If you're building or upgrading a home theater system, choosing the right AV receiver is crucial - it's the brain and muscle of your entertainment setup. Let's compare two popular options: the newer Denon AVR-S760H ($569.99) and the slimline Marantz NR1510 ($599.00).
Before diving into specifics, let's understand what these devices do. An AV receiver acts as a central hub, processing audio, switching video sources, and powering your speakers. Think of it as a powerful audio computer that makes sure everything you hear and see is optimized for your home theater.
The Denon AVR-S760H was released in 2021, while the Marantz NR1510 came out in 2019. This timing difference is significant because we've seen major advances in gaming and video technology during these years, particularly with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X launches.
The newer Denon model includes HDMI 2.1 ports, which support 4K at 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz - features that weren't even on the radar when the Marantz was designed. If you're a gamer or planning to upgrade your TV in the next few years, this difference matters.
The channel configuration (7.2 vs 5.2) represents how many speakers each receiver can power. Let's break this down:
Denon AVR-S760H: 7.2 channels means you can connect 7 main speakers plus 2 subwoofers. This enables true Dolby Atmos with height speakers, creating a dome of sound above you.Marantz NR1510: 5.2 channels supports a traditional surround setup (front left/right, center, and two surrounds) plus 2 subwoofers.Power output is another key difference:
While this might seem like a huge difference, it's less dramatic in real-world use. The Marantz can still fill a medium-sized room (up to about 350 square feet) with quality sound. The Denon's extra power becomes more important in larger spaces or when using less efficient speakers.
Both receivers handle high-resolution audio beautifully, but there are important differences in surround sound processing:
This is where the age difference really shows:
The Marantz's slim design (about half the height of standard receivers) can be a game-changer for tight spaces. If you're fitting your receiver in a media cabinet or have limited shelf space, this could be the deciding factor.
The Denon follows a traditional design but includes helpful features like a guided setup assistant and color-coded speaker terminals that make installation easier.
Both receivers offer:
The Denon's HDMI 2.1 ports provide more future-proofing, especially for gamers or those planning to upgrade to 8K displays eventually.
In practical use, both receivers excel at their intended purposes. The Denon offers more flexibility and power, while the Marantz delivers refined audio in a compact package. Here's how they compare in specific scenarios:
Choose the Denon AVR-S760H if:
Choose the Marantz NR1510 if:
The Denon offers more features at a slightly lower price, making it the better value for most users. However, the Marantz's slim design and refined audio quality make it a compelling choice for specific situations.
Remember that both receivers come from the same parent company (Sound United) and share many technologies. Your choice largely depends on your specific needs rather than overall quality differences.
For most home theater enthusiasts building a system today, I'd recommend the Denon AVR-S760H for its broader feature set and future-proofing. However, if space is at a premium or you're primarily focused on music, the Marantz NR1510 remains an excellent choice.
| Denon AVR-S760H ($569.99) | Marantz NR1510 ($599.00) |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - Determines surround sound capabilities and speaker setup options | |
| 7.2 channels (enables height speakers for Dolby Atmos) | 5.2 channels (traditional surround only) |
| Power Output - Important for room size and speaker efficiency | |
| 75W per channel (works well in medium/large rooms) | 50W per channel (best for small/medium rooms) |
| Video Support - Critical for future-proofing and gaming | |
| 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz with HDMI 2.1 (fully next-gen ready) | 4K/60Hz with HDMI 2.0 (current-gen only) |
| Physical Size - Matters for installation flexibility | |
| Standard height (6.5") | Slim design (4.1" - half normal height) |
| Advanced Audio Formats - Important for modern home theater | |
| Dolby Atmos, DTS:X (full 3D audio support) | Traditional formats only (no height effects) |
| Gaming Features - Essential for next-gen consoles | |
| ALLM, VRR, 4K/120Hz (ideal for PS5/Xbox Series X) | Basic gaming support (suitable for PS4/Xbox One) |
| Released - Indicates feature set and future-proofing | |
| 2021 (current technology) | 2019 (previous generation) |
| Room Correction - Helps optimize sound for your space | |
| Audyssey MultEQ XT with app support | Audyssey MultEQ (basic version) |
| Value Proposition - Overall bang for buck | |
| More features at lower price (better value for most) | Premium build, slim design (specific use-case value) |
The Denon AVR-S760H ($569.99) is better for most home theater setups due to its 7.2 channels, Dolby Atmos support, and higher power output. The Marantz NR1510 ($599.00) is ideal for smaller rooms or where space is limited.
The main difference is that the Denon AVR-S760H offers 7.2 channels with Dolby Atmos support, while the Marantz NR1510 is a 5.2 channel receiver with a slimmer design.
The Denon AVR-S760H is significantly better for gaming, offering HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K/120Hz support and gaming features like ALLM and VRR. The Marantz NR1510 only supports 4K/60Hz.
Yes, both receivers support 4K video, but the Denon AVR-S760H offers better future-proofing with 8K support and HDMI 2.1, while the Marantz NR1510 handles current 4K content well.
Both offer excellent sound quality, but the Denon AVR-S760H provides more power and advanced surround formats. The Marantz NR1510 is known for refined stereo performance.
Yes, both the Denon AVR-S760H and Marantz NR1510 support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and HEOS multi-room audio.
The Marantz NR1510 is ideal for small rooms due to its compact size and 50W per channel output. The Denon AVR-S760H might be overkill in very small spaces.
Only the Denon AVR-S760H supports Dolby Atmos with height channels. The Marantz NR1510 doesn't support Atmos or height speakers.
Yes, both the Denon AVR-S760H and Marantz NR1510 support Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri.
The Denon AVR-S760H offers better value with more features at a lower price point than the Marantz NR1510.
Yes, both the Denon AVR-S760H and Marantz NR1510 include a phono input for turntables.
The Denon AVR-S760H is better for future-proofing with its HDMI 2.1 ports, 8K support, and 7.2 channels compared to the Marantz NR1510's older specifications.
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 - upscaleaudio.com - youtube.com - hometheatreexperts.in - audiolab.com - crutchfield.com - flanners.com - manuals.marantz.com - marantz.com - youtube.com
