1-on-1 Comparison

Side-by-Side Comparison

Denon AVR-X540BT

Denon AVR-X550BT

SCORE:
67
SCORE:
69

Highlights

  • 5.2 channels
  • 5.1 channel processing
  • 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
  • HDR10, 4K Passthrough
  • Bluetooth
  • USB input

Highlights

  • 5.2 channels
  • 5.1 channel processing
  • 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
  • HDR10, Dolby Vision, 4K Passthrough
  • Bluetooth
  • USB input

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Content

Overview

Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X540BT to Denon AVR-X550BT 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 and equally powerful amplifiers.


Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT

Denon AVR-X540BT was introduced in 2018. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 4K/60Hz video signal.

Denon AVR-X550BT was introduced in 2018. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 4K/60Hz video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 67 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 69 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

AMPLIFIER
70
VIDEO FEATURES
84
AUDIO FEATURES
58
CONNECTIVITY
63
MULTIZONE
55
MISCELLANEOUS
51
RADIO
68
OVERALL
67

AMPLIFIER
70
VIDEO FEATURES
94
AUDIO FEATURES
57
CONNECTIVITY
63
MULTIZONE
55
MISCELLANEOUS
51
RADIO
68
OVERALL
69

Advantage of Denon AVR-X540BT

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Denon AVR-X540BT over Denon AVR-X550BT.

Denon AVR-X540BT vs Denon AVR-X550BT
Music Playback via USB MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC vs MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC
More Coaxial Inputs/Outputs 1 vs

Advantage of Denon AVR-X550BT

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Denon AVR-X550BT over Denon AVR-X540BT.

Denon AVR-X550BT has higher bluetooth standard. In video department only Denon AVR-X550BT supports Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma.

Denon AVR-X540BT vs Denon AVR-X550BT
Dolby Vision vs
HLG vs
Newer Bluetooth Version 2․1 + EDR vs 3․0 + EDR

Common Strengths and Weaknesses

Here we list common strengths and weaknesses of both receivers.

STRENGTHS
  Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
  New HDCP Version
  HDR10
  4K or 8K Video Passthrough
  Bluetooth
  USB Input
  Composite Video Inputs
  Zones
  Analog Tuner
WEAKNESSES
  5.1 Channel Processing
  No Dolby Atmos
  No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
  No DTS:X
  No IMAX Enhanced
  No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
  No DSD via HDMI
  No eARC
  No HDR10+
  No 4K or 8K Video Upscaling
  No HEOS
  No Chromecast Built-In
  Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
  No Ethernet
  No Wi-Fi
  Few HDMI Outputs
  Few 8K Inputs
  Few RCA Line Inputs
  Few Optical Inputs
  No RCA Pre-Outs
  No Pandora
  No Spotify
  No Tidal
  Old Bluetooth Version

Audio Section

Amplifier

Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT

5 channel Amplifier: Denon AVR-X540BT features 5 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

5 channel Amplifier: Denon AVR-X550BT features 5 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

    Speaker Configurations

    Denon AVR-X540BT's and Denon AVR-X550BT's amplifiers can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

    • Configurations: Available configurations are:
    • Denon AVR-X540BT: 5.2 with internal amplifier.
    • Denon AVR-X550BT: 5.2 with internal amplifier.

    • Sound Processing

      • Compressed Music Enhancer: Denon AVR-X540BT and Denon AVR-X550BT feature Compressed Music Enhancer which enhances the quality of the music files with lossy compression.

      Room Calibration

      Denon AVR-X540BT and Denon AVR-X550BT come with room correction system.

      Video Section

      HDMI

      Denon AVR-X540BT and Denon AVR-X550BT come with 5 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: On both receivers all inputs pass up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4 video signal.
      • BT.2020 Color Space: BT.2020 or Rec. 2020 is a color standard which delivers a wider color gamut compared to Rec. 709. It covers approximately 75% of the total visual spectrum while the Rec. 709 covers only 35% (available on both models).
      • HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: Both receivers are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
      • 3D Ready: Both receivers are able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

      HDR (High Dynamic Range)

      Denon AVR-X540BT supports HDR10

      Denon AVR-X550BT supports HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma.

      High dynamic range video has greater dynamic range than standard dynamic range (SDR) video with brighter whites and deeper blacks. The result is greater contrast and more details in dark and bright areas, better color and depth.

