Denon AVR-X6800H Review – Ultimate Home Theater Experience

Denon AVR-X6800H Review

The Denon AVR-X6800H stands as a testament to Denon’s commitment to audio excellence, embodying the latest advancements in home theater technology. As a leading player in the audio industry, Denon has consistently pushed the boundaries of sound quality and innovation. This comprehensive Denon AVR-X6800H Review delves into the AVR-X6800H, exploring its features, performance, and how it compares to its predecessors and competitors.

At the heart of this review is an in-depth analysis of the AVR-X6800H’s audio capabilities. Renowned for its rich, immersive sound, this receiver promises an unparalleled home theater experience. We examine its power output, channel configuration, and the range of supported audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The review also highlights the receiver’s compatibility with various speaker setups, ensuring a versatile fit for diverse home audio systems.

In addition to audio performance, this review covers the AVR-X6800H’s user interface and connectivity options. With the proliferation of streaming services and smart devices, connectivity has become a critical aspect of modern AV receivers. We assess the ease of setup, the intuitiveness of the user interface, and the range of streaming and networking features offered.

Furthermore, we explore the build quality and design aesthetics of the AVR-X6800H, noting how it integrates into various home environments. The review concludes with an overall assessment, weighing the AVR-X6800H’s strengths and potential areas for improvement, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of what to expect from this high-end audio component.

Denon AVR-X6800H Design And Build Quality

The Denon AVR-X6800H exemplifies the brand’s dedication to high-quality design and build. This receiver, designed and manufactured in Japan, offers an advanced audio experience with its 11.4 channels of amplification, delivering 140W per channel. This power is complemented by support for various cutting-edge audio technologies like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced, and Auro 3D, making it ideal for larger living spaces where a comprehensive 3D audio experience is desired.

In terms of build quality, the AVR-X6800H features a robust metal front panel, ensuring durability and a premium feel. It also comes with a system remote control (RC-1256), which is pre-programmed and supports LCD display. The unit’s power consumption is 750W, with a more efficient ECO mode reducing this to 65W or 110W without sound. The receiver’s standby power consumption is remarkably low, at just 0.1W, with network standby consumption under 2.0W. Dimensionally, it measures 17.1× 15.3 × 6.6 inches without antennas, making it a substantial yet manageable addition to any home theater setup. The unit weighs 34.4 pounds, indicative of its solid construction and the quality of materials used.

Denon AVR-X6800H Features

The Denon AVR-X6800H AV Receiver is packed with a range of features that cater to the needs of home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles. Here are some of its key features:

11.4 Channels of Amplification and 13.4 Processing

 Benefit: With 11.4 channels of amplification and expandability to 13.4 channels for audio processing, users can build extensive home theater setups like 7.4.6 or 9.4.4 speaker layouts, providing an immersive cinematic experience with powerful and detailed sound.

Support for Advanced Audio and Video Technologies

Benefit: The AVR-X6800H supports 3D sound formats such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced, and Auro 3D, along with advanced video features including 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz support, VRR, ALLM, and HDR formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10+. This ensures an immersive audio-visual experience with the latest content standards.

HEOS Multiroom Wireless Streaming

Benefit: HEOS integration allows for stable, multiroom audio streaming and connectivity with other HEOS-enabled devices. This provides flexibility in setting up sound systems throughout the house, catering to different audio preferences and budgets.

Four Subwoofer Outputs for Enhanced Bass

Benefit: The inclusion of four independent subwoofer outputs, along with proprietary directional bass features, offers users refined control over bass output, enhancing the depth and clarity of low-frequency sounds.

Enhanced HDMI Capabilities

Benefit: With full 8K HDMI 2.1 support on all seven inputs, users can connect multiple high-resolution devices and enjoy the highest video quality standards, making the AVR-X6800H future-proof for emerging technologies.

Audyssey and Dirac Live Room Correction

Benefit: Audyssey’s room correction software and compatibility with Dirac Live (via a separate upgrade) allow users to optimize audio performance according to the specific acoustics of their room, ensuring the best possible sound quality.

