If you’re going to put the time, effort and money into a home theater, you want to create the most immersive experience possible. That could involve one of the new “object-based” audio formats, which can deliver sound from every angle—even above.
To get that 3D-style listening experience, you’ll need extra speakers and a compatible receiver. (Of course, content is really important too!) Denon Electronics is making the receiver part pretty affordable under its S-Series. The final two entries in this series for 2015, the AVR-S710W and the AVR-S910W, will include support for Dolby Atmos, with a firmware update for DTS:X coming this fall.
Dolby Atmos first popped up in select theaters, with the ability to support 64 speakers for the ultimate movie outing. Most people won’t have that many at home, but this format (when you have Atmos-enabled content) can wrap you up in sound by delivering that overhead element.
Back in April, we saw the introduction of DTS:X. This format can create the same type of 3D-soundspace, using object-based audio coding. That basically means that content creators can actually assign sonic elements anywhere in the soundfield to create that immersive experience.
Besides the audio formats, both of the new Denon receivers also have built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and AirPlay, as well as the latest HDMI spec and HDCP 2.2 support on all HDMI terminals.
The AVR-S710W 7.2-channel receiver promises 80 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% 2ch driven), as well as the latest HDMI 2.0a spec for 4K 60Hz content, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, HDR (High Dynamic Range), Rec.2020 color space capability, and 21:9 aspect ratio pass-through. It also has support for HDCP 2.2 on all six of this component’s HDMI inputs. Other features include a quad-core 32-bit DSP processor, Audysssey MultiEQ setup room calibration, web radio and access to streaming music services, DLNA 1.5, two subwoofer outputs, and support for Denon HEOS Link.
Another one of the new Denon receivers is the 7.2-channel AVR-S910W. This model has everything mentioned above, as well as eight HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs. Besides boasting 95 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% 2ch driven), the AVR-S910W also offers 4K Ultra HD upscaling, analog-to-HDMI video conversion, a front-panel USB input, and more.
These new Denon receivers will start shipping sometime in July. The company has listed the AVR-S710W with an MSRP of $479, with the AVR-S910W priced at $579.
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