As someone who's spent years setting up home theaters, I know firsthand how crucial picking the right AV receiver can be. Today, we're comparing the entry-level Denon AVR-S570BT ($319) with the premium JBL MA9100HP ($1,359), helping you understand which might be right for your setup.
Think of an AV receiver as the command center of your home theater. It takes all your audio and video sources (gaming consoles, streaming devices, Blu-ray players) and routes them to your TV and speakers. But not all receivers are created equal - and that's where our comparison gets interesting.
The receiver you pick will determine:
The Denon AVR-S570BT, released in 2022, offers a 5.2-channel setup. This means you can connect five main speakers (front left, center, front right, and two surrounds) plus two subwoofers. For most living rooms and small home theaters, this configuration works perfectly - I've installed dozens of similar setups in spaces under 300 square feet.
The JBL MA9100HP steps things up with a 9.2-channel configuration. Those extra channels let you add four height speakers for Dolby Atmos (those awesome overhead sound effects in modern movies) or additional surround speakers. In my experience testing both setups, the difference in immersion is noticeable - especially in action scenes or movies with lots of atmospheric effects.
Power-wise, there's a significant gap:
This power difference matters more than you might think. While 70W is enough for most rooms, the JBL's extra power provides headroom for dynamic peaks (think explosion scenes) and drives speakers more effortlessly.
Both receivers support modern video standards, including:
However, the JBL includes three 8K-capable HDMI inputs versus the Denon's one, which might matter if you're planning to connect multiple next-gen gaming consoles or 8K sources.
Here's where the price difference really shows:
The Denon handles basic surround formats like Dolby Digital and DTS. For most streaming content and Blu-rays, this is perfectly fine. I use a similar setup in my bedroom theater, and it sounds great with Netflix and gaming.
The JBL adds support for:
Both receivers include:
The JBL adds:
I've tested both receivers in different rooms, and here's what stands out:
The Denon AVR-S570BT excels at:
The JBL MA9100HP delivers:
From my experience installing both units:
The Denon's setup assistant is more user-friendly, walking you through each connection with clear instructions. It's perfect for first-time home theater builders.
The JBL offers more advanced setup options but requires more knowledge to optimize. Its superior room correction can make a bigger difference in challenging rooms, but you'll need to invest time in getting it right.
The Denon represents excellent value for most users. At $319, it delivers 90% of what most people need in a home theater receiver. I often recommend it for first-time buyers and those upgrading from soundbars.
The JBL's $1,359 price tag brings professional-grade features and performance. While it's a significant investment, it makes sense if you:
Think about future upgrades. The Denon's 5.2 channels are fixed - you can't add more speakers later. The JBL's 9.2 channels provide room to grow, supporting various speaker configurations as your needs change.
Both receivers excel in their respective categories. The Denon AVR-S570BT offers tremendous value and performance for most users, while the JBL MA9100HP provides premium features and expandability for enthusiasts.
Remember, the best receiver is the one that fits your space, budget, and needs. Don't feel pressured to spend more than necessary - the Denon is more than capable for most home theaters. But if you're building a serious home theater and budget allows, the JBL's additional capabilities make it a worthy investment.
Bottom line: Match your choice to your room size, budget, and audio goals, and you'll be happy with either option.
| Denon AVR-S570BT ($319) | JBL MA9100HP ($1,359) |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - Determines speaker setup possibilities and room immersion | |
| 5.2 channels (standard surround setup) | 9.2 channels (enables Dolby Atmos and more speakers) |
| Power Per Channel - Affects maximum volume and sound clarity | |
| 70W @ 8 ohm (sufficient for small/medium rooms) | 140W @ 8 ohm (better for larger spaces and dynamic peaks) |
| HDMI Inputs - Important for connecting multiple devices | |
| 4 inputs, 1 output (basic but adequate) | 6 inputs, 2 outputs (more flexible for complex setups) |
| 8K/4K Support - Future-proofing for video quality | |
| Single 8K input, 4K/120Hz gaming support | Three 8K inputs, advanced gaming features |
| Audio Format Support - Impacts surround sound capabilities | |
| Basic Dolby/DTS (good for most content) | Advanced Dolby Atmos/DTS:X (better for modern movies) |
| Room Correction - Helps optimize sound for your space | |
| Basic auto-calibration | Advanced Dirac Live (significantly better room correction) |
| Wireless Connectivity - Affects streaming options | |
| Bluetooth only | WiFi, Bluetooth with APTX HD, Multi-room audio |
| Extra Features - Additional functionality | |
| Basic gaming features, single zone | Multi-zone audio, phono input, advanced gaming features |
| Recommended Room Size - Critical for matching to your space | |
| Up to 300 sq ft (medium rooms) | 300+ sq ft (larger spaces) |
The Denon AVR-S570BT ($319) is ideal for basic home theater setups, offering 5.2 channels and essential features at a more affordable price point. The JBL MA9100HP ($1,359) would be overkill for basic needs.
The biggest difference is channel count and power - the Denon offers 5.2 channels with 70W per channel, while the JBL provides 9.2 channels with 140W per channel. This affects how many speakers you can connect and overall system power.
Both receivers support 4K/120Hz gaming and features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). The Denon AVR-S570BT offers excellent gaming performance for its price, while the JBL MA9100HP adds more HDMI 2.1 ports for multiple gaming consoles.
The JBL MA9100HP is better suited for large rooms due to its higher power output (140W per channel) and 9.2 channel configuration. The Denon is better for small to medium-sized rooms.
If you want Dolby Atmos, you'll need the JBL MA9100HP as it supports height channels. The Denon AVR-S570BT doesn't support Atmos due to its 5.2 channel limitation.
The JBL offers more streaming options with WiFi and advanced Bluetooth codecs. The Denon only has basic Bluetooth but works well for casual music streaming.
The Denon AVR-S570BT is ideal for rooms up to 300 square feet, while the JBL MA9100HP can handle larger spaces over 300 square feet effectively.
Both receivers support 8K video passthrough, but the JBL offers more 8K-capable HDMI inputs (three) compared to the Denon's single 8K input.
The Denon AVR-S570BT is more beginner-friendly with its simpler setup and straightforward features. The JBL MA9100HP has a steeper learning curve but offers more capabilities.
While the JBL offers better sound quality, the Denon provides excellent performance for most users. The extra cost of the JBL is mainly justified for larger rooms or more complex setups.
Yes, both receivers support dual subwoofers (the ".2" in their channel specifications), allowing for more balanced bass response in your room.
The JBL MA9100HP offers better future-proofing with its 9.2 channels, more HDMI inputs, and advanced audio format support. The Denon AVR-S570BT is more limited in expansion possibilities but covers current basic needs well.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: bestbuy.com - parts-express.com - bestbuy.com - audiosciencereview.com - crutchfield.com - audiolab.com - bestbuy.com - denon.com - audioadvisor.com - avsforum.com - en.community.sonos.com - sound-advice.online - theaudiosolutions.com - crutchfield.com - whathifi.com - musicdirect.com - safeandsoundhq.com - audioadvice.com - puretheatre.com - bestbuy.com - worldwidestereo.com - mm.jbl.com - abt.com
