Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X540BT to Onkyo TX-SR393 to reveal their common strengths and weaknesses as well as the differences between them which will help you in making a correct decision before the purchase. Both receivers have 5 channel amplifiers with Denon AVR-X540BT's being less powerful.

Let us have a look at some highlights of the models.

We have evaluated both receivers. Onkyo TX-SR393 gets higher overall score in our ranking system which is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and 4K passthrough, upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Denon AVR-X540BT over Onkyo TX-SR393.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLII	✖
DTS Neo	✔ Neo:6	✖
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC	✖
Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB	✔ up to 96 kHz	✖
Remote Controll App	✔ Denon 500 Series Bluetooth Remote App for iOS and Android devices and Amazon Kindle	✖
More HDMI Inputs	5	4
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	✖
More Optical Inputs	2	1
More Composite Video Inputs	2	✖
More Composite Video Outputs	1	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB	✖
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Longer Warranty	3 Years	2 Years

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Onkyo TX-SR393 over Denon AVR-X540BT.

Onkyo TX-SR393 has more power per channel, more zones, bigger power supply, higher signal to noise ratio and higher bluetooth standard. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and DSD streaming via HDMI. It has DTS Dialog Control. In video department only Onkyo TX-SR393 supports Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✔
Dolby Atmos	✖	✔
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✖	✔
DTS:X	✖	✔
DTS Neural:X	✖	✔
DTS Virtual:X	✖	✔
DTS-ES	✖	✔
DSD via HDMI	✖	✔ 2-ch
DTS Dialog Control	✖	✔
Dolby Vision	✖	✔
HLG	✖	✔
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ 1080p to 4K
USB DC Out Port	✖	✔
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	3
More Zones	1	2
More GUI Languages	3	7
More Large Speaker Terminals	✖	2
Bigger Power Supply	310 W	445 W
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	70 W (0.08% THD)	80 W (0.08% THD)
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	140 W (10% THD)	155 W (10% THD)
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	109 db
Newer Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	4.2
Wider AM Frequency Range	522 kHz - 1611 kHz	530 kHz - 1710 kHz

Denon AVR-X540BT and Onkyo TX-SR393 share common strengths such as HDR10 and bluetooth.

STRENGTHS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
HDR10	✔	✔
4K or 8K Video Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K/60p (RGB/YCbCr4:4:4)
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC
New HDCP Version	2.2	2.3 (via future firmware update)
Zones	1	2
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM

Denon AVR-X540BT and Onkyo TX-SR393 share common weaknesses such as no Auro3D support, no MHL input, no ChromeCast, no DTS Play-Fi, no Amazon Alexa, no SONOS, no ethernet connection, no wi-fi, no phono input, no analog multi-channel input, no analog pre-outs, no internet radio, no Pandora, no Spotify, no Tidal, no Deezer, no Napster and no SiriusXM.

WEAKNESSES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Few Channel Processing	5.1	5.1
No IMAX Enhanced	✖	✖
No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer	✖	✖
No DSD via USB	✖	✖
No Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
No Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
No Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
No Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
No HDR10+	✖	✖
No Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
No Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through	✖	✖
No VRR	✖	✖
No QFT	✖	✖
No MHL Input	✖	✖
No FireConnect	✖	✖
No FlareConnect	✖	✖
No Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
No DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Does not Work with Amazon Alexa	✖	✖
Does Not Work with SONOS	✖	✖
No Ethernet	✖	✖
No Wi-Fi	✖	✖
No eARC	✖	✖
Few HDMI Outputs	1	1
Few Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	3
No Phono Input	✖	✖
No Component Video Inputs	✖	✖
No Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
No Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	0.2
No Internet Radio	✖	✖
No Pandora	✖	✖
No Spotify	✖	✖
No Tidal	✖	✖
No Deezer	✖	✖
No Napster	✖	✖
No SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

Amplifier

Denon AVR-X540BT and Onkyo TX-SR393 have 5 channel amplifiers. Denon AVR-X540BT delivers 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and Onkyo TX-SR393 delivers 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) but only Onkyo TX-SR393 has stable performance at 4 Ω load. Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support. Onkyo TX-SR393 is no exception.

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. Onkyo TX-SR393 can do 4K upscaling. Denon AVR-X540BT supports HDR10 and Onkyo TX-SR393 supports HDR10, Dolby Vision.

HDR10

High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is an update to HDR10 by adding dynamic metadata that can be used to more accurately adjust brightness levels up to 10,000 nits maximum brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis and supports up to 12-bit color depth (4096 shades of RGB) and 8K resolution.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround upmixer

Onkyo TX-SR393 supports Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. It can be configured upto 3.1.2 channels.

Dolby Atmos is the first cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound - the helicopter, a car screeching around a corner, a melodic bird call - can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. You'll feel like you're inside the action, in ways you've never experienced before.

Dolby Atmos for the home represents every sound in the original cinema mix as an audio object. Extensions to the Dolby Audio™ codecs, along with an advanced scalable algorithm, allow Dolby Atmos to be delivered via Blu-ray Disc and streaming media. A spatially-coded substream is added to Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus. A Dolby Atmos audio/video receiver (AVR) adapts the cinema experience to your home theater from seven speakers to as many as 34 in 24.1.10 configuration, recreating the original artistic concept. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X and Neural:X upmixer

Onkyo TX-SR393 supports DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. It can be configured upto 3.1.2 channels.

A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

DTS Neural:X is an upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

Advanced Music Optimizer

Compressed music enhancement in Onkyo TX-SR393 is done by Onkyo’s Advanced Music Optimizer. While MP3 or AAC files may sound fine through the headphones of your portable digital player, the limitations of these files can be exposed when played back through a quality home entertainment system. This is because a significant amount of high-frequency bit information is lost during the file-compression process. To counter this, Onkyo has designed the Advanced Music Optimizer to compensate for lost bit information and improve the quality of compressed audio signals. This results in a clearer and more expansive sound. Also included in this technology is a loudness correction feature that further improves the audio character of compressed files.

