The catch
Denon AVR-X4800H
7.1.4 calls for two external amplifier channels.
Side by side
Denon AVR-X4800H vs Denon AVR-X6800H: X6800H runs 7.1.4 by itself, X4800H needs two external amplifier channels
Quick verdict
X4800H fits a nine-speaker room, or a 7.1.4 plan where an external stereo amplifier is already on hand. X6800H is the pick for running 7.1.4 off one receiver or holding on to legacy composite and component video sources.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The difference in internal amplifiers matches 7.1.4 exactly
With X6800H you drop the separate stereo amplifier that X4800H needs for eleven speakers.
Where this comes from
7 + 4 makes eleven main channels. X4800H carries nine amplifiers, X6800H eleven.
The catch
Denon AVR-X6800H
The chassis is 5.3 pounds heavier.
Denon AVR-X4800H
- Why pick it
- Your main room ends at 5.1.4 or 7.1.2
- You already have an external stereo amp for 7.1.4
- The catch
- 7.1.4 calls for two external amplifier channels.
Denon AVR-X6800H
- Why pick it
- The receiver has to power all eleven 7.1.4 speakers
- Your legacy analog video sources need to connect to the receiver
- The catch
- The chassis is 5.3 pounds heavier.
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What this page compares
Denon X4800H vs X6800H on internally powered 7.1.4, external amplifier needs, legacy video connections and the load on a cabinet shelf.
X4800H fits a nine-speaker room, or a 7.1.4 plan where an external stereo amplifier is already on hand. X6800H is the pick for running 7.1.4 off one receiver or holding on to legacy composite and component video sources.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
7.1.4 without a separate power amp
Eleven internal amplifiers come with X6800H.
- Denon AVR-X4800H
- Caution
- Denon AVR-X6800H
- Better fit
5.1.4 on a rack that is all HDMI
The layout is powered by each, and each provides seven fast HDMI inputs.
- Denon AVR-X4800H
- Good
- Denon AVR-X6800H
- Good
An external stereo amp already owned, for 7.1.4
The external pair is usable with X4800H. For this layout X6800H has no need of it.
- Denon AVR-X4800H
- Good
- Denon AVR-X6800H
- Good
An older component-video source
A component input is included on X6800H, but not on X4800H.
- Denon AVR-X4800H
- Not suitable
- Denon AVR-X6800H
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
The difference in internal amplifiers matches 7.1.4 exactly
With X6800H you drop the separate stereo amplifier that X4800H needs for eleven speakers.
How we worked this out
7 + 4 makes eleven main channels. X4800H carries nine amplifiers, X6800H eleven.
Power is not the main reason for moving up
Ratings of 140W against 125W come to about 0.49dB of theoretical electrical headroom.
How we worked this out
10 × log10(140 ÷ 125) comes to approximately 0.49dB when load and test conditions are the same.
The same outside dimensions do not make for the same shelf load
Despite the same published 17.1 by 15.3 by 6.6-inch envelope, the X6800H is 5.3 pounds heavier.
How we worked this out
34.4 minus 29.1 comes to 5.3 pounds. Both measurements are taken with the antennas horizontal.
Plan your receiver connectionsLay out my system
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
Denon AVR-X4800H
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-X6800H
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-X4800H
AVR-X4800H
Seven fast HDMI inputs and four independent sub outputs come with this nine-amplifier receiver, which has eleven processing channels. It fits a big source collection and a possible external-amp expansion down the road.
- Best for
- Seven fast sources and room to grow into 7.1.4
Facts we checked
- 11 main processing channels and 9 built-in amplifier channels
- Of 7 HDMI inputs, 7 support 4K120 video
- 3 HDMI 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
Denon, AVR-X6800H
AVR-X6800H
No extra power amplifier is needed to run 7.1.4, thanks to the eleven built-in amplifiers. Thirteen-channel processing, four independent sub outputs and extensive main-channel pre-outs give larger installations room to grow.
- Best for
- A 7.1.4 layout the receiver powers itself
Facts we checked
- 13 main processing channels and 11 built-in amplifier channels
- Of 7 HDMI inputs, 7 support 4K120 video
- 3 HDMI outputs
- Room setup by Audyssey MultEQ XT32
- Subwoofer outputs aside, 13 full-range main-channel pre-outs
- Before ventilation space, the chassis is 6.6-inch high with antennas horizontal
- 4 subwoofer outputs, each independent
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Denon AVR-X4800H | Denon AVR-X6800H | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in amplifiers and processing | 9 amplifiers, 11 processing channels | 11 amplifiers, 13 processing channels | X6800H drives 7.1.4 from its own amplifiers, and with extra amplification it can process larger documented systems. |
| Published two-channel power | 125W into 8 ohms | 140W into 8 ohms | The specification for each covers 20Hz to 20kHz at 0.05% distortion with two channels driven. |
| Analog audio inputs | 5 | 6 | Another analog source connection is available on X6800H. |
| Composite video inputs | 0 | 2 | Two composite-video sources can plug directly into X6800H. |
| Component video inputs | 0 | 1 | X6800H has room for one component-video source. |
| Receiver weight | 29.1 pounds | 34.4 pounds | The shelf has to carry 5.3 pounds more with the larger model. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Denon AVR-X4800H
- There are no composite or component video inputs.
With Denon AVR-X6800H
- Its eleven built-in amplifiers still fall short of the thirteen-channel processing.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Your main room ends at 5.1.4 or 7.1.2
Go with Denon AVR-X4800H. Either 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 can run on its nine internal amplifiers.
The receiver has to power all eleven 7.1.4 speakers
Go with Denon AVR-X6800H. The documented 7.1.4 layout is powered by its eleven internal amplifiers.
Internal power has to reach every one of the thirteen main speakers
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
Go with X4800H if the room is nine speakers or you already own an external stereo amplifier for 7.1.4. Go with X6800H if you want 7.1.4 powered from one receiver or need to retain legacy composite and component video sources.
Decide how many channels one box should power
Running 5.1.4 directly on an X4800H uses all nine internal amplifiers, and adding a stereo amp lets it process 7.1.4. With eleven amplifiers, the X6800H keeps 7.1.4 a one-receiver installation. Thirteen-channel processing on it does not mean all thirteen channels are powered internally.
Decide if old video gear still needs a place in the rack
Two composite inputs and one component input are on the X6800H, and the X4800H leaves those legacy video connections out. An older console or player may make that matter. Check the source resolution and how the receiver converts it, instead of assuming every analog signal turns into every HDMI format. A rack that is all HDMI gains nothing from those sockets in connection terms.
Stay realistic about power and weight
In theoretical level terms the stereo power-rating gap is fairly small, and neither rating predicts eleven-channel output. Two additional amplifier channels are the more concrete difference. Both receivers share the same quoted chassis envelope, yet the X6800H weighs 5.3 pounds more. Check shelf loading and ventilation even if the space you have for the X4800H seems suitable.
What this page can’t tell you
- A two-channel output rating is not a measurement of continuous power across all channels.
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 11 of the 34 models checked meet every need here: “Set up a 7.1.4 room” and “Keep seven HDMI sources plugged in”.
11 models fit, 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” and “Keep seven HDMI sources plugged in”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denon AVR-X4800H |
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| Denon AVR-X6800H |
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Ready to buy
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Denon AVR-X4800H
Your main room ends at 5.1.4 or 7.1.2
See price & reviews on AmazonDenon AVR-X6800H
The receiver has to power all eleven 7.1.4 speakers
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