Denon AVR-X6800H now released.

[shinseiRomeo]

Thank you everyone here for being so helpful and friendly. I consider myself a mega A/V enthusiast though I am not very technical when it comes to this in-depth detail of audio calibration. Just to ask a direct question to anyone here… am I wasting my money on a ‘high end’ receiver as this X6800H over my current X1400H for my use case? Is a newer X1800H better suited, or just leave it alone and don’t change anything for the time being? As I mentioned earlier, the only discernible difference I’m gaining immediately is 4K/120hz/VRR for my PS5. My speakers are not changing.

14x12 square foot room, 77 inch LG G3 OLED TV. Setup is HDMI to AVR, using a PS5, Apple TV 4K, and LG 4K disc player. Calibrated with included audyssey microphone, set channel levels and speaker distances to my taste. Speakers are under $1,000 for the whole 7.1 setup as it stands, though I absolutely plan to invest $3000-5000 in speakers when I move and have a larger ‘home theater’ space. Currently just swapping the old X1400H for the new X6800H, no hardware or wiring changes for the near future.

 

[ban25]

Thank you everyone here for being so helpful and friendly. I consider myself a mega A/V enthusiast though I am not very technical when it comes to this in-depth detail of audio calibration. Just to ask a direct question to anyone here… am I wasting my money on a ‘high end’ receiver as this X6800H over my current X1400H for my use case? Is a newer X1800H better suited, or just leave it alone and don’t change anything for the time being? As I mentioned earlier, the only discernible difference I’m gaining immediately is 4K/120hz/VRR for my PS5. My speakers are not changing.

14x12 square foot room, 77 inch LG G3 OLED TV. Setup is HDMI to AVR, using a PS5, Apple TV 4K, and LG 4K disc player. Calibrated with included audyssey microphone, set channel levels and speaker distances to my taste. Speakers are under $1,000 for the whole 7.1 setup as it stands, though I absolutely plan to invest $3000-5000 in speakers when I move and have a larger ‘home theater’ space. Currently just swapping the old X1400H for the new X6800H, no hardware or wiring changes for the near future.

Yeah the 6800 is overkill for your use-case. I recommend going with the 3800 instead, as you will still get all the bells and whistles of the 6800, but at a much lower price (and still the ability to go up to 11-channels). I wouldn't recommend going down to the 2800 or 1800 though as you will start to lose some significant features, including Audyssey XT32 and Dirac Live.

 

[shinseiRomeo]

Yeah the 6800 is overkill for your use-case. I recommend going with the 3800 instead, as you will still get all the bells and whistles of the 6800, but at a much lower price (and still the ability to go up to 11-channels). I wouldn't recommend going down to the 2800 or 1800 though as you will start to lose some significant features, including Audyssey XT32 and Dirac Live.

Thank you for your honesty.

Is it a bad idea, somewhat price irrelevant, to keep the x6800h with the prime deal? I got it for $2,300.

In the back of my mind, the x1400h I currently use works in my use case. I just don’t have the 4k/120hz/VRR support support through the AVR. Though now I have the PS5 hooked up to HDMI 1 and hdmi 2 is the input through the AVR. the 1400 does not have eArc though nothing seems off with this current setup.

 

[ban25]

Thank you for your honesty.

Is it a bad idea, somewhat price irrelevant, to keep the x6800h with the prime deal? I got it for $2,300.

In the back of my mind, the x1400h I currently use works in my use case. I just don’t have the 4k/120hz/VRR support support through the AVR. Though now I have the PS5 hooked up to HDMI 1 and hdmi 2 is the input through the AVR. the 1400 does not have eArc though nothing seems off with this current setup.

That's a good price, no shame in keeping it. Alternatively, if you want to save $1000, the X3800H is $1300 on Amazon right now. If I were you I'd probably return it because the only thing you get out of the X6800H is more channels, which you aren't using anyway.

 

[peng]

That's a good price, no shame in keeping it. Alternatively, if you want to save $1000, the X3800H is $1300 on Amazon right now. If I were you I'd probably return it because the only thing you get out of the X6800H is more channels, which you aren't using anyway.

Yeah, even better on Amazon.ca for $1499, that is about US$1050. To bad I bought the X1800H already, if not would have jumped on it momentarily.

 

[Oddball]

Unless you really want front wides, or more channels, can't imagine 6800H would be a better choice over 3800H.

 

[Newman]

the only thing you get out of the X6800H is more channels, which you aren't using anyway.

X6800H has

1. More channels
2. More power per channel
3. Better handling of low impedance speakers (because extra current capability comes with the extra power)
4. More DTS compatibility features
5. More upmixing technologies
6. More rear AV inputs options
7. More output zone options
8. Output height option

At least, according to a gear comparison list...

 

[peng]

X6800H has

1. More channels
2. More power per channel
3. Better handling of low impedance speakers (because extra current capability comes with the extra power)
4. More DTS compatibility features
5. More upmixing technologies
6. More rear AV inputs options
7. More output zone options
8. Output height option

At least, according to a gear comparison list...

Sure, but 1. (Oddball and ban25 referred to those who don't need those "more channels", 2./3., as mentioned, adding a low cost amp or 2 doesn't cost as much and you get more "power". As always, it depends on one's applications and preference, it is good that Denon provide the X6800H as an option for those who can benefit from it, given their budget.

 

[tmukh]

X6800H has

1. More channels
2. More power per channel
3. Better handling of low impedance speakers (because extra current capability comes with the extra power)
4. More DTS compatibility features
5. More upmixing technologies
6. More rear AV inputs options
7. More output zone options
8. Output height option

At least, according to a gear comparison list...

