Sony STR-DN1080 vs Denon AVR-S950H review

Votes 3 3
Rating 3.7 3.7

AV receivers comparison chart

Sony STR-DN1080 vs Denon AVR-S950H review

Sony STR-DN1080
vs
Denon AVR-S950H

It makes sense comparing Sony STR-DN1080 vs Denon AVR-S950H because they both are able to give some premium features.

Amplifier

Considered AV receivers have the same number of channels 7.2. Regarding power, then STR-DN1080 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 120/6 when AVR-S950H has a power of 90/8, 125/6. The THD is 0.09% for the STR-DN1080 but 0.08% for the AVR-S950H.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, 96 KHz/24-bit for STR-DN1080 and AKM 192 KHz/32-bit for the AVR-S950H. Only the STR-DN1080 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 Sony STR-DN1080 has support for AirPlay, and its competitor in our comparison - AirPlay, AirPlay 2. Spotify can be used on each receiver. The STR-DN1080 can work with the audio stream from TIDAL, Pandora, and the AVR-S950H can receive a content from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, Mood Mix. 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. The AVR-S950H can scale the input HDMI signal, unlike the STR-DN1080. Dolby Vision technology found support only on the AVR-S950H.

Extensive connections

The Sony STR-DN1080 has 6/2 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 8/2 HDMI connectors of the Denon AVR-S950H.Sony STR-DN1080 connectionsDenon AVR-S950H connections The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. HDMI eARC is available in each model. The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature is present in most modern AV receivers and the models in our comparison are no exception. The STR-DN1080 supports the protection of digital content of the standard HDCP 2.2, versus HDCP 2.3 in the AVR-S950H. The AVR-S950H has a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

Each of the AV receivers from our review supports 2 Multi-room zones. The STR-DN1080 supports voice control via Google assistant, and the AVR-S950H - Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. An ECO mode is only available for the AVR-S950H. Both STR-DN1080 and AVR-S950H 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

Sony STR-DN1080
Denon AVR-S950H

Model

STR-DN1080
AVR-S950H

Brand

Sony
Denon

Reviews

741
763

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

120/6
90/8, 125/6

Output impedance, Ohm

6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.09
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

96 KHz/24-bit
AKM 192 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

DCAC EX
Audyssey MultEQ

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Hi-Res audio, DSEE HX
Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio

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, AirPlay 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

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

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

6/2
8/2

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

1
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

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

has not
HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

Voice control

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

App control

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

Display

fluorescent
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

NFC
IP Control, Web Control

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
2

Zone audio output

speaker
speaker

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

Music Center
HEOS App

RS-232

0
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/1
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

0
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-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

AIFF
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

240
550

Standby consumption, W

0.4
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43 x 15.6 x 33/17 x 6 x 13
43.5 x 15.2 x 33/17 x 6.6 x 13.4

Weight, kg/lbs

9.1/19.8
9.4/20.7

Other

Release year

2017
2019
Sony STR-DN1080
Denon AVR-S950H
Sony STR-DN1080
Denon AVR-S950H

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.3
  • 7.3
  • 7.3Sony STR-DN1080
  • 7.3Denon AVR-S950H