Sometimes you just need the facts — here is our cheatsheet listing all the top rated home theater equipment of 2011. This list is based on reviews we found on CNET, Amazon and Home Theater Review:

A/V Receivers

• The Top Rated A/V Receiver Under $350: Onkyo TX-NR509 or Yamaha RX-V667
• The Top Rated A/V Receiver $350-$400: Onkyo TX-NR609 or Pioneer VSX-1021-K
• The Top Rated A/V Receiver $400-$500:  Yamaha RX-V671BL
• The Top Rated A/V Receiver $500-$600: Denon AVR-1912
• The Top Rated A/V Receiver $600-$700: Marantz NR1601
• The Top Rated A/V Receiver $700-$1000: Sony STR-DA5300ES
• The Top Rated A/V Receiver Over $1000:  Anthem MRX-700
• The Top Rated Stereo Receiver Under $300: Harmon Kardon 3390
• The Top Rated Stereo Receiver $300-$400: Harmon Kardon 3490
• The Top Rated Stereo Receiver $400-$800: Harman Kardon AVR 2650

Blu-Ray & DVD Players

Televisions / Monitors

• The Top Rated TV Under $250: Samsung LN22D450 22-inch LCD
• The Top Rated TV  $250-$500:  Samsung LN32D550 32-inch LCD
• The Top Rated TV  $500-$1000: LG 47LW5600 47-inch LED
• The Top Rated TV $1000-$2000: Samsung UN55D8000 55 inch LED
• The Top Rated HDTV LED Monitor: Samsung LN40D550 40-inch LED Monitor
• The Top Rated 22″ Monitor: HP LP2275w
• The Top Rated 23″ Monitor: Samsung PX2370
• The Top Rated 24″ Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U2311
• The Top Rated 27″ Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U2711
• The Top Rated Digital Projector: BenQ Joybee GP1

The Onkyo TX-NR609 Receiver was the top rated AV Receiver of 2011. The receiver garnered praise for its audio reproduction, which is said to be almost as good as audiophile-level receivers. Reviewers also liked the receiver’s THX certification and wide range of features.

Sound & Vision Magazine lists the previous model of this receiver, the TX-NR509, as one of their “2011 Certified and Recommended” products. About this line of receivers, they say “Onkyo’s new value quotient is off the charts”. They conclude:

Onkyo’s aggressively priced new A/V receiver produced stunningly good bench results on all the low-level tests: Noise, distortion, and frequency response were all excellent, and digital-to-analog performance — as shown by linearity, excess noise, and more — were simply superb. The Onkyo also had plenty of clean, multichannel-mix subwoofer output, something that even expensive receivers don’t necessarily manage.

CNET lists the Onkyo TX-SR609 receiver as one of the four best of 2011, giving it a “Very Good” rating. The other (more expensive) receivers that made their list were: Denon AVR-1912, Pioneer’s VSX-1012-K and the Yamaha RX-V671.

The Onkyo TX-NR609 is available from Amazon for about $390. The Onkyo TX-NR509 sells for about $230.

When shopping for an HTIB (home theater in a box), look for the same merits as you would if you were shopping for components individually: sufficient power for you room size, clean sound with tight bass, a good feature set, and a convenient user interface.

We’ve consulted reviews on websites such as Audioholics, Home Theater Magazine, Newegg.com, Amazon, CNET, Consumer Reports, and BigPictureBigSound to find the top rated home theater systems on the market today:

Onkyo HT-S9400THX

Onkyo HT-S9400THX ($796)

Pros:

• Superior HTIB sound
• Generous selection of connections

Cons:

• No Blu-ray player

Top Review Sources:

• Audioholics: “We always like to have a few recommendations for HTiBs in our back pocket…This one has definitely made the cut.”
• Home Theater Magazine: “This system isn’t just a repository for logos but a solid performer at a reasonable price” (HT-S9300THX)
• Newegg.com: 4.0/5.0 (5+ reviews)

