Dolby Atmos 9.2.4 – 13 discrete speakers, 2 subwoofers, and a pair of Buttkickers. Now we’re talking!
Generally speaking, I find the DTS:X tracks to have more excitement and energy while the Dolby Atmos tracks are more buttery smooth and layers out the sound objects more precisely and cohesively. Dolby Atmos also seems to do a much better job in outlining height information.
I enjoy each for different reasons and luckily I didn’t have to change my layout for DTS:X to work.
As mentioned in the “vs. X7200WA” section, the gap fill from front top to the listening position brought completeness to all films. The more transparent and dynamic nature also brought new experiences from the “usual suspects” – e.g., Mad Max, Jumanji, Battleship, etc.
For example, in Gravity (Diamond Luxe Edition), the lower noise floor gives the viewer an immediately deeper sense of infinite space. As the debris hits the Explorer, you’re taken for one heck of a ride. Dialogue remains clear while the chaotic whirlwind of events encompasses the room with relentless authority.
Being quite familiar with the film, I was able to hear details and nuances in the ensuing effects I haven’t heard before. As small as they were, it just makes this scene all the more convincing – and engaging.
The bombing run scene is the only one you have to watch to enjoy what the AVR-X8500H has to offer. It was the first time I actually felt like I was in the plane. From the grinding of gears on the turrets to the propellers in close proximity, there’s just a level of eerie precision and articulation I wasn’t accustomed to.
You’re able to localize the steering of aircraft, the velocity of bullets as it barely whizzes past your ears, and even the weight and shape of the bomb displacement to the left below you. I realized my eyes were widened and my heart rate was much higher than usual – and this was another familiar scene in this home theater. A plesant surprise.
This Netflix show has, by far, one of the most well-engineered (and frightening) Dolby Atmos tracks in existence. From the close-up coughing to the aptly harsh hail from the heights, you’re glued to your seat. As the parents run around, and the kids scream from the first floor – it really sounds like they’re just down the staircase to the left. I haven’t had goosebumps like that in a quite awhile.
The episode continues with an onslaught of glass breaking and dark voices. The house just feels dynamically alive and holographic. All very startling and in many ways, tactile. I’m sure the sound designers had a ball with this one. They did an amazing job for setting up this eerie atmosphere.
With the AVR-X7200WA, the lower-level nuances weren’t as apparent and the improved resolution of the AVR-X8500H made some of the sudden effects much more realistic.
One of the unconventional scenes I use for testing is during the first appearance of Joi. As Frank Sinatra is being played from the heights, I noticed more coverage and continuity with the extra height speakers.
With the X7200WA, the room felt realistically wide, but Sinatra’s voice was too localized to one of the height speakers. On the X8500H, the room sounds more complete and coherent. The music is played in a more enveloping fashion while dialogue and small effects float beautifully around the sound field.
As opposed to a more piecewise and contrived sound, I actually felt like I was in the room with them.
If you want a movie to test heights, this is probably it. I’ll let you know one thing – it ain’t that quiet. I’ve never heard so much slam coming from the top. Crazy stuff.
Since there’s so little dialogue in this movie, that actually makes the nuances more apparent. In turn, I think it makes it more difficult for the sound designers.
With the AVR-X8500H, you’ll hear exactly how much attention to detail the sound engineers had to go through. In the past, some of these scenes sounded a tiny bit too heavy or broad. The monsters were skinnier and the atmosphere wasn’t dead quiet. Denon’s flagship changes that.
There’s just overall more precision, sweeping gradations, and acoustic presence that gives replay value to movies like these. The boost in resolution makes everything more lifelike and palpable. The dynamic power hits your chest with speed and ferocity.
Needless to say, this movie pretty much requires at least 4 height speakers.
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I've been enjoying your site for some time now. I really enjoyed your video coverage of what I think was rmaf. Can I ask you to make some comparison of the sound quality to two channel electronics? I see that the AVR-X8500H is 4,000$. Without out holding you to any complicated analysis can you approximate what price range you'd be in to have a comparable sound quality from any known two channel set up?
thanks for your time..
Ben.
Hey Ben,
If you're talking about getting something close to the AVR-X8500H for stereo, the NuForce STA200 is great choice and is only $500. As you've probably guessed, amplifiers all have their own character. It depends on what you're trying to do for your system. If you're looking to warm things up, the Benchmark AHB2 is fantastic. If you prefer more balance with a touch more shine, perhaps the Chord TToby. If you're looking for something silky and smooth, the First Watts are nice. I personally wouldn't buy an amplifier until I was able to audition it for a few days at least. Many of these dealers allow in-home auditions so that's the route I would go.
