Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Denon AVR-S740H

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X8500HSP vs AVR-S740H comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Denon AVR-S740H review

Denon AVR-X8500HSP
vs
Denon AVR-S740H

To get informed with the specs of the receivers, we suggest you read the Denon AVR-X8500HSP and Denon AVR-S740H review. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X8500HSP received 9.6 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S740H was rated 7.1 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. This review shows us that the AVR-X8500HSP is a better choice as a home AV receiver than the AVR-S740H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X8500HSP over Denon AVR-S740H

  • More channels, namely 13, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 150/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 75/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but AVR-X8500HSP has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S740H over Denon AVR-X8500HSP

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 10 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
AVR-S740H
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X8500HSP supports 13.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S740H supports a 7.2-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-X8500HSP this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S740H it is 75/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X8500HSP AVR-S740H
Channels13.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm150/8, 190/675/8, 110/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X8500HSP 10 out of 10, and the AVR-S740H - 6.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
AVR-S740H
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-X8500HSP.

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-X8500HSP can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X8500HSP AVR-S740H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4490 384 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32Audyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audioAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X8500HSP scored 9, and Denon AVR-S740H scored 7 out of 10.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
AVR-S740H
7

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

AVR-X8500HSP AVR-S740H
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)11
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

AVR-X8500HSP AVR-S740H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud

Extensive connections

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-X8500HSP got 10 points, but Denon AVR-S740H received 6 points.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
AVR-S740H
6

Denon AVR-X8500HSP is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S740H has 6/1 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-X8500HSP.

AVR-X8500HSP AVR-S740H
HDMI input/output8/36/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input42
Component input/output3/10/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic
Multi channel preamp output

Video features

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-X8500HSP were rated 9 out of 10 against the 6 for the AVR-S740H.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
AVR-S740H
6

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-X8500HSP.

AVR-X8500HSP AVR-S740H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresBT.2020, HLGBT.2020, HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
AVR-S740H
10

AVR-X8500HSP AVR-S740H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featuresIP Control, Web ControlIP Control, Web Control

Multi-room

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-X8500HSP AVR-S740H
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR RemoteHEOS App
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X8500HSP got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S740H got 7.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
AVR-S740H
7

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Only the Denon AVR-X8500HSP has Auro-3D on its feature list.

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-X8500HSP licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X8500HSP AVR-S740H
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-SurroundDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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