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Denon’s AVR-X3800H and AVR-X2800H receivers are staple home theater receivers for us. Both offer great value for the money, are loaded with connectivity features people want, and are powerful, yet affordable. Now these premium models are replaced by Denon’s new AVR-X3900H and AVR-X2900H, and we’re excited. Here are some of the upgrades Denon has developed.   

What are some of the X2900H’s upgrades vs the X2800H? 

First, there is a new back-lit remote, which is a big convenience when you are watching a movie and want to hit pause or adjust the volume.  You don’t have to turn on the light to see what you’re doing with a backlit remote. 

The X2900H is also compatible with wireless surround speakers, whereas the X2800H is not. That can be a big deal in an open-floor plan room, or in a condo or apartment where you might not be able to run speaker wire to the rear channels. 

AVR-X2900H also has more flexibility in getting the best sound in your room. Dirac Live Room Correction is offered as an option, which is not an option with the X2800H. Dirac Live can be very helpful depending on what the room is doing to your sound, and if you can stop in for a demo, you’ll hear that the improvement in clarity can be impressive.

Gamers will love the addition of both 1440p Pass Through and AMD FreeSync features, which were not offered on the X2800H. These help limit latency issues and tearing / smearing effects, offering a sharper and clearer picture, for a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.  Fans of Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 - rejoice!  

The AVR-X2900H’s input channel monitoring feature lets you see in real time the speaker input levels on your TV screen. This helps make setting up and calibrating your system much easier, which is very helpful if you are setting up the system yourself. 

Denon continues to improve their Denon HEOS multi-room streaming platform. HEOS gives you the ability to wirelessly stream music from the AVR-X2900H to HEOS enabled speakers in other rooms in your home. This is huge for those who cannot run wires to other rooms.  AVR-X2900H upgrades the HEOS module to AIOS 6.5 from the X2800H 6.1 module, so your experience of music throughout the home improves.

AVR-X2900H is a Bluetooth LE Audio RX/TX device, so it can act as both a transmitting device and a receiving device, which upgrades your Bluetooth experience. Customers love being able to share new music favorites that a guest or neighbor may have stored on their phone, without the hassle involved to get that person onto the WiFi network. 

What benefits would you get if you move up to Denon AVR-X3900H?

Let’s look at AVR-X3900H, a 9.4 channel 8K home theater receiver with Dolby Atmos & HEOS Built-In. Delivering 105 watts per channel with 11.4-channel processing, it supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, AURO-3D, IMAX Enhanced, and Sony 360 Reality Audio for breathtaking 3D sound. Advanced HDMI connectivity supports 8K and 4K/120 video passthrough, plus AMD FreeSync for smooth cinematic viewing and the best gaming experience yet. Dolby Vision, VRR, and ALLM are also supported. 

AVR-X3900H also offers the new back-lit remote, a big plus, and is compatible with wireless surround sound speakers – a nice benefit to those wanting surround sound who cannot run wires to rear speakers. 

Let’s talk audio.  AVR-X3900H has four independently controlled subwoofer outputs with Directional Subwoofer Mode, for powerful, balanced, room-filling bass throughout your space. AVR-X2900H has two subwoofer outputs – good, but not as helpful in getting a true home theater experience throughout your room.   

AVR-X3900H has the same power output as the AVR-3800H, but more power than AVR-X2900H @ 105 watts per channel in 2-channel mode vs the 95 watts in the X2900H. Even better, the AVR-X3900H has nine channels of amplification, versus 7 in the X2900H, for a more immersive surround-sound experience. 

AVR-X3900H also has eleven channels of signal processing. You can add a two-channel amp for extra height channels, and you’ll get an even more immersive and realistic audio experience.  

You also get the pure preamp out option in the AVR-X3900H, so it can be a true preamp processor for up to all 11 channels. If you have been considering AV separates, but they simply seem out of your budget, this can be a huge benefit. You can use AVR-X3900H as a receiver, making use of the nine power amplifiers on board. When you add outboard power amplifiers later, as your budget allows, you will be feeding them a true preamp out signal, which will sound much cleaner.  

The AVR-X3900H also offers more immersive 3D audio options vs the X-2900H. Yes, it offers Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but adds Imax Enhanced, Auro 3D and Sony 360 RA, features usually found on AV separates. 

Another benefit vs. the AVR-x2900H: you get the optional Dirac Live Room correction upgrade only in the X2900H, vs the X3900H’s ability to upgrade to the full Dirac Live suite, which also includes Dirac Bass Control and Dirac ART. 

Dolby Atmos channel expander is another feature of the X3900H.  You’ll hear Dolby Atmos music through additional channels vs the X2900H. The Center Channel Bi-amp mode in the X3900 is also a nice addition, as the most important channel for movies is arguably the center channel, where dialog lives.  

Summing up: if you don’t see yourself going past 7.2 channels, and your speakers don’t need the extra power, Denon’s AVR-X2900H is an excellent value in a home theater receiver.  The even better AVR-X3900H receiver offers a nice list of upgrades for those who want to get as close to home theater separates as possible on a more realistic budget.