Best Product Fit

Head-to-head

Denon AVR-S770H vs Denon AVR-S970H: S970H connects two displays without adding channels or fast HDMI inputs

The short answer

Choose S770H for one display and a lower chassis. Choose S970H when both a TV and projector need receiver outputs. The upgrade does not add processing channels or more 4K120 inputs.

Before you choose

The reasoning and the trade-offs

The display upgrade leaves the speaker plan unchanged

Both power a real 5.1.2 layout, so a second display does not buy extra height channels.

What this is based on

Both provide seven amplifiers and seven main processing channels.

Main trade-off

Denon AVR-S770H

Only one main-room HDMI output.

Main trade-off

Denon AVR-S970H

The chassis needs another 0.6 inch of height.

Denon AVR-S770H

Denon AVR-S770H

Choose it for
  • One display is the finished setup
  • A 6-inch chassis fits the available rack better
Main trade-off
Only one main-room HDMI output.
See price & reviews on Amazon
Denon AVR-S970H

Denon AVR-S970H

Choose it for
  • TV and projector should remain connected
  • The larger chassis fits the available shelf
Main trade-off
The chassis needs another 0.6 inch of height.
See price & reviews on Amazon

Analysis updated , Catalog updated , Amazon.com / United States

About this comparison

Compare Denon S770H and S970H for a TV and projector, the same 5.1.2 speaker plan, published power and available cabinet space.

Choose S770H for one display and a lower chassis. Choose S970H when both a TV and projector need receiver outputs. The upgrade does not add processing channels or more 4K120 inputs.

Winner by situation

Start with what you need it to do

  • One TV and a finished 5.1.2 system

    Both cover the same speaker layout and source count.

    Denon AVR-S770H
    Better fit
    Denon AVR-S970H
    Good

  • TV and projector stay connected

    S970H has two main-room HDMI outputs.

    Denon AVR-S770H
    Caution
    Denon AVR-S970H
    Better fit

  • A shelf favors the shorter receiver

    S770H is 6 inches tall with antennas horizontal, against 6.6 inches.

    Denon AVR-S770H
    Better fit
    Denon AVR-S970H
    Caution

  • Four height speakers are planned

    Neither processes the nine full-range channels needed for 5.1.4.

    Denon AVR-S770H
    Not suitable
    Denon AVR-S970H
    Not suitable

What matters in practice

The differences that matter

The display upgrade leaves the speaker plan unchanged

Both power a real 5.1.2 layout, so a second display does not buy extra height channels.

How we reached this conclusion

Both provide seven amplifiers and seven main processing channels.

There is no extra fast-source capacity

A fourth 4K120 source needs another routing plan with either receiver.

How we reached this conclusion

Both have six HDMI inputs, with three supporting the documented 4K120 path.

The stereo power gap is modest

The 90W and 75W ratings imply about 0.8dB of theoretical electrical headroom under matching conditions.

How we reached this conclusion

10 × log10(90 ÷ 75) is about 0.79dB. This is not a room-loudness or all-channel measurement.

Plan your receiver connectionsPlan my setup

Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.

2 models match your answers2 receivers support this setup

Your 5.1.2 layout needs 7 speaker channels. Your devices need 3 HDMI inputs, including 1 for 4K at 120Hz.

Denon AVR-S770H

Supports your setup

Supports 5.1.2 using the receiver's own amplifiers. Connects 3 HDMI devices, including 1 at 4K/120Hz.

Denon AVR-S970H

Supports your setup

Supports 5.1.2 using the receiver's own amplifiers. Connects 3 HDMI devices, including 1 at 4K/120Hz.

A powered subwoofer is separate from the speaker-channel count. This checks one main room. Zone 2, bi-amping and unusual speaker assignments need another manual check. Allow ventilation space and confirm HDMI settings, cables and speaker impedance before installing.

Choice A
Denon AVR-S770H

Denon, AVR-S770H

AVR-S770H

Seven amplifiers cover either 7.1 surround or 5.1.2 with two heights. Six HDMI inputs and HEOS suit a mixed movie, game and music system.

