Denon AVR-X1700H vs. Denon AVR-S760H: Comparison

If you’re looking to elevate your home theater experience with an AV receiver that offers cutting-edge features, both the Denon AVR-X1700H and Denon AVR-S760H are strong contenders. Both of these 7.2-channel receivers come packed with advanced technology, from immersive 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to the latest in 8K video processing. In this review, we’ll dive deep into the key differences and similarities between these two models, helping you make an informed decision for your next home entertainment upgrade.

Denon AVR-X1700H 7.2 Channel AV Receiver

The Denon AVR-X1700H is an impressive 7.2-channel AV receiver that delivers an immersive audio-visual experience perfect for both home theater enthusiasts and gamers. With support for the latest 3D audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, this receiver provides a fully immersive soundstage. The advanced 8K HDMI section with eARC support ensures stunning video quality, supporting up to 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through, as well as HDR formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The setup is straightforward, thanks to the award-winning on-screen guide and the included Audyssey room correction feature, which optimizes the audio based on your room’s acoustics.

Moreover, the AVR-X1700H is designed with multi-room, multi-source streaming capabilities through HEOS Built-in, allowing you to stream music in different rooms or enjoy separate sources without interruptions. The receiver is also compatible with all major voice assistants, including Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, making it highly convenient for hands-free control. Its gaming features, like 4K/120Hz pass-through and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), enhance the experience for avid gamers by reducing lag and frame tearing. The versatile HDMI inputs and outputs, including multiple digital and analog connections, add to the overall flexibility of this receiver.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features:

1. Supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology for immersive 3D audio.
2. Advanced 8K HDMI section with eARC, 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through.
3. HEOS Built-in for multi-room streaming and compatibility with popular voice assistants.
4. Simple setup with the on-screen guide and Audyssey room correction.
5. Excellent gaming performance with features like VRR, QFT, and ALLM.

Pros:

1. Easy to set up with clear on-screen instructions.
2. Delivers rich, immersive sound with dynamic 3D audio support.
3. Offers future-proof video quality with 8K and 4K/120Hz pass-through.
4. Multi-room streaming with HEOS Built-in and voice control support.
5. Great value for the price with extensive connectivity options.

Cons:

1. Some customers have reported connectivity issues with certain devices.

Denon AVR-S760H 7.2 Ch AVR

The Denon AVR-S760H is an exceptional 7.2-channel AV receiver designed for those who want to elevate their home theater experience. This model supports advanced 8K video upscaling and offers comprehensive 3D audio capabilities, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, providing a truly immersive sound experience for movies, music, and gaming. The receiver’s HDMI section includes 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through, ensuring outstanding picture quality with vibrant colors and clarity. The seamless integration of HEOS technology enables multi-room streaming, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music throughout your home, while full voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri adds convenience and hands-free operation.

On the gaming front, the AVR-S760H excels with features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), ensuring a lag-free, smooth gaming experience with stunning visuals. However, there are some mixed reviews regarding the volume output, as a few users report that it’s not as loud as expected. Additionally, the functionality with certain devices, such as Sony OLED TVs, seems to be hit or miss, and some users have noted issues with the remote control. Despite these minor setbacks, the Denon AVR-S760H offers excellent value for money, especially for those seeking a versatile receiver with advanced video and audio capabilities.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features:

1. 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through with advanced HDMI section.
2. Supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization.
3. HEOS Built-in for multi-room streaming.
4. Full voice control compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
5. Gaming optimization with VRR, QFT, and ALLM for smoother gameplay.

Pros:

1. Immersive 3D audio experience with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
2. Outstanding picture quality with 8K and 4K/120Hz support.
3. Easy to set up with an intuitive on-screen guide.
4. Multi-room streaming with HEOS and popular music services.
5. Seamless voice control with major voice assistants.

Cons:

1. Some users report the volume output is lower than expected.

Denon AVR-X1700H vs. Denon AVR-S760H: A Comparison

Denon offers two impressive AV receivers, the AVR-X1700H and the AVR-S760H, both of which are designed to elevate your home entertainment experience. While both models share some common features like advanced HDMI technology, 3D audio support, and HEOS multi-room streaming, they are built to cater to different needs and preferences. This comparison will break down their key features, performance, and other aspects to help you make an informed decision.

Audio & Video Performance

Both the AVR-X1700H and AVR-S760H deliver superb sound and video quality, but they cater to slightly different user needs when it comes to their respective features.

AVR-X1700H:

• The AVR-X1700H excels with support for a broader range of 3D audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS Virtual:X. It also includes Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, which creates virtual height effects without the need for dedicated height channels. This feature is perfect for users who want immersive sound without a full 5.1.2 setup.
• Video-wise, the AVR-X1700H supports 8K/60Hz pass-through and 4K/120Hz, with advanced video processing for clear and sharp visuals. It also supports Dynamic HDR, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, ensuring the highest quality picture with stunning clarity, vibrant colors, and exceptional contrast.

AVR-S760H:

• Similar to the AVR-X1700H, the AVR-S760H supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology. The AVR-S760H is equipped with an 8K HDMI video section, supporting 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through, but it also adds Dynamic HDR and Quick Media Switching (QMS) to eliminate video delay, offering a seamless movie-watching experience.
• Video performance for the AVR-S760H is comparable to the X1700H, as it also supports 4:4:4 Pure Color Subsampling and HDR10+. Both receivers are well-suited for home theater setups, with a focus on excellent video clarity and immersive sound.

