Home theater systems bring you the high-quality sound and scale that you get in a movie theater. At the center of it all is an A/V receiver, which acts as the brain of your audio system. It drives your loudspeakers, decodes surround sound formats, and switches between audio and video components. If you value the movie-watching experience in your home, your A/V receiver is paramount. Naturally you should try to keep it as cool as possible while it’s running, so why does cooling your AV system help it in the long run?

Extends its Lifespan

Planned obsolescence, thinly veiled as it is, is always a factor to consider in consumer electronics and A/V receivers are no different. New features are added, some of which may require firmware updates, to entice you to upgrade. This allows companies to ignore compatibility issues and release new models. Most people don’t upgrade audio equipment often, however their lifespan can still shorten through consistent subjection to heat. For those who don’t care about the latest and greatest systems, it’s worth considering how you will futureproof your existing systems.

Prevents Overheating

If left unchecked, your receiver can overheat, which can result in system failure, fires, or injuries. Even when used sparingly, it’s a good idea to check up on you’re A/V box’s temperature to make sure there’s no unusual heat output. Newer technology are equipped with sensors that will automatically shut off your electronics if it detects higher than normal temperatures. Those who own older systems will need to keep a closer eye. The ensuing damage is often irreversible and the only way to do repairs is to replace some parts, or the entire unit.

Often Set in Tight Cabinets

While some receivers are proudly displayed in the open atop TV stands, many people use the cabinet space below to neatly set them and only open it while they use their receivers. This presents an interesting situation where emitted heat doesn’t have a lot of places to go; the stock cooling system won’t be enough.

Hot air naturally rises up, so that’s the best direction to direct it away from your A/V boxes. Leaving hot air where it’s emitted will add to the overheating problem, so this is especially important if they are encased in a cabinet or set in other tight spaces. If a top exhaust isn’t an option, you may also expel heat from the front and the rear.