Denon AVR X6500H vs X4700H vs X4500H vs X3600H vs X3700H: Comparative Review

In the world of AV receivers, Denon is one of the most known ones. It has produced such products which are equipped with the some latest standards, such as HDCP 2.2, HDMI 2.0, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, etc and also have great sound quality.

Nowadays with so many choices in Denon AV receivers, people are getting confused and asking the question, which Denon receiver is the better one?

So to help you guys, this comparative review is about. Here, I will be comparing some most purchased and loved Denon receivers which will help you to get an answer to your question.

Plus, I will also share my experience and will let you know about different features of the AVR via comparative table and also about the bugs( if any) about these models, so that you can have a greater understanding while buying. So without further ado, let’s get into this comparative review.

Comparative Table

Review:

Let’s explore the receivers, through a comparative table in fields like video quality, sound quality, connection, etc. 

AMPLIFIER Denon AVR-X6700H

• No of Channel: 11.2
• Wide Channel(Front Support): No
• THX™ Certification: No
• Mono Block Amplifier Construction: No 
• Continuous 6 Ω Rated: Yes
• Bi-amp Capability: Assignable
• 4 Ω Performance(Certified): Yes
• Discrete Amplification: Yes

AMPLIFIER Denon AVR-X4700H

• No of Channel: 9.2
• Wide Channel(Front Support): No
• THX™ Certification: No
• Mono Block Amplifier Construction: No
• Continuous 6 Ω Rated: Yes
• Bi-amp Capability: Assignable
• 4 Ω Performance(Certified): Yes
• Discrete Amplification: Yes

AMPLIFIER Denon AVR-X4500H

• No of Channel: 9.2
• Wide Channel(Front Support): No
• THX™ Certification: No
• Mono Block Amplifier Construction: No
• Continuous 6 Ω Rated: Yes
• Bi-amp Capability: Assignable
• 4 Ω Performance(Certified): Yes
• Discrete Amplification: Yes

Denon AVR-X6500H is an 11.2-ch AV receiver, which supports front wide channel, discrete amplification, etc. It delivers around 140 W (specifically in between 8 Ω it produces 20 Hz to 20 kHz in 2 channel driven) stably performing at approx 4 Ω load.

Note that, most of the receiver manufacturers dropped the front wide channel support in 2016. Similarly, Denon AVR-X6500H does not support it.  But interestingly, Denon AVR-X6700H offers you these channels, so if you want it you can get it in this model.

Moreover, it offers assignable Bi-amp capability. Though Denon AVR-X6500H doesn’t offer you monoblock amplifier construction and THX™ Certification, it provides certified 4  Ω Performance (rated 6  Ω ).

Moving on, Denon AVR-X4700H has 9 channel amplifiers. It delivers 125 W, (specifically in between 8 Ω it produces 20 Hz to 20 kHz in 2 channel driven) stably performing at 4 Ω load. Unlike, Denon AVR-X6700H, this model doesn’t have any front wide channel support, and monoblock amplifier construction is also absent. However, similar to AVR-X6700H, doesn’t offer you THX™ Certification, but provides certified 4  Ω Performance (rated 6  Ω ) and discrete amplification.

Similarly, Denon AVR-X4500H is a 9.2-channel AV receiver whose amplification is the same as Denon AVR-X4700H. It also delivers 125 W specifically in between 8 Ω it produces 20 Hz to 20 kHz in 2 channel driven) stably performing at 4 Ω load, doesn’t offer you THX™ Certification, but provides certified 4  Ω Performance (rated 6  Ω ) and discrete amplification. Both AVR-X4500H and AVR-X4700H are assignable to Bi-amp capability.

Again, both Denon AVR-X3700H & Denon AVR-X3600H have 9-ch amplifiers delivering around 105 W (specifically in between 8 Ω it produces 20 Hz to 20 kHz in 2 channel driven).

Moreover, both the models allow discrete Amplification, have assignable Bi-amp Capability, and they provide certified 4 Ω Performance.

On the other hand, these models are unable to support front wide channel, monoblock amplifier construction and they do not provide THX™ Certification.

VIDEO FEATURES

Denon AVR-X6500H is quite great in terms of video features. It supports 8K up to 60p passthrough same as its upscaling capacity.

Also, AVR-X6500Hsupports Dolby Vision, HDR10, etc. 

Note that, HDR has undoubtedly a greater dynamic range than SDR. It sends static metadata to the TV through a video stream calibrating the screen’s color and brightness accordingly. Plus, the HDR10 feature supports up to 10-bit color as well as 1000 bits of brightness which corresponds to around 1024 shades of RGB or the primary colors.

