Denon AVR-X3700H Home Cinema Receiver Test

Denon AVR-X3700H Home Cinema Receiver Review

We have tested several receivers from Denon, and it’s clear that these home cinema models are among the best on the market, thanks to their outstanding build quality and cutting-edge technology.

Key Features of the Denon AVR-X3700H:

Key Features of the Denon AVR-X3700H:

Offers IP and external control options for effortless system customization

Supports immersive 3D audio formats for a cinema-like experience

Equipped with 8K Ultra HD capabilities for next-generation picture quality

Compatible with the latest high-end audio technologies and accessories

Optimized for a seamless and responsive gaming experience

Delivers exceptional sound fidelity for audiophile-level performance

Ensures stable and high-quality Bluetooth audio streaming

Quick and intuitive setup with user-friendly interface

Integrated AirPlay 2, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for versatile wireless connectivity

Features a 12V trigger output for smart home integration

Sound Quality & Performance

According to Denon, the AVR-X3700H is a next-generation home cinema receiver designed to elevate your movie, music, and gaming experience. This 9-channel model features 11.2-channel processing, delivering up to 105 watts per channel for powerful, dynamic sound.

With eARC support, the AVR-X3700H ensures an immersive 3D audio experience, making it ideal for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and other cutting-edge formats. It also supports advanced video technologies and is fully compatible with 8K Ultra HD, guaranteeing breathtaking visual performance.

Packed with innovative and high-end features, the AVR-X3700H offers full support for 3D audio formats and is engineered for superior sound clarity and cinematic impact.

Advanced 8K Video Support

The Denon AVR-X3700H is equipped with the latest video processing technology, supporting 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz for ultra-smooth visuals. It includes Quick Media Switching (QMS) and Dynamic HDR, ensuring that movies and games look stunning in every frame. The HDMI inputs support BT.2020 pass-through, 3D video, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), Dolby Vision, HDR10, and 4:4:4 Pure Color subsampling, offering exceptional contrast, sharpness, and color depth.

Enjoy copy-protected content effortlessly, thanks to full HDCP compliance. The AVR-X3700H also comes with a complete video calibration suite, including ISF Day and Night modes, for professional-level image tuning.

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Voice Control Compatibility

This AV receiver integrates smoothly with today’s most popular virtual voice assistants, including Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Amazon Alexa. Use voice commands via your smartphone or smart speaker to control your system with ease and flexibility.

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Optimized for Gamers

Gamers will appreciate the AVR-X3700H’s cutting-edge HDMI features. With Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and full 4K/120Hz passthrough and upscaling, you can expect lag-free, ultra-responsive gameplay—perfect for fast-paced competitive gaming or immersive open-world adventures.

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Exceptional Sound Fidelity

The AVR-X3700H delivers stunning high-resolution audio with precision and clarity. Featuring AKM 32-bit DACs, it supports lossless file formats such as WAV, FLAC, and ALAC with up to 192 kHz / 24-bit playback, as well as DSD 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz for audiophile-grade sound quality.

For everyday listening, it also supports MP3 and WMA file formats, ensuring compatibility with your full music library while maintaining impressive playback quality.

Seamless Bluetooth audio transmission

The Bluetooth audio transfer function allows you to transfer audio from the AV receiver to the Bluetooth headset. Audio can be played on the Bluetooth headset as well as the connected speakers at the same time.

We have tested it

We tested the Denon receiver at the home of an old customer. The room was a 28-square-foot movie theatre where we tested the capabilities of the AV receiver with a pair of Definitive Technology D15 speakers. The acoustics of the room were almost ideal based on our measurements, thanks to the sound-absorbing panels on the walls and the bass traps in the corners, only a few diffusers would have been needed for a balanced sound.

The owner understood and selected one of our most popular diffusers, the parametric diffuser. Once they will be produced and mounted on the walls, the acoustics of the room will be absolutely flawless. Before purchasing speakers, carefully consider what type of speakers should you opt for, where and for what purpose you will use those speakers if you really want to achieve perfect sound quality.

Precision Room Calibration with Audyssey MultEQ XT32

The Denon AVR-X3700H features Audyssey MultEQ XT32 calibration technology, allowing users to fine-tune their system for precise, optimized sound performance. While the automatic calibration delivers excellent results, further manual adjustments can enhance the experience even more—resulting in a truly balanced and immersive audio environment.

Room acoustic simulation software can be a great help during setup, but it’s crucial to understand that software alone isn’t enough. To achieve the best possible sound, it’s essential to apply proper acoustic treatment to the room—covering walls, ceilings, floors, and glass surfaces. Without this, no calibration system can fully compensate for poor acoustics.

However, in a room that has been acoustically treated according to professional standards, calibration tools like Audyssey can fine-tune the sound to create a truly harmonious listening experience.

Listening Experience

The bass was deep, well-defined, and airy, while dynamics and detail were more than satisfactory. The receiver performed impressively even at low volume levels. We primarily used the amplifier in Pure Direct mode, which delivered the cleanest and most accurate audio output. Treble tones were well-balanced, and the surround effect was immersive and natural. Of course, achieving crystal-clear and even sound also depends on using high-quality speakers.

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Verdict

This AV receiver is sure to satisfy fans of the Denon brand, offering the familiar Denon quality and design, both visually and sonically. We experienced pleasant, clean audio reproduction with a convincingly wide surround effect. While it may not be the most powerful or detailed AV receiver we’ve ever tested, it had no significant weaknesses.

For users primarily interested in music playback, a dedicated stereo receiver might be a better choice. However, for home cinema use, the Denon AVR-X3700H delivers an excellent experience, making it an ideal choice for movie lovers.