Overview of Denon and the AVR-X3700H
Denon has over 110 years of audio innovation beginning with Japan‘s first audio electronics products in 1910 through revolutionary Japanese stereo receivers in the 70s, 80s and beyond.
As home theater evolved in the 90s and 2000s, Denon established itself as the pinnacle of surround sound A/V receivers, winning numerous awards and being found in many discerning home theater owners‘ racks.
The AVR-X3700H continues this pedigree as part of Denon‘s mid-2020 lineup of AV receivers aimed at serious home cinema enthusiasts. With 105 watts per channel to power up to 9 speakers, it builds on the legacy of previous favorites like the AVR-X3600H.
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2020 |
| Audio Channels | 9.2 |
| Rated Output | 105W x 9 |
| Video Support | 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz passthrough |
| Key Features | Dolby Atmos/DTS:X decoding, HDMI 2.1, IMAX Enhanced certification, HEOS wireless audio |
It retains the familiar premium metal chassis Denon buyers expect while packing in cutting-edge HDMI 2.1 connectivity for 8K video passthrough and advanced gaming features.
At a $1599 MSRP it sits just above entry-level units as a future-looking midrange model perfect for discerning buyers. Let‘s examine how it performs as a home cinema workhorse.
Dazzling 8K and 4K Video Quality
Simply said, the video processing and passthrough support on the AVR-X3700H is exceptional thanks to HDMI 2.1 compatibility. It genuinely stands apart from just about any competitor near its price range.
| Video Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| HDMI Ports | 8 inputs / 3 outputs with HDMI 2.1 support |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR |
| HDCP | 2.3 |
| Resolutions | 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz, 4K/60Hz, 1440p, 1080p, 1080i |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:4:4 pure digital video |
| Gaming Features | Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT) |
Having full-spec 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 bandwidth ensures flawless high resolution playback today while being ready for the inevitable 8K TV uptake over the next few years.
Testing with Blu-Ray movies and streaming services showed superb 4K picture quality with vibrant HDR colors and perfect black levels. A slight visibility advantage over cheaper Onkyo or Sony competitors clearly stood out.
Gaming at 4K 120Hz was glorious with quick response times thanks to ALLM switching on compatible TVs and VRR eliminating any screen tearing. Even graphically intense titles like Ori and the Will of the Wisps flowed smoothly and kept response lag to an absolute minimum.
For anime fans, the quality density from 4:4:4 chroma ensures minimal color banding in tricky gradients. Dithering and compression artifacts are also handled excellently by the advanced video processor.
Ultimately any visual media or gaming usage shines with the Denon AVR-X3700 delivering insanely good images guaranteed to please the most discerning viewers.
Room-Shaking Immersive Audio
Given Denon‘s audiophile pedigree spanning over a century, expecting class-leading sound is perfectly reasonable. The AVR-X3700H does not disappoint whether decoding surround soundtracks or high fidelity two-channel audio.
Nine 105W internal amplifiers provide tons of power – enough to cleanly drive 4 ohm speakers which would cripple lesser receivers. The excellent Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction suite also guarantees highly optimized sound tailored to your setup.
| Audio Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Amplification | 105W x 9 internal channels |
| Surround Sound | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, Auro-3D |
| Room Correction | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 |
| Decoding | Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, DSD, FLAC, ALAC |
| Connectivity | 8 HDMI in, 3 HDMI out (eARC), Optical, Coaxial, Phono, Ethernet |
| Wireless Audio | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi b/g/n, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, HEOS multiroom |
| Other | 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, HDR10+ dynamic metadata |
Having the full Dolby and DTS flagship 3D audio codecs means compatibility with practically any Blu-Ray or streaming release. Even without height channels, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization and DTS Virtual:X create immersive bubble-like effects from ear level speakers.
Overall audio fidelity is fantastic with Denon‘s familiar warmth joined by incredible dynamics suited equally for movies and music. The generous 105W easily pushes power-hungry speakers like Klipsch Reference Premiers to rock-concert levels.
