Denon today unveiled three brand new AV receivers that add major upgrades to its In-Command AVR series, including the AVR-X1100W, the AVR-X2100W, and the AVR-X3100W. The new units have been loaded with a heap of new features for 2014, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, the latest in 4K video processing, and more. Here’s a quick peek at what Denon’s new toys have to offer.
AVR-X1100W 7.2 Channel ($500)
Denon’s entry-level model comes ready for battle this year, upgrading from five to seven channels, each with a claimed 80 watts of power – and that’s just the beginning. The new model adds wireless connectivity – both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – multizone output to spread mulitple source audio into two rooms, and HDMI 2.0 for the latest in 4K video pass through at 60 frames per second – an impressive feature for this price point.
With the X1100W’s new wireless talents, users can access content from their devices over both DLNA and Airplay, and the system has brought on Spotify Connect for onboard music streaming, along with SiriusXM and Pandora. Other features include 6 HDMI inputs, 1 HDMI output, and playback of multiple hi-res file formats including DSD, AIFF, FLAC, and ALAC, topping out at 192kHz/24bit resolution. In addition come stalwarts to the In-Command series such as the Audyssey MultiEQ XT auto-calibration system, control through Denon’s In-Command app, and 3D video pass through.
AVR-X2100W 7.2 Channel ($700)
Stepping up to the middle of Denon’s new trio gives you all of the goodies from the new X1100W, with a more potent punch. The X2100 provides a claimed 95 watts per channel, as well as 4K upscaling of both SD and HD video, 8 HDMI inputs, and 2 HDMI outputs to take care of all of your connection needs.
In addition, Denon is boasting strong video support for the higher rung of its lineup, including ISF certification for smoother video upscaling, adding even more accuracy to the unit’s powerful video processing.
AVR-X3100W 7.2 Channel ($1000)
Touted as the AVR for the audiophile, the X3100W incorporates all of the new features of its siblings, and also adds Audyssey’s Gold package for a plethora of DSP and calibration features to digitally tune your system to its max potential. Power for each of the X3100W’s seven channels jumps up to 105 watts, and the system offers full video and audio pass-through to a second zone for dual-room entertaining. New for the top dog is a full 7.2 channel preamp output system, allowing users to run the system through separate amplification.
| 7.2 channel Receivers | Price | Power/Channel |
| AVR-X1100W | $500 | 80 watts |
| AVR-X2100W | $700 | 95 watts |
| AVR-X3100W | $1,000 | 105 watts |
While the company has always had chops when it comes to audio performance, Denon’s latest upgrades pull its In-Command receiver line into the modern age, adding the wireless connectivity users expect from today’s cutting-edge devices, as well as the 4K video tech needed for the coming decade. We hope to have a unit in for ourselves for review sooner than later, so stay tuned. All of Denon’s new units are available today.
