Let's compare Denon AVR-X540BT versus Denon HEOS AVR for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X540BT received 5.3 points out of 10 possible, and Denon HEOS AVR was rated 4.8 points. The release date of AVR-X540BT is 2018, and HEOS AVR is 2017. And as a result of the comparison, AVR-X540BT seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than HEOS AVR.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 6 points out of 10.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X540BT supports 5.2-channels sound, but Denon HEOS AVR supports a 5.1-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-X540BT this value is 70/8 W/Ohm, and for the HEOS AVR it is 50/8 W/Ohm.
AVR-X540BT | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 5.2 | 5.1 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 70/8, 90/6 | 50/8, 65/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.05 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X540BT 6 out of 10, and the HEOS AVR - 5.
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-X540BT | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/24-bit | N/A |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ | ✖ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Compressed Audio Restorer | has not |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X540BT scored 6, and Denon HEOS AVR scored 7 out of 10.
Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Denon HEOS AVR.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
AVR-X540BT | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✖ | ✔ |
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-X540BT | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | ✖ |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | TIDAL, Pandora | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud |
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-X540BT got 6 points, but Denon HEOS AVR received 5 points.
Denon AVR-X540BT is equipped with 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon HEOS AVR has 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
AVR-X540BT | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 5/1 | 4/1 |
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 | 1 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 0 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | 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-X540BT were rated 6 out of 10 against the 5 for the HEOS AVR.
HDR pass-through gives you the possibility to broadcast HDR content directly from source to TV without the processing of the receiver. HDR support is available only on the Denon AVR-X540BT.
AVR-X540BT | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
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 scaling | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✖ |
Other video features | has not | has not |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-X540BT got 8 points, but the HEOS AVR has 4.
Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The HEOS AVR can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. Only the Denon AVR-X540BT has the ECO mode.
AVR-X540BT | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | ✖ |
Tuner | AM, FM | ✖ |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✖ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✖ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✖ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✖ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | has not |
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-X540BT | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | has not | has not |
Zone audio output | has not | has not |
Zone HDMI output | has not | has not |
Multi-room control | has not | HEOS App |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 1/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 5 points out of 10.
AVR-X540BT | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic | Dolby Pro Logic |
DTS:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6 | has not |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✔ |