Denon has been in the audio game for more than 115 years, surviving more mergers, acquisitions, and corporate reshuffles than a soap opera family tree. It merged with Marantz back in 2002, got swept up into DEI Holdings, rebranded under Sound United, and now soon to be under the Harman banner (itself owned by Samsung). Through it all, Denon never lost its knack for building gear that’s as reliable as it is capable.
It also never stopped sparring—playfully or otherwise—with its sibling brand Marantz. While Marantz often plays the role of the refined, “audiophile-approved” sibling, Denon has built its reputation as the dependable workhorse of home theater, cranking out A/V receivers that can handle just about anything you throw at them.
With three main AVR lines, here’s how they breakdown. If money is no-object choose the top-of-the-line A-Series, and you’re done. For sheer performance for the money, the middle-priced X-Series is hard to beat at each price point. Meanwhile the entry-level S-Series shaves off features for budget conscious shoppers.
There’s a Denon A/V receiver for almost every budget and feature wish list. But today we’re zeroing in on the six models in the high performance X-Series to figure out which one makes the most sense for your home theater.
What is an A/V Receiver (aka AVR)?
An AVR (Audio/Video Receiver) combines three critical functions in one box: a preamplifier, a surround sound processor, and amplification, making it the central hub of any home theater setup. All you need to do is add speakers, source components, and a display—like a TV or projector. In addition, AVRs also include a radio tuner (AM/FM or sometimes just FM), which is what generally sets a receiver apart from a standard integrated amplifier.
Denon AVR-X Series Receivers: 2025 Lineup
Denon’s AVR-X Series currently offers six distinct models, designed to cover a wide range of home theater needs and budgets:
- AVR-X6800H ($3,699) – The flagship of the X-Series, delivering maximum power and features.
- AVR-X4800H ($2,699) – High-end performance with advanced capabilities.
- AVR-X3800H ($1,699) – Mid-tier option with a strong feature set.
- AVR-X2800H ($1,249) – Affordable yet fully capable.
- AVR-X1800H ($799) – Entry-level with a surprising amount of features.
- AVR-X1700H ($699) – Budget-friendly solution for smaller setups or first-time buyers.
Denon AVR-X Series Preamp Functions: The Control Center of Your Home Theater
The preamplifier stage acts as the central hub for all your audio and video sources. Whether it’s a Blu-ray player, game console, streaming device, media player, or cable box, everything plugs into the AVR, letting you switch seamlessly between inputs using the receiver’s remote—or a universal remote. An AVR’s preamplifier manages the audio signals from each source, adjusting levels while also handling volume control before sending the signal to the amplifier and routing video to your display.
Beyond physical connections, every Denon AVR-X receiver comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless streaming, HEOS whole-home integration, and of course a traditional AM/FM radio tuner.
All AVR-X models, except for the least expensive one, include multi-channel preamp outputs. These let you connect external power amplifiers for more power, expand the number of channels for larger speaker setups, or send audio to additional rooms in your home.
Denon AVR-X Series Surround Sound Processing
The Denon AVR-X Series handles all the critical audio decoding and digital-to-analog conversion, ensuring clean, accurate sound no matter which source you’re using. Every current AVR-X model supports immersive formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, along with common digital audio formats including Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround, MP3, WAV, and PCM. Higher-end models expand compatibility to include AURO-3D, IMAX Enhanced, and Sony 360 Reality Audio.
On the video side, Denon AVRs can upconvert—or downconvert—signals to match the native resolution of your TV or projector. That said, in most setups it’s often better to let the display handle video processing for optimal results.
Denon AVR-X Series Amplifier Functions: Driving Your Speakers with Precision
The amplifier stage of the AVR takes the analog audio signals from all connected sources and boosts them, delivering power to your speakers through the built-in amplifiers. This ensures your movies, music, and games come to life with dynamic, room-filling sound and accurate tonal balance across all channels.
Denon AVR-X Series Receivers: Key Features in Common
Exterior Design: The Denon AVR-X Series receivers have a clean, functional exterior with a rectangular status display and essential physical controls. Some buttons are always visible, while others are accessible via the front panel drop-down door, keeping the front tidy without sacrificing usability.
