When setting up a home theater system, choosing the right AV receiver is crucial - it's literally the brain and heart of your entertainment setup. Today, we're comparing two popular Denon models: the AVR-S760H ($569.99) and the AVR-S570BT ($319.00). Both were released in 2021-2022 and represent Denon's latest mainstream receiver technology.
Before diving into the comparison, let's understand what an AV receiver actually does. Think of it as a super-powered entertainment hub that processes audio signals, amplifies them for your speakers, and handles video switching between your devices. It's the command center that makes your home theater work.
Key things that matter in a receiver:
The AVR-S760H and AVR-S570BT might look similar at first glance, but they're built for different users. The biggest difference is in their channel count - the S760H supports 7.2 channels (seven speakers plus two subwoofers), while the S570BT handles 5.2 channels.
The S760H shines with its support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X - these are advanced audio formats that create a three-dimensional sound field. Imagine hearing rain actually falling from above you, or a helicopter truly flying overhead in a movie. The S570BT sticks to traditional surround sound, which is still great but won't give you that vertical dimension.
Power output is similar:
In real-world use, this 5-watt difference is barely noticeable. Both receivers have plenty of power for most home theaters.
Both receivers support the latest video technologies, including:
This is particularly impressive for the S570BT, offering high-end video features at a lower price point.
Here's where the price difference really shows:
The AVR-S760H offers:
The AVR-S570BT provides:
I've had hands-on experience with both receivers, and here's what stands out:
The S760H excels in dedicated home theater setups. Its additional channels allow for proper rear surround speakers and height channels for Dolby Atmos. If you're serious about movies, this extra immersion is worth the premium.
The S570BT still delivers excellent movie performance with a traditional 5.1 setup. For many living rooms and smaller spaces, this is completely sufficient.
Both receivers handle music beautifully, with clean, detailed sound. The S760H's advantage is mainly in its streaming capabilities - HEOS integration means you can easily stream high-quality music from services like Tidal or Amazon Music HD.
Both receivers support HDMI 2.1 features important for gaming:
This means either receiver will work great with PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X consoles.
The $250 price difference between these receivers is significant, so let's break down the value:
The S760H's premium gets you:
The S570BT offers:
Choose the AVR-S760H if:
Choose the AVR-S570BT if:
Both receivers are relatively new and support current video standards. They'll handle 8K video when it becomes more common, and their HDMI 2.1 support means they're ready for the latest gaming consoles.
The S760H has more upgrade potential with its additional channels and streaming features. However, the S570BT isn't exactly outdated - it just focuses on the core features most people actually use.
The AVR-S760H and AVR-S570BT are both excellent receivers for their respective price points. The choice really comes down to your specific needs and budget.
For most people setting up their first home theater, the S570BT offers tremendous value. It handles the basics extremely well and includes surprisingly premium features for its price point.
However, if you're building a more serious home theater setup, or if you want the fullest possible sound experience, the S760H's additional features and flexibility make it worth the extra investment.
Remember: the best receiver is the one that fits your specific needs, room, and budget. Don't feel pressured to buy more features than you'll use - both of these receivers excel at their core task of delivering great home theater sound.
| Denon AVR-S760H ($569.99) | Denon AVR-S570BT ($319.99) |
|---|---|
| Channels - Determines how many speakers you can use and the immersion level possible | |
| 7.2 channels (enables full surround + height speakers) | 5.2 channels (standard surround setup) |
| Power Per Channel - Affects how loud and clean speakers can play | |
| 75W/channel (marginally more headroom) | 70W/channel (plenty for most rooms) |
| 3D Audio Support - Enables overhead and more immersive sound effects | |
| Dolby Atmos & DTS:X (full 3D audio support) | No 3D audio (standard surround only) |
| Wireless Connectivity - Affects how easily you can stream music | |
| WiFi, Bluetooth, HEOS, AirPlay 2 (complete connectivity) | Bluetooth only (basic wireless audio) |
| HDMI Inputs - Determines how many devices you can connect | |
| 6 inputs (more flexibility for multiple devices) | 4 inputs (sufficient for most setups) |
| Smart Features - Controls integration with other smart home devices | |
| Voice control, app support, multi-room audio | Basic remote control only |
| Video Processing - Important for gaming and future-proofing | |
| 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM (complete gaming support) | 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM (same gaming features) |
| Room Correction - Helps optimize sound for your specific space | |
| Audyssey MultEQ (advanced room optimization) | Basic speaker calibration |
For a basic 5.1 home theater setup, the Denon AVR-S570BT at $319 provides excellent value. However, if you plan to expand later, the AVR-S760H offers more flexibility for future upgrades.
The key difference is that the AVR-S760H supports 7.2 channels and Dolby Atmos, while the AVR-S570BT is limited to 5.2 channels with standard surround sound.
The Denon AVR-S760H offers superior movie performance with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, creating more immersive sound. The AVR-S570BT still provides great movie sound but without overhead effects.
Yes, both the AVR-S760H and AVR-S570BT support 4K/120Hz gaming and include features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
The AVR-S760H offers superior music streaming with HEOS, WiFi, and AirPlay 2 support. The AVR-S570BT only offers Bluetooth streaming.
Only if you plan to use more than 5 speakers. The AVR-S570BT is sufficient for standard 5.1 setups, while the AVR-S760H enables additional surround and height channels.
The AVR-S760H offers better future-proofing with more channels, advanced audio formats, and better connectivity options compared to the AVR-S570BT.
Both work well in small rooms, but the AVR-S570BT might be more appropriate since smaller spaces rarely benefit from additional speakers that the AVR-S760H can support.
The difference is minimal - the AVR-S760H offers 75W per channel while the AVR-S570BT provides 70W per channel. Both are sufficient for most home theaters.
Yes, both the AVR-S760H and AVR-S570BT support 8K/60Hz video passthrough and upscaling.
The AVR-S570BT is simpler to set up due to fewer features and channels. The AVR-S760H has more options but includes guided setup assistance.
With the AVR-S760H, you can expand up to 7.2 channels. The AVR-S570BT is limited to 5.2 channels with no expansion capability.
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: crutchfield.com - audioadvice.com - bestbuy.com - denon.com - bestbuy.com - smarthomescope.com - bestbuy.com - bombayaudio.com - manuals.denon.com - cocoontech.com - zkelectronics.com - 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
