Denon AVR-X6300H / AVR-X4300H Atmos AV Receiver Preview

You can tell it's time for CEDIA because the annual onslaught of AV receivers targeting custom installers and smart home installations has begun. Denon has put its competition on notice by announcing two new AV receiver models—the AVR-X6300H and AVR-X4300H. These models come loaded with every modern immersive audio and video feature set including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and an optional upgrade to Auro 3D as well as 4K/UHD upscaling, 4:4:4 color sub-sampling, along with BT2020 and HDR. As Denon-branded equipment, perhaps the most important feature is the inclusion of the company’s own HEOS streaming, which now allows either of these two receivers to act as the hub of a true, whole-house wireless audio network.

Technology

These new AVRs are just loaded. The AVR-X4300H and AVR-X6300H are built to deliver full immersive audio fun. The X4300H comes with nine amplifier stages rated at 125 watts into 8 ohms with two channels driven. You can add an external amplifier to drive a full 7.1.4 immersive audio setup for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X.  Auro 3D is available as a paid upgrade. The X6300H is unique in that it’s the first Denon AV receiver to come with 11 channels of on-board amplification.  Denon says that the X6300H’s amplification stage is a monolithic design with custom transistors. Each channel is rated at 140 watts into 8 ohms with 2 channels driven. That means that the X6300H can drive a full 11-channel, 7.1.4 immersive audio setup without any further amplification needed.  However, if more power is needed, the AVR-X6300H offers 11.2CH preouts so you could literally use it as an AV preamp along with external amplification. 

 

Denon AVR-X6300H and AVR-X4300H Preview

Setup Capabilities

Audyssey’s MultEQ XT32 bundle is standard which means that you get room correction and the addition of Audyssey Dynamic volume and Audyssey Dynamic EQ. Denon didn’t explicitly state it in their materials, but if they follow the pattern of last year’s AVRs, you should be able to upgrade to the pro version of Audyssey with the purchase of an additional license.

Both models are built for network-delivered entertainment. Dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi is standard as is Bluetooth and Ethernet. Just about every major streaming service is on-board including Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn Internet Radio, iHeart Radio, TIDAL, SiriusXM, Napster, Deezer, Mood:Mix, Soundcloud and Amazon Music. Apple Music subscribers have the option of using AirPlay to stream tunes from their iOS device.

Perhaps most notable is the inclusion of Denon’s HEOS wireless multi-room audio technology. It’s a direct competitor to Sonos.  Unlike Yamaha, who has now been including their own MusicCast technology in all their AV receivers for some time, this marks the first time that Denon has finally included HEOS into any of its receivers. With HEOS on-board you no longer need an additional bridge or other unit for HEOS support.  Now, you can use any HEOS-compatible speaker with either of the two Denon’s and make them the hub for all your music streaming needs. With Denon’s HEOS app, you have multi-room audio control, allowing you to control music in every room from any device: play different music from different sources in every room, group several rooms together and play the same song. More on the full HEOS line-up can be found here: www.heosbydenon.com.

Speaking of streaming, the new receivers will support DSD (2.8 and 5.6 MHz), FLAC, ALAC and WAV and Denon claims you can stream those formats in hi-res.

Denon AVR-X4300H

The Denon’s video doesn’t disappoint. There are eight HDMI 2.0a inputs (including one on the front) with full HDCP 2.2 support. There are an incredible three switched HDMI outputs capable of delivering video in different rooms. There is 4K/UHD scaling—including standard definition sources such as DVDs. 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, HDR, and BT.2020 pass-through round off the feature set meaning that these new AVRs can deliver fully on the promise of properly mastered native 4K/UHD content.

On the custom installation front, you have IP control of the units as well as RS232. If you aren’t integrating them into a Crestron, Control4 or similar automation system, you can use Denon’s own mobile app for IP remote control of the units.

One element that’s often overlooked—if not ignored—is a system’s user interface. Needless to say, as we saw first-hand with Denon’s X7200WA, their UI and setup is among the best we’ve seen.  That tradition continues with the X4300H and X6300H.

Feature Comparison

Tabulated below is a feature comparison of the various Denon AV Receivers:  

Denon
X-Series Home Theater Receivers	AVR-X3200W	AVR-X4300H	AVR-X6300H	AVR-X7200WA
Built-In Bluetooth and Wi-Fi	Bluetooth / Wi-Fi	Bluetooth / Wi-Fi	Bluetooth / Wi-Fi	Bluetooth / Wi-Fi
Rated Power Output (20Hz~20kHz, 8 ohms)	105 Watts (0.08%THD)	125 Watts (0.05%THD)	140 Watts (0.05%THD)	150 Watts (0.05%THD)
Number of Amplifier Channels / Number of Processing Channels	7.2 channels	9.2 channels / 11.2 channel processing	11.2 channels / 11.2 channel processing	9.2 channels / 11.2 channel processing
Number of HDMI Inputs / Outputs (all HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2 compatible)	8 inputs / 2 outputs (Main/HDMI Zone)	8 inputs / 3 outputs (Main/Sub/HDMI Zone)	8 inputs / 3 outputs (Main/Sub/HDMI Zone)	8 inputs / 3 outputs (Main/Sub/HDMI Zone)
4K Ultra HD 60Hz Pass-through / 4K Ultra HD Up-Scaling	Yes / Yes	Yes / Yes	Yes / Yes	Yes / Yes
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X	Yes (up to 5.1.2) / Yes (Firmware Update)	Yes (up to 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 with an external amplifier)	Yes (up to 7.1.4 or 9.1.2) no external amplifier needed.	Yes (up to 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 with an external amplifer) / Yes (Firmware Update)
"Auro 3D" Charged Upgrade Option	-	Yes (up to 9.1)	Yes (up to 9.1 or 10.1 with "Voice of God" channel with an external amplifer)	Yes (up to 9.1 or 10.1 with "Voice of God" channel with an external amplifer)
Auto Setup and EQ Technology	Audyssey MutlEQ XT	Audyssey MutlEQ XT32, Sub EQ HT, LFC	Audyssey MutlEQ XT32, Sub EQ HT, LFC	Audyssey MutlEQ XT32, Sub EQ HT, LFC
AirPlay, Pandora, Spotify Connect, SiriusXM Streaming (subscription required)	✓	✓	✓	✓
Denon Remote App (iOS & Android)	✓	✓	✓	✓
Heos multi-room wireless audio technology	-	Yes	Yes	-

 

That’s a Wrap

Once again, Denon has delivered a solid lineup of new models that not only raise the bar with on-board amplification and support for all major immersive audio formats, but get the company on the map with whole-house wireless audio with the inclusion of HEOS. Denon rounds out their tech by continuing to include Audyssey room correction, while some competitors employ their own less sophisticated system.  If you're a Denon fan who has been looking to get full 4K/UHD support, immersive audio, and whole home streaming, there’s looks to be no better time or opportunity than these new offerings.

The AVR-X6300H ($2,199) and AVR-X4300H ($1,499) are expected to be available in October.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.