The Yamaha RX-V685BL versus Denon AVR-X8500HSP comparison makes clear all pros and cons of AV receivers. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V685BL received 7.4 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-X8500HSP was rated 9.6 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. Identified advantages have shown that AVR-X8500HSP is better over RX-V685BL mainly as a home theater processor.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 10, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-V685BL supports 7.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-X8500HSP supports a 13.2-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-V685BL it is 90/8 W/Ohm.
RX-V685BL | AVR-X8500HSP | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 13.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 90/8, 150/4 | 150/8, 190/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 4 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.06 | 0.05 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V685BL 9 out of 10, and the AVR-X8500HSP - 10.
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.
RX-V685BL | AVR-X8500HSP | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit | AK4490 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | YPAO | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✔ |
Other audio features | CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V685BL scored 8, and Denon AVR-X8500HSP scored 9 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
RX-V685BL | AVR-X8500HSP | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
RX-V685BL | AVR-X8500HSP | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud |
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, Yamaha RX-V685BL got 7 points, but Denon AVR-X8500HSP received 10 points.
Yamaha RX-V685BL is equipped with 5/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-X8500HSP has 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs.
RX-V685BL | AVR-X8500HSP | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 5/2 | 8/3 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 2 |
Composite input | 1 | 4 |
Component input/output | 1/0 | 3/1 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, AUX | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✖ | ✔ |
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 RX-V685BL were rated 8 out of 10 against the 9 for the AVR-X8500HSP.
RX-V685BL | AVR-X8500HSP | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | ✔ |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | ✖ | analog to HDMI |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | BT.2020, HLG | BT.2020, HLG |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V685BL got 7 points, but the AVR-X8500HSP has 10.
Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The AVR-X8500HSP can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.
RX-V685BL | AVR-X8500HSP | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✖ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | IP Control, Web Control |
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.
RX-V685BL | AVR-X8500HSP | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | MusicCast | HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote |
RS-232 | 0 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 2 |
Yamaha RX-V685BL got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-X8500HSP got 9.
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. 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. The AVR-X8500HSP licensed by IMAX.
RX-V685BL | AVR-X8500HSP | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6 | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✔ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |