Denon AVR-X6700H vs Marantz SR7015

Denon AVR-X6700H

The Denon AVR-X6700H is the perfect amplifier for your home theater system. With its advanced video processing and 8K/60Hz pass-through, you can enjoy stunning 3D realism and crisp, clean picture quality.

And with 13.2 channel processing, you can create a speaker configuration that meets your unique entertainment needs. The AVR-X6700H is also 4K/120Hz ready, ensuring a smooth, lag-free gaming experience.

The Denon AVR-X6700H is the perfect receiver for anyone who wants the most advanced video technology available. With Dynamic HDR and HDR10+, this receiver delivers superior clarity, contrast, and color. Plus, with Quick Media Switching, you'll never have to wait long for your video content to start playing.

With 11 HDMI ports (eight in and three out), this receiver can easily connect to any HD or Ultra HD TV. And with support for Wi-Fi, Airplay 2, and Bluetooth, it's easy to extend the reach of your music throughout your home. So if you're looking for a powerful and versatile receiver, the Denon AVR-X6700H is definitely worth considering.

Marantz SR7015

Bring the cinema experience home with the Marantz SR7015 9-channel amplifier. With 125 watts of power per channel, this premium-performance amplifier delivers stunning detail and clarity in every entertainment need.

Whether you're watching your favorite movie or streaming a new show, the 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through support ensures you'll enjoy every moment in incredible quality. Plus, with 8 HDMI ports featuring 8K upscaling, this amp is ready for anything. Add the Marantz SR7015 to your home entertainment system and witness the difference true quality makes.

The Marantz SR7015 is the perfect receiver for those who demand the best in professional audio quality. With support for object-based audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, as well as IMAX Enhanced and Auro-3D processing, this receiver will let you experience your favorite movies and music like never before.

The eARC HDMI support also allows uncompressed and object-based audio formats to be passed directly from your TV app to the receiver, giving you the best possible sound quality. And with HDR format support including HDR10 and Dolby Vision, you'll be able to enjoy the latest blockbuster movies in all their glory.

Design

Both of the receivers have a full aluminum chassis with a large front window and blue lights. The design is more or less similar but they look different enough to tell them apart from each other.

The Denon AVR-X6700H has an ultra-thick aluminum frame around a steel chassis which on the top has a carbon fiber layer on it. It's for sure one of the best looking machines I've ever seen, very high-end design, only if it would be possible to make a good sound out of good looks... Well, not in this case.

On the front, you'll find 6 control buttons (power, volume down/up) all surrounded by LEDs that are used to give feedback (volume level, etc.). On the lower front panel, there are also two knobs for regulating the volume.

The Marantz SR7015 has only three control buttons (power, volume up/down) all surrounded by LEDs that are used to give feedback (volume level, etc.). On the top of the receiver, there is a large display with lots of information. The whole chassis is made out of steel and plastic, not as stylish as the Denon but it's still very decent looking.

On the front, there are 8 control buttons (fewer than on Denon). They have red led lights around them so you can see what you do better in dark rooms. The power button also has a blue LED light under it that glows when the pre-outs voltage goes above 12.5V.

Features

Both receivers have a huge amount of features. I'll try to mention the most important ones.

The Denon AVR-X6700H has 8 HDMI inputs, and 3 HDMI outputs (2 main, 1 sub), and supports 4K Ultra HD passthrough, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. It's also equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi so you can easily stream audio or video content from your devices.

The Marantz SR7015 has 9 HDMI inputs, and 3 HDMI outputs and supports 4K Ultra HD passthrough, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. It's also equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi so you can easily stream audio or video content from your devices.

Performance

Both receivers have a 125 W per channel power rating and both can drive speakers with no problem. What you need to know is that the Marantz SR7015 has an extra band in its equalizer which allows for more precise tuning. The Denon AVR-X6700H has seven bands, so it's enough for most of us but people who want the best sound out of their home theater systems will find this small detail very important.

The AVR-X6700H also supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround formats and does even support uncompressed audio via HDMI output (like LPCM 7.1).

It needs about 1 second to up when turned on and goes to standby in less than 1 minute (30 seconds on the Marantz).

Sound Quality

Both receivers sound great but the Marantz SR7015 has a slight edge over the Denon AVR-X6700H. The difference is not huge but it's there, especially when you compare them side by side.

The Denon AVR-X6700H has a very detailed and clear sound while the Marantz SR7015 sounds warmer with a bit more bass. The midrange and highs are more pronounced on the Denon which might be something that some people prefer but overall I would say that the Marantz sounds better.

I'm not an audiophile so I can't really go into detail about what makes these receivers sound different from each other, all I can say is that both of them sound amazing and if you're serious about your sound, you won't be disappointed with either of them.

Audio

The Denon AVR-X6700H has a built-in audio decoder for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio so you can be sure that you'll get the best sound possible from your Blu-rays, DVDs, 4K Ultra HD content, etc.

The Marantz SR7015 doesn't have a built-in audio decoder for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X but it does support Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. So, if you want to use the receivers' full potential, you'll need to buy a separate audio decoder (which will add to the cost of your system).

Connectivity

Denon AVR-X6700H has 7 HDMI inputs, 3 HDMI outputs but only 1 sub-output. It also has 8 RCA pre-outs, 2 optical S/PDIF inputs, 5 digital audio inputs (1 front), 11 analog audio inputs (7 rear/4 fronts), and 1 USB input. The receiver comes with 4K Ultra HD pass-through, BT.2020 support on all of its HDMI ports as well as HDCP 2.2. It's equipped with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth so you can easily play content from your devices or use Airplay to stream it from iTunes on your computer or iOS device etc.

The Marantz SR7015 has 9 HDMI inputs but only 3 HDMI outputs. It also has 8 RCA pre-outs, 2 optical S/PDIF inputs, 5 digital audio inputs (1 front), 11 analog audio inputs (7 rear/4 fronts), and 1 USB input. The receiver comes with 4K Ultra HD pass-through, BT.2020 support on all of its HDMI ports as well as HDCP 2.2. It's equipped with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth so you can easily play content from your devices or use Airplay to stream it from iTunes on your computer or iOS device etc..

Remote Control

Both receivers come with a remote control but the Denon AVR-X6700H's remote is a bit more advanced. It has more buttons, allows you to control your TV and other devices that are connected to your receiver, and even has an 'eco' mode which reduces power consumption. The Marantz SR7015's remote is simpler but still does the job.

Setup

The Denon AVR-X6700H setup process is very easy and fast. It has an on-screen display that can help you connect everything, it comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic calibration system (which gives you the best sound possible) and it also allows you to use your smartphone as both remote control and an interface where you can set up your system via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

The Marantz SR7015 setup process is still easy but not as quick as the one found on the Denon AVR-X6700h. The receiver doesn't have an on-screen display so you'll need to use your TV's screen if you want to set it up properly. It doesn't have an automatic calibration system but you can use your smartphone as its remote control and setup interface.

Overall, these are both great receivers and they're quite similar to each other (apart from the lack of built-in audio decoders for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X on the Marantz SR7015).

The Denon AVR-X6700H might be a bit more expensive but it comes with more features and if you don't mind spending a few extra bucks, you'll get an amazing AV receiver that will last you years.

On the other hand, the Marantz SR7015 is still a very capable amp and even though it lacks some features found on its competitor, I'm sure that most people would be pleased with it as well.

Of course, if you need Dolby Atmos or DTS:X decoding then the Denon AVR-X6700H is the way to go. Otherwise, either receiver will be a great choice for your home entertainment system.