Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Yamaha RX-A870BL

If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X8500HSP vs RX-A870BL comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Yamaha RX-A870BL review

Denon AVR-X8500HSP
vs
Yamaha RX-A870BL

To get informed with the specs of the receivers, we suggest you read the Denon AVR-X8500HSP and Yamaha RX-A870BL review. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X8500HSP received 9.6 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-A870BL was rated 8.3 points. The release date of AVR-X8500HSP is 2018, and RX-A870BL is 2017. This review shows us that the AVR-X8500HSP is a better choice as a home AV receiver than the RX-A870BL.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X8500HSP over Yamaha RX-A870BL

  • More channels, namely 13, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 150/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 100/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but AVR-X8500HSP has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A870BL over Denon AVR-X8500HSP

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 10 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
RX-A870BL
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X8500HSP supports 13.2-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-A870BL 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-X8500HSP this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the RX-A870BL it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X8500HSP RX-A870BL
Channels13.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm150/8, 190/6100/8
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.06

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X8500HSP 10 out of 10, and the RX-A870BL - 8.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
RX-A870BL
8

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 AVR-X8500HSP can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X8500HSP RX-A870BL
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4490 384 KHz/32-bitBurr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32YPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audioCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT, Extra Bass

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X8500HSP scored 9, and Yamaha RX-A870BL scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
RX-A870BL
8

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

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Yamaha RX-A870BL.

AVR-X8500HSP RX-A870BL
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-X8500HSP RX-A870BL
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM

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-X8500HSP got 10 points, but Yamaha RX-A870BL received 9 points.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
RX-A870BL
9

Denon AVR-X8500HSP is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A870BL 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-X8500HSP.

AVR-X8500HSP RX-A870BL
HDMI input/output8/38/2
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 input22
Composite input41
Component input/output3/11/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, 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-X8500HSP were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the RX-A870BL.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
RX-A870BL
10

AVR-X8500HSP RX-A870BL
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 HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresBT.2020, HLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

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

AVR-X8500HSP
10
RX-A870BL
10

AVR-X8500HSP RX-A870BL
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa
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 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-X8500HSP RX-A870BL
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR RemoteMusicCast
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)21

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X8500HSP got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-A870BL got 7.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
RX-A870BL
7

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 AVR-X8500HSP has Auro-3D on its feature list.

IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. Only the AVR-X8500HSP licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X8500HSP RX-A870BL
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-EXPRESS, DTS-SurroundDTS-EXPRESS, DTS Neo:6 Cinema, DTS Neo:6 Music
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
Add another receiver to comparison
We didn't find anything to show here