Gaming Capabilities

Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate the specific gaming-related features both models offer, but there are key differences in their optimization.

AVR-X1700H:

• The AVR-X1700H offers features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), ensuring smooth gameplay with minimal lag. This receiver is designed to provide a next-gen gaming experience, particularly for those who want to game in 4K/120Hz.

AVR-S760H:

• The AVR-S760H also supports VRR, QFT, and ALLM, making it ideal for gamers. Like the AVR-X1700H, it offers 4K/120Hz pass-through and enhanced gaming visuals. It’s clear that both models are highly capable in terms of gaming, but the AVR-X1700H has a slight edge due to its more advanced video processing and greater HDMI connectivity.

Multi-Room Streaming & Voice Control

Both receivers are equipped with HEOS Built-In, which allows for seamless wireless music streaming throughout your home. This feature lets you control music across multiple rooms, using services like Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon Music HD.

AVR-X1700H:

• The AVR-X1700H has extensive voice control support, working with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Josh.ai. This feature offers hands-free control, allowing you to adjust volume, change tracks, or switch inputs without touching a remote.

AVR-S760H:

• The AVR-S760H also supports voice control with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri, enabling easy, hands-free control. However, it lacks compatibility with Josh.ai, which may limit integration with some smart home systems compared to the AVR-X1700H.

Setup & User Interface

Both receivers are designed to be user-friendly, but there are some slight differences in the setup process and interface.

AVR-X1700H:

• The AVR-X1700H comes with an Award-Winning Setup Assistant that walks you through every step of the installation process, making it easy to set up and configure the system. The included Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction software ensures that your sound is optimized for your space.
• The on-screen guide is well-designed, offering clear instructions to connect your TV and set EQ settings.

AVR-S760H:

• Similarly, the AVR-S760H also features a Quick Setup Guide with easy-to-follow instructions. However, it does not include the Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction system, which may make it slightly less precise in optimizing audio performance compared to the AVR-X1700H.

Connectivity & Inputs

AVR-X1700H:

• The AVR-X1700H comes with 6 HDMI inputs and 1 output. These include both digital and analog connections (coaxial, phono, and others) and support eARC for uncompressed audio transmission.

AVR-S760H:

• The AVR-S760H also features 6 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output. It supports HDMI 2.1 features, including 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through, but it lacks some of the advanced inputs and outputs available in the AVR-X1700H.

Feature	Denon AVR-X1700H	Denon AVR-S760H
HDMI Inputs/Outputs	6 in / 1 out (supports 8K/60Hz & 4K/120Hz)	6 in / 1 out (supports 8K/60Hz & 4K/120Hz)
Audio Formats	Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Voice Control	Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.ai	Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Gaming Features	VRR, QFT, ALLM for lag-free gaming	VRR, QFT, ALLM for lag-free gaming
Multi-Room Streaming	HEOS Built-In with more music services	HEOS Built-In with more music services
Setup Assistance	Award-Winning Setup Assistant, Audyssey MultEQ XT	Quick Setup Guide

Conclusion

Both the Denon AVR-X1700H and the Denon AVR-S760H are excellent choices for upgrading your home entertainment system, but they cater to different needs. The AVR-X1700H is better suited for users who want the ultimate immersive audio-visual experience with superior room correction, more advanced voice control, and the latest HDMI features. On the other hand, the AVR-S760H offers great value with 8K support, advanced gaming features, and multi-room streaming, making it a solid choice for those who want a feature-packed receiver at a more affordable price.

FAQ

Which receiver is better for gaming, the AVR-X1700H or the AVR-S760H?

The Denon AVR-X1700H offers a slight edge for gamers due to its superior HDMI connectivity and more advanced video processing features. Both models support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), QFT (Quick Frame Transport), and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) for smoother, lag-free gaming experiences, but the AVR-X1700H’s enhanced HDMI section with 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through makes it a more future-proof choice, especially for next-gen gaming consoles.

How does the audio performance differ between the two receivers?

Both the AVR-X1700H and AVR-S760H support top-tier audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, ensuring immersive 3D audio for movies, music, and games. The key difference lies in the additional Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction technology in the AVR-X1700H, which optimizes sound more precisely for your specific room acoustics. While the AVR-S760H offers similar audio quality, it lacks this advanced room correction system.

Do both receivers support 8K video?

Yes, both the AVR-X1700H and AVR-S760H are 8K-ready. They support 8K/60Hz pass-through, and 4K/120Hz pass-through, making them great choices for high-definition video setups. However, the AVR-X1700H offers more advanced video processing with features like HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dynamic HDR, ensuring more vibrant and dynamic picture quality, which may appeal to users looking for the best in video technology.

Is there a significant price difference between the AVR-X1700H and the AVR-S760H?

While the exact pricing can vary depending on the retailer and location, generally, the AVR-S760H tends to be more affordable than the AVR-X1700H. This price difference comes from the added premium features in the AVR-X1700H, such as Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction, superior HDMI connectivity, and a broader range of voice control options like Josh.ai. If you’re on a tighter budget, the AVR-S760H still provides exceptional value, particularly for gamers and multi-room music enthusiasts.

What makes HEOS Built-In a key feature in these receivers?

HEOS Built-In allows you to stream music wirelessly across multiple rooms of your home, providing a seamless multi-room audio experience. Both the AVR-X1700H and AVR-S760H are equipped with this technology, making it easier to stream from services like Spotify, Amazon Music HD, TIDAL, and more. Additionally, both receivers offer compatibility with voice control systems like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, enhancing the ease of use for controlling your music, volume, and other functions with just your voice.

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