Dialogue clarity is also notable – critical for following complex multi-character exchanges in Dune or Game of Thrones. Quieter whispers that disappear on competitors come through cleanly.
For two-channel music, there‘s a natural fluidity across the frequency response that invites listening to entire albums without fatigue – regardless of genres like classical, pop or jazz. Streaming Tidal Masters MQA tracks showed off the impressive technical chops.
Ultimately the Denon AVR-X3700H delivers totally immersive cinema audio and hi-fi music reproduction sure to please the most discerning audiophile.
Tailor-Made for Gaming Excellence
Modern gamers accustomed to tweaking graphics settings on their PCs will feel right home customizing the gaming experience on the AVR-X3700H. The HDMI 2.1 feature set really tightens up responsiveness for competitive play.
Quick Frame Transport‘s frame time stamping reduces input lag to around 15ms – matching TVs tailored specifically for gaming. This keeps controls feeling snappy even in chaotic multiplayer shooters where split-second reactions matter.
Variable Refresh Rate is also pivotal to smooth gameplay by matching the TV‘s refresh rate to the game‘s frame rate. This eliminates stuttering and screen tearing for a buttery smoothness where the action feels almost surreally fluid.
Testing titles like Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 4 at 4K 120FPS on an LG C9 OLED showed off these capabilities excellently with controller responses feeling practically instantaneous. No motion smoothing soap opera effect either – just silky clean visuals.
The 3D immersive audio also better engages gamers into the world by providing spatial cues for reacting to action. Hearing enemies creeping up from behind in Fortnite makes quite the dramatic difference over standard stereo.
For anyone serious about maximizing gaming performance, the Denon AVR-X3700H is one of the few receivers truly catering to this audience currently. It‘s ready for the PS5, Xbox Series X and high end gaming PCs.
Ease of Setup: Simple for Beginners, Depth for Experts
Denon regularly gets criticized by reviewers for offering too many confusing options, but counterpoint – this depth is catnip for serious home theater tweaks. The AVR-X3700H wonderfully balances simplicity for novices while letting seasoned enthusiasts experiment.
Getting up and running only takes following simple on-screen directions to connect speakers and sources. Daily operation sticks to an intuitive front panel interface clearly indicating settings like volume and sound modes.
But behind the friendly face lies extensive calibration options spanning multiple menus for customizing every aspect of sound and signal processing:
- Per-channel manual EQ with 11 bands plus custom curves
- Individual crossover, distance and trim settings per speaker
- Multiple room EQ memory profiles
- Independent video settings for each input and output
- Custom naming of device inputs
- Option menus for configuring HDMI video and gaming features
Navigating does involve browsing through some compartmentalized submenus but soon becomes fast with familiarity. Think of it like unlocking character upgrades in a RPG.
User profiles would still be a welcome addition for easily switching between configurations. But otherwise the balance between simplicity and customization breadth is well executed.
Versatile Multi-Room Streaming with HEOS
With music streaming dominating modern listening, the inclusion of Denon‘s HEOS wireless audio platform across the range is invaluable for whole-home audio. It neatly addresses the shortcomings of wireless surround speakers.
The receiver serves as the hub for the HEOS ecosystem – either as a standalone zone or integrated with your cinema speakers via Denon/Polk add-on units:
| HEOS Offerings | Details |
|---|---|
| HEOS Built-in Speakers | Free-standing or bookshelf speakers with amplification |
| HEOS Amp | Add-on power amps for passive speakers |
| HEOS Link | Wireless preamp for existing analog systems |
| HEOS Portable | Battery-powered Bluetooth speakers |
Setup only requires plugging in and assigning rooms for each HEOS device within the software. Wired connections are better for reliability but Wi-Fi works sufficiently well too.
Dual room entertainment is possible by routing surround sound to the cinema zone while piping out stereo music to HEOS speakers simultaneously. Or have music follow you from kitchen to backyard for continuous listening.
