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Denon’s AVR-X4700H AV Receiver delivers 9.2 channels at 125 watts per with nearly every available audio and video technology packed into its chassis.

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver

Whether you want a simple two-channel setup or a fully immersive home theater with two additional zones, this receiver can fulfill your every need.

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Denon’s AVR-X4700H AV Receiver delivers 9.2 channels, at 125 watts per channel, with nearly every available audio and video technology packed into its chassis. Whether you want a simple two-channel setup or a fully immersive home theater with two additional zones, this receiver can fulfill your every need. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, IMAX Enhanced, and even Auro 3D. Eight HDMI inputs and three outputs deliver video up to 8K and 60Hz with eARC. Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction ensures a balanced sound for every seat. And an easy setup with intuitive menus means any user can get it up and running to its full potential.

Highlights

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver

  • 9.2 channel AV Receiver
  • 125 watts per channel
  • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, IMAX Enhanced, Auro 3D
  • 8 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs, HDCP 2.3, eARC, 8K/60Hz, 4K/60Hz with VRR
  • Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction with included microphone and tripod
Introduction

In today’s media and home theater systems, the receiver is asked to do a tremendous amount of work. These boxes are required to pack amplification, video & audio signal processing, and even streaming into a single chassis. And users expect this to come at a low price. If one were to buy separate components to do all these things, even a budget system would cost a fortune.

Denon has had decades of experience doing this. Its multi-channel receivers go back almost 40 years and every new model has added features and increased performance while keeping value at the forefront. The AVR-X4700H is a perfect example. For $1700, you get 9.2 channels, support for every conceivable audio codec, three zones, eight HDMI inputs with three outputs, 8K video, and streaming. And that’s just the highlights. You also get the latest version of Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction. It’s all wrapped in a nicely styled 30-pound box.

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver SPECIFICATIONS
CHANNELS:

9.2 channel (dual independent subwoofer outputs), can be configured to 11.2 channel with 2 pre-outs

POWER:

9-channel discrete amplifier, 125W per channel (8-ohm, 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.05% THD 2-channels driven)

MULTICHANNEL AUDIO PROCESSING:

Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Surround, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, DTS HD Master, DTS Neural:X, Multichannel Stereo, IMAX Enhanced, Auro 3D

CALIBRATION AND ROOM CORRECTION:

Audyssey MultEQ XT32

HDMI CONNECTIVITY:

8 HDMI inputs (1 HDMI input on the front panel) with full HDCP 2.3 support, 3 HDMI outputs, eARC

VIDEO PROCESSING:

8K/60Hz & 4K/120 Hz full-rate pass-through, 4:4:4 color resolution, HDR10, HLG, BT.2020, and Dolby Vision

ANALOG AUDIO INPUTS:

5 stereo RCA line-level, 1 phono (MM)

DIGITAL AUDIO INPUTS:

2 optical, 2 coaxial, 1 USB

AUDIO LINE-LEVEL OUTPUTS:

11.2 multichannel (2 subwoofer outs), 2 multi-room

VIDEO INPUTS:

3 composite, 2 component

VIDEO OUTPUTS:

1 component, 2 composite

HIGH-RESOLUTION AUDIO FORMAT DECODING:

ALAC, FLAC, and WAV lossless files up to 24-bit/192-kHz, DSD 2.8MHz/5.6MHz

WIRELESS NETWORKING:

Bluetooth and built-in Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz/5GHz dual band support

STREAMING SUPPORT:

Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, and more (music streaming services may vary by region) via AirPlay 2, HEOS app

HEOS BUILT-IN:

for multi-room audio, voice control, and digital music streaming

VOICE CONTROL COMPATIBILITY:

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Josh.AI

DIMENSIONS WxDxH:

17.1″ × 15.3″ × 6.6″ (without antennas)

WEIGHT:

30.2 lbs

MSRP:

$1699 each

Company Directory:

Denon

SECRETS Tags:

Receiver, AV Receiver, Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver, Denon AV Receiver, Denon Receiver, AV Receiver Review 2020, Review 2020

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Design

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver Three Quarter View

The Denon AVR-X4700H is a 9.2 channel AV Receiver with 125 watts per channel. That rating is quoted at 8 Ohms with two channels driven to 0.05% THD. While this may not seem like a huge number, in reality, few speakers ever need a receiver or amplifier’s peak power, certainly not when nine channels are all going at once. I hooked my review sample up to a pair of Axiom LFR1100s which are 4-Ohm full-range towers, a 6-Ohm VP180 center channel, and two QS8 6-Ohm surrounds; then proceeded to blast a few scenes from Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2. After 30 minutes, the receiver was warm but not hot. I doubt I could overtax the X4700H without first damaging my hearing. You can see its generous heat sinks in the photo below.

