Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

Denon’s X and S-series A/V receivers get new models, bells and whistles included

Kris Wouk
By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Denon A/V receivers are loved by casual home theater enthusiasts and hardcore custom integrators alike, and the company keeps cranking our receivers for both types of customer, complete with the latest features. That remains the case with the six new models the company announced today, stretching across its X-Series and S-Series lines, and aimed at the custom install set.

The new models in the X-Series consist of the AVR-X2500H and AVR-X1500H, both of which are 7.2-channel receivers. In the S-Series, the new models include the 7.2-channel AVR-S940H and AVR-S740H, as well as the 5.2-channel AVR-S640H and AVR-S540BT. As the model numbers indicate, many of these are follow-ups to models from last year, like the AVR-S930H and AVS-S730H.

Recommended Videos

All of these models feature support for the latest video standards including 4K Ultra HD, high dynamic range (HDR) including Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma, ARC, and HDCP 2.2. All of the 7.2-channel models feature support for object-based surround sound using dedicated ceiling-mounted or upward-firing speakers via Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, while DTS Virtual:X creates virtual height effects using your standard speaker setup. Every model but the AVR-S540BT features support for high-res audio, including ALAC, FLAC, WAV up to 24-bit/196- kHz or DSD at 2.8MHz or 5.6MHz.

Related

Multiroom wireless audio has been a major focus for Denon as of late, and these receivers are no exception. All of the models support the company’s own HEOS Link for multiroom streaming, with most models also supporting AirPlay as well as Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, Deezer and other streaming services. To make streaming throughout your home even easier, Amazon Alexa Voice Control is built in, making controlling playback a breeze.

While custom integrators are used to doing more setup work than your normal home theater enthusiast, Denon still aims to make it easy, with support for the Audyssey MultEQ XT to automatically calibrate settings for your room. All the 7.2-channel models also feature a powered zone 2 for even more multiroom flexibility.

The new models in the S-Series are available now, with the AVR-S940H priced at $580, the AVR-S740H at $480, the AVR-S640H at $380, and the AVR-S540BT at $280. The AVR-X2500H and AVR-X1500H will be available in May, selling for $800 and $600, respectively. For more information, see the Denon website, or check out our A/V receiver buying guide to make sure what you’re buying matches your needs.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Kris Wouk
Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
HD to 4K: these home theater projectors are up to $2,000 off
The Optoma UHD55 projector.

While TVs are great, if you want to have a large screen TV that goes over 80 inches, you're liable to spend thousands of dollars, and if you want to go over 100 inches, you may not even find any options at all, especially at the consumer level. Luckily, there are a lot of great projectors that can not only hit those targets but exceed them and do it at a much cheaper cost than a regular TV. Even better, there is quite a big sale right now at Crutchfield on home theater projectors, with everything from budget-friendly options to top-of-the-range stuff.

What you should buy in Crutchfield's projector sale
Not all projectors have to be incredibly expensive, and you can grab a great project for a good price with the Optoma HZ40HDR, which is , saving you a solid $450 in the process. It's an FHD projector, although it can handle 4k and HDR sources,  and the bulb has a 30,000-hour life span, which is pretty great for a budget-oriented projector. On the other hand, if you want 4k, Optomo has a good budget option for that too, the Optoma UHD35STx, which is a 4k short-throw projector with HDR10 and HLG HDR going , which isn't a massive discount on the usual $1,549, but it's still pretty good.

Read more
Best AirPods Max deals: New and refurbished for $440
A woman wearing the Apple AirPods Max.

Shopping the best headphone deals will turn up a number of options from a wide variety of headphone brands, but if you’re interested in what Apple has to offer in terms of premium audio, the Apple AirPods Max are where you’ll want to turn. The AirPods Max are Apple’s top-of-the-line headphones, and while they churn out some impressive audio experiences, they also churn out a hefty price point. With the rumors of AirPods Max 2 going on you’ll be able to find some decent AirPods Max deals out there. We’ve done that hefty lifting for you, however, and have laid out the best AirPods Max deals below. You’ll find deals on both new and refurbished AirPods Max, but click quickly if one of these deals works for you, as Apple deals can be unpredictable and we don’t know how long these will last.
AirPods Max -- $519, were $549

The AirPods Max are Apple's first attempt at a set of over-the-ear headphones. They got a lot of things right. We love these headphones, even when compared against some audiophile options that prioritize sound quality. The AirPods Max have awesome noise cancelling. Everything Apple learned with the earbud-style AirPods works even better with the cup style of the AirPods Max. Along with great ANC comes a great transparency mode. With a twist of the Max's massive knob, you'll go from complete silence to feeling like you're not wearing headphones at all. The audio on phone calls is great as well, and they pair better with the iPhone than any non-Apple headphones could ever hope to.

Read more
Best AirPods Pro deals: Get Apple’s flagship earbuds for $122
The Apple Airpods Pro in their charging case.

Apple’s lineup of headphones has grown over the years. It currently makes a number of AirPods models that can be talked about among the best wireless earbuds. Among them are the AirPods Pro. The AirPods Pro are regularly in contention to be among the best headphones overall as well, and because of their popularity it can be difficult to track down AirPods Pro deals worth shopping. We’ve managed to find some out there, however, and below we’ve rounded up all of the best AirPods Pro deals you can shop right now. You’ll find discounts on both new and refurbished AirPods Pro models, as well as some information on why each model might be best for you.
Apple AirPods Pro (Refurbished) — $122, was $220

While there’s a newer model of AirPods Pro available, the first generation Apple AirPods Pro can still hold their own against some of the best wireless earbuds. Made for a slightly more premium user than something like the Apple AirPods 3, the AirPods Pro have higher end features, including active noise cancellation and a transparency mode, which allows you to hear and interact with the world around you while you have the headphones on. Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking is another impressive feature. This makes watching movies and other content a truly immersive experience. This refurbished model of the Apple AirPods Pro comes with free 30-day returns and a 1-year warranty.

Read more