Versatile Connectivity Options

Benefit: The receiver offers extensive connectivity with seven HDMI inputs supporting up to 8K resolution. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices and caters to various setup requirements.

Support for Various Surround Sound Formats

Benefit: Compatibility with various surround sound formats ensures a versatile and immersive audio experience, adaptable to different speaker configurations and content types.

Advanced Control Options

Benefit: The AVR-X6800H provides various control options including a wireless IR remote, smartphone app control for iOS and Android, and several connectivity options like 12-volt trigger outputs and IP Control, offering ease of use and flexibility in system integration.

High-Resolution Audio Playback

Benefit: The receiver supports high-resolution audio playback (up to 24-bit/192kHz) and is compatible with a variety of digital audio formats. This, combined with wireless connectivity options like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, caters to audiophiles seeking superior audio quality and convenience.

Overall, the Denon AVR-X6800H is designed to provide a top-tier home theater experience, combining state-of-the-art audio and video technologies with user-friendly features and extensive connectivity options.

Denon AVR-X6800H Connectivity

The Denon AVR-X6800H AV Receiver offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options to enhance the audio-visual experience:

Network Connectivity:

HEOS Wireless Multi-Room Technology: Allows for seamless streaming and control of music across multiple rooms using other HEOS-enabled products.

Bluetooth: Offers Bluetooth connectivity, including re-transmitting to Bluetooth headphones with volume control.

Voice Assistant Integration: Compatible with Alexa, Google Voice Assistant, and Apple HomePod for easy voice control.

High-Resolution Audio Streaming: Supports lossy formats (MP3, WMA, AAC) and lossless formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV), including high-definition audio (FLAC HD 192/24, WAV 192/24, ALAC 192/24).

DSD Audio Streaming: Supports direct stream digital audio streaming (2.8/5.6MHz).

Internet Radio and Music Services: Includes AirPlay 2 for streaming, support for internet radio (TuneIn), Spotify Connect, Pandora, SiriusXM, and other services like Amazon Music HD, TIDAL, Deezer, iHeart Radio, Napster, Soundcloud, and Mood Mix.

Remote Control Apps: Compatible with the Denon AVR Remote app for smartphones and tablets, facilitating easier control and setup.

Wired and Wireless Network Options: Includes Ethernet ports for wired connectivity and Wi-Fi for wireless connections.

HDMI Connectivity:

HDMI Inputs and Outputs: Seven HDMI inputs at the back, with main and Zone 2 HDMI outputs, providing extensive connection options for various devices.

Advanced HDMI Features: Supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through on all HDMI inputs, HDR, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dynamic HDR for enhanced video quality.

Gaming Features: Includes Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) for an optimized gaming experience.

Audio Return Channel: Supports both ARC and eARC for simplified connectivity and better sound quality from TV sources.

Additional HDMI Capabilities: Offers 3D signal pass-through, 8K signal pass-through, scaling, and GUI overlay, as well as 4K signal pass-through and scaling. It also features HDMI CEC for integrated control and DSD audio capability for high-definition audio playback.

These diverse connectivity options make the Denon AVR-X6800H a highly versatile and user-friendly AV receiver, catering to a wide range of audio and video needs.

Denon AVR-X6800H Sound quality

The Denon AVR-X6800H, with its 11.4 channels of amplification, is renowned for delivering an exceptional 3D audio experience. This AV receiver is especially noted for its implementation of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies, along with IMAX Enhanced and Auro 3D, creating an immersive sound environment ideal for larger living spaces.

Moreover, the AVR-X6800H offers versatility in bass performance, providing options for both evenly distributed and more directional bass, seamlessly integrated with each speaker channel. The Auro-3D feature further elevates the home theater experience, delivering thrilling 3D sound for a variety of media, including music, games, broadcasts, and films.

The AVR-X6800H’s ability to create a fully immersive 3D audio experience is enhanced when using height speakers, but it also offers a substantial 3D audio sensation even without them, thanks to its advanced processing capabilities. DTS:X immersive audio content in the AVR-X6800H places sound where it would naturally occur in space, offering a lifelike, multi-dimensional audio experience. The DTS Neural:X upmixer adds to this realism, especially for legacy content.

