If you're looking to build or upgrade your home theater system, choosing the right AV receiver is crucial. Today, we're comparing two popular options: the newer Denon AVR-S770H ($519) and the Marantz NR1510 ($599).
AV receivers are the brains of your home theater system. They process video signals, decode audio formats, and power your speakers. Think of them as traffic controllers for your entertainment setup – directing audio and video signals to the right places while ensuring everything works together seamlessly.
When choosing a receiver, you'll want to consider:
The Denon AVR-S770H, released in 2023, represents the current state of the art with HDMI 2.1 and 8K support. Meanwhile, the Marantz NR1510 from 2019 offers a more focused feature set with its signature sound quality.
The technology gap between these models is significant. Since the Marantz's release, we've seen:
The Denon's 7.2 channels allow for several speaker configurations:
The Marantz's 5.2 channels support:
Power-wise, the Denon's 75W per channel versus Marantz's 50W makes a noticeable difference in larger rooms or with less efficient speakers. For reference, in a typical living room (300-400 sq ft), both will perform well, but the Denon has more headroom for dynamic peaks.
Here's where we see the biggest technological leap. The Denon offers:
The Marantz handles:
For most current content, both perform admirably. However, the Denon's HDMI 2.1 ports and 8K support provide significant future-proofing.
The Marantz's slim design (half-height) is a standout feature. If you're dealing with limited shelf space or want a more discrete installation, this could be the deciding factor. The Denon follows the traditional full-height receiver design but offers more connectivity options.
Both manufacturers are known for excellent sound, but they have different characteristics:
In my experience testing both units, the Marantz excels with music, while the Denon has an edge with movie soundtracks, particularly during action scenes where its extra power comes into play.
For movie watching, both receivers handle Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio beautifully. The Denon's advantage comes from:
The Marantz still delivers excellent performance but is better suited to:
The Denon AVR-S770H is clearly superior for gaming, offering:
These features result in smoother gameplay and reduced input lag. The Marantz handles gaming well at 4K/60Hz but lacks the latest gaming-specific features.
Both receivers excel with music, but in different ways:
The Denon AVR-S770H at $519 represents excellent value, offering:
The Marantz NR1510 at $599 justifies its higher price through:
Choose the Denon if you:
Choose the Marantz if you:
Both receivers excel in their intended use cases. The Denon represents the current state of the art and offers better value for most users. However, the Marantz's unique combination of compact design and excellent sound quality still makes it relevant for specific situations.
Remember that AV receivers are long-term investments. Consider not just your current needs but where you might be in 3-5 years. The Denon's newer technology and additional features provide more room for growth, while the Marantz excels in situations where space and aesthetic considerations are paramount.
Denon AVR-S770H ($519) |
Marantz NR1510 ($599) |
|---|---|
| Channels - Determines maximum speaker setup and Atmos capabilities | |
| 7.2 channels (enables full Atmos setup) | 5.2 channels (basic surround only) |
| Power Per Channel - Critical for room size and speaker efficiency | |
| 75W (handles larger rooms/demanding speakers) | 50W (best for small/medium rooms) |
| Video Support - Important for future-proofing and gaming | |
| 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz with HDMI 2.1 (latest tech) | 4K/60Hz with HDMI 2.0 (previous gen) |
| Physical Size - Matters for installation flexibility | |
| Standard height (17.1" x 13.3" x 6") | Slim design (17.3" x 14.9" x 4.1") |
| Gaming Features - Critical for next-gen console gaming | |
| VRR, ALLM, 4K/120Hz (fully gaming ready) | Basic 4K/60Hz (limited gaming support) |
| Room Correction - Helps optimize sound for your space | |
| Audyssey MultEQ (good auto calibration) | Audyssey MultEQ (good auto calibration) |
| Streaming Features - Important for modern music listening | |
| HEOS, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth (full featured) | HEOS, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth (full featured) |
| Year Released - Indicates technology generation | |
| 2023 (current gen features) | 2019 (previous gen features) |
The Denon AVR-S770H ($519) is significantly better for Dolby Atmos as it supports 7.2 channels, allowing for a 5.1.2 Atmos setup with height speakers. The Marantz NR1510 ($599) is limited to 5.2 channels, which doesn't support dedicated Atmos height channels.
The Denon AVR-S770H delivers 75W per channel compared to the Marantz NR1510's 50W per channel, making it better suited for larger rooms and more demanding speakers.
The Denon AVR-S770H is superior for gaming with HDMI 2.1, 4K/120Hz support, and gaming features like VRR and ALLM. The Marantz NR1510 only supports 4K/60Hz and lacks advanced gaming features.
The Marantz NR1510 has a slim design that's half the height of traditional receivers, making it ideal for tight spaces. The Denon AVR-S770H has a standard full-size design.
Yes, both can handle 4K video, but the Denon AVR-S770H supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz, while the Marantz NR1510 is limited to 4K/60Hz.
The Marantz NR1510 is known for its warm, musical sound signature, while the Denon AVR-S770H offers more power and slightly better detail. Both perform well for music, but Marantz has a slight edge in pure music enjoyment.
Yes, both receivers offer similar streaming capabilities with HEOS, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth built-in. The Denon AVR-S770H and Marantz NR1510 both support major streaming services.
The Denon AVR-S770H is more future-proof with HDMI 2.1, 8K support, and 7.2 channels, compared to the Marantz NR1510 which uses older HDMI 2.0 technology.
Yes, both the Denon AVR-S770H and Marantz NR1510 feature Audyssey MultEQ room correction technology for optimizing sound to your space.
The Denon AVR-S770H is better for large rooms due to its higher power output (75W vs 50W) and additional channels compared to the Marantz NR1510.
Yes, both the Denon AVR-S770H and Marantz NR1510 feature dual subwoofer outputs for balanced bass distribution.
The Denon AVR-S770H at $519 offers better value with more channels, power, and newer technology, while the Marantz NR1510 at $599 commands a premium for its compact design and signature sound quality.
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 - upscaleaudio.com - youtube.com - hometheatreexperts.in - audiolab.com - crutchfield.com - flanners.com - manuals.marantz.com - marantz.com - youtube.com