Moreover, its video signal type is NTSC and the video signal format is SECAM/NTSC/PAL. Denon AVR-X6500H offers you tons of features in this area. Like, it offers, Quick Media Switching, Hybrid Log-Gamma options, good variable refresh rate, quick frame transport, etc.

The video signal Pass-through and video signal upscaling rate is up to 8K (50 to 60 Hz) & 4K (100 to 120 Hz) in a 4:4:4 ratio. Among these amazing features, the component video upscaling and analog to analog mp4 conversion is absent here.

Denon AVR-X4700H and AVR-X4500H support the 8K passthrough and 4K passthrough up to 60p respectively. The same goes for upscaling, that is Denon AVR-X4700H and AVR-X4500H support the 8K upscaling and 4K upscaling up to 60p respectively.

Besides, AVR-X4700H supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, Hybrid Log-Gamma, Quick Media Switching, Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode, Quick Frame Transport, etc. Many of these features are present in AVR-X4500H, however, it doesn’t support HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, Variable Refresh Rate, Quick Media Switching, Quick Frame Transport.

Furthermore, both the models are unable of component video upscaling, and analog to analog video conversion.

Similarly, Denon AVR-X3700H and AVR-X3600H support the 8K passthrough and 4K passthrough up to 60p respectively. The same goes for upscaling, that is AVR-X3700H and AVR-X3600H support the 8K upscaling and 4K upscaling up to 60p respectively.

AUDIO FEATURES

Denon AVR-X6500H, with the Dolby Surround upmixer support Dolby Atmos. Besides, the X6500HAV receiver can be easily configured up to 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 channels using the internal amplifiers by adding an external 2 channel amplifier.

Now the question is why Dolby Atmos really important?

In Dolby Atmos, one can enjoy any sound, literally any sound- such as any melodic bird tune, the sound of eating chips and crackers in any movie or video, the helicopter sound, etc free of any sort of channel restrictions.

The Dolby Atmos can be accurately placed anywhere in the user’s room, including the overhead, in order to flow around and above the user in 3-dimensional space. He/ she can also move or change the place if they want.

So in short, Dolby Atmos converts any room into a great place for fun and entertainment. Anyone will feel as if they are in front of the actual movie scene, in such a way they have not experienced before.

Moving on, Denon AVR-X6500H also supports DTS:X which can also be configured up to 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 channels using the internal amplifiers by adding an external 2 channel amplifier.

Note that, one of the techniques used in the Dolby Atmos is similar to DTS:X. It defines the object’s location in spite of a fixed or constant number of channels. The location is detected in the polar coordinates from the listeners. Once the distance is measured then the AVR dynamically renders the sound depending on the speaker’s current configuration.

The DTS:X Pro is the updated or advanced form of DTS:X. Its channel support is more than 11 (!) which is not possible in DTS:X as 11 is the limit there.

Plus, AVR-X6500Halso supports the Auro-3D with its Auro Matic upmixer after the update of firmware.

In case you don’t know what Auro-3D is, it is a great 3D audio format consisting of 3 layers of sound – height, overhead ceiling, and surround.

In the home theater system, Auro-3D gives various options in listening formats, along with an extra Top Ceiling channel named “Voice of God”. This feature increases the sound quality of the receiver.

Coming back to another sound feature, that is D.D.S.C or Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit, the AVR-X6500Hcomes with this feature.

This Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit uses some separate components in order to process the sections of DSP, D/A, and A/D conversions that are important.

Significantly, these improve the signal processing ability as well as performance.

Denon AVR-X6500Hcomes with advanced AL32 processing. This AL32 uses a unique and easy data interpolation algorithm for achieving high-sampling and high-bit, output performance.

With the help of this feature, information volume has dramatically been improved with no loss of original data. Moreover, it gifts a clean and decent playback sound totally free of any sort of interference making it easy to enjoy accurate localization, along with rich expression in a lower range.

Note that, any advanced AL32 Processing contains 3 functions, which are,

1. Up-conversion of high-bit,
2. The advanced ALPHA Processing
3. Adaptive and automatic digital filter

Moving on to the other models, Denon AVR-X4700H, X4500H, X3700H, and X3600H with the Dolby Surround upmixer, support Dolby Atmos. Besides, all these models or receivers can be easily configured up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 channels using the internal amplifiers by adding an external 2 channel amplifier.

Similarly, these receivers support DTS:X along with the Neural:X upmixer. Here also, these devices configured up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 channels using the internal amplifiers by adding an external 2 channel amplifier.

