Dec 2, 2016

Denon AVR-X6200W vs AVR-X6300H Review

The biggest difference between the AVR-X6300H and AVR-X6200W is that the former has 11.2 channels of amplification built-in vs 9.2 channels of amplification built-in on the latter. Both models have dual subwoofer outputs. The number of power amp channels is of concern with object-based surround sound (e.g. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X) because the AVR-X6300H supports up to 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 configurations, without needing an external amplifier. The AVR-X6200W, on the other hand, requires an external 2-channel amp to run a 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 setup since it only has 9.2 channels of integrated amplification but it does have 11.2 preamp (processing) channels, hence the possibility to use an external amp in order to have 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 surround sound. That being said, both of them are rated at 140 watts per channel (2 channel driven into 8 ohms, at 20Hz~20kHz, THD 0.05%). Further, all channels have identical circuit topology, and monolithic power amplifier design. Both models are able to drive lower impedance speakers, down to 4 ohms (and up to 16 ohms) on all channels.

It should be mentioned that the AVR-X6200W doesn't support DTS:X out-of-the-box, meaning that you'll have to install a future firmware update (when it becomes available) in order to add support for this object-based audio format. Support for Dolby Atmos, however, is built-in. The AVR-X6300H, on the other hand, supports both formats out-of-the-box. Even if you don't have any Dolby Atmos or DTS:X encoded content, you can still use the Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X upmixing technologies in order to get an enhanced 3-dimensional audio experience from conventional, channel-based Dolby, or DTS-encoded material, provided you have properly configured overhead speakers. The AVR-X6300H and AVR-X6200W are Auro-3D upgradeable, but it's a paid upgrade.

Both of them utilize the Audyssey Platinum DSP suite. That being said, only the AVR-X6200W features Audyssey DSX processing for either front wide, front height or both front wide and front height channel expansion, whereas the AVR-X6300H omits this feature. The only one of the two that is Audyssey Pro Installer ready is the AVR-X6200W. Both of them, however, utilize the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic room acoustic correction that compensates for the time as well as the frequency characteristics of the listening area, depending on the measurements results. The measurement microphone that is included with both of them can be used for taking up to 8 measurements at different locations in order for the MultEQ XT32 to be able to analyze each speaker's output (including the subwoofers). Based on this analysis, precision digital filters are generated for optimizing each channel for the exact frequency response. If you have a dual subwoofer setup, the Audyssey Sub EQ HT, also utilized by both models, can provide individual digital signal processing tailoring of each subwoofer in order to improve the definition and depth of the bass. The Dynamic Volume, Dynamic EQ, Low Frequency Containment features are also present on both models.

Each of the two models have a total of 8 HDMI inputs: one on the front and seven on the back. All of them are HDMI version 2.0a. The HDCP 2.2 is also supported on all 8 HDMI inputs, meaning that they can be used for connecting your 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player to. There are 3 HDMI outputs on the back of each of the two models in order to pass-through the signal from your UHD Blu-ray player to your 4K TV, for example. If you don't have a 4K source content, you can use the video processor in order to upscale SD or HD signal to 4K Ultra HD, thus matching your 4K TV's resolution. Both models are ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) certified, and feature ISF Day and ISF Night video modes, which can be used by a certified technician in the event you plan on having a professional video calibration.

Although the AVR-X6200W has 13.2 channel pre-out connections (and that's without counting the dedicated pre-outs for Zone 2 and 3), you cannot have any combination involving all 13.2 channels being active at the same time due to the fact the AVR-X6200W's processing capability is limited to 11.2 channels at most. If you plan on utilizing all of its 11.2 processing channels simultaneously, an external 2 channel amplifier is required since the AVR-X6200W only has 9.2 channels of amplification built-in, as already has been mentioned. The 9.2 amplifier channels capability on the AVR-X6200W also means that only up to 9 out of the 11 speaker terminals can be active at the same time, even if you have connected speakers to all 11 of them. The AVR-X6300H has 11.2 channel pre-out connections (plus dedicated Zone 2 and 3 pre-outs) and 11.2 channel processing capability. Further, the AVR-X6300H has 11.2 channel of integrated amplification, so there is no need for an external amp in the scenario where all of its processing channels are utilized.

The AVR-X6300H has a built-in support for the HEOS technology. This allows the AVR-X6300H to become part of a wireless multi-room, multi-source streaming system, provided you have HEOS wireless speakers, or other HEOS enabled receiver. A wireless home network is also required. You can use the HEOS app on your smartphone or tablet to control what audio content is streamed to each individual HEOS wireless speaker you have: e.g. you can play different songs from different sources in each room, or play the same music in all rooms where you have HEOS wireless speakers. The AVR-X6200W doesn't have a built-in support for HEOS. You can, however, use the HEOS Link device (sold separately), which is a HEOS wireless pre-amplifier, to turn the AVR-X6200W into a HEOS zone that can be controlled via the HEOS app.

Check availability and pricing on Amazon.com for the AVR-X6300H and the AVR-X6200W (affiliate links; As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

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