Denon AVR-S540BT vs Denon AVR-X2500H review

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AV receivers comparison chart

Denon AVR-S540BT vs Denon AVR-X2500H review

Denon AVR-S540BT
vs
Denon AVR-X2500H

Having had an opportunity to test Denon AVR-S540BT vs Denon AVR-X2500H, I’d like to share my impression here to facilitate your choice of a new AV receiver.

Amplifier

The number of channels for receivers is different - 5.2 versus 7.2, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the AVR-S540BT has such a ratio W/Ohm - 70/8, 90/6, while the AVR-X2500H has a power of 95/8, 125/6. A common feature for devices is the same total harmonic distortion - 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the AVR-S540BT received the model 192 KHz/32-bit, but the AVR-X2500H is equipped with AK4490 384 KHz/32-bit. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Denon AVR-X2500H. The model AVR-X2500H can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet connection via WIFI is only possible with AVR-X2500H. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. Access to the Spotify service is on each of the competitors. The number of available streaming services varies for receivers, the Denon AVR-S540BT works with TIDAL, Pandora, but the Denon AVR-X2500H works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud. The quality of 4K/60Hz signal remains unchanged when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector via HDMI for both receivers. Signaling over HDMI in standby mode can provide the AVR-S540BT and the AVR-X2500H. None of the devices can increase the resolution of the incoming video signal. Each of the participants of the comparison has a Dolby Vision.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs varies depending on the receiver, the AVR-S540BT has 5/1, and the AVR-X2500H has 8/2.Denon AVR-S540BT connectionsDenon AVR-X2500H connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is not supported by the AVR-S540BT and the AVR-X2500H. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. AVR-S540BT and AVR-X2500H support the standard HDCP 2.2. In the presence of a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player only at Denon AVR-X2500H. There is an ECO mode in either AV receiver. The Denon AVR-S540BT and the Denon AVR-X2500H can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available only in the AVR-X2500H. Only in the AVR-X2500H realized a DTS:X surround technology.

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General

Item

Denon AVR-S540BT
Denon AVR-X2500H

Model

AVR-S540BT
AVR-X2500H

Brand

Denon
Denon

Reviews

763
0

Amplifier

Channels

5.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

70/8, 90/6
95/8, 125/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/32-bit
AK4490 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

Audyssey MultEQ
Audyssey MultEQ XT

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Compressed Audio Restorer
Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay, AirPlay 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

TIDAL, Pandora
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

5/1
8/2

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

0/0
2/1

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, phones, setup mic
USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

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
BT.2020, HLG

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle

Display

colour OSD
colour OSD

Tuner

AM, FM
AM, FM

Sleep timer

Auto power off

ECO mode

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Setup assistant

Firmware update

USB
network, USB

Other additional features

has not
IP Control, Web Control

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

has not
2

Zone audio output

has not
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

has not
HEOS App

RS-232

0
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

0
0

Multichannel surround

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)

DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

AIFF
has not

Power

Operational power consumption, W

310
500

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 15.2 x 30.4/17 x 6 x 12.6
43.5 x 15.2 x 33/17 x 6.6 x 13.3

Weight, kg/lbs

7.2/16.8
9/20.7

Other

Release year

2018
2018
Denon AVR-S540BT
Denon AVR-X2500H
Denon AVR-S540BT
Denon AVR-X2500H

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 5.5
  • 8
  • 5.5Denon AVR-S540BT
  • 8Denon AVR-X2500H