When building a home theater system, the receiver acts as your entertainment command center. Today, we're comparing two popular options: the Denon AVR-S760H ($569) and Marantz Cinema 70S ($1,200), both released within the last two years. Let's explore how these devices stack up and which might be right for your setup.
Modern AV receivers do much more than just amplify sound. They process advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos (which creates a 3D sound bubble around you), handle 8K video switching, and even integrate with smart home systems. Think of them as the traffic controller for your entertainment system – managing all the audio and video signals while ensuring everything works together seamlessly.
Both the Denon AVR-S760H and Marantz Cinema 70S offer impressive core features:
The Denon offers more power at 75 watts per channel compared to the Marantz's 50 watts. In practical terms, this means the Denon can drive speakers more efficiently in larger rooms. If your space is over 300 square feet or you have power-hungry speakers, the Denon's extra juice will make a noticeable difference.
Released in 2022, the Marantz Cinema 70S showcases newer audio processing technology than the 2021 Denon model. Marantz is known for their "house sound" – warm, detailed, and particularly good with music. The Cinema 70S uses higher-quality digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and better internal components.
The Denon AVR-S760H takes a more neutral approach to sound, which many home theater enthusiasts prefer for movie watching. It's clean, powerful, and accurate, without adding its own character to the sound.
Marantz's build quality justifies some of its higher price tag. The chassis features better electromagnetic shielding (reducing interference), higher-grade capacitors, and a more rigid construction. These improvements contribute to cleaner sound and potentially longer lifespan.
The Denon isn't poorly built by any means – it's just built to a more mainstream price point. Its construction is solid and reliable, just without some of the premium touches.
Both receivers use Audyssey room correction technology, which automatically adjusts sound settings based on your room's acoustics. The Marantz uses a more advanced version (MultEQ XT) compared to the Denon's basic MultEQ, potentially providing better results in challenging rooms.
The Denon's interface feels more modern and user-friendly, while the Marantz maintains a slightly more traditional approach that some users might find less intuitive.
For movie watching, both receivers excel at different price points. The Denon's extra power helps during explosive action scenes, while the Marantz's superior processing might give you slightly better dialogue clarity. Both handle Dolby Atmos soundtracks beautifully, creating that sought-after immersive experience.
The Marantz shows its heritage here. Music sounds more natural and engaging, with better instrument separation and a wider soundstage (the perceived space where sounds come from). The Denon performs admirably but doesn't quite match the Marantz's musicality.
Both receivers support 4K/120Hz gaming and all the latest gaming features. Input lag is minimal on both units, making them equally suitable for modern gaming setups.
The price difference between these receivers ($569 vs $1,200) is significant. The Denon delivers about 90% of the Marantz's performance at less than half the price. The Marantz's advantages – better build quality, superior music performance, and more refined sound – may not justify the price premium for many users.
Both receivers support 8K video, though few sources currently output this resolution. They're both equipped to handle gaming consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X at their maximum capabilities. The Marantz's better build quality might give it a longer lifespan, but both should remain capable for many years.
For most users, the Denon AVR-S760H represents the sweet spot of performance and value. It delivers everything needed for an excellent home theater experience without breaking the bank. The Marantz Cinema 70S is for the enthusiast who demands the best possible audio quality and is willing to pay for it. Both are excellent choices – it really comes down to your priorities and budget.
| Denon AVR-S760H ($569) | Marantz Cinema 70S ($1,200) |
|---|---|
| Power Output - Determines how well it can drive speakers and fill larger rooms | |
| 75W per channel (excellent for most rooms) | 50W per channel (best for smaller spaces) |
| Audio Processing Quality - Impacts overall sound refinement and musicality | |
| Standard DACs (clean, neutral sound) | Premium DACs (warmer, more detailed sound) |
| Room Correction - Helps optimize sound for your specific space | |
| Basic Audyssey MultEQ (good for simple rooms) | Audyssey MultEQ XT (better for challenging spaces) |
| Build Quality - Affects longevity and sound interference | |
| Standard construction (good quality) | Premium components, better shielding (excellent) |
| HDMI Ports - Determines how many devices you can connect | |
| 6 inputs/1 output (all 4K/120Hz capable) | 6 inputs/1 output (3 ports 8K capable) |
| Amplifier Design - Impacts sound quality and stability | |
| Discrete amp design (solid performance) | HDAM modules (superior detail and dynamics) |
| Size/Form Factor - Affects placement options | |
| Standard height (6.6 inches) | Slim design (4.3 inches, more flexible placement) |
| Value Proposition - Overall price-to-performance ratio | |
| Excellent value (90% of features at 47% of cost) | Premium pricing (best sound, build quality) |
The Denon AVR-S760H at 75W per channel is better suited for larger rooms than the Marantz Cinema 70S which offers 50W per channel. For rooms over 300 square feet, the Denon's extra power will provide better performance.
Both perform excellently, but the Marantz Cinema 70S offers slightly better audio processing and clearer dialogue. However, the Denon AVR-S760H provides more power for dynamic movie scenes.
For most users, no. The Denon AVR-S760H at $569 offers about 90% of the performance at less than half the price of the Marantz Cinema 70S at $1,200.
The Marantz Cinema 70S has superior music performance with better detail and warmth, thanks to its premium DACs and HDAM modules. The Denon AVR-S760H sounds good but more neutral.
Yes, both the Denon AVR-S760H and Marantz Cinema 70S fully support Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and other modern surround formats.
The Denon AVR-S760H has a more user-friendly interface and setup process, making it better for beginners. The Marantz Cinema 70S is still straightforward but slightly more complex.
Both support 4K/120Hz gaming and features like VRR and ALLM, making either the Denon AVR-S760H or Marantz Cinema 70S excellent for gaming.
The Marantz Cinema 70S has the more advanced Audyssey MultEQ XT, while the Denon AVR-S760H uses basic MultEQ. The Marantz will perform better in acoustically challenging rooms.
Yes, both support 8K video passthrough, though the Marantz Cinema 70S has three 8K-capable HDMI ports compared to all ports being 4K/120Hz on the Denon AVR-S760H.
Both are equally future-proof in terms of features, but the Marantz Cinema 70S has better build quality for longevity. The Denon AVR-S760H still offers solid construction.
Yes, both include HEOS multi-room audio, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and support for major streaming services. The Marantz Cinema 70S offers slightly better audio quality for streaming.
For smaller rooms under 300 square feet, the Marantz Cinema 70S is ideal, as its 50W per channel is sufficient, and you'll benefit from its superior sound quality. However, the Denon AVR-S760H is still a great choice if budget is a concern.
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 - trustedreviews.com - audioadvisor.com - camelcamelcamel.com - crutchfield.com - tomsguide.com - snapav.com - youtube.com - upscaleaudio.com - walmart.com - youtube.com - audiosciencereview.com