Moreover, Denon AVR-X4700H, X4500H support Auro-3D with its Auro-Matic upmixer after the update of the firmware. Besides, both the models come with Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit.

Not only that, the Denon AVR-X6500H, Denon X4700H, and Denon X4500H also have the Advanced AL32 processing which achieves high-sampling and high-bit output performance with the help of a unique data interpolation algorithm.

However, these great features are absent in Denon X3700H and X3600H A/V receivers, which is why they are slightly lagging behind than the other models; in this regard.

CONNECTIVITY

In terms of connectivity, there aren’t many differences among the Denon devices. The AVR-X3700H, X3600H, X4500H, X4700H, X6500H can be connected to the internet via ethernet cable or the built-in wi-fi adapter. Besides, they can be connected to other Bluetooth devices using the  Bluetooth adapter (built-in). Moreover, the Denon receivers work with Amazon Alexa & support the AirPlay 2 as well.

Denon AVR-X3700H has one 8K input with 7 HDMI inputs with copy protection of HDCP 2.3. There is a built-in phono input that connects the cartridge turntable output directly to the Receiver. Also, there are analog pre-outs of 11.2 channels for external amplification.

Further, all these devices have 8 HDMI inputs with approx HDCP 2.3 (2.2 for some devices) copy protection. Additionally, there also exists a built-in  phono input that connects the cartridge turntable output  directly to the Receiver like

There are also pre-outs which are 11.2 channel analog used with a view to external amplification. And, the front panel of the Denon devices contain USB inputs and HDMI as well.

The things that are absent in these models are MHL Input, Flare-Connect & fire-connect, Built-In Chromecast, DTS Play-Fi, etc.

My experience using these Denon devices:

I believe experience varies from person to person, however, I will share my one which can help you to choose.

Firstly let’s talk about Denon AVR X3600H. Initially, I thought it was too much expensive so I bought it on the Black Friday sale. The features it gives you are quite attractive, like the 11 channel processing, virtual Dolby atmos, enhanced IMAX, etc. 

It gives you 9.2 default channels and also the 11.2 expanded from the previous 4X00 receivers is praiseworthy. Honestly, it has great Atmos sound, but if you are a party beast it might not be up to the mark for you. So overall, it is 4.3/5 for me.

Then comes Denon AVR X3700H, you can hardly distinguish between X3600H and X3700h. This model has amazing room correction, great quality, and good sound. ‘Good’ sound as in, I felt it less loud than expected. Also, it needs a few firmware fixes. Otherwise, everything was great and definitely super easy to set up. So it is also 4.3/5.

X4700H is no exception. It is a nice 8K HDMI 2.1 AVR, with lots of options for HDMI input. But I found some glitches initially which was later on solved. Otherwise, it is a good  budget-friendly AVR you can have. I will rate it 4.1/5.

Moving on, the Denon X4500H AV receiver is a great quality receiver with amazing Atmos! It is super easy to seat up and also comes in a great deal. I bought a new one and it is still giving me excellent service. But I will strongly recommend not to buy a refurbished one, as there is a lot of chance that you receive a defective one. 4.4/5 it is.

Lastly, Denon X6500H AVR is the expensive one on this list, and definitely, at this price, anyone will expect an excellent sound, and believe me it won’t disappoint you. It is a great high-end AVR that will serve you with phenomenal sound and go bugs or glitches ( at least for me). It is 4.6/5!

Conclusion:

At the very end of this Comparative Review, I hope I have highlighted the necessary points about the Denon receivers which you need to know in order to make a perfect purchase.

But remember, my experience/ review, (especially about the receiver’s sound volume) might differ from yours. So as I always say, organize your desire and preferences and buy accordingly.

FAQ

This part of this article is going to talk about some of the questions that are most asked all over the internet.

Which things shall I consider before buying an AVR?

There are many things actually, you should check Surround Sound Technology, no of HDMI Inputs, connectivity. etc. Go through  this and you can know more.

Is it safe to buy a refurbished receiver?

It is a risk, which mostly depends on luck! You might either receive a great one or a defective one. So, if you are clever enough, you can take this risk.

In terms of connectivity, which AVR is better?

In terms of connectivity, there aren’t many differences among the Denon devices. The AVR-X3700H, X3600H, X4500H, X4700H, X6500H can be connected to the internet via ethernet cable or the built-in wi-fi adapter. Besides, they can be connected to other Bluetooth devices using the Bluetooth adapter (built-in).

Mayurakshmi Dutta

Student and Tech journalist.