DENON AVR-S960H vs X2700H and X3700H

[juma]

Hello,

Im looking to power a 5.1 speaker set up in my secondary living room ( mostly music in 2.1 and 2.0 but still 5.1 movies during the weekend ) and was looking at the S and X series of the new 2020 Denon ...

Looks like they all decode the same audio codec and all have the features that I will actually use ( like no need for pre out, so dont care about them ) the "cheap" S960H even support more loseless streaming services.

The big difference seem that the cheapest one features MultEQ while the X series get the MultEQ XT and MultEQ XT32 ... But for 649$us to 849$us to 1200$ ( at this point 2x more than the S960 ... ) Does the difference in MultEQ tech really justify that price bump ! I seem like all these amp will give me the same audio power ( plus minus 20w ) and sound quality ...

 

[FrantzM]

It's been debated here .. Only the X3700H provides Audyssey MultiEQ XT32. Well worth the price if you ask me... Amir reviewed Audyssey MuktiEQ XT32. Click here.

 

[escape2]

Last year, I was looking for an inexpensive 5.1 AVR to hold me over until I'm ready to set up a proper HT room. I ended up with a Denon S740H refurb for a little over $200 from A4L. It only has the basic Audyssey MultEQ, but I'm very happy with it. I suppose I don't know what I'm missing by having never heard anything with MultEQ XT32, so it doesn't bother me. My setup is very basic: 2.1 for music, 3.1 for movies. It does everything I need it to do.

From there on up, the next Denon receiver that I'd consider is X3600H, but it is several times more expensive.

 

[ironhorse128]

I own the x2500h. I love this thing. I feel it sounds 95% as good as my main system, that is far more expensive .

 

[juma]

Last year, I was looking for an inexpensive 5.1 AVR to hold me over until I'm ready to set up a proper HT room. I ended up with a Denon S740H refurb for a little over $200 from A4L. It only has the basic Audyssey MultEQ, but I'm very happy with it. I suppose I don't know what I'm missing by having never heard anything with MultEQ XT32, so it doesn't bother me. My setup is very basic: 2.1 for music, 3.1 for movies. It does everything I need it to do.

From there on up, the next Denon receiver that I'd consider is X3600H, but it is several times more expensive.

I will mostly have the same exact set up, I currently run an old denon 1912 with MultEQ ( and its bad I just turn off all audyssey features ) ... I guess Ill try the S960H, its dumd that the S960H support more native streaming and loseless audio codec than the X series for a overall 15watt difference ... If Its bad ill put it in the basement and update to the X version in a few years.

 

[Zoide]

I own the x2500h. I love this thing. I feel it sounds 95% as good as my main system, that is far more expensive .

What's your main system? Thanks

 

[ironhorse128]

What's your main system? Thanks

Xtz a2 300, rme adi dac, mini dsp shd studio, Revel m16.

 

[aarons915]

Found this thread because I'm in the same boat, I currently have the 3500H but can't stand Audyssey at all now so I do all my EQ on a PC and run the Denon in direct mode. Seems like a waste having XT32 and not using it and I'm going to need HDMI 2.1 eventually so I'm looking at a S960H or the 2700h as well. The nice thing about not needing Audyssey or bass management in the receiver is you can run it in Direct mode for a slightly flatter frequency response (most likely not audible lol).

 

[Webninja]

Do you use the Audyssey app? I know it is very nickel and dime-ish to have to buy a separate app, but it allows you to control the curve and frequency range of correction.