Denon AVR-S960H AV Receiver Test

Denon AVR-S960H AV Receiver Review

The Denon AVR-S960H may not revolutionize receiver design, sticking to the brand’s classic black chassis with a central LED display, input selector and volume knobs, and hotkeys for quick source switching. But beneath its understated appearance lies a powerful, future-proof home theater receiver that’s loaded with cutting-edge technology.

---

Key Features & Format Support

According to Denon, the AVR-S960H is the first model in the AVR series to support 8K video, making it an excellent choice for users preparing to upgrade to next-generation displays.

It also supports the latest immersive audio formats, including:

• Dolby Atmos
• Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
• DTS:X
• DTS Virtual:X

On the video side, the receiver delivers full compatibility with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG), providing a vivid, high-contrast visual experience for movie lovers and gamers alike.

---

Wireless Streaming & Smart Home Integration

With HEOS Built-In, the AVR-S960H supports multi-room wireless music streaming from major services like Spotify, Amazon Music, and TIDAL. It also features voice assistant integration, allowing users to control playback, volume, and input selection using:

• Amazon Alexa
• Google Assistant
• Apple Siri

This flexibility makes it an excellent addition to smart home ecosystems.

---

Effortless Setup & Room Calibration

Denon makes installation easy with a guided on-screen setup wizard. The receiver also features Audyssey MultEQ, a powerful room calibration system that automatically measures the acoustics of your room and fine-tunes the output for:

• Clearer dialogue
• More accurate bass response
• Improved overall soundstage balance

This ensures that the AVR-S960H adapts perfectly to your unique space.

Denon AVR-S960H Features

Although there is nothing surprising or new in design, this product does not look bad, this Denon receiver is elegant and aesthetic. Thanks to its stable housing and quality components, this AV receiver is very durable and rugged.

---

Remote Control and Energy Efficiency

The Denon AVR-S960H comes with a well-designed remote control, featuring large, clearly labeled buttons that make everyday use simple and intuitive. A dedicated Eco button is also included, allowing users to activate Auto Eco Mode, which automatically adjusts power output based on volume level and on-screen Eco Meter readings. This function helps to maintain energy efficiency without compromising audio performance.

---

Power and Compatibility

This highly capable 7-channel AV receiver delivers 90 watts per channel, providing ample power for immersive surround sound. With low-impedance drive capability, the AVR-S960H is compatible with a wide range of speaker setups, maintaining stable performance even under demanding loads.

---

8K Processing for a Premium 4K Experience

Although designed to support 8K video passthrough, the receiver is also optimized for enhancing 4K home cinema setups. It serves as a future-ready hub, ensuring users don’t need to upgrade again when they move to 8K displays. Combined with full compatibility for modern 3D audio formats, it’s a solid foundation for any high-performance home theater system.

---

Image Quality and HDMI Features

When it comes to video performance, the AVR-S960H truly impresses. With support for:

• BT.2020 color space
• 3D video
• Dynamic HDR
• Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)
• HDR10+
• Dolby Vision
• 4:4:4 Pure Color subsampling

…this receiver ensures stunning picture quality, deep contrast, and lifelike color accuracy. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or watching UHD Blu-rays, the visual experience is vibrant, sharp, and immersive.

Full Support for Advanced 3D Audio Formats

The Denon AVR-S960H provides comprehensive support for today’s most immersive 3D audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, and DTS Virtual:X. With HDCP 2.3 and 8K upscaling available on all HDMI ports, you can enjoy copy-protected content seamlessly. The inclusion of Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) ensures uncompressed and high-resolution audio transmission—ideal for Smart TV applications using streaming platforms with 3D sound.

---

High-Resolution Audio Performance

Thanks to AKM 32-bit D/A converters, the AVR-S960H delivers precise and detailed audio decoding. It supports a range of lossless formats such as WAV, FLAC, and ALAC at up to 192 kHz / 24-bit, as well as DSD files at 2.8 / 5.6 MHz. Whether you’re enjoying music or movies, you’ll experience exceptional clarity and fidelity across the entire frequency spectrum.

---

Next-Level Gaming Features

Gamers will appreciate the S960H’s cutting-edge support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 4K/120Hz passthrough, allowing for ultra-smooth visuals and real-time responsiveness. With Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT), the AVR ensures minimal input lag and reduced screen tearing, creating a flawless gaming experience.

