For anyone who wants to up their home theater game, a high quality A/V receiver can be the perfect equipment to do so. These devices process all the signals that go to your speakers and TV or projector, cutting down on confusion (and remotes) while enhancing the audio and visual quality.
The Denon AVR-S960H is a strong contender if you’re looking for a top-quality receiver at a reasonable price. With advanced signal processing, a robust array of connection options, and an easy set-up, it has everything most people look for in an A/V receiver.
Want to know more? Read the full review here to find out just what this impressive device can do. (>>> Check on Amazon)
Denon AVR-S960H Review of Main Specs:
| Denon AVR-S960H | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Channels | 7.2 |
| Watts per channel | 90W |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HEOS |
| Dimensions | 13” X 17.1” X 6.6” |
| Weight | 21lbs |
| Price | BHPhotoVideo.com |
Set-up and Installation
Receivers can be intimidating for those with limited A/V experience. The Denon AVR-S960H demystifies the process of setting up the receiver, making it easy to get the most out of it even if you’re not a tech geek.
One huge help in this is the inclusion of the on-screen set-up wizard and Audyssey MultEQ XT for calibration. These systems have won awards for their user-friendly simplicity, walking you through the process step by step. This makes it easy to tune the speakers and optimize your listening experience.
Audio Quality
The Denon AVR-S960H has the latest in audio processing technology. This starts with support for Dolby Atmos Heigh Virtualization and DTS Virtual:X, which allow you to get a truly 3D, immersive sound scape. While the default channel configuration is 7.2, this can be altered to a 5.1.2 set-up, adding an overhead speaker that adds dimension to the sonic landscape.
Each channel on the Denon AVR-S960H also has its own discrete power amplifier to drive the speakers. With 90 watts per channel, you’ll get a powerful, balanced sound from any speakers or subwoofers you connect to this receiver. (>>> Check on Amazon)
Pros
- 8K ready with 120Hz 4K pass-through
- Supports Dolby Atmos for 3D sound
- Low signal lag for gaming
- Intuitive set-up assistant makes it easy to calibrate
- Wide range of inputs, including phono for turntables
- Voice control through Alexa, Google, or Siri
- Wirelessly streams content right to receiver
Cons
- No included manual
- Can be clunky when using non-standard resolutions
Video Quality
While the current video signal standard is 4K resolution, the Denon AVR-S960H doesn’t stop there. It’s fully 8K ready, with a 60Hz 8K pass-through for the signal. You’ll get even faster processing for 4K resolutions, ensuring they’re crisp, detailed, and smooth every time you watch.
The color and contrast of the video signal will be preserved just as well. It supports advanced video technology like Dynamic HDR, HDR10+, and HLG. This ensures accurate colors so you see movies and TV shows the way they were intended. Along with that, you’ll enjoy full 3D support with the same high visual quality.
Gaming Performance
Gamers need a high signal processing rate to avoid adding lag through the A/V receiver. The Denon AVR-S960H has the technology you need to play with no delay between your input and the on-screen action, like an Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and a variable refresh rate (VRR).
The high visual signal quality of the Denon AVR-S960H is helpful here, too. Its high-performance 4K pass-through and Quick Frame Transport technology prevent frame tearing, blurring, and other issues whether you’re watching TV or playing a game.
Connectivity
For wired inputs, you’ll get a wide range of options on the Denon AVR-S960H. This doesn’t stop at standard options like HDMI, either. It has a phono input for connecting a turntable, for example, as well as more advanced connections for integrating the receiver into third-party networks and controllers.
Even more impressive is the wireless connectivity of the Denon AVR-S960H. It has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, opening up options like HEOS multi-room music and allowing you to stream content directly onto the receiver.
It’s also easy to connect the Denon AVR-S960H into smart home theaters. Support for voice control systems like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Siri come standard. Along with that, it’s designed to integrate into home automation systems such as Control4 SDPP and Josh.ai. No matter how you get your content or control your home theater, the Denon AVR-S960H makes it easy.
The Verdict: Denon AVR-S960H Review
For many buyers, the Denon AVR-S960H is a cost-effective way to add voice control and other smart features to your home theater. For others, it’s simply a convenient alternative to separately controlling your sound system and TV. Whatever your needs, versatility is one reason we’d recommend the Denon AVR-S960H to anyone in the market for an A/V receiver. (>>> Check on Bhphotovideo)