Denon NEW AVR-X2900H & X3900H AV Receivers – Must-Have Upgrades & Features Revealed!

Back at CEDIA 2022, Denon announced a new generation of its AV receivers, some of which would support Dirac Live Room Correction for the first time. The AVR-X2800H ($1,300) missed out on Dirac, but still garnered positive reviews for its solid performance. Meanwhile, AVR-X3800H ($1,800) offered Dirac upgradability and 4 independent subwoofer outputs, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts wanting to max out on performance without spending the big bucks for separates. Now Denon is back with new-and-improved models that claim to push performance even further, and appear to offer even greater value — especially when tariffs and inflation are taken into account. The first models to be announced are the AVR-X2900H ($1,349) and AVR-X3900H ($1,849). Chief Audioholic Gene DellaSala got a sneak preview of these new AVRs on his recent visit to Denon’s headquarters in Japan. According to Gene, these new receivers look very promising indeed.

Denon AVR-X3900H 9.4CH AV Receiver @ Denon Sound Room in Kawasaki, Japan

Denon says that these new models are “engineered for enthusiasts who already understand the impact of high-quality sound and want to push their systems further.” Custom integrators will appreciate the new models’ advanced calibration options, flexible system configuration, and deeper control for dedicated home theaters and whole-home audio installations. Whether you are an AV enthusiast who wants to fine-tune every detail, or a professional installer looking for reasonably-priced solutions offering consistent high performance, Denon says these are the AVRs you’re looking for.

Denon’s X-Series has always been about uncompromised performance. With our newest additions to the series, we’ve gone further by combining expanded room calibration capabilities with adaptable system designs to deliver enhanced audio quality and greater flexibility for people who take their sound seriously.

— Lyle Smith, President of Sound United at HARMAN

Features like Dirac Live compatibility often get the most attention in the coverage of new AV receivers, and savvy readers will be pleased to learn that, unlike its predecessor, the AVR-X2900H does support Dirac Live Room Correction (with the purchase of a license from Dirac’s online store). But an exhaustive feature list won’t get you very far without a core focus on sound quality, and to that end, Denon has included updated internal components and a high-performance 32-bit multichannel DAC architecture in BOTH new models. These upgrades promise to deliver improved imaging, clearer high frequency detail, and more confident low frequency energy across every channel, according to the company.

Each AVR is developed and tuned at Denon’s Shirakawa Audio Works in Japan, guided by the timeless philosophy of the Denon Sound Master, balancing precise measurement with careful listening to achieve the brand’s signature vivid and spacious sound. The result is an experience that feels open, dynamic, and engaging, whether enjoying films, music or games.

— Denon

Denon AVR-X2900H 

 

Denon views the AVR-X2900H as the perfect “next step” for home theater enthusiasts ready to move beyond the entry level and experience “a clear step up in performance and control.” It’s a 7.1-channel design with 95 watts per channel, promising greater headroom and composure than entry-level AVRs. Users with high-quality speakers will enjoy improved clarity and impact, according to Denon. 

The receiver offers Audyssey Silver (Audyssey MultEQ XT) out of the box, with the option to add Dirac Live Room Correction. HEOS multiroom audio support adds to the X2900H’s everyday usability for music listening in addition to its serious performance with movies and gaming.

Engineering Note:Some upgrades on the AVR-X2900H include a newly designed structural reinforcement plate beneath the power supply, along with an increase in power transistor capacity from 100W in the AVR-X2800H to 130W in the new AVR-X2900H.

Denon AVR-X3900H 

 

The Denon AVR-X3900H is where scalability gets serious. Denon says this AVR is built for no-compromise home theaters and professionally-designed systems that prioritize control, precision, and refinement. The X3900H offers 11.4 channels of processing with 9 channels of amplification rated at 105 watts per channel. And thanks to Denon’s 70% Guarantee, the X3900H should maintain consistent output as more speakers are added. (The 70% Guarantee means that the receiver is guaranteed to deliver over 70% of rated power to up to five channels. In the past, we have seen some beefier Denon receivers easily surpass this guarantee, maintaining 70% power across seven channels.) 

When you combine the engineering to anchor complex speaker layouts with the X3900H’s four independent subwoofer outputs, you should have the recipe for success, even in demanding listening environments. The AVR-X3900H includes Audyssey Platinum (Audyssey MultEQ XT32) out of the box, and supports the full Dirac Live suite — including Bass Control and Active Room Treatment (ART) — as optional upgrades. Denon says the X3900H is built for reliability, performance, and long-term flexibility.

At Denon’s office in Kawasaki, Japan, Audioholics founder Gene DellaSala was impressed to see both new models being used to power the formidable Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 speakers, showcasing the receivers’ ability to deliver stable power and hit high SPLs with demanding 4-ohm speakers. The speakers were first run full-range (with no bass management) and then again with subwoofers in tow. While it is unlikely that the typical owner of the 801 D4 will be pairing those $46K speakers with an affordable Denon AVR, the demo was an effective illustration of the robust engineering under the hood in these capable new receivers.

Denon first walked us through the upgraded power supply architecture and enhanced components in the AVR-X3900H and AVR-X2900H compared to their predecessors. They then conducted a carefully level-matched demo between the old and new models to showcase the sonic improvements. While the switching wasn’t instantaneous, many of us in attendance clearly heard gains in dynamics, control, and clarity.

The AVR-X2900H handled the intense desert battle scenes from Dune with impressive authority and composure, delivering excellent detail retrieval without sounding strained. Equally impressive was the AVR-X3900H, which effortlessly drove a large speaker array during demanding movie passages. A demo featuring the Hans Zimmer Live Blu-ray, particularly the Inception soundtrack, proved the AVR-X3900H has genuinely serious sonic chops for a mid-priced AVR.

- Gene DellaSala

Expanded Features of Denon AVR-X2900H/X3900H

Both the AVR-X2900H and AVRX3900H feature IP-based Web UI setup, advanced HDMI diagnostics, and expanded control interfaces for efficient system setup and ongoing optimization, according to Denon. A built-in web user interface provides access to system settings and controls directly from a computer or mobile device, without requiring the TV to be on. Both AVRs also feature onscreen channel level monitoring, which “provides real-time insight into speaker input levels by channel, helping you understand and adjust playback with confidence,” according to the company. Meanwhile, the HEOS platform supports Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and a variety of popular music services such as TuneIn Internet Radio, Spotify, Qobuz, and many more. One unexpected feature provided by HEOS is that the AVR-X2900H and AVR-X3900H will both support the option to use Denon Home 200, 400, and 600 speakers as wireless rear surrounds, helping accommodate rooms where running speaker wire is not practical. (Denon says that wireless surround functionality will not be available at launch, but will be added via a future firmware update.) On the video side of things, the AVRs offer expanded HDMI connectivity with support for Dolby Vision, HDR 10+, AMD FreeSync, and 8K pass-through with HDCP 2.3.

I heard the updated AVRs in Japan and they were a marked improvement over their predecessors. Their channel monitoring feature gives you a Trinnov-like feature in an affordable AVR.

— Gene DellaSala, President of Audioholics

The Denon AVR-X2900H and AVR-X3900H are available now at Denon.com and through authorized Denon retailers worldwide.

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.