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Denon AVR-S970H 8K Ultra HD 7.2 Channel (90Watt X 7) AV Receiver - Built for Gaming, Music Streaming, 3D Audio & Video, Alexa + HEOS, Black

TLDR Review: Denon AVR-S970H AV Receiver

By ShopSavvy Team

Published: February 18th, 2025

Pros

•Easy and fast setup with ocreen prompts.
•Excellent sound quality that significantly exceeds expectations for the price range.
•Audyssey Setup feature allows for effective customization with manual tweaks.
•Denon App provides convenient adjustments, enhancing user control over settings such as rear speakers and dialog levels.
•The receiver offers many features for its price point, making it a flexible choice.
•Key features like HEOS, eARC, CEC, phono, and zone2 operate seamlessly.
•Capability to cast Spotify directly from a phone, waking the AVR from standby mode.
•Provides ample power for the audio setup without overheating, delivering a hignd audio experience.
•Offers clear value and superior performance compared to competitors like Onkyo.
•Setup is useriendly, fitting well in built-in cabinets and offering sleek integration.

Cons

•Remote control is not useriendly, making navigation difficult.
•Ocreen menus are poorly organized, leading to confusion while finding settings.
•HEOS system for online streaming can be confusing and has connectivity issues with SiriusXM accounts.
•Favorite channels on HEOS do not consistently save after poweff, causing frustration.
•Requires a separate app for bass and treble adjustments, which is poorly rated and costs extra.
•HDMI output issues with default scaling to 1080p and occasional black screens during source switching.
•The manual lacks clarity, and tech support has been unhelpful in resolving some zone 2 operational issues.

Bottom Line

The Denon AVR-S970H offers a superb sound quality and a wide range of features at a reasonable price, making it a solid investment for those seeking a high-performance AV receiver. While the setup is simple and it excels in delivering powerful sound, some users may find the user interface and menu navigation lacking in intuitiveness. If premium sound customizability and ease of use are a priority for you, especially with zone management, you may need to weigh the pros and cons carefully before purchasing. Otherwise, this receiver packs a punch in delivering an excellent audio experience for both gaming and music streaming needs.

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How we researched this

About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from 41 retailers to give you the short version.