Denon AVR-S900W: 7.2-Channel Receiver with Wireless Technologies

The Denon AVR-S900W is a full-featured 7.2-channel receiver able to power the 5.1-channel home theater in one room and drive another pair of speakers in another room.

Design

The unit's body mainly has a high-quality black finish and the front panel is busier compared to the superior models. A four-foot base and two external adjustable antennas are for connecting the receiver to the Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth devices. Most of the onboard buttons serve to provide quick access to the frequently used functions (e.g. switching between modes, inputs, etc.).

There is nothing special about the unit's design and interface, but it's definitely convenient to use, so it gets a 9/10.

Features

The AVR-S900W is one of the receivers from Denon's AVR-S series. All of them support wireless connection, but the tested model is remarkable for being one of the most feature-packed among them. For example, in comparison with the AVR-S900W, the AVR-S510BT has a poorer set of connectors and can't offer Wi-Fi capability.

The Denon AVR-S900W specs include several network features that function as stated. I'm talking about the internet radio and the possibility of streaming music from Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, etc. As the receiver supports AirPlay, the integration with the iOS-based devices won't be a problem.

Rated at 185W per channel, the model can be connected to small satellites, bookshelf speakers, and large floorstanders. Plus, it's also compatible with speakers that have low (4 Ohm) impedance.

The device is designed to complement next-generation home theaters by supporting 4K video at 60Hz. Moreover, the 4:4:4 Pure Color pass-through helps manage high-resolution content.

The Eco mode allows cutting down the energy consumption level. You can quickly activate it by pressing the green button on the remote. However, it will also put down the volume.

The unit offers plenty of features and deserves to get a 9/10.

Performance

The Denon receiver AVR-S900W offers three sound modes that work perfectly when watching high-quality media content, enjoying gaming, and boosting your acoustic system.

The unit outputs 120W per channel, providing identically high sound quality for seven devices, connected simultaneously.

The receiver performs just as the manufacturer states. Thus, I feel confident giving it 9/10.

Sound Quality

The sound-processing modes let you adjust the audio reproduction in accordance with the type of content (Movie/Music/Game). The receiver supports such audio file formats as WAV, DSD, FLAC, etc. Moreover, the model supports DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Digital Plus for reproducing a high-quality surround sound.

The AVR-S900W gets a 10/10 for the sound.

Connectivity

The receiver has a total of 8 HDMI 2.0 ports (7 on the back, and one on the front) and 2 HDMI outputs (including the ARC-compatible one). Unfortunately, none of these ports is MHL-compatible to stream from an Android-powered smartphone. You can also connect up to two subwoofers to this receiver. It supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing you to wirelessly stream high-res audio from other devices.

I'm totally satisfied with the connectivity options the device provides. So, here the receiver gets a 10/10.

Setup

According to the Denon AVR-S900W manual, you should assemble the provided sound calibration microphone first. It's an easy task that takes just a couple of minutes. Then, you should connect the required devices, put the calibration microphone in the listening position, and run the Audyssey setup, which will perform the sound correction depending on the specific features of your room.

The setup process is semi-automatic. I rate it at 8/10.

Conclusion

Testing the receiver for this Denon AVR-S900W review is a nice experience: I've enjoyed the impressive sound the amplifier produces, the power it offers, and the numerous connectivity options it provides. Although it may lack customization, the receiver is an excellent choice for the price.