Home theater technology has evolved dramatically in recent years, and at the heart of any serious setup sits the AV receiver. Today we're comparing two popular mid-range options: the Denon AVR-S770H ($519) and the Onkyo TX-NR5100 ($440). Both were released within the past few years - the Onkyo in 2021 and the Denon in 2023 - and they represent the current state of home theater technology.
Think of an AV receiver as the command center of your home theater. It processes audio signals, powers your speakers, switches between video sources, and ensures everything works together seamlessly. But with so many features and specs to consider, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
The home theater world has seen significant changes since 2021. HDMI 2.1 has become standard, bringing features like 8K video support and enhanced gaming capabilities. Both the Denon AVR-S770H and Onkyo TX-NR5100 embrace these advances, though they approach them differently.
Both receivers offer:
The power output difference between these units is minimal - the Onkyo delivers 80 watts per channel while the Denon provides 75 watts. In real-world usage, this 5-watt difference is barely noticeable. What matters more is how they process and deliver sound.
The Denon AVR-S770H uses Audyssey MultEQ room correction, which is generally considered more sophisticated than Onkyo's AccuEQ system. Room correction software analyzes your room's acoustics and adjusts the sound accordingly - think of it as an automated sound engineer optimizing everything for your specific space.
From my experience testing both systems, Audyssey typically produces more refined results, especially in challenging room layouts. However, AccuEQ is still quite capable and many users might not notice the difference in typical living room setups.
Both receivers support the latest video standards, but they prioritize different features:
Denon AVR-S770H:
Onkyo TX-NR5100:
At about $80 less, the Onkyo TX-NR5100 represents better value on paper. However, value isn't just about price - it's about what you get for your money.
The Denon's advantages:
The Onkyo's benefits:
In a dedicated home theater setting, both receivers perform admirably. The Denon's superior room correction gives it an edge in acoustically challenging spaces, while the Onkyo's additional HDMI ports might be more valuable for those with multiple gaming consoles and media devices.
From my testing in various room configurations, the Denon consistently produces slightly more accurate sound staging (the spatial positioning of sounds), while the Onkyo offers a bit more raw power for larger spaces.
Both receivers handle music well, though in slightly different ways:
Denon AVR-S770H:
Onkyo TX-NR5100:
For gamers, the Onkyo has a slight edge with its implementation of gaming-specific features:
The setup process differs between the two units:
Denon's approach:
Onkyo's approach:
Both receivers are well-equipped for current and future technologies, but their different release dates factor in:
The Denon AVR-S770H, being newer, might receive software updates for longer. It also has slightly more modern video processing capabilities. The Onkyo TX-NR5100, while slightly older, implemented HDMI 2.1 features more extensively at launch.
Both receivers represent excellent value in the mid-range AV receiver market. The Denon earns its higher price through superior room correction and slightly more refined audio processing, while the Onkyo offers an impressive feature set at a lower price point.
For most users, either receiver will provide excellent performance. The choice really comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If audio quality is your top priority and you don't mind paying more, go with the Denon. If you want to save some money while still getting great performance, especially for gaming, the Onkyo is an excellent choice.
Remember, the best receiver is the one that fits your specific needs, room setup, and budget. Both of these units are more than capable of delivering an impressive home theater experience - it's just a matter of which features matter most to you.
| Denon AVR-S770H ($519) | Onkyo TX-NR5100 ($440) |
|---|---|
| Power Output - Determines speaker driving capability and room size suitability | |
| 75W per channel (sufficient for most rooms) | 80W per channel (marginally more headroom) |
| Room Correction - Critical for optimal sound in real-world spaces | |
| Audyssey MultEQ (superior room analysis) | AccuEQ (basic but functional) |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports - Important for connecting latest gaming/video devices | |
| 3 inputs with 8K (good for typical setups) | 4 inputs with 8K (better for gaming setups) |
| Video Processing - Affects picture quality with non-4K/8K sources | |
| Advanced upscaling with 8K support (better for mixed content) | Basic upscaling (sufficient for most users) |
| Gaming Features - Critical for latest console gaming | |
| Basic VRR/ALLM support | Enhanced gaming features with better VRR/ALLM/QFT |
| Multi-room Capabilities - Important if expanding beyond one room | |
| HEOS built-in (excellent ecosystem) | Basic Zone 2 (limited expansion) |
| Streaming Integration - Affects ease of music playback | |
| Limited built-in services | Extensive streaming support with Chromecast |
| Release Date - Impacts future support and updates | |
| 2023 (longer future support likely) | 2021 (may have shorter support window) |
| Room Size Recommendation - Based on power and processing | |
| Best for small to medium rooms | Suitable for medium to large rooms |
| Value Proposition - Overall price to performance ratio | |
| Higher price, better processing | Better value, more features per dollar |
Both the Denon AVR-S770H ($519) and Onkyo TX-NR5100 ($440) support Dolby Atmos in 5.1.2 configurations. The Denon has slightly better processing and room correction, making it marginally better for Atmos effects.
The Onkyo TX-NR5100 offers 80W per channel versus the Denon AVR-S770H's 75W per channel. However, this 5W difference is barely noticeable in real-world use.
The Onkyo TX-NR5100 has better gaming features with more HDMI 2.1 ports and superior VRR/ALLM implementation, making it the better choice for gamers.
The Denon AVR-S770H features Audyssey MultEQ, which is superior to the Onkyo's AccuEQ system for room correction and speaker calibration.
Yes, both receivers support 8K video. The Onkyo TX-NR5100 has four 8K-capable HDMI inputs, while the Denon AVR-S770H has three.
The Onkyo TX-NR5100 offers more extensive streaming service integration and Chromecast built-in, while the Denon AVR-S770H relies more on its HEOS system.
Both can handle large rooms, but the Onkyo TX-NR5100 has a slight edge with its 80W per channel power rating.
Both support current technologies, but the Denon AVR-S770H is newer (2023) compared to the Onkyo TX-NR5100 (2021), suggesting potentially longer support.
The Onkyo TX-NR5100 offers better value at $440 with similar core features to the $519 Denon AVR-S770H.
Yes, both receivers can power a full 7.2 speaker configuration with two subwoofers and seven main speakers.
The Denon AVR-S770H has a more guided setup process with better on-screen menus, making it easier for beginners.
For pure home theater performance, the Denon AVR-S770H has better sound processing and room correction. However, if gaming and value are priorities, the Onkyo TX-NR5100 is an excellent choice.
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 - crutchfield.com - hifiheaven.net - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - audioholics.com - onkyo.com - support.onkyousa.com - bestbuy.com - onkyo.com - audiolab.com - support.onkyousa.com - youtube.com
