The catch
Denon AVR-X3900H
You buy Dirac room correction separately.
Side by side
Denon AVR-X3900H vs Onkyo TX-RZ50: Four separate subs on Denon, Dirac on Onkyo, an amp needed on both for 7.1.4
Quick verdict
Go with the X3900H if you need four independent sub outputs and a separate Zone 2 HDMI path. Go with the RZ50 if you want included Dirac, a front HDMI socket and a seventh source input. Either way, 7.1.4 takes a stereo power amplifier.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
7.1.4 calls for the same number of added amplifiers
In an eleven-speaker room, two external amplifier channels are still needed with either model.
Where this comes from
Nine built-in amplifiers and eleven-channel main processing are found in each.
The catch
Onkyo TX-RZ50
The same signal goes to the subwoofer outputs.
Denon AVR-X3900H
- Why pick it
- Every subwoofer needs its own adjustment at the receiver
- You plan on two main-room displays plus a Zone 2 display
- The catch
- You buy Dirac room correction separately.
Onkyo TX-RZ50
- Why pick it
- You want full-bandwidth Dirac included
- A temporary device on the front HDMI will join six rear sources
- The catch
- The same signal goes to the subwoofer outputs.
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What this page compares
Denon X3900H vs Onkyo RZ50 on external-amp 7.1.4, independent sub control, included Dirac, front HDMI access and display routing.
Go with the X3900H if you need four independent sub outputs and a separate Zone 2 HDMI path. Go with the RZ50 if you want included Dirac, a front HDMI socket and a seventh source input. Either way, 7.1.4 takes a stereo power amplifier.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Four sub outputs, each controlled on its own
Two jacks on RZ50 carry the same signal.
- Denon AVR-X3900H
- Better fit
- Onkyo TX-RZ50
- Caution
Full-bandwidth Dirac has to come with it
Denon sells it as an upgrade with its own license.
- Denon AVR-X3900H
- Depends
- Onkyo TX-RZ50
- Better fit
A seventh HDMI source on the front
Six rear HDMI inputs on X3900H.
- Denon AVR-X3900H
- Caution
- Onkyo TX-RZ50
- Better fit
7.1.4 when a stereo amplifier is on hand
Eleven channels are processed by each, and both need the extra amplifier pair.
- Denon AVR-X3900H
- Good
- Onkyo TX-RZ50
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
7.1.4 calls for the same number of added amplifiers
In an eleven-speaker room, two external amplifier channels are still needed with either model.
How we worked this out
Nine built-in amplifiers and eleven-channel main processing are found in each.
The Denon needs no splitter for four sub cables
X3900H gives four independent sub connections, whereas RZ50 has two jacks carrying a parallel signal.
How we worked this out
According to the manufacturers, the Denon has four independent sub outputs, and both Onkyo sub outputs carry the same signal.
A seventh source is not necessarily a seventh fast source
The extra front input on RZ50 helps with temporary devices, and each has six fast rear inputs.
How we worked this out
RZ50 totals seven HDMI inputs, six of which are 4K120-capable. X3900H has six of each.
Plan your receiver connectionsLay out my system
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
Denon AVR-X3900H
Handles your setup
Runs 5.1.2 on its own built-in amplifiers. Takes 3 HDMI devices, 1 of them at 4K/120Hz.
Onkyo TX-RZ50
Handles your setup
Runs 5.1.2 on its own built-in amplifiers. Takes 3 HDMI devices, 1 of them at 4K/120Hz. Input count does not guarantee every chroma, bit-depth or DSC combination. Check the manufacturer's HDMI format table and current firmware.
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-X3900H
AVR-X3900H
You can run 5.1.4 today on the nine built-in amplifiers and eleven-channel processing, then reach 7.1.4 by adding an external stereo amp. Four independent sub outputs make a more involved bass setup possible.
- Best for
- Growing from 5.1.4 to 7.1.4 in stages
Facts we checked
- 11 main processing channels and 9 built-in amplifier channels
- Of 6 HDMI inputs, 6 support 4K120 video
- The NA manual documents 3 HDMI outputs, of which 2 are main-room outputs
- Room setup by Audyssey MultEQ XT32
- Subwoofer outputs aside, 11 full-range main-channel pre-outs
- Before ventilation space, the chassis is 6.6-inch high with antennas horizontal
- 4 subwoofer outputs, each independent
Option B
Onkyo, TX-RZ50
TX-RZ50
Dirac Live Room Correction and a front HDMI input are included. The nine built-in amplifiers and eleven-channel processing can grow into a 7.1.4 system later, using an external stereo amp.