Better DAC?

 

[peng]

Better DAC?

Oh yes, to me I would get the 6800 over the 3800 regardless, it is not rational, but I like the better dac, knowing full well it won't make any audible difference to me. That's only on money no object basis, otherwise I would force myself to think the 3800 is the much better choice.

 

[shinseiRomeo]

Thank you for all of your replies. I decided to keep it. I’ve always preferred to match a new tv (LG G3 77 inch) with a new AVR. Just wired everything yesterday and over the weekend will do a full calibration with audyssey.

The setup truly holds your hand as if a person never had an AVR before. I was constantly hitting “skip skip skip skip” for all the basics.

I have it hard wired with ethernet and updated the firmware as well. Are there any pointers besides running audyssey?

Here’s two photos showing my X1400H against the new X6800H. One very disappointing thing, to me, is it looks identical to a 7 year old AVR that is 1/4 the MSRP. My setup doesn’t look any different at all. Spending the extra $1000 for an equivalent marantz is overkill though denon could at least spruce up their X….H series a little bit at this point.

 

[EWL5]

Thank you for all of your replies. I decided to keep it. I’ve always preferred to match a new tv (LG G3 77 inch) with a new AVR. Just wired everything yesterday and over the weekend will do a full calibration with audyssey.

The setup truly holds your hand as if a person never had an AVR before. I was constantly hitting “skip skip skip skip” for all the basics.

I have it hard wired with ethernet and updated the firmware as well. Are there any pointers besides running audyssey?

Here’s two photos showing my X1400H against the new X6800H. One very disappointing thing, to me, is it looks identical to a 7 year old AVR that is 1/4 the MSRP. My setup doesn’t look any different at all. Spending the extra $1000 for an equivalent marantz is overkill though denon could at least spruce up their X….H series a little bit at this point.

You had the option to spend $1k for the Cinema 30 for "fancy" but I think the money is better spent elsewhere...

Did you notice that most of the differences b/w your 2 AVRs are in the rear, which you won't be staring at most of the time?

 

[peng]

Thank you for all of your replies. I decided to keep it. I’ve always preferred to match a new tv (LG G3 77 inch) with a new AVR. Just wired everything yesterday and over the weekend will do a full calibration with audyssey.

The setup truly holds your hand as if a person never had an AVR before. I was constantly hitting “skip skip skip skip” for all the basics.

I have it hard wired with ethernet and updated the firmware as well. Are there any pointers besides running audyssey?

For what you can do with it, the $20 MultEQ editor app is well worth it so if get it and use it to run Audyssey.

 

[shinseiRomeo]

You had the option to spend $1k for the Cinema 30 for "fancy" but I think the money is better spent elsewhere...

Did you notice that most of the differences b/w your 2 AVRs are in the rear, which you won't be staring at most of the time?

Eh… was the marantz 30 ever 30% off? I got the X6800H for $2300 with the prime day deal.

From my understanding these two AVRs are identical. Just the faceplate and name are different. Is this correct?

I can say for sure the 1400 vs the 6800 are very different when it comes to weight and intervals. The 1400 is half empty and I can pick it up with one hand. The 6800 is a tank and completely stuffed inside.

 

[shinseiRomeo]

For what you can do with it, the $20 MultEQ editor app is well worth it so if get it and use it to run Audyssey.

What makes the app worth it over just running the setup mic and the remote control in the room? I’ve heard about the paid app though I don’t understand why.

 

[peng]

What makes the app worth it over just running the setup mic and the remote control in the room? I’ve heard about the paid app though I don’t understand why.

There are more things you can do, check out the website info for details:

Audyssey MultEQ Editor App | Take total control of the way your home cinema sounds | Denon

Tailor tailor the sound of your Denon home cinema to your personal preferences with the Audyssey MultEQ Editor App

www.denon.com

This app will allow you to:​

• View the speaker detection results, to check correct installation
• View before and after results of the Audyssey calibration, making it easy to identify room problems
• Edit the Audyssey target curve for each channel pair to suit your tastes
• Adjust the overall EQ frequency rolloff for each channel pair
• Switch between 2 high frequency rolloff target curves
• Enable/Disable midrange compensation to make the sound brighter or smoother
• Save and load calibration results

With the app, you can also do multiple runs, or customize multiple target curves, save it on you phone, app, or computer and try them all out at your convenience.

 

[EWL5]

Eh… was the marantz 30 ever 30% off? I got the X6800H for $2300 with the prime day deal.

From my understanding these two AVRs are identical. Just the faceplate and name are different. Is this correct?

I can say for sure the 1400 vs the 6800 are very different when it comes to weight and intervals. The 1400 is half empty and I can pick it up with one hand. The 6800 is a tank and completely stuffed inside.

Pretty much identical. $2300 is still a great deal and the only comparable mass market AVR would be the cheaper Onkyo RZ70!

 

[EWL5]

• Enable/Disable midrange compensation to make the sound brighter or smoother

I would get the $20 app for this reason alone as most speakers these days don't do well w/Audyssey's default setting!
There was a vast room response improvement when I got the app vs Audyssey alone!

 

[Oddball]

Pretty much identical. $2300 is still a great deal and the only comparable mass market AVR would be the cheaper Onkyo RZ70!

Glad to see that prices on 6800H are getting more consistent with what they should be based on pricing of 6700H couple of years ago.

 

[Zwepp]

With the prices being equal, would you go for a X6800H are a X8500H?