Yamaha RX-V385BL vs Denon AVR-S930H

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

RX-V385BL vs AVR-S930H comparison chart

Yamaha RX-V385BL vs Denon AVR-S930H review

Yamaha RX-V385BL
vs
Denon AVR-S930H

Being able to compare Yamaha RX-V385BL and Denon AVR-S930H gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V385BL received 4.7 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S930H was rated 7.8 points. The release date of RX-V385BL is 2018, and AVR-S930H is 2017. AVR-S930H is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the RX-V385BL.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V385BL over Denon AVR-S930H

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S930H over Yamaha RX-V385BL

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 90/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, AVR-S930H bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

RX-V385BL
6
AVR-S930H
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-V385BL supports 5.1-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S930H 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-S930H this value is 90/8 W/Ohm, and for the RX-V385BL it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

RX-V385BL AVR-S930H
Channels5.17.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 145/690/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V385BL 5 out of 10, and the AVR-S930H - 6.

RX-V385BL
5
AVR-S930H
6

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Denon AVR-S930H has Pure Direct mode.

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.

RX-V385BL AVR-S930H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONTHi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Dynamic Volume

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V385BL scored 6, and Denon AVR-S930H scored 8 out of 10.

RX-V385BL
6
AVR-S930H
8

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Denon AVR-S930H.

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

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Denon AVR-S930H.

RX-V385BL AVR-S930H
Wi-Fi
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.

RX-V385BL AVR-S930H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora,iHeart Radio, Sirius XM, Sound Cloud, Napster

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, Yamaha RX-V385BL got 7 points, but Denon AVR-S930H received 8 points.

RX-V385BL
7
AVR-S930H
8

Yamaha RX-V385BL is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S930H has 8/2 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 Yamaha RX-V385BL.

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 Yamaha RX-V385BL in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Denon AVR-S930H has the HDCP 2.2 version.

RX-V385BL AVR-S930H
HDMI input/output4/18/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)12
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input22
Component input/output0/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, AUXUSB, 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 rivals in our comparison were rated 9 out of 10.

RX-V385BL
9
AVR-S930H
9

RX-V385BL AVR-S930H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
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 conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V385BL got 5 points, but the AVR-S930H has 10.

RX-V385BL
5
AVR-S930H
10

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The AVR-S930H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.

RX-V385BL AVR-S930H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, Mac, Android
Displaycolour OSDfluorescent
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featureshas notIP 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.

RX-V385BL AVR-S930H
Multi-room zoneshas not2
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

Yamaha RX-V385BL got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S930H got 7.

RX-V385BL
5
AVR-S930H
7

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-S930H 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 on the AVR-S930H.

RX-V385BL AVR-S930H
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 96/24, DTS-EXPRESShas not
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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