- Best for
- Dirac included now, 7.1.4 expansion later
Facts we checked
- 11 main processing channels and 9 built-in amplifier channels
- Of 7 HDMI inputs, 6 support 4K120 video
- 2 HDMI outputs
- Room setup by Dirac Live Full Bandwidth
- Subwoofer outputs aside, 11 full-range main-channel pre-outs
- Before ventilation space, the chassis is 7.9375-inch high with antennas horizontal
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Denon AVR-X3900H | Onkyo TX-RZ50 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subwoofer outputs | 4 independent | 2 carrying the same signal | For a larger subwoofer system, the Denon allows outputs to be adjusted separately. |
| Included correction | Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Dirac optional | Dirac Live Full Bandwidth included | The Dirac Room Correction license comes with the Onkyo. |
| HDMI source inputs | 6 rear | 6 rear plus 1 front | RZ50 gives you a seventh input and you need not reach behind the rack. |
| HDMI display outputs | 3, including separate Zone 2 | 2 | A separate Zone 2 connection comes with X3900H, within input-routing rules. |
| Maximum documented height channels | 6 in a supported 5.1.6 arrangement with external amplification | 4 | In a different supported layout, X3900H handles an additional height pair. |
| Published two-channel power | 105W into 8 ohms | 120W into 8 ohms | Each rating is based on 20Hz to 20kHz and 0.08% distortion with two channels driven. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Denon AVR-X3900H
- No seventh and no front HDMI input.
With Onkyo TX-RZ50
- Two HDMI outputs is the limit, with four documented height channels.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Every subwoofer needs its own adjustment at the receiver
Go with Denon AVR-X3900H. The receiver can adjust each of its four independent subwoofer outputs separately.
You want full-bandwidth Dirac included
Go with Onkyo TX-RZ50. A full-bandwidth Dirac Live license comes included, so there is no base room-correction license to buy on top.
You require 7.1.4 without any external power amplifier
Neither model fits. Neither the documented processing layouts nor the internal-amplifier ones cover this requirement. Pick a receiver that has the physical configuration you need.
Decision guide
How to decide
The X3900H suits a build around four independent sub outputs and a separate Zone 2 HDMI path. The RZ50 suits a build that values included Dirac, a front HDMI socket and a seventh source input. Both need a stereo power amplifier for 7.1.4.
Amplifiers do not separate these receivers
Each receiver runs 5.1.4 from its own amplifiers, and each reaches 7.1.4 with a stereo power amp added. Settle on the supported amp assignment before you connect the extra pair. If the goal is to avoid another amplifier, neither receiver gets there for eleven full-range speakers, and an eleven-amplifier model solves it more directly.
Subwoofer outputs are the bigger difference
Four subwoofers each get an independently adjustable output on the X3900H. The two jacks on the RZ50 carry the same signal, so they lack that receiver-level separation. None of this proves that two subs will sound worse on the Onkyo. It simply shows where independent alignment has to come from placement, sub controls or other equipment, and where the receiver itself provides separate adjustments.
Keep included software and connections apart
Full-bandwidth Dirac Live Room Correction is included on the RZ50, while the Denon includes Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and offers Dirac as an extra. The Onkyo also puts a seventh HDMI input on the front. The Denon counters with a third HDMI output for Zone 2. Before treating that output as an unrestricted matrix switch, check the Zone 2 source restrictions.
What this page can’t tell you
- Having independent subwoofer connections does not guarantee any particular bass result in the room.
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
Only 1 of the 34 models checked meet every need here: “Set up a 7.1.4 room”, “Begin with Dirac room correction already included”, and “Tune several subwoofers individually”.
1 model fits, out of 34 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Set up a 7.1.4 room”, “Begin with Dirac room correction already included”, and “Tune several subwoofers individually”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denon AVR-X3900H |
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| Onkyo TX-RZ50 |
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Ready to buy
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Denon AVR-X3900H
Every subwoofer needs its own adjustment at the receiver
See price & reviews on AmazonOnkyo TX-RZ50
You want full-bandwidth Dirac included
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