Marantz SR6012 vs Denon AVR-S960H

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SR6012 vs AVR-S960H comparison chart

Marantz SR6012 vs Denon AVR-S960H review

Marantz SR6012
vs
Denon AVR-S960H

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Marantz SR6012 and Denon AVR-S960H takes place. According to the results of our review, Marantz SR6012 received 8.6 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S960H was rated 7.8 points. The release date of SR6012 is 2017, and AVR-S960H is 2020. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that SR6012 has better performance than AVR-S960H.

Main advantages Marantz SR6012 over Denon AVR-S960H

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 110/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 90/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S960H over Marantz SR6012

  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

SR6012
8
AVR-S960H
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz SR6012 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S960H 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 SR6012 this value is 110/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S960H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

SR6012 AVR-S960H
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm110/8, 150/690/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the SR6012 9 out of 10, and the AVR-S960H - 6.

SR6012
9
AVR-S960H
6

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 only on the SR6012.

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 SR6012 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

SR6012 AVR-S960H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/32-bitN/A
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32Audyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Audyssey LFC, Hi-Res audioAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Marantz SR6012 scored 8, and Denon AVR-S960H scored 10 out of 10.

SR6012
8
AVR-S960H
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.

SR6012 AVR-S960H
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
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.

SR6012 AVR-S960H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Qobuz, TuneIn Radio

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, Marantz SR6012 got 10 points, but Denon AVR-S960H received 8 points.

SR6012
10
AVR-S960H
8

Marantz SR6012 is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S960H has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

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 Marantz SR6012 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Denon AVR-S960H has the HDCP 2.3 version.

SR6012 AVR-S960H
HDMI input/output8/36/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input32
Component input/output2/12/2
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, 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 SR6012 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 8 for the AVR-S960H.

SR6012
9
AVR-S960H
8

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 SR6012 works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the AVR-S960H has the 4K/120Hz.

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 on Denon AVR-S960H.

SR6012 AVR-S960H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/120Hz
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 featuresBT.2020, HLGHLG, BT.2020

Additional features

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

SR6012
10
AVR-S960H
10

SR6012 AVR-S960H
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 ControlIP Control, Web Control, RS-232 Control, App 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.

SR6012 AVR-S960H
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMarantz AVR Remote AppHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)10

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.

SR6012
7
AVR-S960H
7

SR6012 AVR-S960H
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-SurroundDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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