MAHWAH, N.J. — Denon launched its first three audio/video receivers (AVRs) with HDMI 2.0 ports and built-in Bluetooth, and two are the brand’s AVRs in years with built-in Wi-Fi.
All three feature Bluetooth and HDMI 2.0, and the top two add Wi-Fi. Denon offered a flagship AVR with Wi-Fi about five years ago, said product manager Paul Belanger.
The three new S-series models are the AVR-S500BT, AVR-S700W and the AVRS900W at a suggested $249, $449 and $599, respectively.
HDMI 2.0 enables passthrough for 60Hz Ultra HD 60Hz, 4:4:4 full resolution 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, 21:9 aspect ratios and dynamic auto lip synchronization. All three also feature a new Auto Eco Mode to reduce power consumption. HDCP 2.2 is not supported in the HDMI ports and cannot be added via firmware because the technology is hardware-dependent, said Belanger.
The $449 and $599 models add networking with built-in Wi-Fi technology, Apple Air- Play, DLNA 1.5, Pandora, Spotify Connect and SiriusXM Internet Radio. Both can be fully controlled via Wi-Fi from Denon’s Remote App for Apple and Android devices.
The $249 model features five HDMI Inputs, dual subwoofer outputs, 5×75-watt peak output, auto speaker setup and EQ with microphone, color-coded speaker terminals, setup assistant with onscreen display and front-panel USB.
The $449 model adds the networking capabilities, Wi-Fi, a sixth HDMI input, and seven-channel amp rated at 7×75 watts, and 7×140 peak, with 4-ohm certification. It adds dual subwoofer outputs and a trio of Audyssey technologies: MultEQ room correction, Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume. It also adds powered multi-zone/multi-source listening.