Denon AVR-X2700H Reviews – A Review of a High-End AVR from Denon

The Denon AVR-X2700H is a high-power amplifier that meets the most demanding entertainment needs. It features advanced video processing, 8K/60Hz, and 4K/120Hz pass-through to ensure crisp, clear picture quality.

The AVR-X2700H is also 8K READY, so you can enjoy the highest quality 3D audio and video with your 4K TV. And for smooth, lag-free gaming experiences, it features 4K/120Hz.

Denon's most advanced video technology is integrated into the AVR-X2700H. It has Dynamic HDR for an immersive home theater experience, with clarity and contrast to bring out each scene's natural beauty. You can also enjoy hours of entertainment by streaming or watching movies through your HDMI devices like Blu-ray players and game consoles.

Plus, with Quick Media Switching, you'll never have to worry about waiting too long before switching between devices again. Everything is made better still when played all around the house thanks to Denon's Wi-Fi Multi-room audio support so that you can break free from wires running down walls or across rooms--so what are you still doing sitting there reading this? Go on now!

Design

The AVR-X2700H is, even more, user-friendly than its predecessor, the X2600H due to the new front panel which now has two large, easy to read text displays. One shows source information while the other can be set to show either volume/channel level, DSP mode (e.g., Pure Direct or Stereo), or elapsed time of whatever you are listening to; again, an eminently useful feature not available on any comparably priced offerings from other makers currently on the market. The AVR-X2700H also includes some very welcome upgrades like Bluetooth wireless music streaming (with high-resolution DSD support), Apple's Airplay for iOS devices, and DLNA 1.5 Audio Streaming/Device Control.

Features

The new Denon AVR-X2700H is an updated version of the highly popular Denon AVC-X8500H 9.2 channel receiver that I reviewed last year, and it builds on all of what was good about its more expensive big brother but includes some new features as well.

For example, it adds support for Amazon Alexa voice control (it uses the Alexa Voice Service to provide hands-free control of key functions). And like its predecessor, the X2700 has 8 HDMI inputs (6 rear/ 2 front) with full 4K UHD/60 Hz video pass-through compatibility on all ports; 3D, HDR, and the BT.2020 wide color gamut are all supported as well by the AVR-X2700H.

The unused HDMI inputs can be assigned to any source, and you can use them to add a second zone for audio or video, or you can make one of them your "instant setup" input (it's the first one you see when turning on the receiver) for quick connection to an online network like Spotify.

Performance

Another advantage of this new model over its predecessor is that it possesses double the power output; now both channels driven at 8 ohms will deliver 165 watts per channel giving it more than enough muscle to satisfy most any speaker load configuration.

It also has Audyssey's MultEQ XT32 room acoustic measurement and correction system to help you get the most out of your speakers in any listening position, but it is worth noting here that both numbers of channels and wattage are very modest compared to Denon's high-end AVR-X7200WA which costs almost twice as much, has 9.2 channels, delivers 180 watts per channel at 8 ohms, and does all room correction with Audyssey's top of the line MultEQ XT32/LFC automatic room acoustic measurement and correction system.

So there is a trade-off here in that you get a lot more power out of the AVR-X7200WA, but it costs almost twice as much as well.

Clarity

In addition to all this, the Denon AVR-X2700H also includes Audyssey's state-of-the-art MultEQ XT32/LFC automatic room acoustic correction system developed for high-end HiFi installations unlike any other room correction or speaker calibration package on the market today.

It uses a microphone to measure sound pressure levels at up to 8 different locations and has a 1/24 octave real-time graphic display built into its user interface. Once the data is gathered, you simply click on the frequency response curve that is closest to how your speakers actually perform in your room and let MultEQ XT32 do its thing.

Surround Sound

You can set correction points manually or let Audyssey Dynamic EQ (another part of what makes up MultEQ XT32) do it for you automatically.

And if desired, you can also apply Dynamic Volume which is another part of what makes up what is now called the Audyssey Platinum suite; this feature will automatically adjust volume levels so that they are optimized for viewing at night without annoying jumps in volume as well as compensate for unexpected noise like commercials.

You can even go back later and create manual EQ curves for each of up to 32 different listening positions in your room or you can copy correction data from other speakers that have already been corrected by MultEQ XT.

Connectivity

Another advantage this model has over its more expensive big brother is that it offers more ways to connect devices with an even more generous 7 HDMI inputs (6 rear/1 fronts) but only one subwoofer output; however, most people who are serious about home theater will no doubt want their subwoofer(s) wired directly into the main system.

The new AVR-X2700H does support full 4K UltraHD video including 60 Hz frame rates and offers GB of built-in memory and dual streaming Ethernet ports and is compatible with the company's IP control and IP connection modules.

Setup

When first switched on, the Denon AVR-X2700H automatically goes into an unpressable setup mode where it performs some tests and checks to make sure everything is functioning properly before presenting you with the initial home page on your TV screen; this takes about 15 seconds or so.

You can also press "Setup" on your remote at any time during playback to step through an onscreen menu for selecting various settings like video output resolution (4K UltraHD 60 Hz pass-through only), speaker sizes (e.g., Small, Medium, Large), listening position (which is not recommended for most setups; I would leave that at the default of "Small"), subwoofer (on/off), Pure Direct (on/off) and Audyssey Dynamic Volume (on/off).

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction, Dynamic EQ, and Dynamic Volume feature to ensure that your home theater sounds as good at low volumes as it does when cranked up loud so you can watch movies late at night without disturbing the neighbors or waking the kids.
• More than enough power and flexibility to drive a 7-channel surround sound speaker system in a medium-sized room with both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support.
• Upgraded iOS app provides the simple one-touch setup for iOS devices including full 4K UltraHD 60 Hz video pass-through over HDMI along with automatic input selection and device browsing.
• Two large text displays on the front panel simplify settings selection even more than on previous models; 7 x 165 watts to 7 channels is enough for even large rooms.
• Seven HDMIs including one front-panel input with full 4K UltraHD 60 Hz pass-through to support the latest generation of TV sets and video sources.
• Lots of analog inputs (8) and two subwoofer outputs make it easy to hook up multiple audio and video components.

Cons:

• No built-in radio or Bluetooth streaming capabilities of any kind. You will need an external device like the $59 Denon HEOS Link for wireless connectivity, which also adds Amazon Alexa voice control capability via its far-field microphone array and remote app access
• Only seven channels of amplification compared to nine on most other comparably priced A/V receivers.
• No phono input so vinyl devotees will need to add an external phono preamp or turntable designed with a built-in phono stage like the $595 Pro-Ject Phonobox SE.

 

While not perfect, the new Denon AVR-X2700H is another fine example of why I consider Denon AV gear one of the best values for video and audio performance per dollar on the market today. Its 7 x 165 watts into seven channels (8 ohms 20Hz 15 kHz) coupled with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room equalization and other features like two independent HDMI outputs, one each for the main and second zone speakers, makes it a great choice whether you're just setting up your first home theater or adding components to an existing system.