Main trade-off
Denon AVR-S770H
Its single HDMI output requires another compatible switching arrangement if both a TV and projector must stay connected.
Head-to-head
Denon AVR-S770H vs AVR-S980H: S980H adds a second same-source display, not four-height Atmos
The short answer
Choose S770H for one display and a seven-channel speaker plan when its current complete offer is better. Choose S980H for a TV and projector showing the same source, or for its documented 1440p100/120 route. Both have six HDMI inputs with three 4K120 inputs and support a 5.1.2 layout. S980H is a display-connection upgrade here, not a four-height-speaker upgrade.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The projector upgrade is about avoiding a repeated household chore
If the TV handles after-school gaming and the projector comes down for family films, one output on S770H can mean moving a cable or adding an HDMI switching device. S980H keeps both display cables attached for the same source. That can justify the upgrade when changing displays is frequent and reaching the receiver is awkward. It matters less when the projector is the only display. Check each display’s signal capabilities and output selection, because an older projector can still complicate the shared chain.
What this is based on
S770H has one HDMI output. S980H has two same-source outputs with selection controls and documented mixed-display conditions. The consequence is connection handling, not a quantified time saving or guaranteed HDMI reliability.
Main trade-off
Denon AVR-S980H
The second output repeats the source. It does not add independent second-room video or another fast input.
Denon AVR-S770H
- Choose it for
- One TV or projector is enough, and the current new-condition offer is better for your seven-channel setup.
- You use up to three 4K120 sources and have no need for a second direct display output.
- Main trade-off
- Its single HDMI output requires another compatible switching arrangement if both a TV and projector must stay connected.
Denon AVR-S980H
- Choose it for
- You want a TV and projector to stay connected to the same source, with compatible output settings.
- Your gaming setup needs the S980H manual’s explicitly documented 1440p100/120 route.
- Main trade-off
- The second output repeats the source. It does not add independent second-room video or another fast input.
About this comparison
Compare S770H and S980H for a shared gaming TV, evening projector and future Atmos speakers. Find out which upgrade solves a real connection problem.
S770H is the simpler seven-channel Denon choice for one display. S980H is a plausible upgrade when a projector joins the TV or a specific 1440p route needs documented support. The source count and number of speaker channels stay much closer than the model names suggest.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
One display and a better complete S770H offer
The seven-channel layout and three fast inputs are shared.
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Better fit
- Denon AVR-S980H
- Similar
A TV by day and a projector for family films
S980H has two direct monitor outputs for the same source.
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Caution
- Denon AVR-S980H
- Better fit
Three high-refresh devices plus three ordinary HDMI players
Both offer the same six-input, three-fast-input allocation under those format assumptions.
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Similar
- Denon AVR-S980H
- Similar
Four ceiling speakers above a five-speaker base
That plan needs nine main channels.
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Caution
- Denon AVR-S980H
- Caution
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The projector upgrade is about avoiding a repeated household chore
If the TV handles after-school gaming and the projector comes down for family films, one output on S770H can mean moving a cable or adding an HDMI switching device. S980H keeps both display cables attached for the same source. That can justify the upgrade when changing displays is frequent and reaching the receiver is awkward. It matters less when the projector is the only display. Check each display’s signal capabilities and output selection, because an older projector can still complicate the shared chain.
How we reached this conclusion
S770H has one HDMI output. S980H has two same-source outputs with selection controls and documented mixed-display conditions. The consequence is connection handling, not a quantified time saving or guaranteed HDMI reliability.
A six-device household does not necessarily need six fast inputs
Two high-refresh consoles, a gaming PC, a streaming box, a Blu-ray player and an older console can use all six inputs while only the first three need 4K120. Under that assumption, either receiver has the same useful input allocation. If the next purchase is a fourth 4K120 source, S980H adds no spare fast socket. Make the list by required signal format. This prevents paying for an output upgrade when the real bottleneck is on the input side.
