Denon HEOS AVR vs Denon AVR-X2500H review

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AV receivers comparison chart

Denon HEOS AVR vs Denon AVR-X2500H review

Denon HEOS AVR
vs
Denon AVR-X2500H

Having had an opportunity to test Denon HEOS AVR 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 - 5.1 versus 7.2, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the HEOS AVR has such a ratio W/Ohm - 50/8, 65/6, while the AVR-X2500H has a power of 95/8, 125/6. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the HEOS AVR it is 0.05%, but for the AVR-X2500H it is 0.08%. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Denon AVR-X2500H. Both Denon HEOS AVR and Denon AVR-X2500H can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet access via WIFI is possible on both units. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. Access to the Spotify service is on each of the competitors. Most popular streaming services are available for our models under consideration - 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 HEOS AVR and the AVR-X2500H. None of the devices can increase the resolution of the incoming video signal. Operation with the Dolby Vision is only possible with the AVR-X2500H.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs varies depending on the receiver, the HEOS AVR has 4/1, and the AVR-X2500H has 8/2.Denon HEOS AVR connectionsDenon AVR-X2500H connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is not supported by the HEOS AVR and the AVR-X2500H. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. HEOS AVR 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. For voice control in the HEOS AVR is used Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, but in the AVR-X2500H is used Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. There is an ECO mode in AVR-X2500H. 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 HEOS AVR
Denon AVR-X2500H

Model

HEOS AVR
AVR-X2500H

Brand

Denon
Denon

Reviews

15
0

Amplifier

Channels

5.1
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

50/8, 65/6
95/8, 125/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.05
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

AK4490 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

Audyssey MultEQ XT

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

has not
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
1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay, AirPlay 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

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

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

4/1
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)

1
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

1
2

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

0
2

Component input/output

0/0
2/1

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

has not
BT.2020, HLG

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI

App control

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

Display

colour OSD

Tuner

AM, FM

Sleep timer

Auto power off

ECO mode

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Setup assistant

Firmware update

network, 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

HEOS App
HEOS App

RS-232

0
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/0
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

0
0

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Pro Logic
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, DTS-Surround

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

has not
has not

Power

Operational power consumption, W

110
500

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.1 x 7.6 x 27.9/17.1 x 3.6 x 11
43.5 x 15.2 x 33/17 x 6.6 x 13.3

Weight, kg/lbs

5.9/13/2
9/20.7

Other

Release year

2017
2018
Denon HEOS AVR
Denon AVR-X2500H
Denon HEOS AVR
Denon AVR-X2500H

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 4.8
  • 8
  • 4.8Denon HEOS AVR
  • 8Denon AVR-X2500H