For audiophiles, the AVR-X6800H’s capability to decode Hi-Res Audio—including ALAC, FLAC, and WAV lossless files up to 24-bit/192-kHz, as well as DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz tracks—ensures that each note is enjoyed as the artist intended. The receiver’s AL32 Processing, a proprietary analog waveform reproduction technology by Denon, effectively suppresses noise associated with D/A conversion, bringing out all the delicate nuances in music.

The inclusion of Audyssey and Audyssey MultEQ XT32 technologies in the AVR-X6800H allows for optimal tuning of the AV receiver to provide the most optimal overall listening experience for your room. This can be customized more precisely to the specifics of your room, offering total control over the sound environment. Additionally, the upcoming Dirac Live® Room Correction feature will apply state-of-the-art algorithms to further reduce room impact and enhance speaker performance.

Lastly, the AVR-X6800H features 360 Reality Audio, a new immersive music experience that uses Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound technology. This technology places individual sounds, such as voices and instruments, in a 360-degree spherical sound field, adding a new dimension to audio enjoyment.

Denon AVR-X6800H Pros And Cons

The Denon AVR-X6800H, a successor to the AVR-X6700H, offers several advanced features and improvements, making it an attractive option for home theater enthusiasts. Here are five pros and three cons of this AV receiver:

Pros

1. Advanced Audio Capabilities: The AVR-X6800H supports a wide array of immersive audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced, and Auro 3D. It comes with 11.4 channels (expandable to 13.4 channels for audio processing), providing a flexible and powerful audio setup.

2. Enhanced HDMI Features: Significant improvements have been made to the HDMI capabilities. Unlike its predecessor, the X6800H can handle 8K content pass-through and upscale on all seven of its HDMI 2.1 inputs. It supports various video features such as 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM, and compatibility with HDR formats like Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+.

3. Powerful Amplification and Flexibility: The X6800H boasts 140 watts of power across 11 channels, with an upgrade to four discrete subwoofer outputs. In preamplifier mode, it offers 13.4-channel processing, providing users with increased flexibility in their audio setup.

4. Comprehensive Room Correction Software: It includes Audyssey’s room correction software and is compatible with Dirac Live room correction (though this requires a separate paid upgrade). This ensures optimized audio performance in a variety of room settings.

5. Extensive Connectivity Options: The AVR-X6800H offers extensive connectivity, including Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Wi-Fi, and wired Ethernet options. It supports HEOS multiroom wireless streaming and is compatible with high-resolution audio formats.

Cons:

1. Reduced Analog Video Processing Capabilities: The X6800H has reduced its analog video processing capabilities compared to its predecessor. It now has fewer composite video inputs and limited component inputs, with no option for component video output.

2. Higher Price Point: The AVR-X6800H comes with a slight increase in cost, priced at $3,500, which is $500 higher than the model it replaces. This could be a significant factor for budget-conscious consumers.

3. Dirac Live Requires Additional Purchase: While the receiver is compatible with the advanced Dirac Live room correction system, this feature requires an additional purchase, potentially adding to the overall cost for users who wish to utilize this advanced calibration technology.

Overall, the Denon AVR-X6800H presents a robust set of features for home theater enthusiasts, though it comes with considerations regarding cost and reduced analog video processing capabilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Denon AVR-X6800H stands as a formidable player in the realm of high-end AV receivers. Combining a robust 11.4 channel amplification with the potential to expand to 13.4 channels, it offers an immersive audio experience, bolstered by support for a wide range of advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro 3D. Its 8K video capabilities and support for the latest HDMI standards ensure it is future-proofed for evolving home theater technologies. 

With HEOS built-in, it also excels in multi-room audio streaming and connectivity. While its price point places it at the higher end of the market, the AVR-X6800H justifies this with its comprehensive feature set, superior sound quality, and versatile connectivity options, making it an excellent choice for serious home theater enthusiasts.