The catch
Denon AVR-S770H
Just one HDMI output for the main room.
Side by side
Denon AVR-S770H vs Denon AVR-S970H: S970H hooks up two displays but adds no channels or fast HDMI inputs
Quick verdict
One display and a lower chassis point to the S770H. If a TV and a projector both need receiver outputs, the S970H is the choice. Stepping up adds neither processing channels nor more 4K120 inputs.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Upgrading the display does not alter the speaker plan
Each powers a real 5.1.2 layout, which means a second display does not get you extra height channels.
Where this comes from
Seven amplifiers and seven main processing channels come with each.
The catch
Denon AVR-S970H
Another 0.6 inch of height is needed for the chassis.
Denon AVR-S770H
- Why pick it
- Your finished setup has one display
- A 6-inch chassis is the better fit for your rack
- The catch
- Just one HDMI output for the main room.
Denon AVR-S970H
- Why pick it
- Your TV and projector both need to stay connected
- Your shelf has room for the larger chassis
- The catch
- Another 0.6 inch of height is needed for the chassis.
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What this page compares
Denon S770H vs S970H for a TV and projector, an identical 5.1.2 speaker plan, published power and the cabinet space you have.
One display and a lower chassis point to the S770H. If a TV and a projector both need receiver outputs, the S970H is the choice. Stepping up adds neither processing channels nor more 4K120 inputs.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A finished 5.1.2 system with one TV
Each handles the same speaker layout and source count.
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Better fit
- Denon AVR-S970H
- Good
A TV and projector both stay plugged in
Two main-room HDMI outputs on S970H.
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Caution
- Denon AVR-S970H
- Better fit
The shelf points toward the shorter receiver
With antennas horizontal, S770H stands 6 inches tall, against 6.6 inches.
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Better fit
- Denon AVR-S970H
- Caution
You plan on four height speakers
Nine full-range channels are needed for 5.1.4, and neither one processes them.
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Not suitable
- Denon AVR-S970H
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Upgrading the display does not alter the speaker plan
Each powers a real 5.1.2 layout, which means a second display does not get you extra height channels.
How we worked this out
Seven amplifiers and seven main processing channels come with each.
No extra capacity for fast sources is available
With either receiver, a fourth 4K120 source calls for a different routing plan.
How we worked this out
Each has six HDMI inputs, and three of them support the documented 4K120 path.
The gap in stereo power is small
Ratings of 90W and 75W imply about 0.8dB of theoretical electrical headroom when conditions match.
How we worked this out
10 × log10(90 ÷ 75) is about 0.79dB. It does not measure room loudness or all-channel output.
Plan your receiver connectionsLay out my system
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
Denon AVR-S770H
Handles your setup
Runs 5.1.2 on its own built-in amplifiers. Takes 3 HDMI devices, 1 of them at 4K/120Hz.
Denon AVR-S970H
Handles your setup
Runs 5.1.2 on its own built-in amplifiers. Takes 3 HDMI devices, 1 of them at 4K/120Hz.
A powered subwoofer does not count toward the speaker channels. This checks one main room. Check Zone 2, bi-amping and unusual speaker assignments yourself. Leave room for ventilation, and confirm HDMI settings, cables and speaker impedance before you install.
Option A
Denon, AVR-S770H
AVR-S770H
You can use the seven amplifiers for 7.1 surround or for 5.1.2 with two heights. With six HDMI inputs and HEOS, it suits a system that mixes movies, games and music.
- Best for
- Your first 5.1.2 setup, with multiple sources
Facts we checked
- 7 main processing channels and 7 built-in amplifier channels
- Of 6 HDMI inputs, 3 support 4K120 video
- 1 HDMI output
- Room setup by Audyssey MultEQ
- Subwoofer outputs aside, 0 full-range main-channel pre-outs
- Before ventilation space, the chassis is 6-inch high with antennas horizontal
Option B
Denon, AVR-S970H
AVR-S970H
Two HDMI monitor outputs sit on this seven-amplifier receiver. It makes the most sense in a 5.1.2 or 7.1 room where a TV and a projector are both in use.
- Best for
- A seven-speaker system serving both a TV and a projector
Facts we checked
- 7 main processing channels and 7 built-in amplifier channels
- Of 6 HDMI inputs, 3 support 4K120 video
- 2 HDMI outputs
- Room setup by Audyssey MultEQ
- Subwoofer outputs aside, 0 full-range main-channel pre-outs
- Before ventilation space, the chassis is 6.6-inch high with antennas horizontal
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Denon AVR-S770H | Denon AVR-S970H | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main-room HDMI outputs | 1 | 2 | Two displays stay connected to S970H with no output switch added. |
| Published two-channel power | 75W into 8 ohms | 90W into 8 ohms | Each rating is based on 20Hz to 20kHz and 0.08% distortion with two channels driven. |
| Chassis height with antennas horizontal | 6 inches | 6.6 inches | Leave room for another 0.6 inch of receiver height. That figure leaves out ventilation space. |
| Published chassis depth | 13.3 inches | 13.4 inches | S970H runs slightly deeper. Allow separately for cable bend clearance. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Denon AVR-S770H
- The published stereo power rating is lower, but no room-loudness outcome is established.
With Denon AVR-S970H
- Seven-channel processing and three fast inputs stay exactly the same.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Your finished setup has one display
Go with Denon AVR-S770H. The finished room is covered by its single output and seven-channel layout.
Your TV and projector both need to stay connected
Go with Denon AVR-S970H. Both displays stay connected through its two main-room HDMI outputs.
The receiver has to run a 5.1.4 layout
Neither model fits. Each tops out at seven full-range processing channels, short of the nine that 5.1.4 requires.
Decision guide
How to decide
Stay with S770H for one display in a lower chassis. Move to S970H when a TV and projector must both connect to the receiver. Do not expect extra processing channels or more 4K120 inputs from the upgrade.
A second output is worth buying for a real second display
Wiring is the problem the S970H solves when a TV and a projector share the room, since both displays stay connected at the receiver. With the TV as the only screen, the S770H already has the same six source inputs, three high-frame-rate inputs, HEOS and Audyssey MultEQ. A second output that goes unused adds little value there.
Do not count on four heights from this upgrade
The two receivers have seven-channel processing and amplification in common. Each supports 7.1 or 5.1.2, whereas a five-speaker bed plus four heights needs nine full-range channels. Going from the S770H to the S970H leaves that ceiling in place. If four physical heights are already planned, pick a documented nine-channel model.
Take rack measurements and check both displays
By the published horizontal-antenna dimensions, the S970H is 0.6 inch taller and 0.1 inch deeper. Before choosing a shelf, add the ventilation allowance and room for rear cable bends. If you use both outputs, verify the shared resolution and HDR path with the actual screens. The number of outputs does not guarantee that mismatched displays keep every video mode you want.
What this page can’t tell you
- The power math rests on published two-channel ratings. It is not a listening test.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the AV receivers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
24 of the 34 models checked meet every need here: “Put in two height speakers” and “Run a TV and a projector”.
24 models fit, out of 34 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Put in two height speakers” and “Run a TV and a projector”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denon AVR-S770H |
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| Denon AVR-S970H |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Denon AVR-S770H
Your finished setup has one display
See price & reviews on AmazonDenon AVR-S970H
Your TV and projector both need to stay connected
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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