The Denon AVR-X3700H occupies an intriguing middle ground in the home audio video receiver (AVR) market – not quite bleeding-edge flagship territory, yet a definite step up from entry-level. Priced at a not-insignificant $1,599 MSRP, this 9.2 channel AVR delivers substantial power, performance and features while stopping short of cost-no-object excess.
As Denon‘s midrange home theater receiver offering for 2020, the AVR-X3700H brings premium touches like 8K video support, full-fledged surround sound decoding and HEOS multi-room streaming into relatively mainstream reach. Demanding home theater enthusiasts should find nearly everything they need for impactful, immersive audio video in an elegant, thoughtfully designed package.
Denon AVR-X3700H Key Specs
- Channels: 9 channels (11.2 channel processing)
- Power Output: 105 watts per channel (20 Hz – 20kHz at 8 ohms, 0.05% THD)
- Video Support: 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz, HDR10, HLG, Dynamic HDR, Quick Media Switching
- Audio Formats: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X
- Inputs/Outputs: 7 HDMI in / 3 HDMI out, 3 Component inputs, 2 Digital optical/1 Digital coaxial audio inputs, XLR audio out, Phono input
- Smart Features: Voice control with Amazon Alexa + Google Assistant integration, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, HEOS wireless multi-room streaming, IP control
Unboxing the Beast: Design, Build Quality and I/O
Weighing in at a substantial 27.6 lbs, the Denon AVR-X3700H makes its premium aspirations clear straight out of the box. Housed in a rigid metal chassis featuring Denon’s signature Asymmetrical Front Pursuit design, the amp feels sturdy and sleek with its black brushed aluminum faceplate.
The cleanly laid out front panel puts key controls within easy reach without looking cluttered. Dual control knobs flank a bright, responsive status display offering quick access to inputs, volume and settings. Physical buttons across the bottom provide transport controls along with shortcuts to sound modes and setup menus.
Around back, Inputs and outputs are logically arranged and labeled with ample space between ports for easy plugging and unplugging of cables. There‘s a wide range of legacy and cutting-edge connectivity options here – 7 HDMI 2.1 inputs and triple HDMI outputs being of prime interest for those with the latest 8K/4K TVs, media streamers and game consoles.
Augmenting those are no less than four Component video inputs plus Composite, all coming in handy for attaching older media gear. Audio connections include analog RCA, digital optical/coaxial and even XLR balanced outputs. Integrated Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and dual RJ45 Ethernet ports handle wireless duties and IP control.
The AVR-X3700H‘s logically laid out rear connectivity panel features 7 HDMI inputs plus triple outputs alongside extensive legacy options
Painless Setup for the WiFi Era
Connecting the X3700H into an existing home entertainment system while taking advantage of its wireless features proved speedy and painless. The amp automatically detected 4K displays and sources in testing while also identifying any connected speakers.
Denon‘s acclaimed Setup Assistant walks users through initial configuration on the front panel display or within the settings menu. But downloading the Denon AVR Remote app to a smartphone unlocks this receiver‘s greatest ease-of-use superpower. The polished remote app brings quick access to essential controls and media streaming into the palm of your hand.
Built-in HEOS technology lets the X3700H tap into network media libraries and streaming services for multi-room audio. Setup takes moments via the app by signing into existing accounts. Wireless casting of music from phones and tablets works reliably using AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth. With steady-handed engineers clearly focused on refining these smart integration touches, getting up and running proved swift and satisfying.
The Denon Sound: Movies and Music Sound Alive
Of course premium home theater receivers like the AVR-X3700H live and die by sheer audio visual performance above all else. Denon leaves no room for disappointment here by way of the immersive 105 watts x 9 channel muscle amp section. Powering mid-sized to large home theater speaker systems is handled with room-filling authority and nuanced finesse alike.
Testing across Blu-ray movie discs and lossless streaming sources revealed the Denon house sound DNA of wide-ranging dynamics joined by fine detail and textures. The AVR-X3700 brings DTS:X and Dolby Atmos soundtracks to thrilling life across multiple listening zones. Even in more straightforward 5.1 and 7.1 mixes, effects pan smoothly between channels while dialogue retains focus. There‘s real punch and depth to the bass here that belies the receivers‘ rated frequency response stretching down to 20Hz.
