Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I looked at all the brands and settled on Denon because they offer a very complete set of features for the money. This model is basically identical to the Denon AVR-890 model sold in big box stores except it has some extra features that are useful for custom installations (if you have your HT installer do it for you) and has two remotes instead of one on the 890
What I liked about this model over many of the competitors:
- Audyssey MultEQ is an advanced auto setup system which adjusts all the settings for your speakers. You plug in the included microphone, it outputs test tones and calculates the optimum settings for you. It takes measurements over 6 positions to ensure that the calibration settings work well over the whole listening area. Audyssey (in my opinion) is a more sophisticated system than what you would find in the competitors like Pioneer and Yamaha. Denon implements the complete set of Audyssey MultEQ features, shows you the resulting settings, and permits you to tweak the settings afterwards even.
- Audyssey Dynamic EQ - This is a GREAT feature. It's not unlike the Dolby Volume feature offered on other brands. What it does is it makes the sound more natural when you have the volume control lower than the reference standard (the volume the studio used for their reference). When you listen at low volumes, the human ear becomes less sensitive to certain tonal ranges, so this circuit helps restore the tonal balance of the sound. It also balances the level of the channels based on your volume level to make sure you can hear the rear channels better at lower volumes. I think this feature works GREAT and it's something anybody can notice. I think this is a must-have feature. Again Denon is to be commended for offering this feature on all their receivers in 2009
- Dynamic Volume is a useful feature to keep the sound level from blasting you when commercials come on. It's nice for watching TV.
- Denon has better control over video and audio settings. You can adjust the crossover frequency individually for each set of speakers. So if you have large speakers in the front and small satellites in the back, you can customize the bass management individually for each pair of speakers, taking advantage of each speakers' full bandwidth. For some reason many other receivers, Pioneer, Marantz, Yamaha often don't have this per-speaker adjustment. If you use Audyssey to set up your system, the Denon will use this capability to optimize your speakers' bass capabilities.
Also, Denon remembers the VIDEO settings for each input so you can have custom brightness, contrast, color for each input.
- Denon 890/2310 uses the Anchor Bay ABT2010 video processor which is a top grade processor. It does a superb job of scaling and deinterlacing video (Anchor Bay's video processor is well reviewed) probably as good or better than most TVs. It works for both analog sources AND HDMI, converting all your video to the maximum resolution of your TV up to 1080P or any other resolution that is optimal for your set. You do have the option to turn it off and passthrough the signals if you don't see a benefit. For most people, unless you have a top of the line TV, this processor can benefit all your sources
- Many receivers take a long time to resync the HDMI signal when you change inputs. On my previous Onkyo, the screen would blank out for 7-12 seconds when I switched from Cable to DVD. The Denon does it as quick as any I've seen, only 2-3 seconds
- Denon has Graphical User Interface over analog and HDMI connections. So you can adjust the settings while a video signal is being played and you will see the menus overlaid on top (especially useful when you are adjusting video settings). Many other receivers only do GUI overlay for analog connections, but not HDMI. With the Denon 890, you can see Volume Level indicator overlaid over the picture while you are playing back HDMI sources.
- It runs very cool. Many receivers run very hot but this one is good if your ventilation is more limited in your AV cabinet.
- It offers Dolby PLIIz, which allows you to run 7.1 speakers and give you height channels (five speakers in the front). I don't use this feature but it's an improvement over a normal 7.1 setup.
The BAD:
- This model does not have Preamp outputs so you can't add an external amp later if you need more power.
- The manual is hard to understand. Fortunately, there are some great FAQ web pages put up by one guy (search for Denon FAQ)which takes all the mystery out of the settings and adjustments
So, the Denon 890 is a superb product that is leading the pack in this price range. They didn't cripple the product in any way except the lack of preamp outputs.
As far as sound quality, it's debatable whether brand X is better than brand Y, but I can say Denon doesn't make poor performing products in general. Their amps are solid performers that are average to above average in meeting their rated power specifications. Even thought this unit isn't the heaviest chassis, it still packs a punch for its price range.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Denon AVR2310CI 7.1-Channel Multi-Zone Home Theater Receiver with 1080p HDMI Connectivity
The new AVR-2310CI was designed for consumers wanting exceptional audio and video performance. Its 7-channel amplifier produces 735-watts of total power (105 per channel), delivering detail and dynamics to music and movie soundtracks. The amplifiers can be configured for 7.1 channel surround sound, or a 5.1 channel system in the 'main" room and power a pair of speakers in a second 'zone". It's equipped with 1080p compatible HDMI 1.3a Repeating technology, delivering both audio and video to your HDTV with single HDMI cable. This HDMI connectivity supports the latest generation surround sound formats available on Blu-ray disc, including Dolby TrueHD and DD+, dts-HD and dts-HR. Also included is Dolby Laboratories new Pro Logic IIz Matrix decoding featuring front height effects channels that expands front soundstage. The AVR2310CI boasts a number of Audyssey technologies. Advanced Audyssey MultEQ analyzes a speaker systems interaction with room acoustics, and then delivers custom tailored correction processing to optimize clarity and tonal balance throughout the listening space. Audyssey Dynamic Volume is an automatic volume-leveling system that tracks audio dynamics to eliminate the irritating volume swings between TV shows and commercials. Audyssey Dynamic EQ is also on board to ensure rich bass and smooth tonal balance at low volume listening levels. In addition to enhanced HDMI 1.3a repeating (5 in, 1 out), the AVR2310CI features 1080p i/p conversion, analog to HDMI upscaling and HDMI to HDMI scaling. Video conversion is accomplished using a premium Anchor Bay Technologies 2010 chip set featuring 10-bit multi-cadence processing. This chip set also provides video noise reduction, picture enhancement, and adjustment capabilities not available on lower priced models. The AVR2310CI also features component video switching (2 in, 1 out), seven analog inputs, and multi-zone (2) / multi-source (2) capability.
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