time.

Step 1: Check If Your AVR Is Smart Enough

Before we go full tech-wizard, you gotta make sure your AV receiver is compatible with voice assistants. Some of the newer models (like those from Denon, Yamaha or Marantz) have built-in Alexa or Google Assistant support. If yours is one of them, you're already winning.

But if your audio visual receiver isn't natively smart, don't worry! You can still control it using Alexa or Google Assistant with a little workaround (more on that later).

Step 2: Connect Alexa or Google Assistant to Your AVR

Now, let's get to the fun part—connecting your voice assistant to your AV receiver. The process depends on which assistant you're using, so we're breaking it down for both.

  1. Connecting Amazon Alexa
  1. Download the Manufacturer's App – Most modern AV receivers that support Alexa will require you to use the manufacturer's app (like Denon HEOS or Yamaha MusicCast).
  2. Sign In and Link Accounts – Open the app, sign in, and look for an option to connect Alexa.
  3. Enable the Alexa Skill – Open the Amazon Alexa app, go to “Skills & Games,” search for your AVR's brand (e.g., "Denon HEOS"), and enable the skill.
  4. Discover Devices – Say, “Alexa, discover devices,” or do it manually in the app. If all goes well, your AVR should show up!
  5. Name It Something Cool – Rename your device in the Alexa app so you don't have to say boring things like “Alexa, turn on AV Receiver.” Instead, go with “Alexa, power up the Batcave.”
  1. Connecting Google Assistant
  1. Check Google Home Compatibility – If your audio visual receiver supports Google Assistant, it should be listed in the Google Home app.
  2. Add Device to Google Home – Open the Google Home app, tap "+" → "Set up device" → "Works with Google."
  3. Search for Your AVR Brand – Find your manufacturer (e.g., Yamaha MusicCast, Denon HEOS, etc.) and sign in.
  4. Link and Name Your AVR – Give it a recognizable name (again, something fun—because why not?).
  5. Use Google Commands – Now you can say stuff like:

    “Hey Google, turn on my AVR.”

    “Hey Google, switch input to Bluetooth.”

    “Hey Google, volume to 50%.”

Bonus tip: If you have multiple smart speakers, make sure they're in the same Google Home “room” as your AV receiver for smoother controls.

Step 3: What If Your AVR Ain't That Smart? (Workaround)

Got an older AV receiver that isn't built for Alexa or Google Assistant? No stress. You can still make it work with one of these hacks:

  1. Use a Smart Plug

This won't let you change volume or switch inputs, but you can turn your AVR on and off hands-free. Just connect it to a smart plug (like TP-Link Kasa or Amazon Smart Plug), and then tell your assistant:

  • “Alexa, turn on the AV receiver.”
  • “Hey Google, turn off my sound system.”
  1. IR Blaster

If your audio visual receiver is old-school but has an IR remote, you can use a smart IR blaster like Broadlink RM4 Pro to control it with voice commands. Set it up in the Broadlink app, link it to Alexa or Google Assistant, and suddenly your AVR is taking orders like a champ.

Step 4: Automate Like a Boss

Now that your AV receiver is voice-controlled, why stop there? Take things to the next level with automation!

Create Routines (Alexa & Google Assistant)

Set up routines in your voice assistant's app so multiple things happen with one command. Example:

  • Movie Night Mode:

    Say “Alexa, movie time” and boom—your AVR powers on, lights dim, and your TV switches to the right input.
  • Party Mode:

    Say “Hey Google, let's party” and your AVR starts blasting your favorite playlist.

Sync with Smart Home Devices

If you have smart lights (like Philips Hue) or smart TVs, you can sync everything together. Imagine saying “Hey Google, game mode” and having your AVR, TV, and LED strips all turn on instantly. That's peak futuristic vibes.

Final Thoughts

And just like that, you've leveled up your home audio game. Whether your audio visual receiver was built for voice control or needed a little nudge, you're now fully in charge of your entertainment setup with just your voice. So go ahead, blast your playlists, set up epic movie nights, and impress your guests with hands-free control.