Denon AVR-S960H vs Marantz SR8015

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Rating 5 5

AVR-S960H vs SR8015 comparison chart

Denon AVR-S960H vs Marantz SR8015 review

Denon AVR-S960H
vs
Marantz SR8015

Being able to compare Denon AVR-S960H and Marantz SR8015 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S960H received 7.8 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz SR8015 was rated 9.8 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2020. SR8015 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the AVR-S960H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S960H over Marantz SR8015

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Marantz SR8015 over Denon AVR-S960H

  • 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 SR8015 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Amplifiers

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

AVR-S960H
7
SR8015
10

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-S960H supports 7.2-channels sound, but Marantz SR8015 supports a 11.2-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 SR8015 this value is 140/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S960H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-S960H SR8015
Channels7.211.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm90/8, 125/6140/8, 175/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.05

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-S960H 6 out of 10, and the SR8015 - 9.

AVR-S960H
6
SR8015
9

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 on the SR8015.

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. Marantz SR8015 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-S960H SR8015
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AN/A
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQAudyssey MultEQ XT32
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audioAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LF, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 10 out of 10.

AVR-S960H
10
SR8015
10

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

AVR-S960H SR8015
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
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-S960H SR8015
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Qobuz, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud

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-S960H got 8 points, but Marantz SR8015 received 10 points.

AVR-S960H
8
SR8015
10

Denon AVR-S960H is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz SR8015 has 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs.

AVR-S960H SR8015
HDMI input/output6/28/3
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input12
Composite input25
Component input/output2/23/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX
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-S960H were rated 8 out of 10 against the 10 for the SR8015.

AVR-S960H
8
SR8015
10

AVR-S960H SR8015
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/120Hz4K/120Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz8K/60Hz
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.2020HLG, BT.2020, Dynamic HDR

Additional features

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

AVR-S960H
10
SR8015
10

AVR-S960H SR8015
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, 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 Control, RS-232 Control, App ControlIP Control, Web Control, RS-232 Control, App 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-S960H SR8015
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeakerspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR RemoteMarantz 2016 AVR Remote, HEOS App
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)02

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-S960H got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz SR8015 got 10.

AVR-S960H
7
SR8015
10

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. Marantz SR8015 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. The SR8015 licensed by IMAX.

AVR-S960H SR8015
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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