Denon AVR-X2800H Review – New Improved Sound

Denon AVR-X2800H
denon avr-x2800h review

Product Name: Denon AVR-X2800H

Overall
91
  • DESIGN - 90
  • FEATURES - 94
  • CONNECTIVITY - 92
  • SOUND QUALITY - 91
  • VALUE - 90

Summary

This midrange Denon AV Receiver has all the functionality for your daily requirements and enough power you need to fill your living area or media room with immersive sound.

Pros

  • Versatile connectivity features
  • Functional, user-friendly, full-screen interface
  • Advanced room calibration
  • Dynamic Bluetooth transmitter
  • Quick Select audio presets
  • Flexible and efficient music streaming
  • A superb multi-room audio experience
  • High compatibility with leading voice assistants
  • Spacious and authoritative sound quality
  • Immersive movie-watching experience
  • Excellent gaming-friendly features

Cons

  • Look needs a refresh
  • The price is a bit higher than previous models

Denon AVR-X2800H Review

Denon AVR-X2800H review

Denon offers a wide range of AV receivers to meet the varying needs of different people. Many homeowners are looking to upgrade their home theater systems nowadays. Is Denon AVR-X2800H the right choice available to achieve this objective? What are the latest features and benefits this model offer? Does it offer more advanced features compared to previous AVR-X models? This Denon AVR-X2800H review evaluates whether this model is a perfect choice available to upgrade your home theater system.

Denon AVR-X2800H – Build and Design

Denon is confident about the overall design and the build quality of its AV receivers. That is why the company is persistent with the monochrome display and brushed black finish. You can find the same design elements as the previous models in X2800H.

The handsome look captures the attention of the people. The front panel of this feature-rich model does not look cluttered. There is a large LCD display in the center. You can find 9 push buttons under this display. On the front of this receiver, you can find two large round knobs for source select (left) and volume (right).

You can come across the power on/standby button just under the input-source selector knob. Other controls available on the front panel include a headphone jack and HDMI inputs. The USB port on the panel for a mass storage device is compatible with high-resolution formats like WAV, ALAC, and FLAC.

The large display lets you clearly read information. Overall, the front panel looks clean and organized. The faintly brushed metal effect makes the design more appealing and elegant. The rear panel has many different output and input connections. The build quality deserves special appreciation. The fact of the matter is that Denon offers a highly durable product for AV enthusiasts.

This model boasts a large remote with smaller buttons. The buttons could have been slightly bigger to be easier to touch. The premium look and sturdy construction make it a durable remote.

Denon AVR-X2800H – Features

What are the features of this newly released model? Does Denon have any surprises in store for users? Let us discuss the features of this AV receiver to help you make an informed buying decision.

Versatile HDR Support

The AVR X2800H is compatible with the latest HDR video formats. It supports HLG, HDR10+ HDR10, and Dolby Vision. This model offers improved picture realism with the help of vibrant Metadata and HDR. The bottom line is that it supports a wide variety of formats utilized by different games, streams, and films.

Excellent Movie Immersion

8K/60Hz pass-through and upscaling capabilities are what you can expect with this home theater receiver. You can enjoy clear and beautiful pictures of the finest quality. Thanks to the QMS and Dynamic HDR features.

It is one of the best options available if you plan to upgrade your home theater. The X2800 comes with better features than the previous AVR X2000 versions. One good example is the 3 8K compatible HDMI sockets.

Improved 8K experience

The two outputs on this device support 8K pass-through and upscaling at 60Hz. Further, it is compatible with 4K upscaling at 120Hz. This model also comes with the most advanced copy protection standard, HDCP 2.3.

Additional Height without Speakers

It is not always easy to put up extra speakers when it comes to using DTS:X and Dolby Atmos. Don’t worry. This device is compatible with DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization. These virtual height enhancement technologies take immersion to the next level.

Any Dolby format can be played using your existing speakers. There is no need to worry about sound quality and immersion. You can experience a more enveloping sound from a wide range of DTS codecs.

