The catch
Denon AVR-S980H
At 6.6 inches, the body is taller, and it has no full-range main-channel pre-outs.
Side by side
Denon AVR-S980H vs Marantz CINEMA 70s: Marantz is 2.3 inches lower and 1.7 deeper, with ventilation still needing room
Quick verdict
Low furniture or a suitable existing multichannel amplifier points to the original CINEMA 70s. Two same-source displays, or a shallower shelf with enough height, point to S980H. Measured with antennas horizontal, the Marantz is 2.3 inches lower but 1.7 inches deeper. Neither is a four-height receiver, and both need ventilation beyond the listed body dimensions.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Furniture that is slim can be too shallow even for the slim receiver
CINEMA 70s looks like the natural pick for a low sideboard under the family TV, but check the depth too. With the antennas horizontal, it is 2.3 inches shorter than S980H and 1.7 inches deeper. That extra depth can push the cable bends into the back panel or pull the unit forward on the shelf. A shallower, taller shelf may suit Denon better. Treat these as body measurements, so don’t squeeze either receiver into an opening of exactly that size. Leave the cooling space the manufacturer requires, plus enough room to reach the cables.
Where this comes from
With antennas horizontal, S980H measures 17.1 W by 13.4 D by 6.6 H inches and CINEMA 70s measures 17.4 W by 15.1 D by 4.3 H. That works out to 2.3 inches of height and 1.7 inches of depth between them. Nothing here is a thermal-clearance calculation, and nothing implies approval for a closed cabinet.
The catch
Marantz CINEMA 70s
The slim body runs deeper, and with a single HDMI output it can’t feed a TV and a projector directly at the same time.
Denon AVR-S980H
- Why pick it
- A TV and projector must connect directly to the same source for you, and the cabinet has enough height for S980H.
- Your shelf is tighter on depth than on height, and you have no need for full-range pre-outs to feed an external main-room amplifier.
- The catch
- At 6.6 inches, the body is taller, and it has no full-range main-channel pre-outs.
Marantz CINEMA 70s
- Why pick it
- Your furniture layout benefits from the lower body, with space behind and above it for cables and cooling.
- Full 7.2 pre-outs would let you reuse a compatible external amplifier, and you are staying within seven main processing channels.
- The catch
- The slim body runs deeper, and with a single HDMI output it can’t feed a TV and a projector directly at the same time.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money
What this page compares
S980H against the original CINEMA 70s for low furniture, shallow shelves, a TV plus projector and reusing an amplifier while keeping Atmos.
Either suits a seven-channel living-room theater with HEOS and three high-refresh HDMI inputs. The slim body and full pre-outs of Marantz appeal to owners of low furniture or existing amplifiers. Denon instead gives a TV and projector each its own same-source monitor connection.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Low furniture that has enough depth and room for cooling
The lower body belongs to CINEMA 70s. Installation clearance needs its own check.
- Denon AVR-S980H
- Caution
- Marantz CINEMA 70s
- Better fit
A shelf of less depth that still has room for a taller receiver
With horizontal antennas, S980H saves 1.7 inches of body depth.
- Denon AVR-S980H
- Better fit
- Marantz CINEMA 70s
- Caution
A suitable multichannel amplifier is already in place
In this pair, the full-range main pre-out bank comes from Marantz alone.
- Denon AVR-S980H
- Caution
- Marantz CINEMA 70s
- Better fit
A TV and projector fed by the same entertainment source
Denon offers two monitor outputs, but they do not carry different programs.
- Denon AVR-S980H
- Better fit
- Marantz CINEMA 70s
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
Furniture that is slim can be too shallow even for the slim receiver
CINEMA 70s looks like the natural pick for a low sideboard under the family TV, but check the depth too. With the antennas horizontal, it is 2.3 inches shorter than S980H and 1.7 inches deeper. That extra depth can push the cable bends into the back panel or pull the unit forward on the shelf. A shallower, taller shelf may suit Denon better. Treat these as body measurements, so don’t squeeze either receiver into an opening of exactly that size. Leave the cooling space the manufacturer requires, plus enough room to reach the cables.
How we worked this out
With antennas horizontal, S980H measures 17.1 W by 13.4 D by 6.6 H inches and CINEMA 70s measures 17.4 W by 15.1 D by 4.3 H. That works out to 2.3 inches of height and 1.7 inches of depth between them. Nothing here is a thermal-clearance calculation, and nothing implies approval for a closed cabinet.
An amplifier you already have can turn the value comparison around
If you own a suitable multichannel power amplifier, CINEMA 70s can keep using it through the full main-channel pre-outs, which the subwoofer outputs on S980H can’t do. This counts when you want to hold on to an installed speaker system and only replace the unit that handles HDMI and streaming. Weigh the whole replacement plan along with the receiver prices. Keep in mind that Marantz still processes seven main channels, so the amplifier you already have can’t make a four-height layout possible later.
