(October 19, 2021) Denon has officially launched a new budget-friendly AV Receiver, the AVR-X1700H. Priced at $699, the X1700H hits all the right notes by accommodating advanced HDMI 2.1 requirements with multiple inputs, Hi-Res music streaming, Atmos and DTS:X immersive sound, and voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, and Josh.ai.
The heart of the X1700H is 7.1-channel processing and 80 Watts per channel of output (20Hz-20kHz, THD: 0.08%, 2ch driven) for straight multi-channel speaker arrangements (from 2.1 to 7.1) and immersive sound setups utilizing two height or two up-firing speaker modules (5.1.2). The receiver offers Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding for traditional immersive layouts, and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology and DTS Virtual:X for virtualized heigh effects in standard multi-channel speaker arrangements.
The X1700H carries Apple AirPlay 2 for iPhone users, while the front-panel USB port offers convenient audio playback of other high-resolution audio formats (WAV, FLAC, ALAC, and DSD 2.8/5.6 MHz files) from a variety of players. Wireless connectivity to streaming music services like Spotify, Pandora, and TIDAL is also easily accessed via Bluetooth or HEOS built-in, the latter of which can stream music wirelessly across compatible HEOS built-in products made by Denon and other Sound United brands. Using HEOS, owners can enjoy multi-room and whole-home audio playback, controlling individual songs in each connected room or the same song across an entire network of rooms.
Sound quality is managed by Audyssey’s step-down MultEQ XT, which guides speaker set-up and acoustic calibration. Audyssey detects the size, type, and configuration of speakers in a system and measures their response in the room. The resulting correction filters can be applied to any speaker arrangement, and owners can further customize settings to their liking via the advanced Audyssey MultEQ Editor app (iOS and Android).
Video-wise, the AVR-X1700H features an advanced HDMI section boasting a six input/one output HDMI board. Three inputs provide HDMI 2.1 coverage with support for 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through up to 40Gbps, and all inputs support 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling along with HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), Dynamic HDR, and BT.2020 pass-through for exceptional clarity. All six inputs also carry 8K upscaling and compatibility with HDCP 2.3 copy protection.
The AVR-X1700H supports eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) to deliver uncompressed and object-based audio from the TV to the receiver via a single HDMI cable. Gamers also have a host of technologies available for a smoother and quicker gaming experience, including 4K/120Hz pass-through, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
Other notable features include “Dual Speaker Presets” for storing and instant switching between two different speaker configurations and Audyssey settings. “Dialog Enhancer” lets owners adjust the dialog level on the fly, while a newly added HDMI signal information feature allows users to confirm if 8K and 4K120 signals (or other HDR formats) are passing through the AVR. Lastly, the X1700H has a Bluetooth Audio Transmitter that allows owners to enjoy content using Bluetooth headphones or simultaneous playback with connected speakers.
The AVR-X1700H is scheduled to begin shipping during November 2021.
Additional Images
Last edited:
