Denon AVR-X6500H vs Denon AVR-S940H

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X6500H vs AVR-S940H comparison chart

Denon AVR-X6500H vs Denon AVR-S940H review

Denon AVR-X6500H
vs
Denon AVR-S940H

Review of Denon AVR-X6500H versus Denon AVR-S940H will reveal the best features offered by the devices. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X6500H received 9.4 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S940H was rated 7.4 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. AVR-X6500H is better suited for home theater use than the AVR-S940H. Its sound profile is better balanced.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X6500H over Denon AVR-S940H

  • More channels, namely 11, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 140/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 90/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but AVR-X6500H has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S940H over Denon AVR-X6500H

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 10 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-X6500H
10
AVR-S940H
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X6500H supports 11.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S940H 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-X6500H this value is 140/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S940H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X6500H AVR-S940H
Channels11.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm140/8, 175/690/8, 125/6
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-X6500H 9 out of 10, and the AVR-S940H - 7.

AVR-X6500H
9
AVR-S940H
7

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-X6500H.

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-X6500H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X6500H AVR-S940H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 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, Audyssey LFC, Compressed Audio RestorerAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X6500H scored 8, and Denon AVR-S940H scored 7 out of 10.

AVR-X6500H
8
AVR-S940H
7

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

AVR-X6500H AVR-S940H
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.

AVR-X6500H AVR-S940H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, Mood MixDeezer, 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-X6500H got 10 points, but Denon AVR-S940H received 9 points.

AVR-X6500H
10
AVR-S940H
9

Denon AVR-X6500H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S940H 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 Denon AVR-X6500H.

AVR-X6500H AVR-S940H
HDMI input/output8/38/2
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/output2/12/1
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-X6500H were rated 10 out of 10 against the 6 for the AVR-S940H.

AVR-X6500H
10
AVR-S940H
6

AVR-X6500H AVR-S940H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
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 featuresHLG, BT.2020BT.2020, HLG

Additional features

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

AVR-X6500H
10
AVR-S940H
10

AVR-X6500H AVR-S940H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
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 Controlhas not

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-X6500H AVR-S940H
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppHEOS App
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X6500H got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S940H got 7.

AVR-X6500H
9
AVR-S940H
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-X6500H 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-X6500H licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X6500H AVR-S940H
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-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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