Amplifier Type: All AVR-X models use Class A/B amplification, offering a balance of sound quality and power efficiency suitable for home theater setups of varying sizes.
Surround Sound Support: The series supports most modern surround sound formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The higher-end AVR-X6800H, X4800H, and X3800H models also include support for AURO-3D and IMAX Enhanced audio formats, providing a more immersive listening experience.
HDR Support: Every AVR-X model passes through HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG, and Dynamic HDR, ensuring your video sources retain their full dynamic range and color accuracy on compatible displays.
HDMI 2.1: All receivers include HDMI 2.1 inputs with eARC, supporting 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz signals, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and QFT (Quick Frame Transport), making them ideal for high-performance gaming and next-gen video sources.
Phono Input: Each AVR-X model comes with a dedicated phono input that supports MM (Moving Magnet) cartridges, allowing easy connection of a traditional turntable. Turntables with built-in phono preamps can connect to any available analog input instead.
Hi-Res Audio: The AVR-X Series supports high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. Compatible digital formats include MP3, WMA, WAV, MPEG-4/AAC, FLAC, and ALAC, as well as DSD playback at 2.8 and 5.6 MHz.
Compressed Audio Restorer: This feature improves compressed audio files such as MP3, WMA, and AAC by recalculating the frequency range to restore detail and clarity, making digital tracks sound more natural.
HEOS Wireless Streaming: Integrated HEOS allows streaming from multiple music services—including Qobuz—with full multi-room control. HEOS-enabled wireless speakers can complement wired speakers, supporting up to 64 zones. You can play the same track throughout your home or select different music for each zone, creating a flexible, whole-home audio system.
Wireless Music Streaming, Connectivity, and Smart Controls
- Wireless Music Streaming: Amazon Music HD, Spotify Connect, Pandora, and more—Roon Tested for seamless integration with high-resolution music libraries.
- Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Wi-Fi are standard, with a wired Ethernet option available for maximum stability.
- Voice Control: Compatible with Alexa Built-in, Google Assistant, and Siri for hands-free operation.
- Smartphone App Control: Full control via iOS and Android apps for easy access to all settings and features.
- Audyssey Room Correction Built-in: Options include MultEQ, MultEQ XT32, Dynamic EQ, and Dynamic Volume for precise calibration and consistent performance.
Pro Tip: The top three AVR-X Series models—AVR-X6800H, X4800H, and X3800H—offer Dirac Live room correction (license required). Dirac Live provides advanced acoustic optimization, delivering clearer vocals, a wider sweet spot, tighter low-end without boom, and an overall more accurate and immersive listening experience.
Onscreen Setup Assistant: Step-by-Step Guidance for Easy Denon AVR-X Series Installation
Every Denon AVR-X Series receiver includes a built-in Setup Assistant that makes the initial installation simple and stress-free. When you power on your AVR for the first time (with your TV on and the correct input selected), the guided setup menu appears automatically. If you exit the Setup Assistant (using the BACK button on the remote), you can reopen it anytime from the main menu (GUI).
The Setup Assistant guides you through:
- Language selection
- Speaker setup and connections
- Speaker calibration using Audyssey
- Network connection setup
- ARC/eARC HDMI configuration
- Input assignment and labeling
- Mobile control app download instructions
This process ensures your Denon AVR-X is ready to perform at its best—making setup easy, even for first-time home theater owners.
Denon AVR-X Series Models: Features, Specs, and Performance Differences
AVR-X6800H (11.4 channels)
The Denon AVR-X6800H is the flagship model in Denon’s AVR-X Series lineup, delivering reference-level performance and advanced processing for serious home theater systems. It features 11 amplified channels with 140 watts per channel(8 ohms, 2 channels driven), plus four subwoofer outputs and two additional preamp outputs, enabling configurations up to 13.4 channels when paired with an external 2-channel power amplifier—ideal for larger, fully immersive surround setups.
