Denon AVR-S650H vs Marantz NR1608

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-S650H vs NR1608 comparison chart

Denon AVR-S650H vs Marantz NR1608 review

Denon AVR-S650H
vs
Marantz NR1608

The Denon AVR-S650H vs Marantz NR1608 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S650H received 6.2 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1608 was rated 8.3 points. The release date of AVR-S650H is 2019, and NR1608 is 2017. NR1608 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - AVR-S650H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S650H over Marantz NR1608

  • 75/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 50/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Marantz NR1608 over Denon AVR-S650H

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, NR1608 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 6 points out of 10.

AVR-S650H
6
NR1608
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-S650H supports 5.2-channels sound, but Marantz NR1608 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-S650H this value is 75/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1608 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-S650H NR1608
Channels5.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm75/8, 100/650/8, 70/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.05

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-S650H 6 out of 10, and the NR1608 - 10.

AVR-S650H
6
NR1608
10

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 on the NR1608.

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. Marantz NR1608 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-S650H NR1608
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AKM 192 KHz/32-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audioHi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-S650H scored 7, and Marantz NR1608 scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-S650H
7
NR1608
8

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

AVR-S650H NR1608
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-S650H NR1608
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, Mood MixDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud

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-S650H got 7 points, but Marantz NR1608 received 8 points.

AVR-S650H
7
NR1608
8

Denon AVR-S650H is equipped with 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1608 has 8/1 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 AVR-S650H.

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 AVR-S650H in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Marantz NR1608 has the HDCP 2.2 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-S650H has a Phono interface.

AVR-S650H NR1608
HDMI input/output5/18/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input23
Component input/output0/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, HDMI, 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 AVR-S650H were rated 6 out of 10 against the 10 for the NR1608.

AVR-S650H
6
NR1608
10

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 Marantz NR1608.

AVR-S650H NR1608
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.2020HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.

AVR-S650H
10
NR1608
10

AVR-S650H NR1608
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon 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 ControlIP Control

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-S650H NR1608
Multi-room zoneshas not2
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notMarantz 2016 AVR Remote App, HEOS App
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/0
DC trigger output (12V)01

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-S650H got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz NR1608 got 7.

AVR-S650H
5
NR1608
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. Marantz NR1608 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 NR1608.

AVR-S650H NR1608
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-EXPRESShas not
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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