Connectivity

Denon AVR-X540BT

Denon AVR-X540BT can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. It has 5 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 copy protection.

Front panel has USB input.

Onkyo TX-SR393

Onkyo TX-SR393 can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. It has 4 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.3 (via future firmware update) copy protection.

Front panel has no inputs.

And in the end let us list the detailed specifications of the receivers side-by-side.

Note: The following table shows only those details which are applicable for both models and excludes the ones that are applicable for only one model. If you want to see a full list of specs for each model please visit their individual pages here - Denon AVR-X540BT and here - Onkyo TX-SR393.

BASICS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Brand	Denon	Onkyo
Model	AVR-X540BT	TX-SR393
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	UK	North America
Release Year	2018	2019

AMPLIFIER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Channels	5.2	5.2
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✔
Bi-amp Capability	✖	✖

AUDIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Maximum Channel Processing	5.1	5.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification	✖	✖
Dolby Atmos	✖	✔
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✔
Dolby TrueHD	✔	✔
Dolby Digital Plus	✔	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✖	✔
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLII	✖
Dolby Digital EX	✖	✖
DTS:X	✖	✔
DTS Neural:X	✖	✔
DTS Virtual:X	✖	✔
DTS Neo	✔ Neo:6	✖
DTS-HD Master Audio	✔	✔
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio	✔	✔
DTS 96/24	✔	✔
DTS Express	✔	✔
DTS-ES	✖	✔
IMAX Enhanced	✖	✖
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer	✖	✖
PCM	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC	✖
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	✔ up to 96 kHz	✖
DSD via HDMI	✖	✔ 2-ch
DSD via USB	✖	✖
DSD to PCM Converter	✖	✖
USB DAC	✖	✖
Jitter Reduction	✖	✖
DTS Dialogue Control	✖	✔
Dialog Enhancement	✖	✖
Dialog Normalization	✔	✔
Dialogue Lift	✖	✖
Compressed Music Enhancer	✔	✔ Advanced Music Optimizer
High-resolution Music Enhancer	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
Audyssey DSX	✖	✖
Direct Mode	✔	✔

CALIBRATION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔	✔ AccuEQ

VIDEO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
HDR10	✔	✔
HDR10+	✖	✖
Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
BT.2020 color space	✔	✔
Dolby Vision	✖	✔
Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)	✖	✔
Quick Media Switching (QMS)	✖	✖
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)	✖	✖
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)	✖	✖
Quick Frame Transport (QFT)	✖	✖
3-D Ready	✔	✔
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K/60p (RGB/YCbCr4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ 1080p to 4K
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✖	✖
isf Certified Calibration Control	✖	✖

CONNECTIVITY	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
MHL Input	✖	✖
FireConnect	✖	✖
FlareConnect	✖	✖
Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✖
Works with SONOS	✖	✖
AirPlay	✖	✖
Apple Product Connection	✔ iPod, iPhone and iPad	✖
Remote App	✔ Denon 500 Series Bluetooth Remote App for iOS and Android devices and Amazon Kindle	✖
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue	✖	✖
Ethernet	✖	✖
Ethernet Switch	✖	✖
Wi-Fi	✖	✖
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC
HDBaseT Compatible	✖	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✖
HDCP Version	2.2	2.3 (via future firmware update)
HDMI Inputs	5	4
HDMI Outputs	1	1
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	✖
USB DC Out Port	✖	✔
Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	3
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖	✖
Phono Input	✖	✖
Optical Inputs	2	1
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	1 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2	✖
Composite Video Outputs	1	✖
S-Video Inputs	✖	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖	✖
Component Video Inputs	✖	✖
Component Video Outputs	✖	✖
PC In	✖	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	0.2
XLR Inputs	✖	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB	✖
Speaker A/B	✖	✖
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Zones	1	2
RS-232 Interface	✖	✖
+12V Trigger Output	✖	0
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0	0 / 0

MISC	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
On-Screen Display	✔	✔
GUI Languages	3	7
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖

RADIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM
Digital Radio	✖	✖
Internet Radio	✖	✖
Pandora	✖	✖
Spotify	✖	✖
Tidal	✖	✖
Deezer	✖	✖
Napster	✖	✖
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

CONSTRUCTION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Speaker Terminals	5	5
Large Speaker Terminals	✖	2
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals	✖	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖	✖

POWER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Power Supply	AC 230 V, 50/60 Hz	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	310 W	445 W
Standby Power	0.1 W	0.1 W

GENERAL	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Dimensions (W x H x D)	434 mm x 151 mm x 319mm 17 1/8" x 6" x 12 5/8"	435 mm x 160 mm x 328 mm 17-1/8" x 6-5/16" x 12-15/16"
Weight	7.5 kg	8.2 kg (18.1 lb 10 oz)
Warranty	3 Years	2 Years

SPECS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-SR393
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	70 W (0.08% THD)	80 W (0.08% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA or IEC)	140 W (10% THD)	155 W (10% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ	200 mV/47 kΩ (1 kHz, 100 W/8 Ω)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	109 db
Frequency Response (Analog In)	+1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode)	10 Hz - 100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct)
Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	4.2
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
USB Terminal	USB2.0 5V, 1 A	5 V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz	87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.)	Mono: 2.8 µV (20.2 dBf)	Mono: 1.0 µV (11.2 dBf)
AM Frequency	522 kHz - 1611 kHz	530 kHz - 1710 kHz

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted