Denon AVR-X8500H vs Denon AVR-S940H review

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AV receivers comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500H vs Denon AVR-S940H review

Denon AVR-X8500H
vs
Denon AVR-S940H

Denon AVR-X8500H vs Denon AVR-S940H comparison definitely makes sense.

Amplifier

A significant difference between the receivers in the number of channels, Denon AVR-X8500H has 13.2 versus 7.2 for Denon AVR-S940H. Regarding power, then AVR-X8500H has such a W/Ohm ratio - 150/8, 250/6 when AVR-S940H has a power of 90/8, 125/6. The THD is 0.05% for the AVR-X8500H but 0.08% for the AVR-S940H.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, AK4490EQ 768 KHz/32-bit for AVR-X8500H and 192 KHz/32-bit for the AVR-S940H. Only the AVR-X8500H supports Bi-amping feature. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

Both models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Apple Music service is implemented on considered devices: AirPlay, AirPlay 2. Spotify can be used on each receiver. Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud - all of these streaming services have found application in each of the models. Compared AV receivers retain the quality of 4K/60Hz signal when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector. HDMI signal transmission in standby mode is implemented in each of the devices. Both rivals can scale the resolution of the incoming HDMI signal. The HDR standard - Dolby Vision is supported by these receivers.

Extensive connections

The Denon AVR-X8500H has 8/3 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 8/2 HDMI connectors of the Denon AVR-S940H.Denon AVR-X8500H connectionsDenon AVR-S940H connections The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. The HDMI eARC is available only on the AVR-X8500H. The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature is present in most modern AV receivers and the models in our comparison are no exception. Both models support the standard HDCP 2.2. These compared receivers have a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

The AVR-X8500H supports 3 Multi-room zones, versus 2 for the AVR-S940H. Supported voice control technologies are identical - Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. It is also worth noting that the ECO mode is presented in each of the receivers. Both AVR-X8500H and AVR-S940H can be configured using the Setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

Both devices have support for Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format. The surround sound technology DTS:X is supported by devices under review.

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General

Item

Denon AVR-X8500H
Denon AVR-S940H

Model

AVR-X8500H
AVR-S940H

Brand

Denon
Denon

Reviews

222
98

Amplifier

Channels

13.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

150/8, 250/6
90/8, 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)

AK4490EQ 768 KHz/32-bit
192 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

Audyssey MultEQ XT32
Audyssey MultEQ

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFC
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
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

8/3
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

2
1

Composite input

4
2

Component input/output

3/1
2/1

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, HDMI, 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

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
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

network, USB
network, USB

Other additional features

IP Control, Web Control
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

3
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

HEOS App
HEOS App

RS-232

1
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/1
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

2
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-Surround
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

900
460

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 19.5 x 7.8/17 x 7.7 x 18.7
43.5 x 15.2 x 33/17 x 6.6 x 13.3

Weight, kg/lbs

23.1/51.6
9/20.7

Other

Release year

2018
2018
Denon AVR-X8500H
Denon AVR-S940H
Denon AVR-X8500H
Denon AVR-S940H

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 9.5
  • 7.4
  • 9.5Denon AVR-X8500H
  • 7.4Denon AVR-S940H