Buy the Denon AVR-X3800H — for $400 more as tracked today ($1,399 vs $999) you get two more amplified channels, four independent sub outputs, XT32 room correction, and a stated 4–16Ω rating. Read the tracked gap on this page against that list; it is normally a full tier's worth of receiver.
As tracked by Home Theater Builder: the Denon AVR-X3800H tracks at $1,399; the Denon AVR-X2800H at $999.How we verify this data →
The X3800H is the receiver people upgrade TO; the X2800H is where they start — $1,399 vs $999 as tracked today, a $400 gap for what is normally a full tier jump.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED
Spec
Denon AVR-X3800H
Denon AVR-X2800H
Price
$1,399
$999
Brand
Denon
Denon
Channel Config
9.4
7.2
Main Channels
9
7
Processing Channels
11
7
Sub Pre Outs
4
2
Height Channels
4
not stated
Zone 2 Capable
Yes
Yes
Zone 3 Capable
No
not stated
Watts Per Channel 8ohm
105
95
Watts Per Channel 6ohm
135
not stated
THD Percent
0.08
0.08
Power Measurement Channels Driven
two channels driven
two channels driven
Impedance Range
4-16 Ω/ohms
4 – 16 Ω/ohms
Impedance Min Ohms
4
4
Impedance Max Ohms
16
16
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Yes
Dts X
Yes
Yes
Auro 3d
Yes
not stated
Imax Enhanced
Yes
not stated
Room Correction System
Audyssey MultEQ XT32
Audyssey MultEQ XT
Measurement Mic Included
Yes
Yes
HDMI Inputs
6
6
HDMI Outputs
3
2
HDMI Version
2.1
not stated
HDMI Max Bandwidth Gbps
40
40
HDMI 21 Port Count
6
not stated
HDMI Earc Port Count
1
1
Max Passthrough Resolution
8K 60
8K 60
HDR Support
HDR, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR
VRR Passthrough
Yes
Yes
ALLM Support
Yes
Yes
Phono Input
Yes
Yes
Wifi
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Airplay2
Yes
Yes
Heos
Yes
Yes
Alexa Built In
Yes
not stated
Ip Control
Yes
not stated
Streaming Services
TuneIn, Spotify Connect, Pandora, Qobuz
Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music HD
Trigger Outputs Count
1
not stated
Form Factor
full size
full size
Width Inches
17.1
17.1
Height Inches
6.6
6.6
Depth Inches
14.9
13
Weight Lbs
16.8
21
Power Consumption W
660
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 reads like-for-like here (105W vs 95W, both 8Ω/2ch/0.08% THD) and is the least of the differences. The X3800H is a 9.4 design: nine amplified channels, eleven stated processing channels, FOUR independent subwoofer pre-outs, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, and a stated 4–16Ω impedance rating. The X2800H is a 7.2 with two sub outs, MultEQ XT, and no stated impedance range.
Compatibility · computed, not written
Checked against a bookshelf that dips to a stated 3.7Ω like the KEF Q150: KEF Q150
Can the Denon AVR-X3800H drive the KEF Q150?
Denon AVR-X3800H states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF Q150 dips to a stated 3.7Ω 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 Q150?
Denon AVR-X2800H states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF Q150 dips to a stated 3.7Ω 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.
Gaming & connectivity · answered from the spec sheets
Can the Denon AVR-X3800H and Denon AVR-X2800H pass 4K/120 through?
The Denon AVR-X3800H states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120; the Denon AVR-X2800H states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120.
The verdict
Buy the Denon AVR-X3800H — for $400 more as tracked today ($1,399 vs $999) you get two more amplified channels, four independent sub outputs, XT32 room correction, and a stated 4–16Ω rating. Read the tracked gap on this page against that list; it is normally a full tier's worth of receiver.
9 amplified / 11 stated processing channels (9.4) vs 7.2 — read from normalized channel fields, not marketing names.
4 vs 2 independent subwoofer pre-outs — the difference between calibrating four subs individually and Y-splitting.
The X3800H states a 4–16Ω impedance rating; the X2800H publishes none.
Audyssey MultEQ XT32 vs XT, and a like-for-like 105W vs 95W (identical 8Ω/2ch/0.08% context) — all for the tracked gap shown on this page ($400 today, $1,399 vs $999).
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