Denon AVR-X8500H vs Denon AVR-A1H

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Votes 18 18
Rating 3.9 3.9

AVR-X8500H vs AVR-A1H comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500H vs Denon AVR-A1H review

Denon AVR-X8500H
vs
Denon AVR-A1H

The Denon AVR-X8500H vs Denon AVR-A1H comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X8500H received 9.5 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-A1H was rated 9.7 points. The release date of AVR-X8500H is 2018, and AVR-A1H is 2022. AVR-A1H is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - AVR-X8500H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X8500H over Denon AVR-A1H

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Denon AVR-A1H over Denon AVR-X8500H

  • More channels, namely 15, makes this receiver more profitable than its 13-channel competitor.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 10 points out of 10.

AVR-X8500H
10
AVR-A1H
10

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X8500H supports 13.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-A1H supports a 15.4-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. In terms of RMS power, the models have the same characteristics - 150/8, 250/6/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X8500H AVR-A1H
Channels13.215.4
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm150/8, 250/6150/8, 190/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050,05

Audio features

The score for audio features is 10 of 10 for both receivers.

AVR-X8500H
10
AVR-A1H
10

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

AVR-X8500H AVR-A1H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4490EQ 768 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32Audyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFCAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey Dynamic LFC, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X8500H scored 8, and Denon AVR-A1H scored 9 out of 10.

AVR-X8500H
8
AVR-A1H
9

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Denon AVR-X8500H.

AVR-X8500H AVR-A1H
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)2 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)11
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

AVR-X8500H AVR-A1H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Denon AVR-X8500H got 10 points, but Denon AVR-A1H received 9 points.

AVR-X8500H
10
AVR-A1H
9

Denon AVR-X8500H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-A1H has 7/3 HDMI inputs and outputs.

The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Denon AVR-X8500H in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Denon AVR-A1H has the HDCP 2.3 version.

AVR-X8500H AVR-A1H
HDMI input/output8/37/3
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)24
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input22
Composite input40
Component input/output3/10/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, phones, setup mic
Multi channel preamp output

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the AVR-X8500H were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the AVR-A1H.

AVR-X8500H
9
AVR-A1H
10

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The AVR-X8500H works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the AVR-A1H has the 4K/120Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Denon AVR-A1H.

AVR-X8500H AVR-A1H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10+
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/120Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLG, BT.2020x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.

AVR-X8500H
10
AVR-A1H
10

AVR-X8500H AVR-A1H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featuresIP Control, Web ControlIP Control, Web Control, App Control, RS232 Control

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

AVR-X8500H AVR-A1H
Multi-room zones33
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)22

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 10 points out of 10.

AVR-X8500H
10
AVR-A1H
10

Each of these devices has Auro-3D on its feature list.

Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X8500H AVR-A1H
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-SurroundDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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