Inside, the AVR-X6800H uses AL32 Processing for exceptional audio fidelity, particularly with digital sources. It supports all major immersive audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and Auro-3D, giving it strong future-proofing for evolving content standards.
On the video side, the AVR-X6800H includes 8K-capable HDMI 2.1 connectivity across multiple inputs, ensuring full compatibility with next-gen video formats, high-bandwidth gaming consoles, and premium streaming devices. This makes it one of the most capable and versatile AV receivers currently available for high-end home theater.
AVR-X4800H (9.4 channels)
The Denon AVR-X4800H sits just below the flagship AVR-X6800H, offering high-performance features for advanced home theater setups. It includes 9 discrete assignable amplifier channels, each delivering 125 watts per channel (8 ohms, 2 channels driven), along with four independent subwoofer outputs. This allows flexible configurations for 7.4.2, 5.4.4, or other immersive setups using Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or AURO-3D, plus the ability to bi-amp front channels or create a dual-zone system with independent audio playback.
For users needing more than 9 channels, the AVR-X4800H provides two additional preamp outputs, enabling up to 11 channels with external amplification—fully controllable through the receiver’s interface and volume settings.
Audio formats supported include IMAX Enhanced and Sony 360 Reality Audio, ensuring high-quality playback for both movies and music. Video connectivity includes 7 HDMI inputs and 3 HDMI outputs, all 8K-capable, matching the flagship X6800H in modern video compatibility and making the X4800H a versatile choice for high-end home theater systems.
AVR-X3800H (9.4 channels)
The Denon AVR-X3800H offers much of the same high-end functionality as the AVR-X4800H, featuring a 9.4 channel configuration with 9 discrete amplifier channels, rated at 105 watts per channel (8 ohms, 2 channels driven). Like the higher-end models, it includes four independent subwoofer outputs and two additional preamp outputs, allowing expansion to 11 channels when paired with external amplification.
Audio support covers Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, AURO-3D, IMAX Enhanced, and Sony 360 Reality Audio, providing cinematic and spatial audio realism across a variety of setups.
For video connectivity, the AVR-X3800H includes 6 HDMI inputs and 3 HDMI outputs, all fully 8K-capable, making it a strong option for home theater enthusiasts seeking near-flagship performance at a more accessible price point.
AVR-X2800H (7.2 channels)
The Denon AVR-X2800H offers 7 amplified channels rated at 95 watts per channel (8 ohms, 2 channels driven) with 2 subwoofer outputs, making it ideal for medium-sized home theater setups. While it trims some of the premium features found in higher-end models, it still delivers strong performance with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support in a 5.1.2- or 5.2.2-channel configuration.
This model does not support AURO-3D, IMAX Enhanced, or Sony 360 Reality Audio, but it provides solid immersive surround sound at a more approachable price point.
Connectivity includes 6 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI outputs, with three inputs supporting 8K resolution, ensuring compatibility with modern video sources and displays.
AVR-X1800H (7.2 channels)
Priced under $900, the Denon AVR-X1800H is an excellent option for modest home theater setups. It supports a 7.2 channel configuration with 80 watts per channel (8 ohms, 2 channels driven), providing ample power for medium-sized rooms.
The AVR-X1800H can handle a standard 7.2 setup, 5.1.2, or 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos/DTS:X configuration, and also allows a 5.1 main room setup with a separate 2-channel zone for multi-room audio simultaneously.
Connectivity includes 6 HDMI inputs, with three supporting 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough for next-gen gaming and video, and one HDMI output. The AVR-X1800H offers a solid, budget-friendly solution for home theater enthusiasts.
AVR-X1700H (7.2 channels)
At the entry-level of Denon’s AVR-X series, the AVR-X1700H sits just below the AVR-X1800H but remains in the lineup at a $699 price point.
Like the X1800H, it supports a 7.1 channel configuration with 80 watts per channel (8 ohms, 2 channels driven), making it suitable for medium-sized rooms. It can handle a 7.2 setup, 5.1.2, or 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos/DTS:X configuration, and also supports a 5.1 main room setup with a separate 2-channel zone for multi-room audio.
