Comparison Denon vs Yamaha Receivers

The question of choosing the best receiver arises for everyone who has or wants to create a home theater. Therefore, I made a Denon vs Yamaha comparison by selecting the best models from each manufacturer. I pursued the goal to identify the strengths and weaknesses of models from entry-level to premium and choose the best ones.

Denon company history and overview

Initially, the Denon firm was established at the beginning of the 20th century by Frederick Whitney Horn under Nippon “Denki Onkyo Kabushikigaisha.” In 1912, the Denon was purchased by Japan Recorders Corporation, a manufacturer of vinyl records and gramophones.

Almost two decades later, in 1928, the “Columbia” brand was added, and the company name changed to Japan Columbia Recorders. Eighteen years passed, and the company changed to Nippon Columbia. However, this appointment did not last long. A year later, there was a merger between Nippon Columbia and Denki Onkyo”, giving rise to DENON.

From that time, Denon has specialized in domestic and pro audio and video devices, which has earned the recognition of worldwide admirers for its quality. Among Denon products, you can see receivers and electronic pianos, phono cartridges, amplifiers, tuners, speakers, turntables, professional CD players, and much more.

Yamaha company history and overview

It was founded in 1887 as a piano and harmonium factory of Torakusu Yamaha as the Nippon Gakki Company, Limited in Hamamatsu. Over time, the production of musical instruments expands and grows in quality. Initially, in 1877, the company depended on the production and sale of pianos, but already at the beginning of the twentieth century, he tried pianos and organs.

By the 21st century, Yamaha has gained a wide range of products, including pianos, drums, guitars, wind and brass instruments, symphonic percussion, violins, violas, cellos, and synthesizers, and has also become a leader in the production of semiconductors and related products.

Now Yamaha has become the largest manufacturer of musical instruments and equipment globally with a brand that is the epitome of quality to fans.

How I tested receivers by Denon and Yamaha

Without comprehensive testing, it would be impossible to make the av receiver comparisons. My test included both the surround audio testing and the receivers` musical side.

As for the home cinema testing, I used the movie Gravity. However, for the musical side testing, I picked up a whole list of diverse music:

• Led Zeppelin – Ramble On – SoundCloud
• Anne Sofie von Otter – Baby Plays Around – Deezer
• Steely Dan – Jack Of Speed – Spotify
• The Weeknd – The Hills (CD player)
• Winterplay – Billie Jean (CD player)
• Max Roach – Lonesome Lover (CD player)
• Daft Punk – Get Lucky (CD player)

And I conducted testing using the following devices:

• CD player SACD 30n
• Blu-ray player Sony UBP-X700
• Speaker wire – AudioQuest Type-9
• Speakers for movie – Klipsch RP-8060FA
• Stereo speakers:
  • Klipsch RP-8060FA
  • KEF Q350
  • DALI OBERON 5

Mid-price Denon and Yamaha Receivers Comparison

Denon AVR-X4700H vs Yamaha RX-A3080

For the very beginning of my examination, I’d want to go over the Denon AVR-X4700H vs Yamaha RX-A3080.

These are 9.2-channel units with different but significant power, as for mid-price devices. As an illustration, the AVR-X4700H has a more powerful amplifier that develops 125 W/8 Ohm or 165 W/6 Ohm per channel, and the rival develops only 150 W in the 8 Ohm mode. And with such performance, an entire list of DSP decoders is required (DTS and Dolby). Moreover, Yamaha`s unit has a great option for home cinema sound. This is a SurroundAI. It analyzes a film scene and then produces a superior home cinema sound effect for maximum listening pleasure. I could find nothing similar in the X4700H.

Alternatively, the AVR-X4700H has advantages in the visual section. It is based on the 8K video path, with complete analog to HDMI conversion and upscaling to 8K. Moreover, the HDCP 2.3 protection works on each of the HDMI ports. The rival, the RX-A3080, works only with 4K signals, of course with upscaling. Moreover, this video path has Deep Colour and Cinema DSP technologies for the real cinema experience.

I started the comparison of Denon vs Yamaha sound quality with the Gravity, and I’m drawn to the RX-A3080`s sound right away. Dialogues were apparent and accurate, ambient noises were more audible and detailed, sound effects were played more dramatically and impressively, and background music was more expressive and complex.

Whether with virtual high-pitched sound or confirmed Atmos speakers, the Denon AVC-X4700H perfectly reproduces the various stages of discussion acoustically. In doing so, the X4700H never loses the sound space. Even in the most fantastic scenes, components and dialogues remain located and audible. However, the Denon AVC-X4700H had to prove itself in my music test. The Yamaha also retained its calmness and better performance and delivered a carefree, powerful and assured tone.

Denon AVR-X4700H pros and cons

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Yamaha RX-A3080 pros and cons

Denon AVR-X3700H vs Yamaha RX-A1080

And another comparison in the mid-price section. This time it is the Denon AVR-X3700H vs Yamaha RX-A1080.

The Yamaha RX-A1080 is a 7.2 channel unit that offers 150 W/8 Ohm superior to the competition. The AVC-X3700H operates with nine power amplifiers, delivering 180 watts per channel. Moreover, the A1080 has Dolby Surround and DTS Neural: X technologies on board. Unfortunately, Yamaha is still missing Auro 3D sound, and DTS Virtual: X is also losing.

