Denon AVR-X3800H vs Denon AVR-S970H

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Votes 11 11
Rating 4.5 4.5

AVR-X3800H vs AVR-S970H comparison chart

Denon AVR-X3800H vs Denon AVR-S970H review

Denon AVR-X3800H
vs
Denon AVR-S970H

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Denon AVR-X3800H and Denon AVR-S970H takes place. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X3800H received 8.8 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S970H was rated 8.3 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2022. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that AVR-X3800H has better performance than AVR-S970H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X3800H over Denon AVR-S970H

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 105/8 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-X3800H

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-X3800H
8
AVR-S970H
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X3800H supports 9.4-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S970H 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-X3800H this value is 105/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S970H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X3800H AVR-S970H
Channels9.47.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm105/8, 135/690/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

The score for audio features is 8 of 10 for both receivers.

AVR-X3800H
8
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-X3800H AVR-S970H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey Dynamic LFC, Dirac Live Suppot, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audioAudyssey 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-X3800H
8
AVR-S970H
8

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

AVR-X3800H AVR-S970H
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
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-X3800H AVR-S970H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, 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-X3800H
8
AVR-S970H
8

Denon AVR-X3800H is equipped with 6/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S970H has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

AVR-X3800H AVR-S970H
HDMI input/output6/36/2
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)42
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input00
Component input/output0/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, 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-X3800H
10
AVR-S970H
10

AVR-X3800H AVR-S970H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10+HDR10+
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 HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSyncx.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-X3800H
10
AVR-S970H
10

AVR-X3800H AVR-S970H
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, App Control, RS232 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-X3800H AVR-S970H
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR RemoteHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)10

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X3800H got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S970H got 8.

AVR-X3800H
10
AVR-S970H
8

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-X3800H 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-X3800H licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X3800H 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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