There’s plenty of life left in the home cinema AV receiver market, says Denon.
To prove its point, the brand, now part of the Harman International Group, has expanded its X-Series AV receiver range with the launch of two new models, the AVR-X2900H and AVC-X3900H. Both are aimed squarely at customers looking to move beyond entry-level surround sound, into more serious home theatre territory, says Steve May, who was present at the event.
The new models won’t just appeal to film fans. They also come with a host of advanced PC and console gaming features, including 1440p pass-through, AMD FreeSync and expanded HDMI connectivity.
Ahead of the launch, ERT travelled to Denon’s Shirakawa Audio Works facility in Japan to hear the new receivers in the listening room where they were personally fine-tuned by Denon Sound Master Shinichi Yamauchi and his team.
Paired with a full Bowers & Wilkins 801 surround speaker system, the receivers demonstrated the kind of authority and refinement that should prove catnip to longstanding home cinema fans looking to upgrade their systems, as well as newcomers to high-end audio.
The AVR-X2900H delivers impressive scale and composure for its class, while the higher-tier AVC-X3900H sounds genuinely exceptional, combining massive dynamics with precise sound steering and remarkable clarity. A run through of challenging demo sequences, including the opening bombing run in WW2 war film ‘Unbroken,’ proves hugely impressive. Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive surround formats is standard.
The AVR-X2900H is a 5.1.2 channel AV receiver, rated at 95 watts per channel. It’s positioned as the accessible entry point into Denon’s more enthusiast-focused AV family, a step-up from entry-level amplifiers and premium soundbars.
The AVC-X3900H moves further into dedicated cinema home territory. Offering 5.1.4 channels of onboard amplification, with the option of 11 channel processing for larger rooms, and 105 watts per channel, it’s suitable for more ambitious speaker layouts.
Internally, both models benefit from updated components and a revised 32-bit multi-channel DAC architecture designed to improve imaging precision, treble detail and bass control.
Audyssey remains available out of the box for straightforward room calibration, while Dirac Live provides a route towards more advanced optimisation for dedicated theatre rooms. To emphasise ease of use, both feature a colourful, graphical setup GUI.
The new X-Series models also support wider smart home and multiroom music ecosystems. Built-in HEOS enables access to streaming services including Spotify, Qobuz and TuneIn Internet Radio, alongside support for Apple AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth audio. Denon is also preparing a future firmware update that will allow compatible Denon Home 200, Denon Home 400 and Denon Home 600 speakers to operate as wireless surround channels.
The Denon AVR-X2900H retails for £899, while the AVC-X3900H is priced at £1,299. They’re available now.
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