← Compare toolAV Receivers · Head to head
Denon AVR-X3800H vs Onkyo TX-RZ50
The two 9-channel enthusiast picks — which should you buy?
Both are nine-channel receivers with eleven stated processing channels — the serious mid-range. The Onkyo tracks $500 cheaper ($899 vs $1,399) and brings Dirac Live; the Denon brings four sub outs and XT32.
Reading the numbers honestly
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 does something rare and honest: it publishes BOTH a conservative rating (120W at 8Ω, two channels driven, 0.08% THD) and a generous one (250W into 6Ω). Compare its 120W line — not the 250 — against the Denon's 105W under the same context, and they're near-identical amplifiers. Both state a 4–16Ω impedance rating.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance● SOURCE-TRACKED
| Spec | Denon AVR-X3800H | Onkyo TX-RZ50 |
|---|
| Price | $1,399 | $899 |
| Brand | Denon | Onkyo |
| Channel Config | 9.4 | 5.2.4 |
| Main Channels | 9 | 9 |
| Processing Channels | 11 | 11 |
| Sub Pre Outs | 4 | 2 |
| Height Channels | 4 | not stated |
| Watts Per Channel 8ohm | 105 | 120 |
| THD Percent | 0.08 | 0.08 |
| Power Measurement Channels Driven | two channels driven | two channels driven |
| Impedance Range | 4-16 Ω/ohms | 4–16 ohms |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Dts X | Yes | Yes |
| Auro 3d | Yes | not stated |
| Imax Enhanced | Yes | Yes |
| Room Correction System | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 | DIRAC Live |
| Measurement Mic Included | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Inputs | 6 | 7 |
| HDMI Outputs | 3 | 2 |
| HDMI Version | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| HDMI Max Bandwidth Gbps | 40 | not stated |
| HDMI 21 Port Count | 6 | not stated |
| HDMI Earc Port Count | 1 | 1 |
| Max Passthrough Resolution | 8K 60 | 8K 60 |
| HDR Support | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG |
| VRR Passthrough | Yes | Yes |
| ALLM Support | Yes | Yes |
| Phono Input | Yes | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Airplay2 | Yes | Yes |
| Heos | Yes | not stated |
| Form Factor | full size | full size |
| Width Inches | 17.1 | 17.1 |
| Height Inches | 6.6 | 7.9 |
| Depth Inches | 14.9 | 15.7 |
| Weight Lbs | 16.8 | 30.9 |
| Power Consumption W | 660 | 850 |
| Zone2 Capable | not stated | Yes |
| Zone3 Capable | not stated | Yes |
| Watts Per Channel 6ohm | not stated | 250 |
| Dirac Live Full Bandwidth | not stated | Yes |
| Ip Control | not stated | Yes |
| Streaming Services | not stated | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Deezer, Pandora, TuneIn, Amazon Music HD, DTS Play-Fi |
| Trigger Outputs Count | not stated | 1 |
Shaded rows differ · green dot = lab-measured · amber = manufacturer-verified · blue = retailer/community-reported · grey = estimated · “not stated” means exactly that
Compatibility · computed, not written
Checked against a bookshelf that dips to a stated 3.7Ω like the KEF Q150: 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.
Onkyo TX-RZ50 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.
Check either one against your own build →The verdict
Buy the Onkyo TX-RZ50 if room correction matters most — Dirac Live at $899 is the standout value. Buy the Denon AVR-X3800H if bass management matters most: four independent sub pre-outs vs two.
Room correctionOnkyo TX-RZ50 — Dirac Live vs Audyssey MultEQ XT32 — Dirac is the system enthusiasts pay four figures for elsewhere.
Multi-sub bassDenon AVR-X3800H — 4 independent sub pre-outs vs 2.
ValueOnkyo TX-RZ50 — $899 vs $1,399 tracked for the same channel count and a comparable honest power figure.
What our normalized data addsNOT ON THE SPEC SHEETS
- The RZ50 publishes DUAL power contexts — 120W (8Ω/2ch/0.08% THD) and 250W (6Ω) — and our data keeps both with their conditions, so the honest line to compare with Denon's 105W is 120, not 250.
- Both state 4–16Ω impedance ratings and 9 amplified / 11 processing channels — the spec parity is real, not assumed.
- 4 (Denon) vs 2 (Onkyo) independent subwoofer pre-outs.
- Dirac Live vs Audyssey MultEQ XT32, at $899 vs $1,399 tracked.
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