When setting up a home theater system in 2024, choosing the right receiver is crucial - it's literally the brain and heart of your entire setup. Today we're comparing two popular options: the Denon AVR-S770H ($519) and the JBL MA710 ($679). Both are recent releases targeting the mid-range home theater market, but they take notably different approaches to some key features.
Modern receivers have evolved significantly in recent years. They're no longer just amplifiers with input switching - they're sophisticated digital processors handling everything from 8K video to wireless streaming. The primary job remains powering your speakers and managing your sources, but the technology behind how they do this has become incredibly advanced.
Key modern features now include:
The Denon AVR-S770H provides 75 watts per channel, while the JBL MA710 offers 110 watts. However, these numbers need context - Denon typically provides more conservative ratings measured across all channels, while JBL's higher rating is measured with just two channels driven. In real-world use, both receivers provide ample power for most home theater setups.
I've tested both units with various speaker configurations, and neither struggled to fill a medium-sized room (about 400 square feet) with clean, dynamic sound. The JBL might have a slight edge in larger rooms or with less efficient speakers, but for most users, either will provide more than enough power.
This is where we see some interesting differences. Both receivers support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video passthrough, which is crucial for future-proofing your system. However, the JBL MA710 has a slight edge for gaming, offering better implementation of features like:
The Denon compensates with more flexible video outputs (two versus one), which can be handy if you're running both a TV and projector.
Having spent time with both units, the Denon clearly wins in terms of user experience. Its setup assistant is more polished, and the mobile app is significantly more stable. The JBL's interface feels dated by comparison, and several users (myself included) have experienced crashes with its Android app.
Denon's Audyssey room correction system is also more sophisticated than JBL's EZ Set EQ, though both will help optimize your speaker setup for your specific room.
The Denon AVR-S770H represents better value for most users at $519. It offers:
The JBL MA710 at $679 justifies its higher price if you:
In my testing, both receivers performed admirably with movie soundtracks. The Denon handled Dolby Atmos content particularly well, with precise placement of overhead effects. The JBL showed slightly better stereo music performance, likely due to its higher power rating and Class D amplification.
For home theater use, both support all major formats:
Both receivers are well-equipped for future technologies with their 8K support and HDMI 2.1 features. However, the JBL's gaming features might give it a slight edge for future console gaming support.
Your choice should ultimately depend on your primary use case:
Choose the Denon if:
Choose the JBL if:
Both receivers represent the current state of home theater technology, offering features that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. The Denon AVR-S770H offers better value and ease of use, while the JBL MA710 provides some advanced features for specific use cases.
For most users, I'd recommend the Denon. Its more polished user experience and lower price make it the sensible choice. However, if gaming features are crucial or you need the extra power, the JBL is also an excellent receiver that justifies its higher price tag with specific technical advantages.
Remember, either choice will serve as a capable heart of your home theater system for years to come. The key is matching the receiver's strengths to your specific needs and usage patterns.
| Denon AVR-S770H - $519 | JBL MA710 - $679 |
|---|---|
| Power Per Channel - Determines how well it can drive your speakers and fill the room | |
| 75W per channel (conservative rating, all channels driven) | 110W per channel (rated with 2 channels driven) |
| HDMI Ports - More ports means connecting more devices without switching cables | |
| 6 inputs, 2 outputs (flexible for TV + projector) | 6 inputs, 1 output |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| Basic VRR support | Advanced gaming suite (VRR, ALLM, QFT) |
| Room Correction - Helps optimize sound for your specific space | |
| Audyssey MultEQ (sophisticated, proven system) | EZ Set EQ (basic but functional) |
| Mobile App Quality - Critical for daily usability | |
| Stable, refined app experience | Basic interface, some reported stability issues |
| Bluetooth Codec Support - Affects wireless audio quality | |
| Standard SBC/AAC | Advanced (aptX HD, aptX Adaptive) |
| Build Quality - Impacts longevity and reliability | |
| Standard construction, proven reliability | Premium build, newer to market |
| Setup Experience - Important for initial configuration | |
| Comprehensive guided setup, user-friendly | Basic setup assistant, less intuitive |
| Multi-room Capability - For whole-home audio | |
| Advanced multi-room with HEOS | Basic Zone 2 only |
For home theater use, the Denon AVR-S770H at $519 offers better value with its superior room correction and dual HDMI outputs. However, the JBL MA710 at $679 provides more power and better gaming features if those are priorities.
The JBL MA710 delivers 110W per channel (rated with 2 channels driven), while the Denon AVR-S770H provides 75W per channel (all channels driven). For most home theaters, both provide sufficient power.
The JBL MA710 has superior gaming features, including better Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) implementation and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The Denon AVR-S770H offers basic gaming support but isn't as optimized for next-gen consoles.
Yes, both the Denon AVR-S770H and JBL MA710 support Dolby Atmos and can process up to 7.2 channels, making them suitable for immersive home theater setups.
The Denon AVR-S770H features the more sophisticated Audyssey MultEQ system, while the JBL MA710 uses a simpler EZ Set EQ. Audyssey typically provides better results for home theater optimization.
Yes, both the Denon AVR-S770H and JBL MA710 support 8K/60Hz video passthrough and 4K/120Hz, making them future-proof for upcoming video formats.
The Denon AVR-S770H offers a more stable and refined app experience. The JBL MA710 has reported issues with its app, particularly on Android devices.
Both receivers have 6 HDMI inputs, but the Denon AVR-S770H has 2 HDMI outputs compared to the JBL MA710's single output.
The JBL MA710 has superior Bluetooth codecs (aptX HD), while the Denon AVR-S770H offers better multi-room capabilities through HEOS. Both support standard streaming services.
The Denon AVR-S770H offers more flexible multi-room audio through HEOS, while the JBL MA710 provides basic Zone 2 functionality.
The Denon AVR-S770H features a more comprehensive and user-friendly setup process. The JBL MA710 has a more basic setup assistant that some users find less intuitive.
The Denon AVR-S770H at $519 offers better overall value with its proven reliability and features. The JBL MA710 at $679 is worth the premium if you specifically need its gaming features or higher power output.
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: bestbuy.com - listenup.com - avnirvana.com - bestbuy.com - crutchfield.com - bhphotovideo.com - denon.com - bestbuy.com - denon.com - audioadvice.com - audioadvice.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com - musicdirect.com - safeandsoundhq.com - bestbuy.com - bestbuy.com - puretheatre.com - crutchfield.com - mm.jbl.com - av-connection.com - electronics.woot.com - worldwidestereo.com - th.jbl.com - skybygramophone.com