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver Internals

The real star here is Denon’s broad support for nearly every AV technology currently available. With nine amplifiers and two sub outputs, you can set up any manner of Dolby Atmos or DTS:X configurations and if you want 11.2 channels, hook up a two-channel power amp to the extra pre-outs. You can assign extra amps and channels for zones 2 and 3 in a whole-house audio system and bi-amp speakers in zone 1. And those two sub outputs are independent which means Audyssey can correct them individually for the best possible bass from two subs.

Denon has included Audyssey in its products since the technology was first introduced in 2004. The X4700H includes the latest MultEQ XT32 iteration with Dynamic Volume, Dynamic EQ, and Low-Frequency Correction. The three enhancements extend the correction to lower volumes and LFC prevents the wall-shaking that accompanies the action of a large sub. A calibrated microphone and cardboard tripod are included to accomplish the room correction during a guided setup routine.

Also included is network support which can be used to stream from many popular services and to pull in content from locally stored media. The X4700H has built-in Wi-Fi as well as an Ethernet port to facilitate this.

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver Back Panel

The back panel doesn’t waste a single millimeter and is completely covered with input and output jacks. There are seven HDMI inputs, plus an eighth on the front, that support HDCP 2.3. One accepts 8K signals up to 60Hz, or up to 40Gbps while the rest top out at 4K/60Hz, or up to 18Gbps with support for variable refresh rate; just the thing for PC and console gamers. There are also five stereo analog inputs plus a MM phono input along with two each of optical and coax digital plus USB. If you have an old VCR or laserdisc player, Denon has included component and composite video inputs and outputs. The X4700H can also act as a pre-amp/processor with its 11.2 multi-channel outputs. The two sub outs are independent as I’ve already mentioned.

For streaming, Denon includes Wi-Fi and an Ethernet port. Bit rates can go up to 24-bit/192Hz with DSD support up to 2.8/5.6MHz. Services include Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, AirPlay 2, and others. And you can connect Bluetooth devices like phones or tablets too. It’s all managed in Denon’s powerful HEOS app.

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver Front

Physically, the X4700H is an unassuming black box with a nice-sized display, a pair of control knobs, and a power button. A flip-down door reveals four source selection keys plus menu navigation, a headphone jack, a jack for the Audyssey mic, zone selectors, and HDMI & USB inputs. Generous ventilation is provided up top and one should leave a few inches of space above the receiver to let off heat. In my experience, it never rose above warm, even when blasting through action films through my 4- and 6-Ohm speakers.

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver Remote

The remote is capable of controlling all functions with 15 source selection buttons, menu navigation, four programmable keys, sound modes and transport buttons for HDMI/CEC enabled components. It works well but is not backlit which made using it in the dark a challenge. The important buttons like volume and menu navigation have distinctive shapes so I became more adept over time.

Setup

Installing an AVR can often take hours as one wades through cryptic menus to try and create the configuration that best suits the room. Denon has streamlined this process incredibly well in its newest receivers. The X4700H took only about an hour for me; and some of that time was spent exploring the menus. After connecting my Axiom LFR1100 towers (front driver array only), VP180 center, QS8 surrounds and EP800 subwoofer along with an OPPO UDP-203 Blu-ray player, I set about running Audyssey and exploring the receiver’s network options. You’ll need to connect a video display as the receiver’s front panel only shows basic information.

I’ve used Audyssey in other products, including an Integra DHC-80.1 processor and a Denon AVR-3806 receiver, but this was my first time trying MultEQ XT32. The main refinement in each new Audyssey version is resolution. XT32 increases the number of filters over XT from 16 to 512 and concentrates more correction in the bass. You can also take up to 8 measurements which is great for large rooms.

To run Audyssey from the X4700H, I unpacked the microphone and checked out the included tripod. It’s made from cardboard with three sections that telescope for height adjustment. I substituted my own tripod for this step. Following the instructions in the menu was a snap. Not only is every step explained clearly, but you also get a graphical representation of everything that’s going on. I placed the mic exactly as shown in eight locations around my center seat. Once the data was collected, the AVR chewed on its calculations for a minute or so and I was done. Audyssey determined the speaker sizes, crossovers, delays, and levels automatically.

With room correction complete, I visited the network sub-menu and connected the X4700H to my Wi-Fi network. A firmware update was the first order of business which took about five minutes. Then I downloaded the HEOS app to my phone and was greeted with this screen.

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver HEOS

With no action on my part, the app had already found the X4700H. The home screen presents a list of popular services. When you click on one, it prompts you to install that app and log in to your account. I did this with Amazon since I am a Prime user. I was also able to browse my iTunes library by selecting the This iPhone button. I could listen to anything already on my phone and stream from my purchases too. To use AirPlay, select the X4700H from the menu in the Apple Music app.

The HEOS app is very powerful. Not only does it corral your streaming providers into a single place, it lets you control the receiver’s listening modes and change inputs too. Pressing the volume buttons on my phone changed the volume on the X4700H which was cool. And selecting a song automatically turns the AVR on if it’s in standby mode.

With setup complete, it was time to move on to some serious listening and movie watching.