Connectivity includes 6 HDMI inputs, with three supporting 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough, plus one HDMI output. The AVR-X1700H is a solid, budget-friendly choice for modest home theater setups, offering nearly all the features of its slightly newer sibling at a lower cost.
Pro Tip: The AVR-X1800H was released in 2023, while the AVR-X1700H debuted in 2022.
Denon AVR-X Series Receiver Rear Panels
Denon AVR-X Series Comparison Chart
Not every feature or specification for the Denon AVR-X Series receivers is included in the chart below, as it would make the article overly long. Click the model numbers to view complete details directly on the Denon specification pages.
| X6800H (2023) | X4800H (2023) | X3800H (2023) | X2800H (2022) |
X1800H (2023) | X1700H (2022) | |
| MSRP | $3,699 | $2,699 | $1,699 | $1,249 | $799 | $699 |
| Sound Master Tuned | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| Amplified Channels plus Sub Outs | 11.4 | 9.4 | 9.4 | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.2 |
| Preamp Channels | 13.4 | 11.4 | 11.4 | 7.2 | 2.2 | .2 |
| Power (2-ch driven) | 140 watts | 125 watts | 105 watts | 95 watts | 80 watts | 80 watts |
| SNR | 102 db | |||||
| HDMI Inputs | 7 (7 x 8K) | 7 (7 x 8K) | 6 (6 x 8K) | 6 (3 x 8K) | 6 (3 x 8K) | 6 (3 x 8K) |
| HDMI Outputs (1 x eARC) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Subwoofer Outputs | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Analog Audio Inputs | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Wired Zones (including main zone) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X Pro | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| DTS:X | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IMAX Enhanced | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – | – |
| Auro 3D Audio | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – | – |
| Sony 360RA | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – | – |
| Dirac Live Support (License Required) | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – | – |
| Audyssey Support | MultEQ XT32 | MultEQ XT32 | MultEQ XT32 | MultEQ XT | MultEQ XT | MultEQ XT |
| AL32 Processing | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – | – |
| Phono Input (MM) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HEOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spotify Connect | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AirPlay 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Internet Radio (Tune-In) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Roon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video Pass-thru | 8K | 8K | 8K | 8K | 8K | 8K |
| HDR Support | HDR10 HDR10+ HLG Dolby Vision |
HDR10 HDR10+ HLG Dolby Vision | HDR10 HDR10+ HLG Dolby Vision |
HDR10 HDR10+ HLG Dolby Vision |
HDR10 HDR10+ HLG Dolby Vision |
HDR10 HDR10 HDR10+ HLG Dolby Vision |
| Remote Control | RC-1256 | RC-1252 | RC-1253 | RC-1253 | RC-1257 | RC-1244 |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 17.1 × 14.9 × 6.6 in | 17.1 × 14.9 × 6.6 in | 17.1 × 14.9 × 6.6 in | 17.1 × 13.0 × 6.6 in | 17.1 × 14.7 × 6 in | 17.1 × 13.3 × 6 in |
| Weight | 34.4 lbs | 29.1 lbs | 27.6 lbs | 21.0 lbs | 19 lbs | 19 lbs |
| Finish | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black |
Denon AVR-X Series Remote Control
The remote controls of each Denon AVR-X Series A/V receiver are slightly different depending on the number of zones and inputs available, but essentially look and function the same.
The Bottom Line
While soundbars and wireless speakers have captured the casual listener, AVRs remain the definitive choice for serious home theater enthusiasts who value immersion, flexibility, and upgrade potential. Denon’s AVR-X Series continues to hold its ground, offering 8K/HDR HDMI support, immersive audio formats, phono inputs for vinyl, and HEOS-based wireless streaming and multiroom capabilities. Introduced in 2023 or earlier, these receivers remain competitive thanks to robust hardware, ongoing firmware updates, and a design philosophy that prioritizes longevity over annual refresh cycles.
For those who want similar features with a sleeker, more stylish design, Marantz—Denon’s sibling under the same corporate umbrella—offers solid alternatives, making either brand a strong foundation for a modern home theater.
