DenonAVR-S960H 8K Ultra HD 7.2 Channel (90Watt X 7) AV Receiver 2020 Model - Built for Gaming, Music Streaming, 3D Audio & Video, Alexa + HEOS, Black

Denon AVR-S960H Amazon Review:First thing to know is that during 2020, all brand of receivers that implemented 8K/4K 120p had issues with Video Game System's 4K 120p video.Denon made an adapter box that plugged into early receivers to correct the problem. That way, no one had to take all the wires and cables off of receiver and send it back to Denon and wait weeks for it's return. With units made after May 2021, with serial numbers above 70000, the correction was made to the receivers. That correction was to make the HDMI 8K chipset compatible with video game systems using 4K 120p.So make sure you buy from a Denon authorized dealer so that you have a warranty and mainly to be sure you get a receiver with the new HDMI board and not old stock that still has the problem.That said, this receiver is great and a bargain compared to the newer replacement. The new replacement AVR-S970h is $300 more and only offers 2 more HDMI inputs that are 8K compatible. While it's important to have at least 1 compatible input, its also needs to be said that even that input could be incompatible with new HDR formats that have nothing to do with 8K. So it's a gamble to pay $300 for just 2 HDMI inputs that may not work with future HDR formats. That being said, if the 8K input is 'still' compatible with future video formats, you can always use Denon's own 8K HDMI switch box. That box integrates into the receiver's input menu and control system. That way you can use the receiver's own remote and input names to use the additional HDMI inputs of the box. Or you can use an aftermarket switch box and just use that switch box's own remote.The AVR-S960H only loses those two 8K HDMI inputs and a HD version, to the On-Screen Display on the AVR-S970H. Now that's according to Denon. The AVR-S960H hass quite the savings.The AVR-S960H loses a few things to the AVR-X2700H but is $200 cheaper than the X2700H. The X2700H has additional features for Zone 2 and custom installation.Those features are Zone 2 Preamp outputs, Remote IR repeater, and RS232 for control. It also has 2 additional video modes for calibration for installers, isf day and isf night.Also it steps up the room correction feature from standard audyssey to audyssey XT. I found Audyssey XT on my other Denon Receiver makes the sound worse, not better, so Audyssey stays off on my Denon Receivers.The other things it offers is more surround back channel reassignment for a 5.1 only system. Those additional reassignment features are for bi-amping or channel B speaker option. In a 7.1 system, these can't be used.The X2700h receiver has a detachable power cord compared to the non-detachable cord on the S960H.The X2700h also gets a 3 year warranty compared to the S960H 2 year warranty.The X2700H is rated at 95 watts/ch while the S960H is rated at 90 watts/ch . However I suspect they are the same output in real world as the other rating of 125 W @ 6 Ω/ohms, 1 kHz with 0.7 % T.H.D. is the same for both the X2700H and the S960H receivers.I tried an Onkyo TX-NR6100 but what a mistake. While it has three 8K HDMI inputs, the other three HDMI inputs are only 2.0b and not 2.1 and do not support HDR10+. The AVR-S960H has six 2.1 HDMI inputs that all support HDR10+.The Onkyo does some stuff weird and doesn't follow standards with Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus. When listening to DD/DD+ 5.1 on a 7.1 speaker setup, the receiver flips the sound from the surround to the surround back speakers. This leaving turning off the sound to the side surround speakers and only putting sound out from the "WRONG" surround back speakers behind you. This is by design and stated in the new correctly updated manual on a special link on the Onkyo website.Onkyo TX-NR6100 doesn't have nearly the features that the Denon AVR-S960H has. The Onkyo subwoofer output isn't as dynamic sounding and doesn't have the bass output from the subwoofer preamp output that the Denon AVR-S960H has.The Yamaha RX-V6A doesn't offer normal 8K 60p on it's HDMI inputs, but has only 8K 30p compatibility. You have to use a compression format to get quality any higher than 8K 30p. Plus Yamaha does things different that I don't care for.The Denon AVR-S960H just sounds better than the Onkyo TX-NR6100 and why the Onkyo TX-NR6100 was returned! The Denon AVR-S960H just sounds better, operates better, and has more compatible HDMI inputs with current formats.Out of the Denon AVR-X2700, Onkyo TX-NR6100 and Denon AVR-S960H, the DENON AVR-S960H is the best receiver for bang for the buck.Now if you will use those extra surround back amp reassignment features of the Denon AVR-X2700H in a 5.1 speaker setup, and it's installer customization, or want the upgraded Audyssey XT, then for the $200 more, the Denon AVR-X2700H may be better for you.For me, I don't use Audyssey, don't use Zone 2, and don't use custom installer features in my "7.1" speaker setup, so the Denon AVR-S960H is a no-brainer for $200 less.This is my 10th Home Theater Receiver from Yamaha, Pioneer, Denon, Technics, JVC, Kenwood, and Onkyo. Denon has always had the best sound, the best features, and the most reliable. Some as JVC and Onkyo didn't live in my house very long due to poor design.