---

Voice Control & Smart Assistant Compatibility

The AVR-S960H integrates effortlessly with today’s top voice-controlled ecosystems, including:

• Amazon Alexa
• Google Assistant
• Apple Siri
• Josh.AI

Users can control playback, adjust volume, and switch inputs using simple voice commands, adding convenience to home theater management.

---

Flexible Bluetooth & Wireless Streaming

The dual-antenna transceiver system enables strong, stable performance across both Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi networks—even in interference-prone environments. Users can enjoy simultaneous audio playback through Bluetooth headphones and connected speakers, ideal for late-night viewing or personal listening.

With HEOS Built-In, you also get access to multi-room streaming across popular services like Spotify, Deezer, TIDAL, Amazon Music, and more—all controllable via the HEOS app on your smart device.

HEOS Multi-Room Streaming & Roon Certification

The built-in HEOS multi-room system allows you to synchronize audio playback across multiple rooms or stream different tracks in different zones simultaneously. Whether you’re hosting a party or relaxing in separate spaces, the system provides seamless control over the listening environment.

HEOS supports all major streaming platforms, including:

• Spotify
• Amazon Music HD
• SiriusXM
• SoundCloud
• Pandora
• And more

Additionally, with Apple AirPlay 2, you can stream your entire Apple Music library directly from your iOS devices. The AVR-S960H is Roon certified, meaning it can display rich metadata, such as artist bios, lyrics, album details, and track credits—perfect for audiophiles who enjoy exploring the full depth of their music collection.

---

USB Playback & Front Panel Convenience

A USB port on the front panel allows for easy playback of high-resolution audio files stored on USB drives. Supported formats include WAV, FLAC, ALAC, and DSD—making it convenient to enjoy high-fidelity music without needing a network connection.

---

Setup & Installation

Denon has made the setup process user-friendly and efficient. The Quick Start Guide provides clear and simple steps, ensuring even first-time users can get started with ease. Upon connecting your TV via HDMI, the Denon Setup Assistant automatically appears on the screen to walk you through each step—from speaker configuration to network setup, optimizing your system for peak performance.

---

Sound Quality & Performance

With support for 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X systems, the AVR-S960H delivers a fully immersive three-dimensional audio experience. You’ll enjoy precise sound positioning, rich bass, and crystal-clear dialogue, all brought to life with Denon’s hallmark audio engineering. Whether you’re watching action-packed blockbusters or listening to orchestral music, the sound remains dynamic, accurate, and enveloping.

At 90 watts per channel, 8 ohms, the Denon AVR-S960H works very well with almost any speaker. During testing, we paired the amplifier with the Monitor Audio Silver 200 AV12 speakers and they worked great together. Equipped with an enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) function, the AV receiver transmits full definition audio from the TV to the receiver using a single HDMI cable.

The Audyssey room sound enhancement system has a number of benefits to improve sound quality and listening experience. When loud music follows, the Dynamic Volume function predicts high volume, and the Dynamic EQ function increases surround effect, bass level, and dialogue at lower volume. The cinema room where we tested the receiver didn’t have perfect acoustics yet, the echo unfortunately degraded the sound. The walls were made of bricks, but with the exception of a few murals, the wall surfaces were empty. An acoustic measurement was performed, as a result of which we recommended to the owner to place diffuser front panels and printed sound absorbing panels on the walls and ceiling. In front of the windows and the glass patio door, we recommended soundproof, acoustic curtains to create the ideal acoustics.

Conclusion

The Denon AVR-S960H successfully brings together modern AV technologies, delivering clear, dynamic, and well-balanced sound across music, movies, and gaming. Thanks to features like 8K upscaling, Dolby Atmos, HEOS multi-room streaming, and voice assistant integration, it meets the demands of today’s tech-savvy home theater enthusiast.

While the unit lacks IMAX Enhanced compatibility and Chromecast support, and its design could be considered a bit visually understated, these are minor trade-offs considering the overall performance and feature set. The AVR-S960H offers a wealth of high-end capabilities in a mid-range package, making it a smart investment for those seeking premium sound and video quality without stepping into the high-end price bracket.