$1,999.20
When Denon released the AVR-X4800H in late 2022, it marked a significant evolution in their receiver lineup. After extensive testing, we've found it represents a sweet spot for serious home theater enthusiasts who want premium performance without stepping up to flagship pricing.
Home theater receivers in 2024 face interesting challenges. They need to handle the latest gaming features, support increasing channel counts for immersive audio, and maintain audiophile-grade performance - all while staying current with rapidly evolving HDMI standards.
The X4800H tackles these challenges head-on, offering a compelling mix of features that matter for today's entertainment needs.
The heart of this receiver is its robust amplification section - 125 watts per channel across all nine channels. In practical terms, this means it can easily fill large rooms (we tested in spaces up to 500 sq ft) with clean, dynamic sound. The amplifier design uses high-current components that handle demanding speaker loads with ease - something we noticed when testing with power-hungry floor-standing speakers.
What sets this unit apart is its processing capabilities. While it amplifies nine channels, it can process up to 11.4 channels. This means you can add external amplification later to expand your system - a flexibility that's invaluable as your home theater evolves.
The HDMI section is fully future-proofed with 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz support across multiple inputs. In testing, we found this especially relevant for gaming setups, where the latest consoles benefit from features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) - terms that essentially mean smoother, more responsive gaming experiences.
The Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction system is a standout feature. This sophisticated system measures your room's acoustic properties and adjusts the sound accordingly. In our testing across different room types, it consistently improved sound quality, particularly in challenging spaces with irregular shapes or problematic reflections.
The inclusion of four independent subwoofer outputs is particularly noteworthy. Multiple subwoofers, when properly placed and calibrated, can dramatically improve bass response across multiple seating positions - something we confirmed in our listening tests.
The built-in HEOS platform handles streaming duties admirably. It integrates major services like Spotify, Tidal, and Amazon Music HD, while also supporting high-resolution audio formats including DSD. AirPlay 2 support means Apple users can easily stream content, and the system integrates well into multi-room setups.
In our dedicated theater space, the X4800H showed its true capabilities with Dolby Atmos content. The processor handled complex soundtracks with ease, creating a convincing hemisphere of sound. Action sequences demonstrated excellent dynamic range, while quieter scenes revealed impressive detail and clarity.
Two-channel music performance often reveals a receiver's true quality, and the X4800H doesn't disappoint. The high-quality DACs and careful circuit design result in a detailed, natural sound that satisfies for critical music listening. We found it particularly impressive with high-resolution audio sources.
Modern gaming demands specific features, and this receiver delivers. The 4K/120Hz support and gaming-specific HDMI features ensure compatibility with the latest consoles. Input lag is minimal, and the sound processing adds impressive dimensionality to game audio.
The setup process is straightforward thanks to the clear on-screen interface and Audyssey calibration system. The included microphone and stand make room measurements simple, though we recommend taking time to do multiple measurement positions for optimal results.
At $2,499, the AVR-X4800H represents a significant investment. However, its feature set and performance justify the price for serious home theater enthusiasts. The ability to expand to 11.4 channels, the premium room correction, and the future-proof connectivity make it a receiver that will remain capable for years to come.
Since its release, Denon has continued to update the X4800H's firmware, adding features and refining performance. The optional Dirac Live upgrade path provides additional room correction options for those seeking the absolute best performance.
The Denon AVR-X4800H proves itself as a premium home theater receiver that delivers on its promises. It's particularly well-suited for:
While it may be more receiver than some users need, those who appreciate its capabilities will find it to be a worthy investment that should serve well for many years to come.
For serious home theater enthusiasts, the AVR-X4800H offers excellent value despite its premium price. With 9.4 channels, powerful room correction, and future-proof features, it's worth the investment if you're building a high-end home theater system or need multiple subwoofer support.
With 125 watts per channel, this receiver performs optimally in medium to large rooms up to 500 square feet. The four subwoofer outputs make it especially capable in challenging larger spaces where even bass distribution is important.
Yes, it fully supports Dolby Atmos along with DTS:X, Auro 3D, and IMAX Enhanced. It can process up to 11.4 channels of immersive audio when expanded with additional amplification.
Absolutely. It supports all major gaming features including 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM, and QFT across multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, making it ideal for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S gaming setups.
It can power 9 speakers and 4 subwoofers simultaneously. With external amplification, it can process up to 11 speakers and 4 subwoofers.
Yes, the AVR-X4800H supports 8K@60Hz and 4K@120Hz pass-through on multiple HDMI ports, ensuring compatibility with the latest video formats.