I pulled the trigger on the Denon AVR-S960H to replace an aging 12-yr old Harman Kardon that did well, but had no HDMI inputs or outputs, and did not support DD+/Atmos, etc., so it was time for an upgrade. After reading through dozens of 2020 7.2 Surround AVR reviews, I decided on this Denon model. It meets HDMI 2.1 specs and scores very highly in reviews for music quality.Similar to the EZSet+ mic that came included with my 12-yr old H/K AVR, the Denon AVR-S960H included an Audyssey mic for surround sound optimization during initial setup. Simply follow the on-screen instructions and setup is quite easy. The AVR will play a number of test tones from all speaker channels and measure the distance in order to automatically set delays and adjust speaker volume from your normal seating positions in your home theater room. After that has completed, you're ready to set up the rest of your inputs and off you go.My particular setup is a 7.3 system - 3 powered subs and 7 JBL satellite speakers. I use a mini-DSP for output to all 3 subs, so I only utilized one of the sub (LFE) outputs on the back of the AVR. As far as sound quality is concerned, the S960H is amazing. 90W per channel is more than enough for crystal-clear, powerful sound from the satellites.As a suggestion...if you're upgrading to this AVR, ideally you want all of your HDMI sources running directly through the AVR, not to your TV and back to your AVR. Let the S960H do the sound processing. I have 9 total HDMI devices connected to the big screen in my living room, I use a 4k@60Hz HDMI switch to handle the overflow for lesser-used devices. Everything routes through the AVR then to the big screen. It was nice being able to route most of my devices through the S960H, rather than having to use multiple HDMI switches for all my devices.*** Also important...replace your HDMI cables especially if you plan on 4K@120Hz or 8K. You'll need cables that meet HDMI 2.1 specs. If you're using old, cheap junk HDMI 2.0 (or older) cables, don't expect 4K 120Hz or 8K to function properly. The spec changed from 16Gbps bandwidth in HDMI 2.0, to 48Gbps in HDMI 2.1, which you can imagine is a substantial bandwidth difference. 4K 120Hz will push the envelope of a HDMI 2.0 16Gbps cable, and in some cases may not negotiate at the higher "ultra" speeds required for 120Hz 4K and up. Do your searching and make sure your cables meet the specs required to run at the resolution you desire. For 1080p up to 4k@60Hz, HDMI 2.0 spec'd cables are fine. I've read several negative reviews on here and if I had to guess the source of disappointment, I'd say 90-95% were experiencing problems with their cables, most likely related to cables that were subpar or under spec. HDMI 2.1 cables are becoming more affordable every week...they cost just a small % more than 2.0 cables at this point. Don't cheap out on cables. In order to meet the HDMI 2.1 spec, cables need to be sufficiently shielded and use a thicker gauge wire.The S960H is an outstanding receiver, and it does what it's advertised to do and more. Setup is a breeze and only takes minimal time. Use quality speaker wires (14 gauge OFC copper and larger gauges are optimal, especially for longer runs) and quality shielded HDMI cables, or expect problems. Denon makes a quality product and I'm happy with the S960H. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a solid, reliable, and impressive 7.2 Surround sound home theater experience.

Love the perfect sound. Not really a fan of companies having 27 sound effects though. I’ll buy a live album if I want a concert sound, just reproduce the input perfectly. The HEOS is goofy. Onkyo has this beat easily. At least they didn’t screw up the radio like Sony with only FM or a proprietary antenna connection. Could have done a removable power cord. The USB port on front is good decision. Phono input also nice. Setup is strange at times. The switch between TV and HDMI inputs always went to bluray so I changed that setting after fighting it several times. The setting to go to a different input doesn’t work, like my Onkyo, but the Sony did it correctly every time so I’m sure it’s a receiver issue not TV. Overall I’d rather have an Onkyo but they’ve quit making products recently and Marantz is overpriced.