When setting up a home theater system, the receiver is like the conductor of your audio-visual orchestra. Today we're comparing two popular options: the mid-range Denon AVR-S760H ($569.99) and the premium Onkyo TX-RZ50 ($1,399.00), both released in late 2021. While they've been on the market for a couple of years, they remain compelling choices thanks to their forward-looking feature sets.
Home theater receivers have evolved significantly in recent years. They're no longer just amplifiers with a few inputs - they're sophisticated entertainment hubs that handle everything from 8K video to wireless streaming. The core job remains the same though: process your audio and video sources and deliver high-quality sound to your speakers.
The big changes since these models launched have been in software updates and price adjustments rather than hardware. Both manufacturers have maintained their positions in the market, with Denon focusing on reliable performance at a competitive price point, while Onkyo targets the enthusiast segment with premium features.
The Denon AVR-S760H offers 7.2 channels (meaning seven main speakers and two subwoofers) with 75 watts per channel. This is plenty for most living rooms and medium-sized home theaters. The ".2" refers to subwoofer outputs - you can connect two subwoofers for more balanced bass throughout the room.
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 steps up to 9.2 channels with 120 watts per channel, and can even process 11.2 channels if you add an external amplifier. This extra power and flexibility comes at a cost, but it's significant if you're building a serious home theater with height speakers for Dolby Atmos (which creates a 3D sound bubble around you).
In my experience testing both units, the power difference is noticeable in larger rooms (over 350 square feet) or when using less efficient speakers. The Onkyo maintains its composure with dynamic movie soundtracks at higher volumes, while the Denon can start to sound strained in these scenarios.
Both receivers support modern audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but they handle room calibration differently. Room calibration is crucial because it adjusts the sound to work best in your specific space, accounting for room acoustics and speaker placement.
The Denon uses Audyssey MultEQ, a proven system that works well for most setups. You plug in an included microphone, and it measures sound from multiple positions in your room to create an optimized sound profile.
The Onkyo includes Dirac Live, a more advanced calibration system that audio enthusiasts often prefer. It provides more detailed measurements and finer control over the adjustments. While both systems work well, Dirac Live generally achieves more precise results if you're willing to spend time learning its features.
Both receivers are well-equipped for current and future video standards, supporting:
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 has a slight edge for gaming thanks to better support for features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which help prevent screen tearing and reduce input lag.
Both units offer extensive connectivity options, but there are some notable differences:
Denon AVR-S760H:
Onkyo TX-RZ50:
The Onkyo's dual HDMI outputs and broader streaming support give it more flexibility, though the Denon's HEOS system is very user-friendly.
In my testing, both receivers excel in their intended use cases. The Denon AVR-S760H delivers clean, detailed sound that will satisfy most users. Its interface is more intuitive, and the setup process is straightforward. I've found it particularly strong with music, producing a well-balanced sound that works across genres.
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 shows its premium nature with more headroom (ability to handle sudden loud sounds without distortion) and better channel separation (you can more clearly tell where sounds are coming from). Its extra power is noticeable with action movies and complex musical passages, especially in larger rooms.
The price difference between these receivers is significant - you could almost buy two Denon units for the price of one Onkyo. The value question comes down to your specific needs:
The Denon makes sense if:
The Onkyo is worth the premium if:
Both receivers represent different sweet spots in the market. The Denon AVR-S760H hits a perfect balance of features and value for most users, while the Onkyo TX-RZ50 offers premium features for enthusiasts who can justify the higher cost.
In most cases, I recommend starting with the Denon unless you have specific needs that require the Onkyo's additional capabilities. The money saved could be better spent on speakers or room treatment, which often make a bigger difference to overall sound quality than receiver features alone.
Remember, both these units are from 2021, but they remain competitive thanks to their forward-looking feature sets. Unless you specifically need features introduced in newer models, these represent excellent value in their respective price brackets.
| Denon AVR-S760H ($569.99) | Onkyo TX-RZ50 ($1,399.00) |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - Determines how many speakers you can power and arrange | |
| 7.2 channels (standard home theater setup) | 9.2 channels, expandable to 11.2 (full Atmos setup) |
| Power Per Channel - Affects volume capability and speaker compatibility | |
| 75W/channel (sufficient for medium rooms) | 120W/channel (better for large rooms/inefficient speakers) |
| Room Calibration - Critical for optimizing sound quality in your space | |
| Basic Audyssey MultEQ (good for most users) | Dirac Live (superior, professional-grade calibration) |
| HDMI Outputs - Important for connecting multiple displays | |
| 1 output (standard setup) | 2 outputs (TV + projector capability) |
| Gaming Features - Matters for serious gamers | |
| Basic VRR support | Full suite: VRR, ALLM, QFT (better gaming experience) |
| Video Processing - Future-proofing for new TV standards | |
| 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz (meets current standards) | 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz with better HDR processing |
| Streaming Platform - Affects wireless audio flexibility | |
| HEOS (Denon's system only) | Multiple: Sonos, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, DTS Play-Fi |
| Pre-Amp Outputs - Important for system expansion | |
| Limited pre-outs | Full pre-outs for external amplification |
| Price-Performance Ratio - Value proposition | |
| Excellent value for typical setups | Premium price but justified for advanced needs |
For a standard 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup, the Denon AVR-S760H ($569.99) provides excellent value. Unless you need advanced features or extra power, it offers everything needed for a great movie experience at almost half the price of the Onkyo.
The Denon AVR-S760H costs $569.99, while the Onkyo TX-RZ50 is priced at $1,399.00. The Denon offers better value for typical users, while the Onkyo justifies its premium price with additional features and power.
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 is superior for Dolby Atmos, supporting up to 11.2 channels with external amplification. The Denon supports basic Atmos configurations but is limited to 7.2 channels.
The Denon AVR-S760H is ideal for rooms under 350 square feet, while the Onkyo TX-RZ50 performs better in larger spaces thanks to its higher power output (120W vs 75W per channel).
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 has superior gaming features, including better implementation of VRR, ALLM, and QFT. While the Denon supports basic gaming features, serious gamers will appreciate the Onkyo's advantages.
Both receivers support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video passthrough. The Onkyo TX-RZ50 has slightly better HDR processing, but both will handle current and near-future video standards well.
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 features superior Dirac Live calibration, while the Denon AVR-S760H uses basic Audyssey MultEQ. Dirac Live provides more detailed adjustments and generally better results.
Both have 6 HDMI inputs, but the Onkyo TX-RZ50 offers 2 HDMI outputs compared to the Denon's single output. This makes the Onkyo better for setups using both a TV and projector.
Both receivers perform well with music. The Denon AVR-S760H offers excellent balanced sound, while the Onkyo TX-RZ50 provides more power and slightly better detail. For most users, either will satisfy.
Unless you have a large room (over 350 square feet), inefficient speakers, or plan to listen at very high volumes, the Denon AVR-S760H provides sufficient power for most users.
The Denon AVR-S760H offers a more user-friendly interface and simpler setup process. The Onkyo TX-RZ50 has more features but requires more time to learn and configure.
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 offers more expansion options with its 11.2 channel processing and full pre-outs. The Denon AVR-S760H has limited expansion capabilities but is sufficient for most standard setups.
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 - audioadvice.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - 7review.com - assets.onkyo-av.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - onkyo.com - support.onkyousa.com - avsforum.com - stereoindex.com - forums.audioholics.com - audioholics.com
