Buy the Denon AVR-X3800H — for $550 more as tracked today ($1,399 vs $849) 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 $849.How we verify this data →
Buy the X3800H if you will ever run more than seven speakers or more than two subwoofers: nine amplified channels to the X2800H's seven, four independent sub pre-outs to two, and Audyssey MultEQ XT32 to XT — $1,399 vs $849 as tracked today. If your layout is 5.1.2 or 7.2 and staying that way, the X2800H does the same core job.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED
Spec
Denon AVR-X3800H
Denon AVR-X2800H
Price
$1,399
$849
Brand
Denon
Denon
Channel configuration
9.4
7.2
Main channels
9
7
Processing channels
11
7
Subwoofer pre-outs
4
2
Height channels
4
not stated
Zone 2 capable
Yes
Yes
Zone 3 capable
No
not stated
Watts per channel (8 Ω)
105
95
Watts per channel (6 Ω)
135
not stated
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
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 2.1 ports
6
not stated
HDMI eARC ports
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 passthrough
Yes
Yes
Phono input
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
AirPlay 2
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
12 V trigger outputs
1
not stated
Form factor
full size
full size
Width (in)
17.1
17.1
Height (in)
6.6
6.6
Depth (in)
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 $550 more as tracked today ($1,399 vs $849) 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 ($550 today, $1,399 vs $849).
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