Let's make the Marantz NR1608 versus Denon AVR-X3400H comparison. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1608 received 8.3 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-X3400H was rated 8.5 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the AVR-X3400H is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
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-X3400H this value is 105/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1608 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.
NR1608 | AVR-X3400H | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 50/8, 70/6 | 105/8, 135/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.05 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the NR1608 10 out of 10, and the AVR-X3400H - 9.
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.
NR1608 | AVR-X3400H | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit | 192 KHz/24-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✔ |
Other audio features | Hi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ | Hi-Res audio, Audyssey LFC |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Marantz NR1608 scored 8, and Denon AVR-X3400H scored 7 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
NR1608 | AVR-X3400H | |
---|---|---|
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.
NR1608 | AVR-X3400H | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora,iHeart Radio, Sirius XM, Sound Cloud, Napster |
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, Marantz NR1608 got 8 points, but Denon AVR-X3400H received 9 points.
Marantz NR1608 is equipped with 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-X3400H has 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVR-X3400H has a Phono interface.
NR1608 | AVR-X3400H | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 8/1 | 8/3 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 2 |
Composite input | 3 | 3 |
Component input/output | 2/1 | 2/1 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic | USB, HDMI, 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 rivals in our comparison were rated 10 out of 10.
NR1608 | AVR-X3400H | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✔ | ✔ |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | analog to HDMI | analog to HDMI |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | HLG, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color |
In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.
NR1608 | AVR-X3400H | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android |
Display | colour OSD | fluorescent |
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 | IP 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.
NR1608 | AVR-X3400H | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | Marantz 2016 AVR Remote App, HEOS App | HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote |
RS-232 | 0 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/0 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 2 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
NR1608 | AVR-X3400H | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | has not |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✔ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | has not | has not |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✔ |