Denon HEOS AVR vs Denon AVR-S950H

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An overview of Denon HEOS AVR and Denon AVR-S950H will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Denon HEOS AVR received 4.8 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S950H was rated 7.3 points. The release date of HEOS AVR is 2017, and AVR-S950H is 2019. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that HEOS AVR is inferior in audio processing features to AVR-S950H.

Main advantages Denon HEOS AVR over Denon AVR-S950H

Main advantages Denon AVR-S950H over Denon HEOS AVR

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon HEOS AVR supports 5.1-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S950H 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-S950H this value is 90/8 W/Ohm, and for the HEOS AVR it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the HEOS AVR 5 out of 10, and the AVR-S950H - 6.

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.

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 7 out of 10.

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

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

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 HEOS AVR got 5 points, but Denon AVR-S950H received 8 points.

Denon HEOS AVR is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S950H has 8/2 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 on Denon AVR-S950H.

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 HEOS AVR in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Denon AVR-S950H 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 AVR-S950H has a Phono interface.

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 HEOS AVR were rated 5 out of 10 against the 8 for the AVR-S950H.

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 on the Denon AVR-S950H.

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 with Denon AVR-S950H.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the HEOS AVR got 4 points, but the AVR-S950H has 10.

Denon AVR-S950H has the ECO mode.

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.

Multichannel surround

Denon HEOS AVR got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S950H got 7.

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 AVR-S950H 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 on the AVR-S950H.