Marantz SR8012 vs Denon AVR-S950H

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Rating 5 5

SR8012 vs AVR-S950H comparison chart

Marantz SR8012 vs Denon AVR-S950H review

Marantz SR8012
vs
Denon AVR-S950H

An overview of Marantz SR8012 and Denon AVR-S950H will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Marantz SR8012 received 9.5 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S950H was rated 7.3 points. The release date of SR8012 is 2017, and AVR-S950H is 2019. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that AVR-S950H is inferior in audio processing features to SR8012.

Main advantages Marantz SR8012 over Denon AVR-S950H

  • More channels, namely 11, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 140/8 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 SR8012 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S950H over Marantz SR8012

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

SR8012
10
AVR-S950H
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz SR8012 supports 11.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S950H 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 SR8012 this value is 140/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S950H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

SR8012 AVR-S950H
Channels11.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm140/8, 175/690/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the SR8012 10 out of 10, and the AVR-S950H - 6.

SR8012
10
AVR-S950H
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 SR8012.

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 SR8012 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

SR8012 AVR-S950H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/32-bitAKM 192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32Audyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audioAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Marantz SR8012 scored 8, and Denon AVR-S950H scored 7 out of 10.

SR8012
8
AVR-S950H
7

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

SR8012 AVR-S950H
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.

SR8012 AVR-S950H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, Mood Mix

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 SR8012 got 10 points, but Denon AVR-S950H received 8 points.

SR8012
10
AVR-S950H
8

Marantz SR8012 is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S950H has 8/2 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 SR8012 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Denon AVR-S950H has the HDCP 2.3 version.

SR8012 AVR-S950H
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 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input42
Component input/output3/12/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, HDMI, 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 SR8012 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 8 for the AVR-S950H.

SR8012
9
AVR-S950H
8

SR8012 AVR-S950H
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 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.

SR8012
10
AVR-S950H
10

SR8012 AVR-S950H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
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

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.

SR8012 AVR-S950H
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMarantz AVR Remote App, HEOS AppHEOS App
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

Marantz SR8012 got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S950H got 7.

SR8012
10
AVR-S950H
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 Marantz SR8012 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 SR8012 licensed by IMAX.

SR8012 AVR-S950H
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-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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