The Onkyo HT-S9400THX is the latest system in Onkyo’s THX-certified HT-S series. Similar systems, such as the HT-S9100THX and HT-S9300THX, have collected glowing reviews across the internet, and the HT-S9400THX is continuing that trend. Onkyo’s top-of-the-line prepackaged system, the HT-S9400THX is a 7.1 home theater designed for small rooms. It includes a receiver with plenty of connection options: 4 HDMI inputs/1 output, 5 composite inputs/1 output, 2 component inputs/1 output, and a front-panel USB input. By connecting the HT-S9400THX to the internet via Ethernet cable or optional UWF-1 USB wireless adapter ($30), you’ll be able to stream audio from your PC as well as internet sources such as Rhapsody, Napster, SiriusXM, Pandora, Slacker, Mediafly, vTuner, and Last fm. The receiver also supports media from Windows 7, DLNA, iPod/iPhone, and USB memory stick devices. There is also a remote control app for iPad/iPhone/iPod. Included as well is the Audyssey 2EQ room correction wizard, which assists users in the initial placement and tuning of the speakers.

Aside from its flexibility and multitude of features, the HT-S9400THX simply sounds great. Reviewers of the HT-S9400THX and its predecessors rank them among the best HTIB solutions. The HT-S9400THX is intended for small rooms, but many reviewers find it is powerful enough to fill medium and large rooms with clear, authoritative sound.

You can buy the Onkyo HT-S9400THX on Amazon.

Sony BDV-E780W

Sony BDV-E780W ($486)

Pros:

• Excellent audio and video quality
• Plenty of streaming media options

Cons:

• Average user interface design

Top Review Sources:

• CNET: 4.0/5.0 “One of the best Blu-ray home theater systems we’ve tested” (BDV-E770W)
• Amazon: 4.0/5.0 (65+ reviews) (BDV-E770W)

The Sony BDV-E780W builds upon the success of its predecessor, the BDV-E770W. The BDV-E780W is a 5.1 system that includes a 3D Blu-ray player. Audio reproduction is first-rate; treble is natural and sharp, and bass is deep and clear. Image quality from the Blu-ray player is very good and the player itself has faster than average response times when loading content. The rear speakers are wireless, which decreases setup time and adds flexibility. The largest criticism of this system’s predecessor was the lack of HDMI inputs; on the BDV-E780W, this problem has been addressed. There are now inputs for 2 HDMI, 1 IR, 1 optical, 1 analog PIN, 2 USB, and 1 coaxial. Outputs are 1 HDMI, 1 component, and 1 composite. The BDV-E780W has integrated Wi-Fi as well. You can stream content from services such as Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Amazon VOD, and Pandora, plus you can wirelessly stream music from a PC. With a free app, you can turn your iPhone, iPad, or compatible Android device into a remote control.

Additionally, the Sony BDV-E780W includes an iPod/iPhone dock for direct access to the music, photos, and videos stored on your device. The BDV-E780W is Sony’s flagship HTIB; it will have no problem complementing a high-end television and providing sound powerful enough to fill a medium or large room.

The Sony BDV-E780W is currently available on Amazon.

Samsung HT-D6500W

Samsung HT-D6500W ($479)

Pros:

• Outstanding sound quality
• Great video quality

Cons:

• Not for large rooms

Top Review Sources:

• Amazon: 4.5/5.0 (5+ reviews)
• Consumer Reports: “Best Buy” (HT-C6500W)
• BigPictureBigSound: 3.5/4.0 “An impressive package and an incredible value” (HT-C6500W)

Another HTIB carrying the positive momentum generated by its predecessor, the Samsung HT-D6500W delivers leading performance at a great price. The HT-D6500W succeeds the HT-C6500W, which was universally praised for its outstanding sound quality—much more like a separates system than a typical HTIB. The blend between the five satellites and subwoofer is seamless in the HT-D6500W. Video quality from the included 3D Blu-ray player/receiver is similarly excellent, whether the source is 1080p or standard definition. You’ll be able connect your iPod through the included dock cradle. Other inputs include 2 HDMI, 1 audio, and 1 USB; there is an HDMI output as well. Wi-Fi is built-in, and you’ll be able to take advantage of services from Netflix, Blockbuster, Pandora, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Facebook, and Twitter. Additionally, you can stream DLNA content from a computer. The HT-D6500W has wireless rear speakers and is appropriate for a medium-size room.

The Samsung HT-D6500W is for sale on Amazon.