Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Denon AVR-X1600H and Denon AVR-S960H takes place. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X1600H received 7.6 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S960H was rated 7.8 points. The release date of AVR-X1600H is 2019, and AVR-S960H is 2020. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that AVR-S960H has better performance than AVR-X1600H.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 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-S960H this value is 90/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-X1600H it is 80/8 W/Ohm.
AVR-X1600H | AVR-S960H | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 80/8, 120/6 | 90/8, 125/6 |
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-X1600H 10 out of 10, and the AVR-S960H - 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-X1600H.
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-X1600H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
AVR-X1600H | AVR-S960H | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 384 KHz/32-bit | N/A |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ XT | Audyssey MultEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X1600H scored 8, and Denon AVR-S960H scored 10 out of 10.
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-S960H.
AVR-X1600H | AVR-S960H | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✔ | 2.4/5GHz |
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-X1600H | AVR-S960H | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Mood Mix | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Qobuz, TuneIn Radio |
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, both receivers got 8 points on our 10-point scale.
Denon AVR-X1600H is equipped with 6/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S960H has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
AVR-X1600H | AVR-S960H | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 6/1 | 6/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 2/2 |
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-X1600H were rated 6 out of 10 against the 8 for the AVR-S960H.
With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The AVR-X1600H works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the AVR-S960H has the 4K/120Hz.
The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Denon AVR-S960H.
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 with Denon AVR-S960H.
AVR-X1600H | AVR-S960H | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | 8K/60Hz |
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 features | HLG, BT.2020 | HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.
AVR-X1600H | AVR-S960H | |
---|---|---|
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, RS-232 Control, App 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-X1600H | AVR-S960H | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | HEOS App | HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
AVR-X1600H | AVR-S960H | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Dolby 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-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✔ |