Denon Reveals Their 2022 Lineup Of 8K AV Receivers
After a long wait and a few leaks, Denon reveals their 2022 lineup of 8K AV receivers. Denon is offering seven new updated models. They range from the budget minded to flagship and everything in between. Most inputs are HDMI 2.1 compliant and will give you the HDMI 2.1 goodies you want. And three of the seven models feature a future firmware upgrade that supports Audyssey and Dirac Live! Starting at $399, is a Denon AV receiver in your future? Let’s discuss!
Denon 2022 AV Receiver Lineup
Denon has divided their 2022 AV receiver lineup into three groups. The S-Series, X-Series, and their flagship A-Series.
Denon 2022 S-Series
The S-Series includes both the AVR-S570BT ($399) and the AVR-S970H ($899).
The $400 AVR-S570BT features 5.2 channels of amplification, with 70WPC (watts per channel). Streaming options are very light, with a USB port to allow for playback of your ripped CDs or Bluetooth streaming from your device. There is an auto-setup feature but no mention of Audyssey room correction. The S570BT has four 40Gbps maximum HDMI 2.1 inputs and a single output. The AVR-S570BT is aimed at entry-level users who want to step up from a soundbar but not break the bank. You can currently pre-order the AVR-S570BT on Amazon.
The $900 AVR-S970H features 7.2 channels of amplification with 90WPC. You can configure a 7.2 surround or 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X system. Streaming options include Denon HEOS, Bluetooth, and Apple Airplay2, as well as Alexa and Google integration. Like the AVR-S570BT, you get HDMI 2.1 inputs, but the S970 gives you six inputs, of which only three are dedicated to 8K60 or 4K120! You do get two HDMI outputs. Audyssey MultEQ handles room correction. The S970H is aimed at the enthusiast who only needs 7.2 or 5.2.2 and still doesn’t want to break the budget.
Denon 2022 X-Series
The Denon 2022 X-Series offers four models. They are the AVR-X580BT (Price TBD), AVR-X2800H ($1199), AVR-X3800 ($1699), and AVR-X4800H ($2499). As with the S-Series, all outputs are HDMI 2.1 compliant and will give you all the HDMI goodies that next-gen gamers will want.
The AVR-X580BT is a clone of the S-Series model but is made for the non-North American marketplace.
The $1200 AVR-X2800 offers 7.2 or 5.2.2 (Atmos or DTS:X) channels of amplification at 95WPC. Like the 970H, you get six inputs, but only three are capable of 8K60 and 4K120. Streaming options are light on the X2800 with HEOS, Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, and the front USB port. Multi-room audio is available, and Audyssey MultEQ XT handles room correction.
The $1700 AVR-X3800H is where things start to get interesting. First, you get 9.4 channels of built-in amplification. And yes, you read that right, there are four discrete subwoofer outputs. Plus, you have processing for 11 channels and a dedicated set of preamplifier outputs. Power is bumped up to 105WPC, and all six HDMI 2.1 inputs are 8K60 or 4K120 capable. Streaming includes all the things, as well as Google and Alexa integration. What is most interesting about the X3800H is the inclusion of Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and Dirac Live (via future firmware updates). Auro3D, IMAX Enhanced, and 360 Reality audio are added to up the spatial audio ante.
The $2500 AVR-X4800 offers minimal additions from the X3800. You get a boost to 125WPC, with 9.4 channel processing and 11 channel of processing available, and a full set of preamplification outputs. HDMI 2.1 ports add up to seven, giving you one more than the X3800. You also get the option of Audyssey MultEQ XT32 or upgrading to Dirac Live eventually.
Denon A-Series
The Denon A-Series has a single AV receiver, the AVR-A1H. Priced at $6499, this is the flagship AV receiver model for Denon’s 2022 lineup and features all the goodies that any AV enthusiast could want.
Starting off, you get 15.4 channels of onboard amplification, with a full set of preamplification outputs and a whopping 150WPC of power. The A1H only gets 7 HDMI inputs, but all are HDMI 2.1 with full 8K60 and 4K120 capabilities. But spatial audio lovers rejoice! The A1H gets Atmos, DTS:X, DTS:X Pro, Dolby Atmos Music, Auro3D, and 360 Reality audio!
Lastly, like the X3800 and X4800, you get the option of Audyssey MultEQ XT32 or eventual Dirac Live with the AVR-A1H.
Our Take
Denon (along with many other manufacturers) missed major updates in 2021, with very few options to allow for 8k60 or 4k120. I am surprised that Denon is not offering all inputs with 8K60 and 4K120 with their 2022 models. While I understand that there is only a handful of HDMI 2.1 compliant devices, this move seems like a bit of a step backward in futureproofing.
The inclusion of Audyssey and (theoretically) Dirac is very interesting. There has been a lot of buzz around Dirac Live lately, and it seems to be the next big thing for enthusiasts (even though it really doesn’t sound that much different from Audyssey). Does this signal the end of the decades-long partnership between Denon and Audyssey? This is also a bit of a weird release date
In any case, Denon now offers the most variety of AV receiver manufacturers. Priced from $399 to $6499, there should be an AV receiver to fit any budget.
