Denon AVR-S270BT 5.1CH AV Receiver Breaks Price Barrier on Performance/Value

Denon’s entry-level S-Series AV receivers are popular for their reasonable prices, user-friendly design, and longterm reliability. They are my go-to recommendation for friends and family members who are new to home theater systems. The newest addition to the S-Series lineup is a super-affordable 5.1-channel receiver called the AVR-S270BT ($399), which Denon says was designed to “make home theater more accessible without compromising on performance.” Like other S-Series models, the S270BT features Denon’s “high-performance amplifiers, (which) provide clear, dynamic audio across multiple channels, ensuring immersive sound from every angle,” according to the company. With a solid suite of connectivity options for the price, the S270BT promises premium sound for all of the various audio and video sources you’re likely to have in the kinds of compact spaces where this receiver is designed to live. The S270BT may not be loaded with every bell and whistle offered on more expensive AVRs, but the simplified features and an intuitive interface make it ideal for basic setups, delivering the performance Denon is known for in a streamlined, easy-to-use system, according to the company.

Power Claims and ECO Mode Recommendation

At its core, the S270BT is a 5-channel AVR delivering 70 watts per channel (8 ohms, 2 channels driven from 20Hz–20kHz, THD 0.08%) for “dynamic, high-fidelity audio,” assuming the partnering speakers are relatively easy to drive. Denon rates the amp section at 90W into 6 ohms with 2 channels driven, but there is no 4-ohm rating. If your speakers have low impedance dips or low sensitivity, this might not be the AVR for you. The receiver features an ECO Mode, which promises to lower power consumption without sacrificing performance. I’d be curious to see whether this claim holds water. We generally advise users to disable ECO modes, since they almost always rob amplifiers of performance. Denon says its ECO mode reduces power consumption during quiet listening, when maximum performance isn’t needed. For Denon AVRs, we recommend using the default setting ECO “Auto,” which—based on our experience—runs the unit on the low-voltage rails at low power and switches to the high rails when more output is required, without sacrificing peak performance. The S270BT also conserves energy with its auto-standby feature, which powers down the receiver when not in use.

5.1CH & 4K/60Hz is the Limit for the Denon AVR-S270BT

The AVR-S270BT is a basic 5.1-channel receiver, so if you’re after the latest in immersive audio, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But the receiver does handle Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio, plus Dolby Pro Logic II or DTS Neo:6 upmixing for stereo content. It has five HDMI inputs, three of which can pass 4K signals. The other two HDMI inputs are limited to 1080p sources. The 4K-capable inputs can pass HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG HDR video, making the S270BT a viable hub for Blu-ray players and streaming devices. But gamers, take note: the HDMI inputs only handle 4K video at 60Hz, not 120Hz. That’s sufficient for movies and TV, but not for high-end gaming where high refresh-rates are critical. There is a workaround, however. Gamers can connect their consoles or PCs directly to their TVs, and then use HDMI ARC to send sound to the S270BT. The receiver also has two stereo analog inputs and two optical Toslink digital inputs. As the “BT” in the model number suggests, there’s also built-in Bluetooth for wireless connection to mobile devices.

One of Denon’s goals for a product like the AVR-S270BT is to make the user experience as intuitive as possible. That means paying special attention to the user interface, starting from the moment you first turn on your AVR. The S270BT features Denon’s guided setup assistant, which uses clear on-screen instructions to walk you through connection and configuration. Although “Speaker Setup by Microphone” is listed on the spec sheet, there is no mention of Audyssey, so it’s probably a relatively basic process with limited user control. That’s not necessarily a bad thing on this level of product, however, since many users will be AV beginners. I do think even the least tech-savvy user would benefit from setting up the receiver’s Quick Select buttons, which allow users to save and recall their favorite inputs, including volume and sound settings. There are four Quick Select buttons on the AVR-S270BT’s front panel and on the remote control. These are great for everyday convenience. They are also the type of thing I would set up for my mom and stepdad so that they could be up and running without having to memorize which inputs and settings to select.

The AVR-S270BT is available for purchase at denon.com for $399 in the US, but Costco members can pick one up for just $299. If you aren’t a Costco member, you would still save yourself $35 by getting a yearlong membership for $65 and then buying an S270BT for $299. And you’d still have a year of Costco membership essentially for free, which can come in handy when it’s time to start shopping for a new TV to go with your new AVR. Our Canadian friends will be able to buy the AVR-S270BT at Best Buy Canada for $499 Canadian. 

More information: Denon

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.