On every field we record these are near-twins: 0.2 dB apart in honestly-measured power, same 7.2 layout, same MultEQ XT correction, same stated 4–16Ω rating. The Denon AVR-S970H is the one that states its four HDMI 2.1 ports — so let the live prices above break the tie, not the tier badges.
As tracked by Home Theater Builder: the Denon AVR-S970H tracks at $799; the Denon AVR-X2800H at $999.How we verify this data →
Denon's own marketing puts the X-series a tier above the S-series. Read the two normalized spec sheets side by side and the tier gap nearly vanishes — this page is about what's actually left of it.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED
Spec
Denon AVR-S970H
Denon AVR-X2800H
Price
$799
$999
Brand
Denon
Denon
Channel configuration
7.2
7.2
Main channels
7
7
Processing channels
7
7
Subwoofer pre-outs
2
2
Zone 2 capable
Yes
Yes
Watts per channel (8 Ω)
90
95
THD (%)
0.08
0.08
Channels driven (power rating)
two channels driven
two channels driven
Impedance range
4 – 16 Ω/ohms
4 – 16 Ω/ohms
Speaker impedance, min (Ω)
4
4
Speaker impedance, max (Ω)
16
16
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Yes
DTS:X
Yes
Yes
Room correction system
Audyssey MultEQ XT
Audyssey MultEQ XT
Measurement mic included
Yes
Yes
HDMI inputs
6
6
HDMI outputs
2
2
HDMI max bandwidth (Gbps)
40
40
HDMI eARC ports
1
1
Max passthrough resolution
8K 60
8K 60
HDR support
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR
VRR passthrough
Yes
Yes
ALLM passthrough
Yes
Yes
Phono input
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
AirPlay 2
Yes
Yes
HEOS
Yes
Yes
Streaming services
Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music HD
Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music HD
Form factor
full size
full size
Width (in)
17.1
17.1
Height (in)
6.6
6.6
Depth (in)
13
13
Weight (lbs)
21
21
Power consumption (W)
500
500
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
Power is perfectly like-for-like: 90W (S970H) vs 95W (X2800H), both at 8Ω, two channels driven, 0.08% THD — about 0.2 dB, inaudible. Both are 7.2 designs with two subwoofer pre-outs, both state a 4–16Ω impedance rating, and both carry the same Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction in our curated data — the correction step-up the tier names imply doesn't appear in the fields. The S970H is actually the side that documents its gaming connectivity: four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports stated, where the X2800H's port count is unstated in our data.
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 Denon AVR-S970H drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Denon AVR-S970H 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.
Can the Denon AVR-X2800H drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Denon AVR-X2800H 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.
On every field we record these are near-twins: 0.2 dB apart in honestly-measured power, same 7.2 layout, same MultEQ XT correction, same stated 4–16Ω rating. The Denon AVR-S970H is the one that states its four HDMI 2.1 ports — so let the live prices above break the tie, not the tier badges.
Gaming you can verify from the sheetDenon AVR-S970H — The S970H states 4 full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports; the X2800H's count is unstated in our data — stated beats assumed.
Every other recorded fieldEither — Like-for-like 90 vs 95W (~0.2 dB), identical layout, correction, and impedance rating.
Where to buy
CHEAPEST FIRST · NOT COMMISSION-RANKED
Denon S970H
Tracked at Audio Advice · price not quotable from a search page
Like-for-like power: 90W vs 95W, both stated at 8Ω / two channels driven / 0.08% THD — a 0.2 dB gap between two different marketing tiers.
The room-correction step the S/X tier names imply is absent from the data: both carry Audyssey MultEQ XT in our curated fields.
The LOWER-tier unit is the one that states its gaming I/O: 4 full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports on the S970H; the X2800H's port count is unstated in our data.
Both state a 4–16Ω speaker impedance rating and two subwoofer pre-outs — the pairing-relevant fields are identical.
