Denon AVR-S960H vs Yamaha RX-A3070BL

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-S960H vs RX-A3070BL comparison chart

Denon AVR-S960H vs Yamaha RX-A3070BL review

Denon AVR-S960H
vs
Yamaha RX-A3070BL

To get informed with the specs of the receivers, we suggest you read the Denon AVR-S960H and Yamaha RX-A3070BL review. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S960H received 7.8 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-A3070BL was rated 8.7 points. The release date of AVR-S960H is 2020, and RX-A3070BL is 2017. This review shows us that the RX-A3070BL is a better choice as a home AV receiver than the AVR-S960H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S960H over Yamaha RX-A3070BL

  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A3070BL over Denon AVR-S960H

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 165/8 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 RX-A3070BL has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-S960H
7
RX-A3070BL
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-S960H supports 7.2-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-A3070BL supports a 9.2-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 RX-A3070BL this value is 165/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S960H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-S960H RX-A3070BL
Channels7.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm90/8, 125/6165/8
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.06

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-S960H 6 out of 10, and the RX-A3070BL - 8.

AVR-S960H
6
RX-A3070BL
8

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 RX-A3070BL.

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.

AVR-S960H RX-A3070BL
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AESS SABRE PRO 192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQYPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audioCompressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT, Extra Bass

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-S960H scored 10, and Yamaha RX-A3070BL scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-S960H
10
RX-A3070BL
8

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

AVR-S960H RX-A3070BL
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-S960H RX-A3070BL
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Qobuz, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Sirius XM, Napster

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-S960H got 8 points, but Yamaha RX-A3070BL received 9 points.

AVR-S960H
8
RX-A3070BL
9

Denon AVR-S960H is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A3070BL 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 only on Denon AVR-S960H.

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-S960H in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Yamaha RX-A3070BL has the HDCP 2.2 version.

AVR-S960H RX-A3070BL
HDMI input/output6/28/2
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 input23
Coaxial digital input13
Composite input24
Component input/output2/22/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, 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-S960H were rated 8 out of 10 against the 10 for the RX-A3070BL.

AVR-S960H
8
RX-A3070BL
10

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The AVR-S960H works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the RX-A3070BL has the 4K/60Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available only on Denon AVR-S960H.

AVR-S960H RX-A3070BL
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/120Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
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.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

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

AVR-S960H
10
RX-A3070BL
10

AVR-S960H RX-A3070BL
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, 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 Control, RS-232 Control, App 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-S960H RX-A3070BL
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeakerspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR RemoteMusicCast, AV Controller
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)02

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-S960H got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-A3070BL got 8.

AVR-S960H
7
RX-A3070BL
8

AVR-S960H RX-A3070BL
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS Neo:6 Cinema, DTS Neo:6 Music, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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