Denon AVR-S980H: More Power, More Flexibility, and Gaming Compatibility 1,440p££££
While the power output remains the same, 7 x 125W into 6 ohms, 7 x 90W into 8 ohms, Denon now guarantees 70% of the available power across five channels, ensuring a high-flying multichannel experience. Of course, the AVR-S980H retains the upgrade flexibility of the S950H: starting in 2.0, evolving to 5.1, then to 7.2 or 5.1.2 Atmos.
HDMI 2.1, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and 8K Upscaling: A True Technological Breakthrough££££
The most significant evolution concerns video. Whereas the AVR-S950H was limited to 2160p/60Hz support and 30Hz Ultra HD/4K upscaling, the AVR-S980H adopts a full HDMI 2.1 platform with three 8K inputs, 8K pass-through compatibility, 8K UHD upscaling, and support for the latest HDR formats, including HDR10+, Dolby Vision HDR, and HLG HDR. While the number of HDMI ports is reduced from eight to six, the move to the HDMI 2.1 standard marks a clear break from the previous generation.
Denon Home Wireless, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Hi-Res Audio and Audyssey MultEQ: Modernized Audio Section ££££
Another major new feature is the ability to use the new Denon Home 200, 400 and 600 speakers (see our news article Denon Home 200/400/600 Speakers: The New Heos Multiroom Range Switches to Dolby Atmos Music) as wireless surround speakers, a feature that will be enabled via a future Firmware update.
For the rest, the Denon AVR-S980H retains Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, but it emphasizes 3D spatialization and the Denon Sound Master signature. Hi-Res Audio certification remains available via USB and network. However, the calibration has been downgraded: the AVR-S950H boasted Audyssey MultEQ XT, while the AVR-S980H offers the standard Audyssey MultEQ version (with Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Audyssey Dynamic EQ). VRR, QFT, FreeSync, and 1440p: a complete gaming hub for consoles and PCs. The video game industry also benefits from a significant upgrade. The AVR-S950H only offered ALLM, while the AVR-S980H adds VRR, QFT, and AMD FreeSync, delivering the smoothness and responsiveness needed for next-generation consoles and PCs. As previously mentioned, Denon's 1440p compatibility further enhances the amplifier's appeal for demanding gamers. The amplifier thus becomes a true gaming hub, capable of keeping up with frame rate variations and reducing visual artifacts.
Revised connectivity, Bluetooth 4.2 RX and Heos multiroom still included
As previously mentioned, while the AVR-S950H offered eight HDMI 2.0b inputs, including one on the front panel, and two HDMI outputs, the AVR-S980H slightly reduces the number of inputs to six, but three of them are 2.1, ensuring future compatibility. We still find two subwoofer outputs, one phono input, two optical inputs, one coaxial input, one phono input, four stereo RCA inputs, the front USB port, an Ethernet port, and seven screw terminals.
Denon AVR-S980H: Voice Assistants, Full Streaming, and Apple Music Spatial Audio Compatibility
The Denon AVR-S980H boasts numerous advanced features, including Heos multiroom technology. Similarly, it offers compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice assistants. AirPlay 2, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.2 (receive only) are also included. The program also includes TuneIn web radios, UPnP (DLNA) audio streaming, support for DSD 2.8/5.6 MHz, FLAC, WAV and ALAC codecs up to 192 kHz/24 bits in addition to MP3, WMA and AAC, and compatibility with Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify Connect, SoundCloud, Tidal… For Apple Music, Spatial Audio compatibility is planned via a future firmware update.
Denon AVR-S980H: more economical, lighter and still easy to configure amplifier££££
Finally, the S980H is more economical and lighter than its predecessor, with reduced power consumption of 430 W compared to 500 W and a weight of 9.5 kg compared to 10.35 kg. The Denon Setup Assistant interface remains, as do the OSD and the characteristic front controls of the S series. Available immediately in black only. Suggested retail price: €899. Key features of the Denon AVR-S980H: • Model: 7.2 • Power: 7 x 125 W into 6 ohms, 7 x 90 W into 8 ohms • Inputs: 3 HDMI 2.1 inputs, 3 HDMI 2.0b inputs, 2 optical inputs, 1 coaxial input, 4 stereo RCA inputs, 1 phono input, 1 powered USB port, 1 Ethernet port • Outputs: 2 HDMI outputs, 2 subwoofer outputs, 1 headphone output, 7 pairs of screw terminals • OSD functions • Audio Gateway functions [abc]UPnP[/abc] ([abc]DLNA[/abc])
• Functions [abc]ALLM[/abc]
• Compatibility [abc]Flac[/abc] [abc]HD[/abc]
• Compatibility [abc]Alac[/abc]
• Compatibility [abc]DSD[/abc] 2.8/5.6 MHz
• [abc]Wav[/abc]
compatibility• [abc]MP3[/abc]
compatibility• [abc]WMA[/abc]
compatibility• [abc]AAC[/abc]
compatibility• Dolby Atmos 3.2.2 audio
• Audio [abc]DTS:X[/abc]
• Audio [abc]Dolby Atmos 5.2.2; • Audio: Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer; • Audio: DTS Virtual:X; • Audio: eARC; • Audio: Audyssey MultiEQ Auto Calibration; • Audio: Audyssey Dynamic Volume Processing; • Audio: Audyssey Dynamic EQ Processing; • Video: HDR10; • Video: HDR HLG; • Video: HDR Dolby Vision; • Video: BT.2020 Compatibility; • Video: Ultra HD Pass-Through; • Video: 3D Ready; • Video: Ultra HD/8K Upscaling (24/25/30/60)
• Network Control via IP
• Dual Band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz)
• AirPlay 2
• Bluetooth 4.2
• Google Assistant
• Amazon Alexa
• Apple Siri
• Hi-Res Audio Streaming via USB/Network: Yes
• Internet Radio: TuneIn
• AM/FM Tuner with 40 Presets
• Hi-Res Audio Certification
• HDCP 2.3 Certification
• Headphone Output: Yes
• Other: Heos Multiroom Module integrated; • Dimensions (W x H x D, mm): 434 x 341 x 237 mm (Wi-Fi antennas deployed); • Power consumption: 430 W; • Weight: 9.5 kg