Denon might be the primary title that involves thoughts whenever you consider AV receivers, and with good cause. The model has been pumping out wonderful fashions with nice sound high quality for years. Its rivals are slowing their receiver launch schedules — Sony hasn’t made a brand new mannequin since 2017, and Onkyo will not have a follow-up to its 2019 merchandise till mid-2021 — however not Denon. The AVR-S960H is a current recent that brings up to date options, together with HDMI 2.1 connectivity with eARC and 8K video compatibility, whereas sustaining the efficiency Denon is understood for.
LikeBalanced sound with music and moviesUp-to-date characteristic set and connections
Don’t LikeDesign is getting fairly lengthy within the tooth.Yamaha RX-V6A provides extra for much less.No Chromecast
While Yamaha seemingly went again to the drafting board for its futuristic RX-V6A, the Denon AVR-S960’s updates are extra incremental. Comparing the 2 receivers head-to-head, the Denon sounded smoother and but it additionally lacked a number of the dynamic heft. I discovered myself reaching for the Yamaha distant extra typically than the Denon, and it was as a lot for the glossy new design as for the sound high quality. Overall the Yamaha is solely extra enjoyable, and that, plus its lower cost, make it a better option general. With their new releases, Denon and Yamaha have proven they’re devoted to the class, and each of the merchandise I’ve examined have been very robust. If you do not look after the Yamaha’s whizz-bangery and ahead sound, the Denon AVR-S960H is a stable different.
What’s within the massive black field?The Denon AVR-S960H appears to be like just about the identical as each different receiver: black colour scheme, LED show, choice/quantity knobs and a handful of shortcut buttons for the most-used inputs. It’s effective, nevertheless it pales compared to the glossy futurism of the Yamaha RX-V6A.
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The Denon is a Dolby Atmos receiver whose essential improve is the 8K-ready, HDMI 2.1 specification. Given that mainstream 8K TVs are nonetheless a number of years off, the receiver additionally provides a bunch of stuff that is really helpful now. The first is eARC, which is the flexibility to transmit high-quality audio streams (Atmos specifically) out of your TV to the receiver. The different HDMI 2.1 options of observe are the gaming-related Variable Refresh Rate (to cut back body tearing) and Auto Low Latency Mode, each helpful for players who wish to get essentially the most out of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. The receiver has six HDMI inputs (together with one with 8K functionality) and two outputs (one with eARC). The Denon is ready to decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X along with upscaling applied sciences like Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology and DTS Virtual:X. On the video aspect it additionally helps Dolby Vision and HDR Plus video codecs.
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Seven channels of amplification are on faucet. The official score is 90 watts per channel (stereo, 20Hz-20KHz) which makes it barely much less highly effective than the Yamaha RX-V6A (100 watts per channel) although the distinction is indistinguishable in actual phrases. Doubling the facility will solely get you an additional 3db of quantity, which is barely noticeable. The receiver provides the corporate’s personal HEOS multiroom system (however no Chromecast built-in) and a 32-bit AKM DAC. There’s additionally AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth streaming and the receiver might be voice-controlled with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Josh.ai and Apple Siri.The distant management is kind of an identical to the one Marantz and Denon have used for years. It’s a jolly little clicker with easy-to-read buttons and helpful shortcuts to all your inputs on the high.What does it sound like?Denon and its stablemate Marantz have a “house sound” in relation to receivers, which tends to be extra relaxed than the Yamahas and Pioneers of the world. While this often means they carry out higher with music, I discovered the Yamaha RX-V6A was extra readily capable of get the heartbeat racing with out tipping into harshness. In comparability the Denon supplied a workmanlike strategy to no matter I used to be listening to — it did not gloss over some particulars or hype others. It merely introduced me with my music or film, which might make it an ideal match for brighter audio system. I began with the comparatively laid-back He Lays In the Reins from Iron and Wine and Calexico. The Denon supplied a pleasingly balanced sound, however with the Yamaha I used to be capable of decide up on extra hidden particulars within the tune such because the percussive, clicking tongue noises throughout the bridge. With the tougher, tambourine-focused You Got Yr Cherry Bomb, the Yamaha once more sounded fuller than the Denon, however the Denon organized the elements in a extra logical order — reining within the thrashiness of the tambourine and firming down the bass to set my toes tapping.It was with films that the Denon’s knack for setting a scene actually got here to the fore. Watching Avatar, It introduced the jungles of Pandora with loads of spaciousness — each bug and breath of wind introduced the dense ambiance alive. The footfalls of the monstrous fauna have been felt slightly than heard, and the bark of Jake’s gun reverberated across the listening house. The Yamaha wasn’t as eager with the main points, favoring a extra bass-heavy combine nevertheless it was simply as (excuse the pun) impactful. It’s more durable to separate these two fashions on films alone, as each did a sterling job. Should you purchase it?Yamaha went for one thing new, leaving Denon because the reliable possibility. Very little has modified from earlier years, however because the saying goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The Denon provides gutsy house theater sound, delicate musicality and chunky, massive receiver vitality. In the top, nevertheless, that is not sufficient. The Yamaha just isn’t solely cheaper than the Denon, nevertheless it provides higher specification — extra energy and extra HDMI inputs — and sounded extra fulfilling as an entire. If you do not have HEOS multiroom or have another cause to purchase Denon, the Yamaha is a greater wager for a contemporary 8K receiver.