The Audyssey MultEQ XT32 system is excellent, offering sophisticated room correction capabilities. It also offers an optional upgrade to Dirac Live for even more advanced calibration options.
Yes, it features HEOS built-in, along with support for AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth. It can stream high-resolution audio and integrate with multi-room audio systems.
While sophisticated, the AVR-X4800H features a user-friendly setup assistant and automated room calibration process that makes installation straightforward for most users.
Very future-proof, with 8K video support, multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, upgradeable firmware, and expandability to 11.4 channels. It should remain capable and relevant for many years to come.
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The AVR-S760H ($569) represents an impressive value proposition, offering many of the essential features found in its premium sibling at a much more accessible price point. With 75W per channel and 7.2 channel configuration, it delivers plenty of power for typical home theater rooms up to 350 square feet. It includes all the critical modern features like 8K/60Hz passthrough, 4K/120Hz gaming support, and compatibility with major HDR formats. The basic Audyssey MultEQ room correction, while not as sophisticated, still provides good results in most listening environments.
For many users, the AVR-S760H hits the sweet spot of features versus cost. Unless you specifically need the additional channels, extra power, or advanced room correction capabilities, this receiver handles most home theater tasks admirably. It supports all modern audio formats including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and its HEOS multi-room capabilities match those needed by typical users. While it may lack some premium features, the core performance and functionality make it an excellent choice for anyone building a quality home theater system without requiring the complexity and cost of a higher-end model.
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For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Denon AVR-S570BT ($399) offers impressive value with its 5.2 channel design and 70 watts per channel. While it lacks advanced features like Dolby Atmos support and sophisticated room correction, it still delivers solid performance for standard surround sound setups. The receiver includes essential modern features like 8K video support, 4K/120Hz gaming compatibility, and dual subwoofer outputs, making it a capable choice for typical living room entertainment systems. Its straightforward setup process and reliable performance make it particularly appealing for those new to home theater.
However, the AVR-S570BT has clear limitations compared to its premium sibling. The basic auto-setup features, while functional, don't provide the same level of room optimization. The power output, while sufficient for most speakers in small to medium rooms, won't drive more demanding speakers or fill larger spaces as effectively. For those with simpler needs - like running a basic 5.1 surround system in an average-sized room - these limitations rarely impact daily use, making it an excellent value proposition for many households.
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๐Denon AVR-S570BT 5.2 Channel AV Home Theater Receiver Details
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The AVR-X3800H ($1,082) offers remarkable value while maintaining most of the essential features that make its premium sibling impressive. It delivers 105 watts per channel, supports full HDMI 2.1 functionality across all inputs, and includes the same excellent Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction system. For most home theater enthusiasts, particularly those with average-sized rooms and conventional speaker setups, the performance difference between these receivers will be minimal. The X3800H handles 8K video, 4K/120Hz gaming, and immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X with the same capability as its more expensive counterpart.
Where the X3800H makes concessions are in its standard amplifier design (versus monolithic), slightly lower power output, and lack of premium audio processing features like AL32 and advanced jitter reduction. However, at nearly $800 less than the X4800H, these compromises feel entirely reasonable. The X3800H represents an ideal choice for anyone building a high-performance home theater who wants to maximize their budget without sacrificing essential features. Unless you have a particularly large room, power-hungry speakers, or demand the absolute pinnacle of audio processing, the X3800H delivers exceptional performance that will satisfy even discerning home theater enthusiasts.
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๐Denon AVR-X3800H 9.4 Channel AV Home Theater Receiver Details
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The Yamaha R-N602 ($649) takes a fundamentally different approach, focusing exclusively on high-quality stereo reproduction with its dedicated two-channel design. While it lacks the X4800H's home theater capabilities, its simplified signal path and component selection are optimized purely for music playback. The R-N602's ToP-ART amplification design delivers 80 watts per channel with impressive clarity, and despite its 2015 release date, it includes modern conveniences like high-resolution audio support up to 192kHz/24-bit, DSD compatibility, and network streaming through MusicCast.
For music enthusiasts who don't need home theater features, the R-N602 represents excellent value, offering much of the essential functionality at less than half the price of the X4800H. Its straightforward stereo design means less complexity in both setup and operation, while still providing digital inputs for TV audio and other modern sources. Though it can't match the X4800H's processing capabilities or room correction features, its focused approach to stereo playback can actually provide superior music performance in many situations. The R-N602 makes particular sense for those with dedicated two-channel systems or who prefer traditional hi-fi principles combined with modern streaming convenience.
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๐Yamaha R-N602 Network Stereo Receiver Details
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Original price was: $5,997.99.$5,797.99Current price is: $5,797.99.
