Denon AVR-S960H vs Yamaha RX-V485

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An overview of Denon AVR-S960H and Yamaha RX-V485 will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S960H received 7.8 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-V485 was rated 7.4 points. The release date of AVR-S960H is 2020, and RX-V485 is 2018. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that RX-V485 is inferior in audio processing features to AVR-S960H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S960H over Yamaha RX-V485

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V485 over Denon AVR-S960H

Amplifiers

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

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-V485 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 AVR-S960H this value is 90/8 W/Ohm, and for the RX-V485 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-S960H 6 out of 10, and the RX-V485 - 9.

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-V485.

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 markedly different, Denon AVR-S960H scored 10, and Yamaha RX-V485 scored 7 out of 10.

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 Denon AVR-S960H.

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, both receivers got 8 points on our 10-point scale.

Denon AVR-S960H is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-V485 has 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVR-S960H 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 AVR-S960H were rated 8 out of 10 against the 9 for the RX-V485.

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-V485 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.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-S960H got 10 points, but the RX-V485 has 9.

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 AVR-S960H got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-V485 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 AVR-S960H 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 AVR-S960H.