In Use

Modern AVRs like the X4700H have more features and capabilities than any one user would ever use. I concentrated on streamed content; made comparisons between that and the same tracks from CD; and watched a few movies.

Movie Watching

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver Movies

My theater setup is a traditional 5.1 layout, but the room is small enough that I can be fully immersed in sound regardless of the codec used. I started with Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 which features a rich and detailed DTS-HD Master Audio encode. With Audyssey engaged, the sound was perfectly balanced with crisp highs, smooth and clear midrange, and perfectly controlled bass. Action scenes had an appropriate level of slam and shake but it never sounded bloated. The dialog was precise throughout with no hint of chestiness or sibilance. Music came through clearly as well with a nice wet sound framed by just the right amount of spaciousness.

Next up were a few episodes of Star Trek the Next Generation. It’s also encoded in DTS-HD Master Audio from an original stereo track. Obviously, this selection won’t shake the walls, but I really enjoyed the crystal-clear dialog and subtle ambient effects mixed into the surround speakers. Music is a big feature of this show and it played as though coming from a concert stage.

I finished up my viewing with Alien from 1979. This is also remastered in DTS-HD Master Audio and it sounds amazing. The opening sequence when the Nostromo crew is revived is a cornucopia of subtle effects and cues. The eerie music creates a base layer for the soft clicks and whirs of machinery and computer screens. Even the faint rustle of paper could be heard in detail.

Music Listening

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver Music

For music listening, I first tried a few of the AVR-X4700H’s sound modes. They can be cycled through using the music or movie button on the remote or select one from the list in the HEOS app. I settled on DTS Neural:X Music as my favorite. It uses all five speakers and the sub to expand the sound stage. There is also a subtle phasing effect that makes the sound more reverberant. It isn’t strictly true to the original material, but it won’t hide flaws either. I also preferred to listen to CDs through the coax input rather than over HDMI which added a subtle jitter artifact that reduces the music’s presence. Coax and optical connections maintain timing at both ends of the signal path and sound richer to my ears.

I warmed up by listening to a few radio streams through the HEOS app. It found my local classical stations where I enjoyed a performance of Ottorino Respighi’s Fountains of Rome. The X4700H’s resolution is high enough that you can tell when compression is being used. I could easily discern between 64, 128, and 256kbps bit rates for instance. The lower rate showed harshness in louder passages; especially in the brass sections. Strings and percussion came through with solid detail though and the sound stage was suitably wide.

Turning on the Wayback machine, I tried my recording of the Chicago Symphony playing Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture conducted by Sir Georg Solti. This is an early digital recording and sounds compressed no matter how it’s played. The streamed version was just OK; a little two-dimensional, but the detail was there. The CD was a huge improvement, especially with the expansion afforded by DTS processing. Even in two-channel mode though, the hall’s space was evident, and the sound stage was wide.

I then streamed a few movements from Yo-Yo Ma’s recording of Bach’s Cello Suites. The spaciousness of Boston’s Jordan Hall was apparent in the presentation and I was immediately taken back to my student days at the New England Conservatory. I played many concerts in that iconic hall. When I played the same movements from a CD, I heard far more detail and a broader sound stage. The streamed version is more than adequate for background music but if you want to listen critically, the CD is the better choice. Of course, the X4700H can play high-resolution streams from its USB or network connections.

I couldn’t resist a bit of bassooning so I pulled out my CD of Valery Popov performing Sofia Gubaidulina’s Concerto for Bassoon and Low Strings. His tone is a distinctive blend of American and European sounds. He carries the bright overtones most American bassoonists favor while maintaining the dark foundation heard from trend-setting players like Klaus Thunemann and Milan Turkovic. This was perfectly evident in the streamed version and more so when played from the CD.

Conclusions

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver

The Denon AVR-X4700H packs all the latest audio technology and excellent sound quality into a single box for $1700. There is little it cannot do.

Likes
  • Premium sound and build quality
  • Drives 4-Ohm speakers with no trouble
  • Delivers every imaginable audio format
  • HEOS app makes streaming easy and intuitive
Would Like To See
  • It’s hard to imagine what else one could want or need from a receiver

The Denon AVR-X4700H is a fully realized AV receiver that does everything well. With an easy setup routine and the HEOS app, you can be up and running in no time. Audyssey MultEQ XT32 ensures you’ll hear balanced and clear sound from every seat. The latest HDMI hardware means you can manage streaming boxes, Ultra HD Blu-ray players, 4K smart TVs, projectors, media servers, and much more without issue. To quote a famous computer company, “It Just Works.”

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My time with the X4700H went smoothly. I was able to install and use it easily with no need for manuals or internet research. Denon has been building AV receivers for decades and it’s obvious that they have figured out how to make the process easy and intuitive for everyone. From installers to DIYers to end-users; it’s hard to imagine anyone not being satisfied with it.

The Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver receives my highest recommendation. If you need something to bring all your home theater or media sources together, it’s a great choice.

Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver Lifestyle