Let's make the Denon AVR-X3600H versus Denon AVR-S640H comparison. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X3600H received 8.7 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S640H was rated 6.2 points. The release date of AVR-X3600H is 2019, and AVR-S640H is 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the AVR-X3600H is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X3600H supports 9.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S640H supports a 5.2-channels configuration.
RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the AVR-X3600H this value is 105/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S640H it is 75/8 W/Ohm.
AVR-X3600H | AVR-S640H | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 5.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 105/8, 135/6 | 75/8, 100/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X3600H 8 out of 10, and the AVR-S640H - 6.
Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible only on the AVR-X3600H.
Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.
Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Denon AVR-X3600H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
AVR-X3600H | AVR-S640H | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/32-bit | 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 | Audyssey MultEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFC, Compressed Audio Restorer | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X3600H scored 8, and Denon AVR-S640H scored 7 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
AVR-X3600H | AVR-S640H | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✔ | ✔ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
AVR-X3600H | AVR-S640H | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud |
The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Denon AVR-X3600H got 10 points, but Denon AVR-S640H received 6 points.
Denon AVR-X3600H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S640H has 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Denon AVR-X3600H.
The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Denon AVR-X3600H in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Denon AVR-S640H has the HDCP 2.2 version.
AVR-X3600H | AVR-S640H | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 8/3 | 5/1 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 2/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic | USB, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✔ | ✖ |
The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the AVR-X3600H were rated 9 out of 10 against the 6 for the AVR-S640H.
Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible only with Denon AVR-X3600H.
AVR-X3600H | AVR-S640H | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | ✔ |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | analog to HDMI | ✖ |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | HLG, BT.2020 | BT.2020, HLG |
In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.
AVR-X3600H | AVR-S640H | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | IP Control, Web Control | IP Control, Web Control |
As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.
AVR-X3600H | AVR-S640H | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | has not |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | has not |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | has not |
Multi-room control | HEOS App | has not |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 0 |
Denon AVR-X3600H got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S640H got 5.
Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Denon AVR-X3600H can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.
DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available only on the AVR-X3600H.
IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. Only the AVR-X3600H licensed by IMAX.
AVR-X3600H | AVR-S640H | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6 |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✔ |