Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Onkyo TX-RZ820 and Denon AVR-S540BT takes place. According to the results of our review, Onkyo TX-RZ820 received 7.7 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S540BT was rated 5.5 points. The release date of TX-RZ820 is 2017, and AVR-S540BT is 2018. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that TX-RZ820 has better performance than AVR-S540BT.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Onkyo TX-RZ820 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S540BT supports a 5.2-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 TX-RZ820 this value is 160/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S540BT it is 70/8 W/Ohm.
TX-RZ820 | AVR-S540BT | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 5.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 160/8 | 70/8, 90/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 5Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the TX-RZ820 8 out of 10, and the AVR-S540BT - 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 TX-RZ820.
Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Onkyo TX-RZ820 has Pure Direct mode.
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.
TX-RZ820 | AVR-S540BT | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit | 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✖ |
Auto speaker calibration | AccuEQ | Audyssey MultEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | has not | Compressed Audio Restorer |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Onkyo TX-RZ820 scored 8, and Denon AVR-S540BT scored 5 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the TX-RZ820 only.
TX-RZ820 | AVR-S540BT | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | ✖ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | ✖ |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
TX-RZ820 | AVR-S540BT | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | ✖ |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL | TIDAL, Pandora |
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, Onkyo TX-RZ820 got 8 points, but Denon AVR-S540BT received 6 points.
Onkyo TX-RZ820 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S540BT has 5/1 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 TX-RZ820 has a Phono interface.
TX-RZ820 | AVR-S540BT | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/2 | 5/1 |
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 | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 2/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | HDMI, phones, setup mic | USB, 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 TX-RZ820 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 6 for the AVR-S540BT.
TX-RZ820 | AVR-S540BT | |
---|---|---|
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 scaling | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | HLG, BT.2020 | HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 8 out of 10.
TX-RZ820 | AVR-S540BT | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | ✖ |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle |
Display | fluorescent | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | USB |
Other additional features | IP Control | has not |
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.
TX-RZ820 | AVR-S540BT | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | has not |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | has not |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | has not |
Multi-room control | FlareConnect | has not |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/0 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 0 |
Onkyo TX-RZ820 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S540BT 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. Onkyo TX-RZ820 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 TX-RZ820.
TX-RZ820 | AVR-S540BT | |
---|---|---|
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) | has not | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |