Denon AVRX4400H vs Denon AVR-S540BT

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVRX4400H vs AVR-S540BT comparison chart

Denon AVRX4400H vs Denon AVR-S540BT review

Denon AVRX4400H
vs
Denon AVR-S540BT

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Denon AVRX4400H and Denon AVR-S540BT takes place. According to the results of our review, Denon AVRX4400H received 9.2 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S540BT was rated 5.5 points. The release date of AVRX4400H is 2017, and AVR-S540BT is 2018. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that AVRX4400H has better performance than AVR-S540BT.

Main advantages Denon AVRX4400H over Denon AVR-S540BT

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 125/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 3 multi-room zones support, AVRX4400H bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S540BT over Denon AVRX4400H

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVRX4400H
9
AVR-S540BT
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVRX4400H supports 9.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S540BT supports a 5.2-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 AVRX4400H this value is 125/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S540BT it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

AVRX4400H AVR-S540BT
Channels9.25.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm125/8, 165/670/8, 90/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVRX4400H 9 out of 10, and the AVR-S540BT - 6.

AVRX4400H
9
AVR-S540BT
6

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible only on the AVRX4400H.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Denon AVRX4400H has Pure Direct mode.

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 AVRX4400H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVRX4400H AVR-S540BT
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bit192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32Audyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresHi-Res audioCompressed Audio Restorer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVRX4400H scored 7, and Denon AVR-S540BT scored 5 out of 10.

AVRX4400H
7
AVR-S540BT
5

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible only on the Denon AVRX4400H.

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

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the AVRX4400H only.

AVRX4400H AVR-S540BT
Wi-Fi
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)1
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.

AVRX4400H AVR-S540BT
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora,iHeart Radio, Sirius XM, Sound Cloud, NapsterTIDAL, Pandora

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 AVRX4400H got 10 points, but Denon AVR-S540BT received 6 points.

AVRX4400H
10
AVR-S540BT
6

Denon AVRX4400H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S540BT has 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Denon AVRX4400H.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVRX4400H has a Phono interface.

AVRX4400H AVR-S540BT
HDMI input/output8/35/1
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 input21
Composite input42
Component input/output2/10/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, 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 the AVRX4400H were rated 10 out of 10 against the 6 for the AVR-S540BT.

AVRX4400H
10
AVR-S540BT
6

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible only with Denon AVRX4400H.

AVRX4400H AVR-S540BT
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
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 featuresDeepColor, x.v.ColorHLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVRX4400H got 10 points, but the AVR-S540BT has 8.

AVRX4400H
10
AVR-S540BT
8

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 AVRX4400H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.

AVRX4400H AVR-S540BT
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, Mac, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
Displayfluorescentcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBUSB
Other additional featuresIP 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.

AVRX4400H AVR-S540BT
Multi-room zones3has not
Zone audio outputspeaker, preouthas not
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remotehas not
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

Denon AVRX4400H got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S540BT got 5.

AVRX4400H
9
AVR-S540BT
5

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Denon AVRX4400H can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available only on the AVRX4400H.

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 AVRX4400H has Auro-3D on its feature list.

AVRX4400H AVR-S540BT
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)has notDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)has notDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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