Movies: A Cinema Powerhouse
Make no mistake – the bread and butter of beasts like the AVR-X3700H is high-impact movie listening with all the immersive audio bells and whistles. Building on the receiver‘s expansive format support is a robust suite of surround sound processing modes for upmixing stereo and 5.1 content. Choose from audience-widening options like Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X for when basic Pro Logic II just won‘t cut it.
More esoteric modes stray into questionable gimmick territory, like the bizarre "Arena" setting that attempts converting movies into a vast concert hall environment. Still there‘s enough sonic variety here to keep even the most inquisitive surround tweaking enthusiasts entertained for hours.
On the video processing side, the AVR-X3700H handles 4K HDR content with detailed finesse. Connecting an Apple TV 4K streaming box and several UHD Blu-ray players revealed excellently crisp, clean images free of noticeable artifacts passed through to displays. Film motion looked smooth and sharp, while streaming content benefited from solid compression handling.
Gamers will appreciate the receiver‘s 4:4:4 Pure Color sub sampling, Auto Low Latency Mode and Variable Refresh Rate compatibility for lag-free big screen gaming. Upscaling of 1080p content to fake native 4K works competently if not quite at the level of better dedicated video processors. Still, the amp‘s HDMI 2.1 spec means it’s fully ready for 8K displays and inputs as that content slowly trickles out down the road.
Music Performance: Balanced and Immersive
Given home theater receivers often play double duty tackling both film and tunes, the X3700H’s music playback abilities prove nearly as vital. Streaming everything from hi-res lossless files to punchy hip hop Spotify playlists showed off an overall balanced, dynamic sound. Compared to comparably-priced options from Yamaha and Sony, Denon’s lively yet refined tuning appeals most to ears across classical, rock and jazz genres.
Vocals retain pleasing midrange warmth and intimacy, with crisp vinyl sources reproduced cleanly courtesy of the integrated phono stage preamp. Those preferring a bolder, chest-thumping sonic profile may opt for the punchier Onkyo TX-RZ50, but Denon‘s smooth high frequency response avoids hard edges.
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Key Streaming Services On Board: Spotify, Tidal and More
While stopping short of offering full-fledged proprietary music apps akin to AVRs from Sony and Yamaha, the HEOS platform brings essentials like Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Pandora on board. Setting up and accessing existing streaming accounts takes moments with music apps detecting and controlling the X3700H as any other Airplay 2 sound system.
Bluetooth streaming with high quality AAC and aptX HD codec support ensures broadly compatible wireless audio from phones and tablets. Dive deeper into library management via the HEOS app to queue up networked music off NAS drives and PCs with playback reliable over both WiFi and ethernet. Support for lossless WAV, FLAC and ALAC files satisfies discerning audiophile listeners, with DSD high resolution audio slated for a future firmware update.
Connected for the Smart Home: Voice Assistants, IoT and More
Today‘s best premium AV receivers double as connected smart home hubs going beyond entertainment into broader automation and control. As part of the HEOS ecosystem, the AVR-X3700H checks these boxes by integrating with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for handy voice operation.
Once linked to a smart speaker or phone assistant, basic tasks like power, volume adjustments, input switching and music playback are just a spoken phrase away. Third-party IFTTT support even enables custom voice commands that can trigger complicated multi-step routines involving IoT smart devices.
Home automation systems from the likes of Control4, Crestron, Savant and ELAN can tap into the Denon‘s IP/RS-232 control to centralize media functions. Custom installers can manage the amplifier as part of a whole-home experience combining lighting, climate, security and more for a modern connected lifestyle. While not quite hitting the extensive smarts of Denon‘s flagship AVC-X8500H AVR, there‘s plenty here to satisfy most smart home needs.
Premium punch for Discerning Home Theater Fans
In today‘s ever-advancing world of home cinema tech, deciding where to investchunks of cash boil down to careful feature comparisons. The Denon AVR-X3700H checks off nearly all boxes enthusiastic movie buffs and music listeners prioritize – thunderous, nuanced power for 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X; comprehensive streaming options; flawless 8K and 4K video; and elegant industrial design.
At its $1600 MSRP, this midrange receiver reaches reasonably into more premium territory where features and brawn begin plateauing on overall returns. Competing 9-channel options like the $1500 Marantz SR7015 lack 8K support and trail Denon‘s slickness all around.
Stepping down to $1000 alternatives like Yamaha‘s excellent RX-A4A sacrifices substantial horsepower that film fanatics will miss. On balance for discerning home theater fans without no-limit budgets, I strongly recommend the Denon AVR-X3700H as total package offering pinnacle performance.
