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Anthem MRX 740 vs Denon X3800H
The enthusiast-brand alternative — which should you buy?
The short answer
Buy the Denon AVR-X3800H for the platform: nine amplified channels, four independent subs, XT32, and a 4K/120-class curated HDMI spec against Anthem's stated HDMI 2.0b / 4K60 board. Buy the Anthem MRX 740 when ARC Genesis is the point — its 140W figure comes with no stated measurement context, so the amp case rests on reputation our fields don't record.
As tracked by Home Theater Builder: the Anthem MRX 740 tracks at $1,300; the Denon AVR-X3800H at $1,399. How we verify this data → Anthem's MRX 740 is the receiver audio forums recommend when the Denon default feels too default. The normalized sheets make the trade unusually concrete.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED| Spec | Anthem MRX 740 | Denon AVR-X3800H |
|---|
| Price | $1,300 | $1,399 |
|---|
| Brand | Anthem | Denon |
|---|
| Channel Config | 11.2 | 9.4 |
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| Main Channels | 7 | 9 |
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| Processing Channels | 11 | 11 |
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| Sub Pre Outs | 2 | 4 |
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| Zone 2 Capable | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Watts Per Channel 8ohm | 140 | 105 |
|---|
| Power Measurement Channels Driven | unstated | two channels driven |
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| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
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| Dts X | Yes | Yes |
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| Imax Enhanced | Yes | Yes |
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| Room Correction System | ARC Genesis | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 |
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| HDMI Inputs | 7 | 6 |
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| HDMI Outputs | 3 | 3 |
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| HDMI Version | 2.0b | 2.1 |
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| HDMI Max Bandwidth Gbps | 18 | 40 |
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| HDMI Earc Port Count | 1 | 1 |
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| Max Passthrough Resolution | 4K 60 | 8K 60 |
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| HDR Support | Dolby Vision | HDR, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR |
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| Phono Input | No | Yes |
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| Wifi | Yes | Yes |
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| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
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| Airplay2 | Yes | Yes |
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| Ip Control | Yes | Yes |
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| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect | TuneIn, Spotify Connect, Pandora, Qobuz |
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| Trigger Outputs Count | 3 | 1 |
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| Height Channels | not stated | 4 |
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| Zone 3 Capable | not stated | No |
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| Watts Per Channel 6ohm | not stated | 135 |
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| THD Percent | not stated | 0.08 |
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| Impedance Range | not stated | 4-16 Ω/ohms |
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| Impedance Min Ohms | not stated | 4 |
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| Impedance Max Ohms | not stated | 16 |
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| Auro 3d | not stated | Yes |
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| Measurement Mic Included | not stated | Yes |
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| HDMI 21 Port Count | not stated | 6 |
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| VRR Passthrough | not stated | Yes |
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| ALLM Support | not stated | Yes |
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| Heos | not stated | Yes |
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| Alexa Built In | not stated | Yes |
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| Form Factor | not stated | full size |
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| Width Inches | not stated | 17.1 |
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| Height Inches | not stated | 6.6 |
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| Depth Inches | not stated | 14.9 |
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| Weight Lbs | not stated | 16.8 |
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| Power Consumption W | not stated | 660 |
|---|
Shaded rows differ · green dot = lab-measured · amber = manufacturer-verified · blue = retailer/community-reported · grey = estimated · “not stated” means exactly that
Reading the numbers honestly
Anthem states 140W into 8Ω — but neither the THD threshold nor the channels-driven count appears in our data, so it cannot be ranked against the Denon's fully-qualified 105W (8Ω, two channels, 0.08%). The stated trade elsewhere: the MRX 740 carries ARC Genesis room correction — Anthem's measured-in-house system with a strong enthusiast following — while stating an HDMI 2.0b board with a 4K/60 ceiling. The Denon amplifies nine channels to Anthem's seven (both process eleven), states four independent sub outs to Anthem's two, and carries a curated 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth.
Compatibility · computed, not written
Checked against a bookshelf that dips to a stated 3.5Ω like the KEF LS50 Meta: KEF LS50 Meta
Can the Anthem MRX 740 drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Anthem MRX 740 publishes no rated impedance range, so the pairing with the KEF LS50 Meta (which dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum) can't be verified from its spec sheet — we treat that as "can't check", not a pass.
Can the Denon AVR-X3800H drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Denon AVR-X3800H states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Computed from the catalog's normalized fields — the same fields the builder's compatibility engine reads. A missing field reads as "can't check", never as a pass.
Check either one against your own build →Gaming & connectivity · answered from the spec sheets
Can the Anthem MRX 740 and Denon AVR-X3800H pass 4K/120 through?
The Anthem MRX 740 states 18 Gbps HDMI bandwidth, below the ~40 Gbps full 4K/120 needs; the Denon AVR-X3800H states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120.
The verdict
Buy the Denon AVR-X3800H for the platform: nine amplified channels, four independent subs, XT32, and a 4K/120-class curated HDMI spec against Anthem's stated HDMI 2.0b / 4K60 board. Buy the Anthem MRX 740 when ARC Genesis is the point — its 140W figure comes with no stated measurement context, so the amp case rests on reputation our fields don't record.
Gaming and future sourcesDenon AVR-X3800H — The Anthem states HDMI 2.0b with a 4K/60 ceiling; the Denon carries a curated 40 Gbps, 4K/120-class spec.
Room correction preferenceAnthem MRX 740 — ARC Genesis is the stated system; whether it beats XT32 is a listening claim, not a field — the stated difference is which system you get.
Channels and bass topologyDenon AVR-X3800H — 9 amplified channels and 4 independent sub outs vs 7 and 2.
What our normalized data adds
NOT ON THE SPEC SHEETS- Anthem's 140W is stated into 8Ω with NO THD or channels-driven context in our data — it cannot honestly be ranked against the Denon's fully-qualified 105W (8Ω/2ch/0.08%), and we say so.
- The HDMI generations differ by name on the sheets: Anthem states HDMI 2.0b and a 4K/60 ceiling; the Denon carries a curated 40 Gbps HDMI 2.1-class bandwidth.
- 9 vs 7 amplified channels and 4 vs 2 subwoofer pre-outs — both process eleven channels, so only one powers a 5.x.4 without help.
- Correction systems stated: ARC Genesis vs Audyssey MultEQ XT32 — a genuine philosophical fork, recorded as fields, argued nowhere else on either maker's page.
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