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Denon X3800H vs X4800H
The enthusiast fork in Denon's X-line — which should you buy?
The short answer
Buy the Denon AVR-X3800H for most rooms — it matches the X4800H's 9.4 channel topology, four independent sub outs, and XT32 room correction spec-for-spec. The X4800H's honest case is a bigger amplifier measured at a stricter THD threshold and a seventh HDMI input.
As tracked by Home Theater Builder: the Denon AVR-X3800H tracks at $1,399; the Denon AVR-X4800H at $2,799. How we verify this data → One rung apart at the top of the mainstream X-series, and the two spec sheets agree on almost everything that defines the class: both are 9.4 designs with four independent subwoofer outputs and Audyssey MultEQ XT32.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED| Spec | Denon AVR-X3800H | Denon AVR-X4800H |
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| Price | $1,399 | $2,799 |
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| Brand | Denon | Denon |
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| Channel Config | 9.4 | 9.4 |
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| Main Channels | 9 | 9 |
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| Processing Channels | 11 | 11 |
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| Sub Pre Outs | 4 | 4 |
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| Height Channels | 4 | not stated |
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| Zone 2 Capable | Yes | not stated |
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| Zone 3 Capable | No | not stated |
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| Watts Per Channel 8ohm | 105 | 125 |
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| Watts Per Channel 6ohm | 135 | not stated |
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| THD Percent | 0.08 | 0.05 |
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| Power Measurement Channels Driven | two channels driven | two channels driven |
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| Impedance Range | 4-16 Ω/ohms | 4 – 16 Ω/ohms |
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| Impedance Min Ohms | 4 | 4 |
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| Impedance Max Ohms | 16 | 16 |
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| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
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| Dts X | Yes | Yes |
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| Auro 3d | Yes | Yes |
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| Imax Enhanced | Yes | Yes |
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| Room Correction System | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 |
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| Measurement Mic Included | Yes | Yes |
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| HDMI Inputs | 6 | 7 |
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| HDMI Outputs | 3 | 3 |
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| HDMI Version | 2.1 | not stated |
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| HDMI Max Bandwidth Gbps | 40 | 40 |
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| HDMI 21 Port Count | 6 | not stated |
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| HDMI Earc Port Count | 1 | 1 |
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| Max Passthrough Resolution | 8K 60 | not stated |
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| HDR Support | HDR, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR | HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR |
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| VRR Passthrough | Yes | Yes |
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| ALLM Support | Yes | Yes |
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| Phono Input | Yes | Yes |
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| Wifi | Yes | not stated |
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| Bluetooth | Yes | not stated |
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| Airplay2 | Yes | not stated |
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| Heos | Yes | Yes |
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| Alexa Built In | Yes | not stated |
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| Ip Control | Yes | not stated |
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| Streaming Services | TuneIn, Spotify Connect, Pandora, Qobuz | not stated |
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| Trigger Outputs Count | 1 | not stated |
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| Form Factor | full size | not stated |
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| Width Inches | 17.1 | 17.1 |
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| Height Inches | 6.6 | 6.6 |
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| Depth Inches | 14.9 | 14.9 |
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| Weight Lbs | 16.8 | 29.1 |
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| Power Consumption W | 660 | 710 |
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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
The power comparison has a subtlety the stickers hide: 105W (X3800H) vs 125W (X4800H), both at 8Ω with two channels driven — but the X3800H's figure is at 0.08% THD while the X4800H's is at a stricter 0.05%. Measured under a tighter distortion threshold and still higher, the X4800H's advantage is at least what's printed — a rare case where the bigger number is also the more conservatively earned one. Still, 20W is under 1 dB.
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-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.
Can the Denon AVR-X4800H drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Denon AVR-X4800H 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 Denon AVR-X3800H and Denon AVR-X4800H pass 4K/120 through?
The Denon AVR-X3800H states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120; the Denon AVR-X4800H states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120.
The verdict
Buy the Denon AVR-X3800H for most rooms — it matches the X4800H's 9.4 channel topology, four independent sub outs, and XT32 room correction spec-for-spec. The X4800H's honest case is a bigger amplifier measured at a stricter THD threshold and a seventh HDMI input.
Most 5.x.4 / 7.x.2 roomsDenon AVR-X3800H — Identical channel topology, sub management, and room correction on the stated fields — the core job is the same.
Big room, hard-to-drive speakersDenon AVR-X4800H — 125W at 0.05% THD vs 105W at 0.08% — measured stricter AND rated higher, so the amplifier gap is real, if under 1 dB.
Lots of sourcesDenon AVR-X4800H — Seven HDMI inputs stated vs six (both have three outputs).
What our normalized data adds
NOT ON THE SPEC SHEETS- The THD fine print inverts the usual trick: the X4800H's 125W is measured at 0.05% THD, STRICTER than the X3800H's 0.08% — the step-up's bigger number was earned under the harder test, which our stored context fields make checkable.
- Platform parity verified field-by-field: both 9 amplified channels, 11-channel processing, 4 independent subwoofer pre-outs, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, and a stated 4–16Ω impedance rating.
- HDMI inputs are the one stated connectivity gap: 7 (X4800H) vs 6 (X3800H), both with 3 outputs.
- Both state Auro-3D decoding and IMAX Enhanced certification — the immersive-format sheet is a wash.
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