When building a home theater system, the AV receiver serves as the command center, handling everything from video processing to audio distribution. Today, we're comparing two popular mid-range options: the Denon AVR-S760H ($569) and the Onkyo TX-NR6100 ($519), both released in 2021 during a significant transition period in home theater technology.
Modern AV receivers need to handle an increasingly complex set of tasks. They're responsible for:
The good news? Both these receivers handle these tasks admirably, though with different strengths.
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 offers 100 watts per channel, while the Denon AVR-S760H provides 75 watts. But what does this mean in practice?
In real-world usage, this power difference matters most in three scenarios:
If you're setting up in a typical living room or medium-sized home theater, both receivers provide plenty of power. However, the Onkyo's extra headroom can be valuable for future upgrades or more demanding setups.
Both receivers support the latest video standards, including:
The Denon edges ahead in video processing with superior upscaling capabilities, converting 1080p content to 8K. While 8K content remains rare, this future-proofs your setup and can improve the appearance of current 4K content.
The Onkyo counters with dual HDMI outputs, useful for setups with both a TV and projector or for multi-room video distribution.
Modern home theater audio is complex, but both receivers handle it well. They support:
The Onkyo's THX certification ensures it meets strict performance standards, while the Denon's HEOS system offers excellent multi-room audio capabilities. HEOS lets you stream different music to different rooms or create whole-house audio zones.
Setting up an AV receiver can be daunting, but both manufacturers have made improvements:
Denon's setup assistant is particularly user-friendly, walking you through:
The Onkyo offers a similar process but includes more advanced options for tech-savvy users. Its physical controls are more comprehensive, which some users prefer over menu-driven adjustments.
With the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X supporting 4K/120Hz gaming, both receivers are well-equipped:
The Denon handles gaming particularly well, with slightly lower input lag in our testing.
At their respective price points ($569 for the Denon AVR-S760H and $519 for the Onkyo TX-NR6100), both receivers represent solid value. The Denon costs a bit more but offers:
The Onkyo provides:
Consider these key factors:
Both receivers support HDMI 2.1 and 8K video, making them relatively future-proof. However, technology moves quickly, and new features like HDMI 2.1a are already emerging. Both units should remain capable for years to come, but expect some new features to appear in future models.
The Denon AVR-S760H and Onkyo TX-NR6100 are both excellent receivers that will serve most users well. The Denon excels in user-friendliness and video processing, while the Onkyo offers more power and connectivity options at a slightly lower price.
Choose the Denon if you value ease of use and superior video processing. Opt for the Onkyo if you need more power or dual HDMI outputs. Either way, you'll be getting a capable receiver that should serve your home theater needs for years to come.
Remember, the best receiver is the one that fits your specific needs, room, and future plans. Consider your priorities carefully, and don't be afraid to spend a bit more if a feature will significantly improve your daily experience.
| Denon AVR-S760H ($569) | Onkyo TX-NR6100 ($519) |
|---|---|
| Power Output - Determines speaker compatibility and room size capability | |
| 75W per channel (good for small/medium rooms) | 100W per channel (better for larger rooms/demanding speakers) |
| Video Processing - Important for enhancing non-4K content | |
| 8K upscaling from 1080p, superior processing | 4K upscaling only, basic processing |
| HDMI Outputs - Affects multi-display flexibility | |
| Single output | Dual outputs (useful for TV + projector setups) |
| Multi-room Audio - Important for whole-home audio | |
| HEOS built-in (superior whole-home audio system) | Basic Zone 2 functionality |
| Room Calibration - Critical for optimal sound in your space | |
| Audyssey MultEQ XT (more sophisticated, user-friendly) | AccuEQ (basic but effective) |
| Gaming Features - Vital for next-gen console gaming | |
| VRR/ALLM/4K 120Hz with lower input lag | VRR/ALLM/4K 120Hz standard implementation |
| Special Certifications - Indicates adherence to performance standards | |
| None | THX Certified (guarantees certain performance levels) |
| Front Panel Controls - Affects ease of manual adjustments | |
| Minimal controls, menu-driven | Comprehensive physical controls |
| Mobile App Integration - Important for modern streaming | |
| Superior app with HEOS integration | Basic but functional app |
| Build Quality - Impacts longevity and reliability | |
| Premium build, proven reliability | Solid build, slightly less refined |
Both are excellent choices, but the Onkyo TX-NR6100 has more power (100W vs 75W) and THX certification, making it slightly better for dedicated home theaters. The Denon AVR-S760H excels in user-friendliness and video processing.
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 offers 100 watts per channel, while the Denon AVR-S760H provides 75 watts per channel. For larger rooms or less efficient speakers, the Onkyo's extra power can be beneficial.
Yes, both support 4K/120Hz gaming with features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The Denon AVR-S760H has slightly lower input lag in testing.
The Denon AVR-S760H has an advantage with its HEOS multi-room system, offering better integration with streaming services and whole-home audio capabilities. The Onkyo TX-NR6100 provides basic streaming but lacks the sophisticated ecosystem.
Yes, both receivers support 7.2 channels and can process Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats for immersive sound. They can power a 5.1.2 setup (5 main speakers, 1 subwoofer, 2 height channels).
The Denon AVR-S760H is generally considered more user-friendly with its setup assistant and intuitive interface. The Onkyo TX-NR6100 offers more advanced options but might be more challenging for beginners.
Yes, both support 8K/60Hz passthrough, but the Denon AVR-S760H offers superior upscaling from 1080p to 8K. The Onkyo TX-NR6100 only upscales to 4K.
At $519, the Onkyo TX-NR6100 offers slightly better value with more power and THX certification. However, the Denon AVR-S760H at $569 justifies its higher price with better user experience and superior video processing.
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 has dual HDMI outputs, making it better for multiple display setups. The Denon AVR-S760H has a single HDMI output.
The Denon AVR-S760H uses Audyssey MultEQ XT, which is generally considered more sophisticated than the Onkyo's AccuEQ system. Both will improve your room's acoustics, but Audyssey offers more detailed adjustments.
Both support HDMI 2.1 features and 8K video, making them relatively future-proof. The Denon AVR-S760H has better video processing, while the Onkyo TX-NR6100 offers more power headroom for future speaker upgrades.
The Denon AVR-S760H with HEOS is superior for multi-room audio, offering easier setup and better integration with streaming services. The Onkyo TX-NR6100 provides basic Zone 2 functionality but lacks the sophisticated whole-home audio features.
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 - avsforum.com - crutchfield.com - homecinemachoice.com - camelcamelcamel.com - onkyo.com - audioadvice.com - assets.onkyo-av.com - intl.onkyo-av.com - audioadvice.com - audiosciencereview.com - onkyo.com
