Denon AVR-X8500H vs Yamaha RX-V685BL

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X8500H vs RX-V685BL comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500H vs Yamaha RX-V685BL review

Denon AVR-X8500H
vs
Yamaha RX-V685BL

The Denon AVR-X8500H versus Yamaha RX-V685BL comparison makes clear all pros and cons of AV receivers. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X8500H received 9.5 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-V685BL was rated 7.4 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. Identified advantages have shown that AVR-X8500H is better over RX-V685BL mainly as a home theater processor.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X8500H over Yamaha RX-V685BL

  • More channels, namely 13, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 150/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 90/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but AVR-X8500H has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V685BL over Denon AVR-X8500H

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

AVR-X8500H
10
RX-V685BL
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X8500H supports 13.2-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-V685BL 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-X8500H this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the RX-V685BL it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X8500H RX-V685BL
Channels13.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm150/8, 250/690/8, 150/4
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 4
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.06

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X8500H 10 out of 10, and the RX-V685BL - 9.

AVR-X8500H
10
RX-V685BL
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.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Denon AVR-X8500H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X8500H RX-V685BL
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4490EQ 768 KHz/32-bitBurr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32YPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFCCINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT

Connectivity

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

AVR-X8500H
8
RX-V685BL
8

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-X8500H.

AVR-X8500H RX-V685BL
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (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-X8500H RX-V685BL
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloudhas not

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, Denon AVR-X8500H got 10 points, but Yamaha RX-V685BL received 7 points.

AVR-X8500H
10
RX-V685BL
7

Denon AVR-X8500H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-V685BL has 5/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

AVR-X8500H RX-V685BL
HDMI input/output8/35/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input22
Composite input41
Component input/output3/11/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, phones, AUX
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 the AVR-X8500H were rated 9 out of 10 against the 8 for the RX-V685BL.

AVR-X8500H
9
RX-V685BL
8

AVR-X8500H RX-V685BL
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLG, BT.2020BT.2020, HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-X8500H got 10 points, but the RX-V685BL has 7.

AVR-X8500H
10
RX-V685BL
7

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 AVR-X8500H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.

AVR-X8500H RX-V685BL
Voice controlAmazon 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 Controlhas not

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-X8500H RX-V685BL
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppMusicCast
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)21

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X8500H got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-V685BL got 7.

AVR-X8500H
10
RX-V685BL
7

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-X8500H 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-X8500H licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X8500H RX-V685BL
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-SurroundDTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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