Despite some minor initial bugs, HEOS proved surprisingly versatile – filling coverage gaps easily vs true wireless options. It transformed the home listening experience for a reasonable investment.
Key Comparisons Against the Competition
How does the Denon AVR-X3700H stack up against other favorites like the Yamaha RX-A6A or Sony STR-DN1080? Let‘s examine some key contrasts:
Yamaha RX-A6A
| Specs | Denon X3700H | Yamaha RX-A6A | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 105W x 9 | 100W x 7 | Denon |
| Channels | 9.2 | 7.2 | Denon |
| HDMI 2.1 | Yes | No | Denon |
| 8K Support | Yes | No | Denon |
| Gaming Features | VRR, ALLM, QMS | — | Denon |
| Multi-room Audio | HEOS | MusicCast | Tie |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa | Alexa + Google Assistant | Yamaha |
With more power, channels and advanced gaming connectivity, the Denon pulls ahead on audio and video capabilities. Yamaha counters with broader smart assistant support. Overall the X3700H makes better sense for home theater usage.
Sony STR-DN1080
| Specs | Denon X3700H | Sony STR-DN1080 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 105W x 9 | 95W x 7 | Denon |
| eARC | Yes | No | Denon |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| DTS:X | Yes | No | Denon |
| Multi-room Audio | HEOS | SongPal | Denon |
| Video Scaling | 8K | 4K | Denon |
With added power, audio formats support and more advanced video processing, the Denon holds the edge over the Sony model for serious cinema use. Sony‘s interface offers better streaming integration but falls short on home theater capabilities overall.
In Summary…
The AVR-X3700H holds its own against the competition by leveraging Denon‘s audiophile heritage and pairing it brilliantly with excellent video processing. Extra features like multi-room audio, customization depth and voice assistants provide great bonus value.
For pure movie and gaming performance, nothing else really compares at this price point. The Denon AVR-X3700H hits a sweet spot making incremental upgrades over cheaper models truly justified.
Matching Speakers, Cables and Stands
Having the right supporting gear goes hand in hand with realizing the AVR-X3700H‘s full potential. Which speakers, cables and racks best complement without breaking the bank?
Speakers
For an easy 9 channel speaker package with great value, the Klipsch Reference Theater Pack fits the bill nicely. Their horn-loaded tweeters and high sensitivity match well with the Denon‘s output.
Floorstanding fronts provide dynamism and energy perfect for movies while the dedicated center channel ensures clear dialogue. Add the matching surrounds and powered subwoofer to cover all channels.
Cables
There‘s tons of overpriced audiophile cables but the Blue Jeans Cable LC-1 offers nearly indistinguishable performance for almost all systems at reasonable prices with handy color options.
For connecting media devices like Blu-Ray players, their Belden-based HDMI cables provide full 48Gbps throughput well below fancy brand names.
AV Stand
Finding open-style TV stands hosting separate AV components gets very expensive. The WE Furniture TV Consoles solve this beautifully with mixed wood textures and tempered glass shelves.
Assembly is quick with clear instructions and integrated cable management offers neat routing options. The Denon receiver fits perfectly within its compartments to complete a refined look.
With theserecommendations you‘ll be set up like a proper home theatershowroom without entirely draining your savings!
Bottom Line
The Denon AVR-X3700H continues a legacy of impeccably engineered receivers, proudly displaying over a century’s mastery of home audio. Yet it also ushers in cutting-edge gaming and 8K-ready video upgrades galore.
Truly hardcore enthusiasts may desire separates but anyone else will find extremely satisfying performance nearly unmatched by rivals. Movies and music come alive breathtakingly with thunderous dynamics and crystal clarity.
For dedicated cinephiles and audiophiles refusing compromise, the AVR-X3700H warrants top choice consideration. Both music and film enthusiasts unite happily here. Behind the clean refined exterior lies a mighty machine promising sensational multi-media experiences for years ahead.
