The catch
Denon AVR-S970H
It lacks front-channel pre-outs and a documented Dirac upgrade path.
Side by side
Denon AVR-S970H vs AVR-X2900H: X2900H gives calibration and front pre-outs, not extra speakers or HDMI sockets
Quick verdict
For a TV-and-projector 5.1.2 system, AVR-S970H is the pick if its offer is lower. Front pre-outs, MultEQ XT or the option to buy Dirac Live are the reasons to take AVR-X2900H instead. Being newer, it adds no speaker channels and no extra HDMI sockets.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Video capacity stays the same on the newer receiver
Either published connection count can take a TV, a projector, three 4K120 sources and three additional HDMI devices. X2900H changes calibration and amplifier flexibility. The wiring plan stays the same.
Where this comes from
Both models list 2 HDMI outputs, 6 HDMI inputs and 3 4K120 inputs. Three fast sources plus three others take up all six inputs.
The catch
Denon AVR-X2900H
Dirac needs its own license and a compatible measurement microphone.
Denon AVR-S970H
- Why pick it
- Hook up a TV and projector and skip paying for calibration options you will not use
- Your seven-speaker layout stays fully powered by the receiver
- The catch
- It lacks front-channel pre-outs and a documented Dirac upgrade path.
Denon AVR-X2900H
- Why pick it
- A separate amplifier will drive your front pair
- You want the option of buying Dirac Live Room Correction
- The catch
- Dirac needs its own license and a compatible measurement microphone.
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What this page compares
A look at the Denon AVR-S970H and AVR-X2900H on two displays, a stereo power amp and room correction, including what changes and what stays capped at seven channels.
For a TV-and-projector 5.1.2 system, AVR-S970H is the pick if its offer is lower. Front pre-outs, MultEQ XT or the option to buy Dirac Live are the reasons to take AVR-X2900H instead. Being newer, it adds no speaker channels and no extra HDMI sockets.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
I use a TV at times and a projector at others
Both have two HDMI outputs. When you use both displays together, check their formats.
- Denon AVR-S970H
- Good
- Denon AVR-X2900H
- Good
I would like to add Dirac later
A paid Dirac Live Room Correction option for X2900H is documented by Denon.
- Denon AVR-S970H
- Not suitable
- Denon AVR-X2900H
- Better fit
I own a stereo power amp already
The line-level connection that is required comes from the front pre-outs on X2900H.
- Denon AVR-S970H
- Not suitable
- Denon AVR-X2900H
- Good
I want to add four heights and keep this receiver
Each has seven main processing channels, which falls short of the nine that 5.1.4 requires.
- Denon AVR-S970H
- Not suitable
- Denon AVR-X2900H
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Video capacity stays the same on the newer receiver
Either published connection count can take a TV, a projector, three 4K120 sources and three additional HDMI devices. X2900H changes calibration and amplifier flexibility. The wiring plan stays the same.
How we worked this out
Both models list 2 HDMI outputs, 6 HDMI inputs and 3 4K120 inputs. Three fast sources plus three others take up all six inputs.
Front pre-outs do not amount to a four-height upgrade
A stereo power amp added to X2900H can take over its front pair. It cannot stretch seven-channel processing into the nine channels that five floor-level speakers and four heights need.
How we worked this out
X2900H has 2 front pre-outs but 7 main processing channels. A main layout of 5.1.4 has 5 + 4 = 9 channels.
Keep the receiver price apart from the cost of setting up Dirac
Buying the X2900H offer alone does not get you a Dirac system that is ready to run. The Audyssey setup it includes uses the supplied microphone, whereas the optional Dirac route needs its own license and a compatible measurement microphone.
How we worked this out
MultEQ XT is listed by Denon as included. The X2900H Dirac documentation calls for a purchased license and a compatible microphone on the optional calibration route.
Plan your receiver connectionsLay out my system
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
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.
Denon AVR-X2900H
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-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
- Main channels: 7 powered and processed
- HDMI connections: 6 inputs, 3 with 4K120, 2 outputs
- Included calibration: Audyssey MultEQ
- Optional Dirac Live: No documented upgrade
Option B
Denon, AVR-X2900H
AVR-X2900H
This 2026 seven-channel model is a two-display system with front-channel pre-outs and an optional Dirac Live upgrade. Even so, its main-room speaker limit stays at 7.1 or 5.1.2.
- Best for
- Seven channels, with the option of a stereo power amp
Facts we checked
- Main channels: 7 powered and processed
- HDMI connections: 6 inputs, 3 with 4K120, 2 outputs
- Included calibration: Audyssey MultEQ XT
- Optional Dirac Live: Paid Room Correction upgrade
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Denon AVR-S970H | Denon AVR-X2900H | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main channels | 7 powered and processed | 7 powered and processed | Either one supports 5.1.2, but neither can process a nine-speaker main-room layout. |
| HDMI connections | 6 inputs, 3 with 4K120, 2 outputs | 6 inputs, 3 with 4K120, 2 outputs | Both offer the same two-display and source-count capability. |
| Included calibration | Audyssey MultEQ | Audyssey MultEQ XT | Go with the X2900H for its calibration tier, but do not assume it measurably improves your room. |
| Optional Dirac Live | No documented upgrade | Paid Room Correction upgrade | If you want this workflow, put the license and a suitable microphone into your X2900H budget. |
| Front main-channel pre-outs | None | Left and right | A stereo power amp can be reused with X2900H and needs no speaker-level adapters. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Denon AVR-S970H
- The Audyssey version it includes is MultEQ.
With Denon AVR-X2900H
- With seven processing channels, 5.1.4 is still out.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
I am looking for the documented paid Dirac route
Go with Denon AVR-X2900H. The upgrade works with X2900H. Plan your budget beyond the receiver itself.
Two displays and 5.1.2 are all I need, and S970H is cheaper
Go with Denon AVR-S970H. The channel and HDMI counts both have in common already cover that setup.
Five speakers and four heights are what my room calls for
Neither model fits. Seven main processing channels is the limit for each.
Decision guide
How to decide
AVR-S970H covers a TV-and-projector 5.1.2 system if its offer is lower. Front pre-outs, MultEQ XT or the chance to buy Dirac Live all point to AVR-X2900H instead. The newer model adds neither speaker channels nor HDMI sockets.
Budget for the whole system first
A conventional 5.1.2 room and a substantially cheaper S970H make it worth considering, because the HDMI layout is shared. If Dirac is what you want, add the license and measurement hardware to the X2900H offer before comparing. Comparing receiver prices alone leaves out the reason for choosing it.
A higher model is not needed for two displays here
A TV and projector can stay connected on either receiver. Look at the video formats they support and at the receiver output setting, especially when one display is much older. A bigger model number does not lift the restrictions that the connected display chain imposes.
Settle the speaker layout ahead of room correction
The receiver has to be able to run your intended speakers before calibration options count. If you are planning four heights, you need more processing channels than either model provides. In a settled seven-speaker system, front pre-outs and the different calibration routes then become meaningful choices.
What this page can’t tell you
- The checks here concern US connections and speaker layouts. Amplifier output, room-correction results and sound quality were not measured by us. You still need to check HDMI format, firmware and display compatibility.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the AV receivers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denon AVR-S970H |
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| Denon AVR-X2900H |
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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-S970H
Hook up a TV and projector and skip paying for calibration options you will not use
See price & reviews on AmazonDenon AVR-X2900H
A separate amplifier will drive your front pair
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