As someone who's spent years setting up home theaters, I've found that choosing the right AV receiver can be overwhelming. Let's compare two popular options - the newer Denon AVR-S770H ($519) and the battle-tested Sony STR-DH790 ($348), breaking down what really matters for your home theater setup.
Think of an AV receiver as the brain of your home theater. It takes all your video sources (like gaming consoles and streaming devices), processes the audio, amplifies it, and sends video to your TV or projector. Getting the right one can make or break your home theater experience.
The Denon AVR-S770H arrived in 2023 with the latest HDMI 2.1 features, while the Sony STR-DH790 was released in 2018. This timing difference is crucial - a lot has changed in AV technology since 2018, particularly in gaming and video capabilities.
The Denon's support for 8K and 4K/120Hz gaming might seem like overkill now, but it's important for future-proofing. Think of it like buying a car - you want it to handle not just today's roads but tomorrow's highways too. The Sony's 4K/60Hz capability is plenty for most current content, but might feel limiting in a few years.
Both receivers support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X - these are advanced surround sound formats that can position sounds anywhere in three-dimensional space, even overhead. In testing, I've found both handle these formats well, though the Denon's newer processing gives it a slight edge in precision.
Room calibration is like having a professional sound engineer optimize your system for your specific room. The Denon uses Audyssey MultEQ, which is more sophisticated than Sony's DCAC. In my experience, Audyssey does a better job handling tricky room acoustics, especially in dealing with bass response and speaker distance calculations.
On paper, the Sony's 90W per channel (at 6 ohms) looks more powerful than the Denon's 75W (at 8 ohms). However, in real-world use, you'll barely notice the difference. Both can easily fill most rooms with clear, dynamic sound.
The Denon AVR-S770H pulls ahead with:
The Sony STR-DH790 offers:
If you're into gaming, especially with the latest consoles, the Denon's HDMI 2.1 features make a noticeable difference. You'll get:
Both receivers excel at movie playback. The Sony has a slightly warmer sound signature that some prefer for music, while the Denon offers more precise imaging and separation. For most listeners, either will provide excellent performance.
The $171 price difference between these receivers is significant. The Sony, at $348, represents excellent value if you don't need the latest gaming features or multi-room capabilities. The Denon's higher price brings future-proofing and more features, but whether these are worth the premium depends on your needs.
Choose the Denon AVR-S770H if:
Go with the Sony STR-DH790 if:
Whichever receiver you choose, proper setup makes a huge difference:
Both receivers are solid choices, but they serve different needs. The Denon represents the latest technology and future-proofing, while the Sony offers tremendous value for more basic home theater needs. Consider your long-term plans and current budget when making your choice.
Remember, the best receiver is the one that fits your specific needs and budget. Don't get caught up in features you'll never use, but also don't skimp on capabilities you'll wish you had later.
| Denon AVR-S770H ($519) | Sony STR-DH790 ($348) |
|---|---|
| Video Support - Determines future-proofing and gaming capabilities | |
| 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz (HDMI 2.1) | 4K/60Hz only (HDMI 2.0b) |
| Power Output - Affects volume capability and speaker compatibility | |
| 75W per channel (8 ohms) | 90W per channel (6 ohms) |
| Room Calibration - Critical for optimal sound in your specific space | |
| Audyssey MultEQ (advanced, with app support) | Basic DCAC (functional but limited) |
| Multi-room Capabilities - Important if you want whole-home audio | |
| HEOS built-in with multi-room audio | None (basic Bluetooth only) |
| HDMI Ports - Determines how many devices you can connect | |
| 6 in / 2 out (3 ports with HDMI 2.1) | 4 in / 1 out (all HDMI 2.0b) |
| Voice Control - Convenience feature for smart home integration | |
| Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri compatible | None |
| Year Released - Indicates technology generation | |
| 2023 (current gen) | 2018 (previous gen) |
| Streaming Support - Important for modern audio consumption | |
| WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, HEOS | Bluetooth only |
| Audio Format Support - Affects surround sound quality | |
| All current formats including enhanced Dolby Atmos | Basic Atmos/DTS:X (no height virtualization) |
The Denon AVR-S770H ($519) is significantly better for gaming thanks to HDMI 2.1 support, enabling 4K/120Hz gaming and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). The Sony STR-DH790 ($348) is limited to 4K/60Hz, making it less future-proof for next-gen gaming.
The $171 price difference is worth it if you need future-proof gaming features, multi-room audio, or advanced room calibration. If you just want basic home theater functionality, the Sony STR-DH790 offers excellent value.
Both deliver excellent sound quality, but the Denon AVR-S770H edges ahead with better processing and more advanced Audyssey room calibration. The difference is subtle in most setups.
Yes, both support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but the Denon AVR-S770H offers more advanced processing and height virtualization features.
The Sony STR-DH790 has a simpler interface and basic setup process. The Denon AVR-S770H offers more detailed calibration but requires more time to optimize.
The Denon has 6 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs, while the Sony has 4 inputs and 1 output. The Denon's HDMI 2.1 ports also support higher bandwidth.
The Denon AVR-S770H offers comprehensive streaming with HEOS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2. The Sony STR-DH790 only supports basic Bluetooth streaming.
Both receivers have sufficient power for most rooms, but the Denon's advanced room calibration makes it better for optimizing sound in larger or acoustically challenging spaces.
While 8K content is limited, the Denon AVR-S770H's 8K support provides future-proofing. The Sony STR-DH790's 4K capability is sufficient for current content.
Yes, both receivers work well with older speakers. The Sony's higher power rating at 6 ohms might handle some difficult speaker loads better.
The Denon AVR-S770H will likely hold value better due to its newer technology and features. The Sony STR-DH790 is already a 2018 model.
If your current receiver lacks 4K support or Dolby Atmos, either would be a worthwhile upgrade. Choose the Denon AVR-S770H for maximum future-proofing or the Sony STR-DH790 for better value.
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 - ynetnews.com - walts.com - sony.ca - walmart.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - abcwarehouse.com - crutchfield.com - sony.co.uk - sony.ie - youtube.com
