Denon AVR-S770H vs Sony STR-DH790
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Choosing between the Denon AVR-S770H and Sony STR-DH790? Both compete in the AVR / Receiver segment. Here’s how they compare across the specs that matter most for your home theater.
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Looking at overall performance dimensions: The Denon AVR-S770H scores higher in audio quality, gaming performance, volume/SPL, future-proofing. The Sony STR-DH790 leads in value, form factor, room fit. They score similarly in ease of use.
For audio processing, these receivers feature channel configurations of 7.1 vs 7.2 and different room correction systems (MultEQ vs D.C.A.C.). More channels enable immersive Atmos layouts. A 9-channel receiver can drive a 5.1.4 layout (5 ear-level, 1 sub, 4 height speakers) for overhead sound effects. Room correction compensates for acoustic problems caused by room dimensions, furniture, and surfaces. Dirac Live applies time-domain FIR correction across the full spectrum; MultEQ XT32 measures at 32,768 frequency points.
These two AVR / Receiver options trade wins across different dimensions. The right choice depends on which specs matter most for your room and listening preferences — review the detailed table below to decide.
For most home theaters, the Denon AVR-S770H is the stronger choice — it leads in 4 of 8 scored dimensions. The Sony STR-DH790 makes more sense if you prioritize the 3 dimensions where it leads.
Performance Overview
Scores based on specs and category benchmarks (0–100 scale)
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | N/A | N/A |
| Channel Count | 7.1 | 7.2 |
| Powered Channels | 7 | 7 |
| Max Processing Ch | 7.1 | — |
| Amplifier Class | AB | AB |
| Watts/Ch (8Ω) | 75W | 67W |
| Watts/Ch (6Ω) | — | 90W |
| Min Impedance | 4-ohm | 6-ohm |
| HDMI Inputs | 6 | 4 |
| HDMI Outputs | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI Version | 2.1 | 2.0a |
| 4K/120Hz | Yes | No |
| 8K/60Hz | Yes | No |
| eARC | No | Yes |
| ALLM | Yes | No |
| VRR | Yes | No |
| Dolby Vision | Yes | No |
| HDR10 | Yes | No |
| HDR10+ | Yes | No |
| HLG | Yes | No |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Atmos Height Virt. | Yes | No |
| Dolby TrueHD | Yes | No |
| DTS:X | Yes | No |
| DTS Virtual:X | Yes | No |
| DTS-HD Master | Yes | Yes |
| Auro-3D | No | No |
| Room Correction | MultEQ | D.C.A.C. |
| Room Corr. Tier | BASIC | BASIC |
| Dirac Live | No | No |
| Dirac Bass Control | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| BT Transmit | Yes | No |
| AirPlay 2 | Yes | No |
| Google Cast | No | No |
| Spotify Connect | Yes | No |
| Roon Tested | Yes | No |
| HEOS | Yes | No |
| MusicCast | No | No |
| DTS Play-Fi | No | No |
| BluOS | No | No |
| Ethernet | Yes | No |
| Alexa Built-in | No | No |
| Google Assistant | No | No |
| Siri/HomeKit | No | No |
| Works with Sonos | No | No |
| Wireless Rears | No | No |
| Zone 2 | Yes | No |
| Zone 3 | No | No |
| Zone 4 | No | No |
| Coax Digital In | 1 | 1 |
| Optical Digital In | 2 | 1 |
| Phono Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| Sub Outputs | 2 | 2 |
| Pre-Out Channels | 0 | 0 |
| Headphone Out | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| Speaker Terminals | Binding Posts | Binding posts/Spring-clips |
| Remote App | Yes | No |
| AM/FM Tuner | AM/FM | FM only |
Key Differences
- Room Correction: Denon AVR-S770H at MultEQ vs Sony STR-DH790 at D.C.A.C.. Room correction compensates for acoustic problems caused by room dimensions, furniture, and surfaces. Dirac Live applies time-domain FIR correction across the full spectrum; MultEQ XT32 measures at 32,768 frequency points.
- Optical Digital In: Denon AVR-S770H at 2 vs Sony STR-DH790 at 1
- Min Impedance: Denon AVR-S770H at 4-ohm vs Sony STR-DH790 at 6-ohm
- HDMI Inputs: Denon AVR-S770H at 6 vs Sony STR-DH790 at 4
- Watts/Ch (8Ω): Denon AVR-S770H at 75W vs Sony STR-DH790 at 67W. Real-world power matters for dynamic headroom. Look for all-channels-driven ratings — two-channel ratings inflate the number since receivers share a common power supply.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Denon AVR-S770H if you want:
- + better watts/ch (8ω) — real-world power matters for dynamic headroom
- + better hdmi inputs
Choose Sony STR-DH790 if you want:
- + 7.2 channel layout for more immersive Atmos configurations
See Where These Rank
Check our editorial rankings to see how Denon AVR-S770H and Sony STR-DH790 compare to the rest of the field.
Best AVR / Receiver RankingsRelated Calculators
Specifications sourced from manufacturer datasheets and verified against retailer listings. Prices updated hourly from authorized retailers. Scoring uses our open methodology — products are never ranked, promoted, or suppressed based on affiliate commission rates.
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