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
Price
$1,399
$2,799
Brand
Denon
Denon
Channel configuration
9.4
9.4
Main channels
9
9
Processing channels
11
11
Subwoofer pre-outs
4
4
Height channels
4
not stated
Zone 2 capable
Yes
not stated
Zone 3 capable
No
not stated
Watts per channel (8 Ω)
105
125
Watts per channel (6 Ω)
135
not stated
THD (%)
0.08
0.05
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
Yes
IMAX Enhanced
Yes
Yes
Room correction system
Audyssey MultEQ XT32
Audyssey MultEQ XT32
Measurement mic included
Yes
Yes
HDMI inputs
6
7
HDMI outputs
3
3
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
not stated
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
not stated
Bluetooth
Yes
not stated
AirPlay 2
Yes
not stated
HEOS
Yes
Yes
Alexa built-in
Yes
not stated
IP control
Yes
not stated
Streaming services
TuneIn, Spotify Connect, Pandora, Qobuz
not stated
12 V trigger outputs
1
not stated
Form factor
full size
not stated
Width (in)
17.1
17.1
Height (in)
6.6
6.6
Depth (in)
14.9
14.9
Weight (lbs)
16.8
29.1
Power consumption (W)
660
710
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.
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).
Where to buy
CHEAPEST FIRST · NOT COMMISSION-RANKED
Denon X3800H
Tracked at Accessories4less · price not quotable from a search page
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.
