Denon AVR-1909 vs. Onkyo TX-SR705

[Slick5150]

So I wound up impulse buying a Denon AVR-1909 receiver, thinking it had a couple nice features that my current Onkyo TX-SR705 doesn't have. I'm having second thoughts though. I've read throught he 1909 forum on avsforum, and while people are giving it high marks, I haven't seen anyone give it a comparison purely on sound quality to other receivers in the pricerange.

Anyone heard one of these yet? I'm just trying to figure out before I open teh box if it would be an upgrade, downgrade, or on par with my current setup.

 

[Snakexor]

denon > onkyo....

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What new features does it have that you're going to use?

I think you'd have to open it up and do some of your own testing to decide whether you like the sound of the Denon or the Onkyo better.

As an alternative, you could get an amp to add to the 705 for the cost of the 1909.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
What new features does it have that you're going to use?

I think you'd have to open it up and do some of your own testing to decide whether you like the sound of the Denon or the Onkyo better.

As an alternative, you could get an amp to add to the 705 for the cost of the 1909.

I'd heard good things about the DynamicEQ, which would be a good thing for me as I'm often having to watch at lower volume levels at night so as not to keep my GF awake.

But I think you're probably right that I'd have to actually hook it up and hear it for myself to really get an idea of how it sounds. I was more curious if anyone had any general thoughts on the Denon's sound quality at this model level.

 

[MustISO]

I currently have a Denon receiver and a few years back I got a Yamaha, Onkyo and H&K to try out in my home. This is the only way (IMO) to audition something like a receiver or speakers. I really like my Denon and I also like some of the things about the other receivers but it wasn't enough for me to justify spending more money to replace a good receiver.

 

[Elfear]

I haven't received my 1909 yet so I can't comment on the SQ but I did a ton of research before I decided to snag one. The SR705 was my other top contender. For me, the Dynamic Volume and EQ were the selling points. I have small children so I need something that will maintain the SQ of the system but at fixed levels so the explosions aren't ear-splitting and the dialogue isn't muffled. Other receivers have had a similar function in the past but never as well implemented as the new Denon's, at least according to user reviews. The SR705 has THX but I don't know how important that really is.

I wish I had auditioned both to give you a better answer to your question but I don't have any experience yet.

 

[Slick5150]

Elfear, keep me posted on your thoughts on the 1909 once you get it setup. I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on how it sounds.

 

[arcas]

My old Denon 3200 receiver has a "5-channel stereo" mode. It's not really a DSP mode in that it doesn't add all the echo-y hall-type effect. It just sends the same stereo signal to the rear speakers (and presumably mixes left and right channels to send to the center). Do Denon's current receivers still have this mode?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: arcas
My old Denon 3200 receiver has a "5-channel stereo" mode. It's not really a DSP mode in that it doesn't add all the echo-y hall-type effect. It just sends the same stereo signal to the rear speakers (and presumably mixes left and right channels to send to the center). Do Denon's current receivers still have this mode?

The 1909 has 5 channel and 7 channel stereo modes. I assume the whole lineup has the 5 or 7 channel stereo feature.

 

[arcas]

That's good to hear. 5-channel stereo is my favorite mode when not watching movies. At some point I'll be upgrading receivers because this one only has 2 digital inputs.

 

[jgf276]

Originally posted by: Slick5150
So I wound up impulse buying a Denon AVR-1909 receiver, thinking it had a couple nice features that my current Onkyo TX-SR705 doesn't have. I'm having second thoughts though. I've read throught he 1909 forum on avsforum, and while people are giving it high marks, I haven't seen anyone give it a comparison purely on sound quality to other receivers in the pricerange.

Anyone heard one of these yet? I'm just trying to figure out before I open teh box if it would be an upgrade, downgrade, or on par with my current setup.

Slick5150.
Im Curious, I am in the same position. After a ton a research on every decent AVR in the 500-700$ range, I decided on the Onkyo TX-SR705 as well. I paired it with Definitive Technology Speakers (see my Signature). But now I have been thinking about selling it, as it is in Like new condition with less than 20 hours of usage on it, and replacing it with the Denon 1909 or 988.

Overall I am pleased with the features of the Onkyo and I have not had any of the issues some users have complained about with it. HOWEVER, when I auditioned the Def Tech speakers at the Bestbuy magnolia Listening room, they sounded more punchy and crisp and had more presence than they do in my setup at home, and considering the circumstances in my living room are better than those of the BB listening room, as far as space, positioning and acoustics go, I am a bit let down. They were audtioned @ BB using a Denon 2308ci I believe. After doing some reading in various places online, Ive come to wonder about the different "sound characteristic's" that these different AVRs May have. Specifically the Onkyo 705 and the new Denon 1909 or 988.
example:
If I were able to confirm that the Onkyo was known for having a more "warm and smooth" sound characteristic versus the Denon possibly sounding more "Crisp and Clear", given the almost identical feature set of the two AVR's, I would hands down go with the Denon to achieve the Punch and presence I experienced during auditioning the Def Techs prior to buying them.

Anyone care to weigh in on that? And what did you end up doing slick5150?

 

[Snakexor]

I love denon, but if you want crisp and clear, I would go with Yamaha....Perhaps an rx-v1800?

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Snakexor
I love denon, but if you want crisp and clear, I would go with Yamaha....Perhaps an rx-v1800?

 

[Snakexor]

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: Snakexor
I love denon, but if you want crisp and clear, I would go with Yamaha....Perhaps an rx-v1800?

care to explain your google eyes? Yamaha is known to have a "brighter" color to its sound.