Denon AVR-X2600H vs Denon AVR-S970H

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Votes 2 2
Rating 3 3

AVR-X2600H vs AVR-S970H comparison chart

Denon AVR-X2600H vs Denon AVR-S970H review

Denon AVR-X2600H
vs
Denon AVR-S970H

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Denon AVR-X2600H and Denon AVR-S970H takes place. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X2600H received 8.1 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S970H was rated 8.3 points. The release date of AVR-X2600H is 2019, and AVR-S970H is 2022. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that AVR-S970H has better performance than AVR-X2600H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X2600H over Denon AVR-S970H

  • 95/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 90/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S970H over Denon AVR-X2600H

  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.

AVR-X2600H
7
AVR-S970H
7

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-X2600H this value is 95/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S970H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X2600H AVR-S970H
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm95/8, 125/690/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X2600H 9 out of 10, and the AVR-S970H - 8.

AVR-X2600H
9
AVR-S970H
8

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.

AVR-X2600H AVR-S970H
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 LFCAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey Dynamic LFC, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.

AVR-X2600H
8
AVR-S970H
8

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

AVR-X2600H AVR-S970H
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)2 (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-X2600H AVR-S970H
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, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix

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, both receivers got 8 points on our 10-point scale.

AVR-X2600H
8
AVR-S970H
8

Denon AVR-X2600H is equipped with 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S970H has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

AVR-X2600H AVR-S970H
HDMI input/output8/26/2
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 input11
Composite input20
Component input/output2/10/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, 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 10 out of 10.

AVR-X2600H
10
AVR-S970H
10

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-X2600H works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the AVR-S970H 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-S970H.

AVR-X2600H AVR-S970H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10+
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/120Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLG, BT.2020x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

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

AVR-X2600H
10
AVR-S970H
10

AVR-X2600H AVR-S970H
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, App Control, RS232 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-X2600H AVR-S970H
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeakerspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 8 points out of 10.

AVR-X2600H
8
AVR-S970H
8

AVR-X2600H AVR-S970H
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-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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