Best,
Jay
Hi Jay,
Great article. I am looking to install a system similar to yours but don't have enough time or talent to want to do it myself. Can you recommend a professional/dealers in Los Angeles that can do the installation of such a system and set-up. I will be working with an empty room since this will be in a house to be ready by summer.
Thanks !
This is not really a fair comparison.
The 7200 costs around 50-60% of what an 8500 currently costs. So, I hope indeed the 8500 is better than the 7200, but for me personally if the sonic differences are so subtle, I wouldn't upgrade to the 8500 as a sound upgrade.
Sonic differences aren't subtle. The 8500 is cleaner and more resolving while the 7200 is warmer and cozier. If you don't need 13 channels, it comes down to preference.
Thank you for an incredibly detailed and painstaking review.
I own a Denon AVC-A1HDA which has stopped working; and the local Denon service centre is finding it difficult to repair. It is a superb-sounding amplifier and I dont need more than 7 channels, so should I replace it with the 8500H? How do they compare sonically? Also, have you heard the new Rotel multi-channel amp/receiver?
8500H = quieter and more detailed. More spatial clarity and transparency. TBH, the 7200 sounds great out of the box - warmer, denser, but less resolving. Unless you prioritize resolution - the 7200 may actually work fine for you.
Hey Jay! great review! I was curious how the preamp performed? I'm coming from a Marantz 7703 and want to add some front wides, my plan, use the 8500H onboard amp to run the front and the pre outs to my outlaw amps to complete the 11.2.
Thank you, Todd! At one point, I ran the front height preamps to an old Audio Source amp and rears to a wireless Rockfish box. Works flawlessly with no issues. I didn't do any hardcore A/B, but it sounded cleaner and more resolving than the 7200 as a preamp. I LOVE the flexibility of the 85000H. Which Outlaw amps do you have?
I have 2 Outlaw 5000, I was seriously thinking of the Marantz 8805, however the Denon would allow me to expand to 13.2 without buying additional amps :-) I figure with the 2 HSU VTF-15H MK2 s things should integrate well.
Very nice amps! Great choice on the HSUs. I think having 13 channels of processing with amplification in a relatively small package - is simply unbeatable. Not just for smaller spaces, but for the potential headaches that come with having too many amps. If you have a much larger space - then the Marantz AV8805 probably makes a lot more sense.
I'm pretty hardcore, but practical, about my home theater. As long as the gear doesn't take away from the experience. I'm good with that. Changing out the power cord adds that bit of warmth to the clarity on the AVR-X8500H - and I'm loving it.
Unfortunately, the audiophile world is very different. lol.
Thanks for the great feedback! I'm gonna be one of those guys who's going to question the power cable difference but now i'm curious, what cable would you recommend and is there anything reasonable priced? lol FYI my room is roughly
18X13 with a 12' ceiling that slopes a bit, the 8500H will be here on Monday :-)
That's a decent sized room for sure. I totally get it. I used to be so cynical about cables - but heard them for myself.
Hm, I think the Vovox Textura is pretty good. It masks some of the detail but does provide warmth. I'm actually using a DIY'ed Furutech DPS-4. You could use cheaper connectors and I think it complements the sound well. I'm working on a DIY project with the Neotech NEP-3200 wire. https://www.vhaudio.com/wire.html#neotechpower
Yeah, that should be fine. Even when I'm driving 13 speakers, I don't think I draw more than 6 amps from the entire system (with TV, oppo, etc). Obviously, it depends if you're satisfied with the output. P=IV means ~2,200-2,400 watts of power.
I do have one more question regarding power, I have the 2 5 channel Outlaws on a dedicated 20amp outlet, ( 9 channels used with everything crossed over at 80Hz) could I add the Denon to the same outlet without an issue? I would only be using 2 channels to power the front wides. Thanks again for your help!
Thanks for all the input and help Jay! who knows you may turn me into a cable snob soon enough!
Hey Jay! I am so unsure of what settings to use for both video and to get the best sound quality as possible when Playing some movies.. Do you have a guide or know one that I could use? Just got it, and have a Dali Rubicon 5.1 at the moment
Great sounding (and looking) speakers. I preferred to have a warmer sound so I use the Furutech DPS-1 on the AVR-X8500H. If you prefer a transparent and detailed sound - it's great out of box with just the basic mic setup.
Is the rotel 1585 be a good match with the Devon?
When using a power amp are you able to shut off the 5 internal amp LCR Surround and use the Denon internal amp for the rest of the speaker?