Admirable Gaming-Friendliness

Denon has made avid gamers happy with the launch of this AV receiver. That is to say, it is an ideal choice for gaming enthusiasts. Thanks to the improved HDMI interface. As mentioned above, X2800H is compatible with 4K/120Hz. It also comes with a VRR feature. These two features ensure perfect clarity and resolution.

Many people complain about lag and frame tearing when using traditional AV receivers. This Denon model doesn’t make you worry about these issues. Thanks to the ALLM and QFT features. Overall, this home theater receiver delivers a more responsive, enjoyable, and smoother gaming experience.

Excellent Compatibility with Voice Assistants

You can control Denon AVR-X2800H with Google Assistant and Alexa. You can use your favorite voice assistant to perform various tasks, including switching inputs, skipping to the next track, and changing the volume. Downloading the HEOS app makes this device compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant. It can be paired with your Echo device when using Alexa.

This home theater receiver also supports Siri. When it comes to controlling this receiver using Siri, you just need to link the amp with the help of AirPlay 2. Once done, you can avail AirPlay 2 multi-room support and voice interaction features.

Enjoy the Best Multi-Room Audio Experience

The HEOS built-in feature takes your multi-room audio experience to the next level. You can connect different HEOS systems using dual-band Wi-Fi. Setting them up with your current home network becomes a lot easier.

What about the number of units that can be made functional? You can simultaneously set up around 32 HEOS units. What does it imply? AV X2800H accommodates the multi-room music needs of even highly spacious and larger homes. You don’t need extra adaptors to fulfill your needs. It is good enough to go as a single zone. Thanks to the HEOS built-in feature.

This model supports two-zone audio. The second set of speakers can be paired in a separate room. What does it suggest? You can play back a source in 5.1 in one room. In the next room, a 2-channel stereo can be used for playback. This device lets you use different audio sources in various rooms.

Best Support for Music Streaming Services

Don’t worry about music streaming when using Denon AVR-X2800H. The dedicated HEOS app lets you stream music comfortably after setting up the speaker system. This AV receiver is compatible with the Android and apple versions. It supports leading streaming services, including Deezer, Spotify, SiriusXM, Napster, Pandora, Amazon Music HD, and Tidal.

Effortless streaming of stored music and internet radio services is what you can enjoy with this model. Further, it is compatible with Apple music streaming services. The bottom line is that this versatile AV receiver makes music streaming easy and enjoyable.

Advanced Calibration of Speaker System

The Audyssey MultEQ XT feature lets you optimize the receiver setup. This technology equips the device to perform according to the acoustics of each room. The Audyssey measuring microphone makes the necessary adjustments to create a seamless, optimized listening environment in each room.

The speaker system can be calibrated based on the requirements of a particular room with the help of EQ software and the measuring microphone. You can buy the MultEQ Editor App for butter tuning capabilities and improved customization.

Quick Select Audio Presets

This feature instantly provides the perfect sound to ensure the ultimate listening experience. Many AV receiver manufacturers find it hard to create the best sound when offering excellent user flexibility. The Denon AVR-X2800H model is equipped with 4 Quick Select audio presets.

You can spend enough time to set the perfect sound balance for your music source, games console, Blu-ray, and television. This AV receiver lets you instantly bring back the most heart-warming sound with the touch of a button. It generates the most deserving sound output for your big screen.

Uncompressed Surround Sound Signals

You can establish a connection with eARC HDMI support using the main HDMI output. This capability lets you receive uncompressed surround sound signals, including DTS:X and Dolby Atmos. It can be done directly to your home theater receiver from your smart television.

Dynamic Bluetooth Transmitter

Do you want to watch a movie or TV series without causing disturbance to anyone? Look no further than Denon AVR-X2800H. This device can be paired with your most preferred Bluetooth headphones to enjoy a relaxed viewing experience.

Another added advantage is that streaming to headphones and utilizing the speaker system can be performed simultaneously. This capability allows people with hearing impairment issues to use headphones while others can listen to sound using speakers.

Fast Setup with Denon Setup Assistant

The Denon Setup Assistant guide is popular among AV receiver enthusiasts. It provides clear, transparent, and simple guidelines to get started. After connecting the device to your television, you just need to follow the guidelines on the TV screen to complete the installation.