Best matched use
A first 5.1.2 system with several sources

Checked facts

  • 7 built-in amplifier channels and 7 main processing channels
  • 6 HDMI inputs, including 3 supporting 4K120 video
  • 1 HDMI output
  • Audyssey MultEQ room setup
  • 0 full-range main-channel pre-outs, excluding subwoofer outputs
  • 6-inch chassis height with antennas horizontal, before ventilation space
See price & reviews on Amazon
Choice B
Denon AVR-S970H

Denon, AVR-S970H

AVR-S970H

A seven-amplifier receiver with two HDMI monitor outputs. Its practical role is a 5.1.2 or 7.1 room that uses both a TV and a projector.

Best matched use
A TV and projector sharing a seven-speaker system

Checked facts

  • 7 built-in amplifier channels and 7 main processing channels
  • 6 HDMI inputs, including 3 supporting 4K120 video
  • 2 HDMI outputs
  • Audyssey MultEQ room setup
  • 0 full-range main-channel pre-outs, excluding subwoofer outputs
  • 6.6-inch chassis height with antennas horizontal, before ventilation space
See price & reviews on Amazon

Meaningful differences

What changes the fit

Meaningful differences between Denon AVR-S770H and Denon AVR-S970H
What changesDenon AVR-S770HDenon AVR-S970HWhy it matters
Main-room HDMI outputs12S970H keeps two displays connected without adding an output switch.
Published two-channel power75W into 8 ohms90W into 8 ohmsBoth ratings use 20Hz to 20kHz and 0.08% distortion with two channels driven.
Chassis height with antennas horizontal6 inches6.6 inchesAllow another 0.6 inch of receiver height before ventilation space.
Published chassis depth13.3 inches13.4 inchesThe S970H is slightly deeper. Cable bend clearance needs a separate allowance.

What you give up

Every choice has a cost

If you choose Denon AVR-S770H

  • Its published stereo power rating is lower, without an established room-loudness outcome.

If you choose Denon AVR-S970H

  • The same seven-channel processing and three fast inputs remain.

Recommendation switch

The decision flips if...

One display is the finished setup

Choose Denon AVR-S770H. Its single output and seven-channel layout cover the finished room.

TV and projector should remain connected

Choose Denon AVR-S970H. Its two main-room HDMI outputs keep both displays connected.

A 5.1.4 layout must run from the receiver

Choose neither. Both stop at seven full-range processing channels, below the nine required for 5.1.4.

What matters in practice

How to make the call

01

Buy the second output for a real second display

The S970H solves a wiring problem when a TV and projector share the room. It keeps both displays connected at the receiver. If the TV is the only screen, the S770H already supplies the same six source inputs, three high-frame-rate inputs, HEOS and Audyssey MultEQ. The unused second output has little value for that installation.

02

Keep four heights out of this upgrade plan

The two receivers share seven-channel processing and amplification. Either supports 7.1 or 5.1.2, while a five-speaker bed plus four heights needs nine full-range channels. Moving from S770H to S970H will not remove that ceiling. Choose a documented nine-channel model if four physical heights are already planned.

03

Measure the rack and check both screens

The S970H is 0.6 inch taller and 0.1 inch deeper using the published horizontal-antenna dimensions. Add ventilation allowance and rear cable bends before choosing a shelf. When using both outputs, verify the shared resolution and HDR path with the actual screens. Output count cannot guarantee that unlike displays retain every desired video mode.

Check these before buying

  • Check the shared video format when both displays are connected.
  • Measure ventilation and cable space separately from chassis dimensions.

What this comparison cannot tell you

  • The power calculation uses published two-channel ratings and is not a listening test.

What the facts say

What the comparison shows

Useful conclusions from the current AV receivers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.

Compared set

24 of 34 models checked match every need here: “Add two height speakers” and “Use a TV and projector”.

24 matching models from 34 checked
See the checked facts and calculation notes
Compared set
34 models
Source records
6 for the products shown
Catalog updated

Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “Add two height speakers” and “Use a TV and projector”. A need with no documented match does not count.

Facts and source records used for the products in this recommendation
ProductNeeds matchedChecked factsSource records
Denon AVR-S770H
  • Add two height speakers
  • 7 built-in amplifier channels and 7 main processing channels
  • 6 HDMI inputs, including 3 supporting 4K120 video
  • 1 HDMI output
Denon AVR-S970H
  • Add two height speakers
  • Use my TV and projector
  • 7 built-in amplifier channels and 7 main processing channels
  • 6 HDMI inputs, including 3 supporting 4K120 video
  • 2 HDMI outputs

Ready to choose?

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