Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Denon AVR-S960H review

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Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Denon AVR-S960H review

Denon AVR-X8500HSP
vs
Denon AVR-S960H

Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Denon AVR-S960H – that is a question.

Amplifier

The number of channels for receivers is different - 13.2 versus 7.2, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the AVR-X8500HSP has such a ratio W/Ohm - 150/8, 190/6, while the AVR-S960H has a power of 90/8, 125/6. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the AVR-X8500HSP it is 0.05%, but for the AVR-S960H it is 0.08%. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Denon AVR-X8500HSP. Both Denon AVR-X8500HSP and Denon AVR-S960H can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

These units have the same Wi-Fi modules. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. Both devices can work with such Apple Music services: AirPlay, AirPlay 2. Access to the Spotify service is on each of the competitors. The number of available streaming services varies for receivers, the Denon AVR-X8500HSP works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, but the Denon AVR-S960H works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Qobuz, TuneIn Radio. Signaling over HDMI in standby mode can provide the AVR-X8500HSP and the AVR-S960H. Each 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-X8500HSP has 8/3, and the AVR-S960H has 6/2.Denon AVR-X8500HSP connectionsDenon AVR-S960H connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is supported by the AVR-X8500HSP and the AVR-S960H. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. The AVR-X8500HSP has support for the standard HDCP 2.2, compared to the AVR-S960H, which supports the standard HDCP 2.3. Like most receivers, our models have a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

Unlike the AVR-X8500HSP where 3 Multi zones is provided, the AVR-S960H works with 2 Multi zones. Voice control is performed using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI in both models. There is an ECO mode in either AV receiver. The Denon AVR-X8500HSP and the Denon AVR-S960H can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available both models. A DTS:X surround technology is supported by devices from our comparison.

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General

Item

Denon AVR-X8500HSP
Denon AVR-S960H

Model

AVR-X8500HSP
AVR-S960H

Brand

Denon
Denon

Reviews

6
0

Amplifier

Channels

13.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

150/8, 190/6
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)

AK4490 384 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, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio
Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz
2.4/5GHz

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, SiriusXM, Qobuz, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

8/3
6/2

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.2
HDCP 2.3

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
2/2

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10

4K signal pass-through

4K/60Hz
4K/120Hz

8K signal pass-through

8K/60Hz

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

BT.2020, HLG
HLG, BT.2020

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

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
IP Control, Web Control, RS-232 Control, App Control

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

3
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote
HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote

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, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization

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

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

has not
AIFF, DSD

Power

Operational power consumption, W

900
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 19.5 x 7.8/17 x 7.7 x 18.7
43.8 x 15.2 x 33/17.1 x 6.6 x 13

Weight, kg/lbs

23.1/51.6
9.5/21

Other

Release year

2018
2020
Denon AVR-X8500HSP
Denon AVR-S960H
Denon AVR-X8500HSP
Denon AVR-S960H

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 9.6
  • 7.8
  • 9.6Denon AVR-X8500HSP
  • 7.8Denon AVR-S960H