All tasks, including connecting speakers, measuring speakers, and linking source devices, can be done with minimal effort. This home theater receiver automatically renames HDMI inputs to offer maximum convenience for users. You can even perform manual renaming based on your unique preferences.

Denon AVR-X2800H – Connectivity

denon avr-x2800h

The connectivity features of X2800H can be termed superb. You can find 6 HDMI inputs on this model. It also boasts 2 HDMI outputs. The HDMI board has been made more efficient with three 2.1 ports.

The other three 2.0 ports are equipped with a bandwidth of 18Gbps. Further, all inputs available on this receiver are compatible with the latest HDR codecs. They also have a 4:4:4 Chroma sub-sampling feature.

One coaxial and 2 TOSLINK optical constitute the digital audio inputs of this device. It boasts 4 analog stereo RCA inputs. The MM input lets you connect a turntable easily. If you plan to playback audio from the USB flash drives, you can rely on the front panel USB.

Other connectivity features include 2 composite inputs, 1 composite output, 2 component inputs, 1 component output, 1 full-sized headphone jack, one removable power cord, 3D signal pass-through, an Ethernet port, RS-232C, and IR remote connections, and 2 line-level subwoofer outputs.

This model has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity features. The wireless audio protocols include AirPlay2 and HEOS.

Denon AVR-X2800H – Sound Quality and Performance

Each channel comes with discrete, powerful, high-current amplifiers. The power generation capacity of the amplifier is 95W per channel at 8 ohms. It is sufficient enough to drive any speaker. You can convert this 7.2-channel receiver into a 7.2.or 5.2.2 system using DTS:X and Dolby Atmos.

You can enjoy the fully immersive sound when using this Denon home theater receiver. This model reproduces louder sounds like the intense sound of gunfire with immaculate precision. It also keeps you in the center of the action when listening to subtle sounds like rain falling in a tropical jungle. So, Denon AVR-X2800H is a flexible device that handles sounds at all levels with admirable balance and control.

This well-equipped home theater receiver produces more coherent, spacious, and responsive sound than many other receivers in this price range. It retains the signature authoritative weight of Denon with a more refined, bolder, and balanced top end to deliver the best music listening and movie-watching experience.

X2800H is designed to deliver a more open, well-spread soundstage than X2700H. It does not depend excessively on heavy low-end prowess to create authoritative and mature sound. When watching action-packed climax scenes, this receiver offers a laudable separation between different elements to make more impact on viewers.

This home theater receiver creates a precise and expansive soundstage. Dialogues are reproduced with excellent clarity and liveliness to engage viewers. The broad, airy soundstage also improves your music listening experience tremendously.

Denon AVR-X2800H – Verdict

 Pros

  • Versatile connectivity features
  • Functional, user-friendly, full-screen interface
  • Advanced room calibration
  • Dynamic Bluetooth transmitter
  • Quick Select audio presets
  • Flexible and efficient music streaming
  • A superb multi-room audio experience
  • High compatibility with leading voice assistants
  • Spacious and authoritative sound quality
  • Immersive movie-watching experience
  • Excellent gaming-friendly features

Cons

  • Look needs a refresh
  • The price is a bit higher than previous models

Final Words

Let us compare Denon AVR-X2800H to AVR-X2700H before making the final decision. The graphic user interface of the former has been remodeled from 480p to 1080p. It comes with more HDMI 2.1 inputs. You can enjoy a more coherent, authoritative, and spacious sound. That is to say, the sound quality of the X2800H receiver is much better than the X2700H version.

Now, let us also compare this model to Yamaha RX-A2A. The Denon model stands taller in terms of connectivity, video quality, and user interface efficiency. Although Yamaha model slightly higher power output, The sound quality of 2800h is crispier than the Yamaha model.

When you analyze all aspects objectively, the Denon AVR-X2800H is a perfect choice to upgrade our home theater system. It is hard to find a better-performing AV receiver than X2800H at this price point. It comes with many future-proofed features to attract movie buffs and gaming enthusiasts. Overall, this model is a great AV Receiver at this price point.

Vivek Sehgal

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