Let's compare Denon AVRX4400H versus Yamaha RX-V385BL for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Denon AVRX4400H received 9.2 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-V385BL was rated 4.7 points. The release date of AVRX4400H is 2017, and RX-V385BL is 2018. And as a result of the comparison, AVRX4400H seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than RX-V385BL.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVRX4400H supports 9.2-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-V385BL 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 AVRX4400H this value is 125/8 W/Ohm, and for the RX-V385BL it is 70/8 W/Ohm.
AVRX4400H | RX-V385BL | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 5.1 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 125/8, 165/6 | 70/8, 145/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.05 | 0.09 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVRX4400H 9 out of 10, and the RX-V385BL - 5.
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 | RX-V385BL | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/24-bit | Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✖ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 | ✖ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Hi-Res audio | CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVRX4400H scored 7, and Yamaha RX-V385BL scored 6 out of 10.
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.
AVRX4400H | RX-V385BL | |
---|---|---|
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.
AVRX4400H | RX-V385BL | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | ✖ |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✖ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora,iHeart Radio, Sirius XM, Sound Cloud, Napster | has not |
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 Yamaha RX-V385BL received 7 points.
Denon AVRX4400H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-V385BL has 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Denon AVRX4400H in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Yamaha RX-V385BL has the HDCP 2.3 version.
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 | RX-V385BL | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 8/3 | 4/1 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 1 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 2 |
Composite input | 4 | 2 |
Component input/output | 2/1 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX | USB, phones, AUX |
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 AVRX4400H were rated 10 out of 10 against the 9 for the RX-V385BL.
AVRX4400H | RX-V385BL | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✔ | HDR10 |
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 scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color | HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVRX4400H got 10 points, but the RX-V385BL has 5.
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 | RX-V385BL | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | ✖ |
App control | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android | ✖ |
Display | fluorescent | colour OSD |
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 | 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.
AVRX4400H | RX-V385BL | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | has not |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | has not |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | has not |
Multi-room control | HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote | has not |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 0 |
Denon AVRX4400H got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-V385BL got 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 | RX-V385BL | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | has not | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | has not | DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✔ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✖ |