Denon’s HDMI circuit is the crucial advance about durability: one HDMI of the seven inputs and two of the three outputs are 2.1 version, with compatibility for 8K at 60Hz and HDMI upscaling up to 8K. In addition, all HDMI interfaces are compatible with HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, and Quick Media Switching. Furthermore, the RX-A1080`s HDMI video circuit works with 4K resolution with 60 fps transmissions and HDCP 2.2 copy protection with HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

In the Denon or Yamaha receiver testing, the X3700H’s aggressiveness piqued my interest during the test. The sounds were “elastic,” with decent detail accuracy. Furthermore, unique dynamic expressions that emphasize every on-screen action provide an even more immersive on-screen action.

Yamaha also showed a high class in the home cinema test. As I expected, the sound was dynamic and precisely matched what was happening on the screen. Sound objects moved very realistically from speaker to speaker. On the music test, I had a similar result. The sculpted, booming bass also astonished me. Yamaha isolated the individual instruments and orchestras from the vocalists and choruses, resulting in a clean, undisturbed sound stage that was incredibly expressive for instrumental music.

Denon AVR-X3700H pros and cons

Yamaha RX-A1080 pros and cons

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Premium Denon and Yamaha Receivers

Yamaha CX-A5200 vs Denon AVR-X6700H

Well, I can’t do without comparing premium models – Yamaha CX-A5200 vs Denon AVR-X6700H.

The CX-A5200 provides up to 13 amplification channels of Dolby Atmos and DTS: X decoding. And this is backed up by good performance – 170 W in the 6 Ohm mode. The CX-A5200’s AI intelligently optimizes home theater system sound in every scene of a movie or other entertainment.

In contrast, The AVC-X6700H was outfitted with an amplifier module with 11.2-channels. As a result, the power was 140 W/8 Ohm or 175 W in the 6 Ohm mode. As a result, the unit can work with Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, Auro-3D, and even with DTS: X Pro.

The Denon AVR-X6700H`s HDMI section is built on a new circuit: one of the eight inputs and two of the three outputs of the AVC-X6700H are the modern generation’s HDMI, therefore fully supporting 8K at 60Hz.

Alternatively, the HDMI interface in Yamaha ports version 2.0a processes high-definition video in all current formats, including 4K with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. In addition, all these interfaces operate under the HDCP 2.3 data protection protocol.

Yamaha CX-A5200 pros and cons

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Denon AVR-X6700H pros and cons

Budget Denon and Yamaha Receivers

Yamaha RX-V4A vs Denon AVR-S650H

Let’s move on to a more budget level and compare receivers here. The Yamaha RX-V4A works in the 5.1 mode with a power of 80 W at 6 Ohm per channel. Enhanced immersion and realism are achieved with support for most surround sound formats like Dolby and DTS. Furthermore, it is simple to incorporate into the MusicCast system. The rival is also a 5.2-channel device with 75 W/8 Ohm or 100 W/6 Ohm per channel. Again, the S650H has powerful DSPs, which support the more advanced Dolby and DTS formats in addition to basic multichannel formats. Concurrently, it provides pretty wide settings for filters and equalizers.

In addition to the specs mentioned above, the RX-V4A works with 4K resolution with 120Hz or even 8K with 60Hz. Alternatively, for example, the S650H’s HDMI switcher designed for five sources meets all modern 4K/3D/HDR/Dolby Vision standards and, importantly, is suitable for the most current video games. The latter means that it is made according to the latest HDMI 2.1 specifications and, possibly, passes 8K.

During testing, I fully understood how each of the receivers sounds. The Denon AVR-S650H had natural, clear dialogue and sound effects that felt real and spatial in the film. I did not experience any significant problems even at higher volumes. I could hear a balanced and rich sound. All the same, it has a specific deficit of fast dynamics and firmness in the bass band. But the RX-V4A, with a similar sound, has good dynamics and a more balanced bass.

In music testing, I felt that the Denon AVR-S650’s sound field was ahead. Instruments and voices stood out very well. However, the bass seems a little weaker than in the movies. The dynamics were not impressive either.

Yamaha RX-V4A pros and cons

Denon AVR-S650H pros and cons

Stereo Denon and Yamaha Receivers Comparison

Denon DRA-800H vs Yamaha R-N602

And finally, let’s take a look at two stereo receivers – Denon DRA-800H vs Yamaha R-N602.

Each of these two receivers has just two channels, but of course, they offer network functions and even voice control. Denon DRA-800H has 100 W/8 Ohm or 120 W/6 Ohm power per channel. However, Yamaha R-N602 loses in some moments and operates only 80 W/8 Ohm and 120 W/6 Ohm per channel.

Yamaha has endowed the R-N602 with Top Art architecture. This symmetrical channel design contributes to excellent and accurate reproduction. Denon engineers have also placed great emphasis on the best possible sound and have endowed the DRA-800H with all the standard Denon technologies and sonic characteristics. And on top of that, Denon has two preamps for the second zone and two subwoofers.

Moving on to online features, the Denon DRA-800H’s streaming features are based on the patented HEOS platform, which guarantees access to countless Internet radio stations as well as popular streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, and Tidal.

Its competitor, the Yamaha R-N602, has enormous networking capabilities, thanks in part to its MusicCast system, and there are so many ways to listen to music from the network.

When I started the Yamaha vs Denon testing, the Denon sounded fresh, dynamic, and determined, a little harsh in the mids and relatively soft in the lows, with open, expressive highs. The timbre here is not too rich and saturated, but thanks to this, the sound is distinguished by a great variety – it is easier to catch a change in timbre or intonation.

The sound of the Yamaha R-N602 is open and transparent but without dynamics and charge in any range. However, the three registers are well integrated, and my listening to music was satisfactory. I also found the R-N602 to be versatile and great for watching movies and TV shows.

Denon DRA-800H pros and cons

Yamaha R-N602 pros and cons

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