How we worked this out
CINEMA 70s has full 7.2 pre-outs and seven main processing channels, while S980H has subwoofer pre-outs only. Reusing an amplifier depends on compatible input levels, connections, speakers and installation. This assumes no dollar saving and no audible improvement.
Choose the connection that works for both people using the system
If you switch between a TV and a projector at different times, S980H fits better, since both can stay connected to the same source. If you want movie sound with two height speakers while someone else listens in the kitchen, CINEMA 70s fits better, provided a separate amplifier powers that room. Its external Zone 2 route leaves the main-room channels alone, whereas Denon’s powered Zone 2 assignment takes two of them. These are two different ways of sharing a system, and a second HDMI output can’t stand in for a second-room audio output.
How we worked this out
Using powered Zone 2, S980H gives you two same-source monitor outputs and five main channels. CINEMA 70s gives you one monitor output, with documented seven-main-channel layouts alongside Zone 2 pre-outs. Still required: zone source compatibility and an external amplifier.
Plan your receiver connectionsLay out my system
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
Denon AVR-S980H
Handles your setup
Runs 5.1.2 on its own built-in amplifiers. Takes 3 HDMI devices, 1 of them at 4K/120Hz.
Marantz CINEMA 70s
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, 301130-01-00-101
AVR-S980H
A TV and projector must connect directly to the same source for you, and the cabinet has enough height for S980H.
- Best for
- A TV and projector must connect directly to the same source for you, and the cabinet has enough height for S980H.
Facts we checked
- Height, antennas horizontal: 6.6 inches
- Depth, antennas horizontal: 13.4 inches
- Direct display outputs: Two same-source HDMI outputs
- Main-channel amplifier outputs: No full-range main pre-outs
Option B
Marantz, CINEMA 70s
CINEMA 70s
Your furniture layout benefits from the lower body, with space behind and above it for cables and cooling.
- Best for
- Your furniture layout benefits from the lower body, with space behind and above it for cables and cooling.
Facts we checked
- Height, antennas horizontal: 4.3 inches
- Depth, antennas horizontal: 15.1 inches
- Direct display outputs: One HDMI output
- Main-channel amplifier outputs: Full 7.2 pre-out bank
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Denon AVR-S980H | Marantz CINEMA 70s | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height, antennas horizontal | 6.6 inches | 4.3 inches | Before cooling clearance, Marantz has a body that is 2.3 inches shorter. |
| Depth, antennas horizontal | 13.4 inches | 15.1 inches | Before HDMI cable bends, Denon’s body is 1.7 inches shallower. |
| Direct display outputs | Two same-source HDMI outputs | One HDMI output | For a TV and projector setup, Denon is the better fit, unless another suitable switching route is already in place. |
| Main-channel amplifier outputs | No full-range main pre-outs | Full 7.2 pre-out bank | Suitable external main-channel amplification stays usable with Marantz. |
| Main processing limit | Seven channels | Seven channels | Five bed-level plus four height channels is beyond either receiver. |
| Heights and an externally powered second room | No equivalent Zone 2 line-out route | Seven-channel main layouts plus Zone 2 pre-outs | When a separate amplifier powers the second room, Marantz keeps the height channels. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Denon AVR-S980H
- When kitchen speakers run off its own terminals, the main room gives up its height or surround-back channels.
With Marantz CINEMA 70s
- An outboard amplifier means extra cost, heat and space. And full pre-outs leave the seven-channel processing limit where it is.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Connecting two displays, or fitting a shallower body, solves the main problem
Go with Denon AVR-S980H. S980H offers two same-source outputs, and its depth with the antennas horizontal is 13.4 inches.
The purchase turns on low furniture or on external amplification you already have
Go with Marantz CINEMA 70s. Original CINEMA 70s sits lower and has full 7.2 pre-outs, but it needs cooling room.
The planned final layout is 5.1.4
Neither model fits. Seven main processing channels is the ceiling for both.
Decision guide
Before you buy
Keeping the furniture and speakers you already own is the goal, yet a slim receiver may fix the height issue and then bring a depth or display-connection problem.
What this page can’t tell you
- A receiver's body size does not show it is safe inside a sealed cabinet.
- Rated watts cannot name an audible winner across different speakers, room sizes and listening levels.
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-S980H |
|
| |
| Marantz CINEMA 70s |
|
|
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-S980H
A TV and projector must connect directly to the same source for you, and the cabinet has enough height for S980H.
Your shelf is tighter on depth than on height, and you have no need for full-range pre-outs to feed an external main-room amplifier.
See price & reviews on AmazonMarantz CINEMA 70s
Your furniture layout benefits from the lower body, with space behind and above it for cables and cooling.
Full 7.2 pre-outs would let you reuse a compatible external amplifier, and you are staying within seven main processing channels.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money