Denon AVR-S970H 7.2 Channel AV Receiver Review

Whether you’re building a home theater, upgrading your living room entertainment, or refining your audio setup for music streaming, the Denon AVR-S970H 7.2 Channel AV Receiver brings the full force of modern tech—including 8K video, Dolby Atmos, and gaming-friendly features—into a single powerful unit. In this review, we’ll delve deep into the S970H’s technical specifications, performance metrics, customer impressions, and practical advantages to help you determine if this is the right AV receiver for your home.

Key Features and Specifications

The Denon AVR-S970H is packed with future-proof technology to accommodate a wide variety of use cases—from hardcore gaming to high-resolution music streaming to fully immersive surround sound movie nights.

Core Technical Specifications

Feature	Details
Audio Output Channels	7.2
Power Output	90W per channel (2ch driven)
HDMI Ports	6 In / 2 Out
8K Support	Yes (3 HDMI inputs support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz)
HDR Formats	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Audio Decoding	Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HEOS Built-in
Voice Control	Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri
Streaming Services	Spotify, Pandora, TIDAL, TuneIn, Amazon Music HD
Room Calibration	Audyssey MultEQ Room Correction
Setup Assistant	Yes – On-Screen HD GUI
Dimensions	17.1″ x 13.3″ x 6.6″
Weight	Approx. 21 lbs

Gaming-Oriented Features

Feature	Description
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)	Reduces frame tearing for smoother gameplay
Quick Frame Transport (QFT)	Minimizes lag and latency
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)	Automatically switches to low-lag mode for gaming

This receiver isn’t just about sound and vision—it’s engineered to anticipate and accommodate modern use cases like next-gen console gaming and 8K TV integration.

Performance

Audio Performance

The AVR-S970H delivers an immersive and clean audio experience across a wide frequency range. In a 7.2 or 5.2.2 setup, the presence of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X brings spatial realism to movies and games alike. You can distinctly hear sound elements move across a three-dimensional sound field—whether it’s helicopters swooping overhead in an action movie or footsteps behind you in a horror game.

Bass output is particularly satisfying when using the dual subwoofer support. You get deep, punchy lows without boominess, and they blend well with mids and highs. Music playback via streaming services (especially high-resolution content from TIDAL or Amazon Music HD) also maintains clarity and dynamic range.

Audyssey’s MultEQ calibration does an admirable job balancing the sound across your room, taking into account speaker placement and room acoustics. This means you won’t need to tinker endlessly with manual EQ settings.

Video Quality

This receiver is built for 8K, and it handles 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through with zero visible degradation. Upscaling from lower resolutions to 8K via the three dedicated HDMI inputs is seamless, making older content appear sharper and cleaner on your latest display.

The support for HDR formats—including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision—ensures the color accuracy and contrast of your content match the capabilities of your screen. Whether it’s a brightly lit documentary or a shadowy thriller, video performance is visually stunning.

Gaming Experience

For gamers, the AVR-S970H offers a fluid and responsive experience. Latency is virtually nonexistent with ALLM enabled, while VRR and QFT features ensure smooth frame transitions and reduced lag. Tested with consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, this receiver never misses a beat, keeping pace with the demands of next-gen gaming.

Customer Feedback

The AVR-S970H has garnered a largely positive reception from users across online marketplaces and audio forums. Here’s a summary of common feedback:

What Customers Love:

• Easy Setup: Many customers appreciate the intuitive on-screen setup assistant, which simplifies what can otherwise be a daunting configuration process.
• Audyssey Room Calibration: Users rave about how much of a difference room tuning makes to the sound output.
• Gaming Performance: Gamers note how effective the low-latency and variable refresh features are, especially for competitive play.
• Wireless Music Streaming: Seamless connection to services like Spotify and TIDAL has been a highlight for music lovers.

Reported Issues:

• Learning Curve: Some newcomers to AV receivers find the settings menus a bit overwhelming at first.
• Remote Control Design: A few users mention that the remote feels outdated and isn’t backlit, making it harder to use in dim lighting.

Pros and Cons

Let’s break down the major strengths and a few limitations of the Denon AVR-S970H:

Pros

Advantage	Description
Premium 8K Pass-Through	Future-proofs your setup with support for 8K/60Hz
Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support	Immersive, three-dimensional audio experience
Multiple HDR Format Compatibility	Ensures vibrant picture quality regardless of content
Gamer-Friendly Features	Includes ALLM, VRR, and QFT for optimal gaming
Multi-Room Audio via HEOS	Stream synchronized or independent music throughout
Extensive Connectivity Options	6 HDMI in, 2 out, USB, phono, optical, and coaxial
Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant Ready	Convenient voice control integration
Audyssey Room Calibration	Automatic optimization for best-in-room sound

Cons

Disadvantage	Description
No Front HDMI Port	Limits convenience for temporary device hookups
Remote Design is Dated	Lacks modern ergonomic and lighting features

Final Verdict

The Denon AVR-S970H is an exceptional AV receiver that delivers on nearly every front: sound quality, video processing, smart features, and usability. Whether you’re setting up a mid-sized home theater, enjoying lossless music streaming, or getting every competitive edge in gaming, the AVR-S970H offers a powerful and polished performance.

Who should buy it?

• Home Theater Enthusiasts looking to take full advantage of 7.2 or Dolby Atmos setups.
• Next-Gen Gamers with PS5/Xbox Series X wanting the best in lag-free and smooth-frame gaming.
• Audiophiles who want high-resolution music streaming with minimal loss.
• Tech-forward Households wanting multi-room audio and smart assistant control.

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