How we reached this conclusion
Both models provide six HDMI inputs, three supporting 4K120. The six-device example assumes the last three devices do not require a high-refresh input. Device-specific HDR, bandwidth and format compatibility still need checking.
Plan the ceiling before calling either receiver future-proof
A buyer renovating now may begin with five speakers around the sofa and add overhead speakers later. Two heights fit either receiver. Four heights require nine main channels, which neither provides. S980H’s higher position in the range should not persuade you to wire and buy a four-height system that it cannot process. If two heights are the final plan, S770H remains a sensible candidate and the display connections can decide between them.
How we reached this conclusion
5 + 2 = 7 main channels, while 5 + 4 = 9. Both exact models have seven amplified and seven main processing channels. A powered subwoofer does not consume one of these speaker-amplifier channels.
Plan your receiver connectionsPlan my setup
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
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-S980H
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
AVR-S770H
One TV or projector is enough, and the current new-condition offer is better for your seven-channel setup.
- Best matched use
- One TV or projector is enough, and the current new-condition offer is better for your seven-channel setup.
Checked facts
- Direct display outputs: One HDMI output
- Independent display programs: One display output
- High-refresh source count: Three 4K120 inputs
- All HDMI sources: Six rear HDMI inputs
Choice B
Denon, 301130-01-00-101
AVR-S980H
You want a TV and projector to stay connected to the same source, with compatible output settings.
- Best matched use
- You want a TV and projector to stay connected to the same source, with compatible output settings.
Checked facts
- Direct display outputs: Two HDMI monitor outputs
- Independent display programs: Both outputs show the same source
- High-refresh source count: Three 4K120 inputs
- All HDMI sources: Six HDMI inputs
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Denon AVR-S770H | Denon AVR-S980H | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct display outputs | One HDMI output | Two HDMI monitor outputs | S980H can keep a daytime TV and evening projector connected without moving the output cable. |
| Independent display programs | One display output | Both outputs show the same source | A second HDMI socket does not give two people separate programs. |
| High-refresh source count | Three 4K120 inputs | Three 4K120 inputs | Adding S980H does not solve a fourth high-refresh source. |
| All HDMI sources | Six rear HDMI inputs | Six HDMI inputs | Count only the demanding sources against the three fast sockets. |
| Speaker layout | Seven amplified channels, including 5.1.2 | Seven amplified channels, including 5.1.2 | Five speakers around the room and four overhead exceed both models. |
| 1440p100/120 route | No 1440p claim used in this comparison | Explicitly documented, subject to format settings | S980H supplies a verified option for this specific requirement, not proof of failure on every S770H setup. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Denon AVR-S770H
- A separate HDMI switch or splitter needs its own resolution, refresh-rate, HDR and copy-protection checks.
If you choose Denon AVR-S980H
- Both stop at seven main channels. Paying more for S980H does not make a 5.1.4 speaker plan possible.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You use one screen and S770H has the better complete offer
Choose Denon AVR-S770H. Its matching input and speaker limits cover this setup.
A second same-source display or documented 1440p120 route matters
Choose Denon AVR-S980H. These are verified reasons to choose S980H, subject to the full signal chain.
The purchase must solve a fourth fast source or four height speakers
Choose neither. Both retain those input and channel limits.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want room to grow, but paying for a second screen output does not create room for more gaming sources or more ceiling speakers.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No 1440p incompatibility is inferred from missing S770H evidence.
- No subjective sound-quality, whole-room volume or measured latency winner is claimed.
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.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denon AVR-S770H |
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| Denon AVR-S980H |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Denon AVR-S770H
One TV or projector is enough, and the current new-condition offer is better for your seven-channel setup.
You use up to three 4K120 sources and have no need for a second direct display output.
See price & reviews on AmazonDenon AVR-S980H
You want a TV and projector to stay connected to the same source, with compatible output settings.
Your gaming setup needs the S980H manual’s explicitly documented 1440p100/120 route.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.