      • HDR10: HDR10 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 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors. It is technically limited to a maximum of 10,000 nits peak brightness, however common HDR10 contents are mastered with peak brightness from 1,000 to 4,000 nits.
      • Dolby Vision: Dolby Vision is a set of technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories for high dynamic range (HDR) video. It covers content creation, distribution, and playback. Like HDR10+, it includes dynamic metadata that are used to adjust and optimize each frame of the HDR video to the consumer display's capabilities in a way specified by the content creator. Dolby Vision allows for a maximum resolution of 8K up to 12-bit color depth, maximum peak brightness of 10,000 nits and a color gamut up to Rec. 2020. It uses Dolby's proprietary dynamic metadata defined in SMPTE ST 2094-10.
      • Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG): The Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) is a transfer function developed mainly for HDR live video feed and over-the-air broadcasts. It is an HDR format that uses BT.2020 color primaries and a bitdepth of 10-bit. It is backward compatible with the transfer function of SDR and is designed to be better-suited for television broadcasting, where the metadata required for other HDR formats is not backward compatible with non-HDR displays. HLG defines a non-linear optical-electro transfer function, in which the lower half of the signal values use a gamma curve and the upper half of the signal values use a logarithmic curve.

      Inputs and Outputs

      Audio

      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 2 pair of line inputs on both receivers for connecting sources with analog outputs.
      • Digital Inputs and Outputs: 0 optical input, 2 optical outputs and 1 coaxial input are available on Denon AVR-X540BT and 0 optical input and 2 optical outputs are available on Denon AVR-X550BT for digital audio connections.
      • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel of each receiver.

      Video

      • HDMI:
      • Denon AVR-X540BT
        Inputs:
        5   Outputs: 1
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Denon AVR-X550BT
        Inputs:
        5   Outputs: 1
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Denon AVR-X540BT
        Inputs:
        2   Outputs: 1.
      • Denon AVR-X550BT
        Inputs:
        2   Outputs: 1.

      Front A/V Inputs

      • Denon AVR-X540BT: USB
      • Denon AVR-X550BT: USB

      Denon AVR-X540BT

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      Denon AVR-X550BT

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      Specifications

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

      BASICS Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      BrandDenonDenon
      ModelAVR-X540BTAVR-X550BT
      TypeA/V ReceiverA/V Receiver
      CountryUKUK
      Release Year20182018
      AMPLIFIER Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      Channels5.25.2
      Discrete Amplification
      THX™ Certification
      Continuous 6 Ω Rated
      Certified 4 Ω Performance
      Mono Block Power Amplifier Construction
      Bi-amp Capability
      AUDIO Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      DAC Specs192 kHz/24 Bit
      Maximum Channel Processing5.15.1
      D.D.S.C. HD Digital
      Alpha Processing
      Air Studios Monitor Certification
      Dolby Atmos
      Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      Dolby Atmos Music
      Dolby TrueHD
      Dolby Digital Plus
      Dolby Surround Upmixer
      Dolby Pro Logic PLII PLII
      Dolby Digital EX
      Surround EX
      DTS:X
      DTS Neural:X
      DTS Virtual:X
      DTS Neo Neo:6 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 USBMP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLACMP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC
      High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network up to 96 kHz up to 96 kHz
      High Resolution Audio Formats via USBFLACFLAC
      Gapless Playback
      DSD via HDMI
      DSD via USB
      DSD to PCM Converter
      USB DAC
      Jitter Reduction
      DTS Dialog Control
      Dialog Enhancement
      Dialog Level Adjustment
      Dialog Normalization
      Dialogue Lift
      Compressed Music Enhancer
      High-resolution Music Enhancer
      Audyssey Dynamic EQ
      Audyssey Dynamic Volume
      Audyssey LFC
      Audyssey Sub EQ HT
      Audyssey DSX
      Direct Mode
      Pure Direct Mode
      Independent Subwoofer Outputs
      CALIBRATION Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      Audyssey App Support
      Optimized Bass Redirection
      Bass Sync
      VIDEO Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      Enhanced ARC
      HDCP Version2.22.2
      HDR10
      HDR10+
      Dynamic HDR
      Dolby Vision
      HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
      BT.2020 color space
      QMS (Quick Media Switching)
      ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
      VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
      QFT (Quick Frame transport)
      3-D Ready
      Video Signal Passthroughup to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4
      Video Signal Upscaling
      Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      Component Video Upscaling
      Analog to Analog Video conversion
      isf Certified Calibration Control
      CONNECTIVITY Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      MHL Input
      FireConnect
      FlareConnect
      HEOS
      Chromecast Built-In
      DTS Play-Fi
      Works with Amazon Alexa
      Works with SONOS
      AirPlay
      Apple Product Connection iPod, iPhone and iPad iPod, iPhone and iPad
      Remote App Denon 500 Series Bluetooth Remote App for iOS and Android devices and Amazon Kindle Denon 2016 AVR Remote App for iOS and Android devices and Kindle Fire
      InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
      Ethernet
      Ethernet Switch
      Wi-Fi
      Bluetooth SBC, AAC SBC, AAC
      Bluetooth Headphone Transmission
      HDBaseT Compatible
      HDMI Inputs55
      HDMI Outputs11
      8K Inputs
      USB Input1 (Front) for USB memory1 (Front) for USB memory
      USB DC Out Port
      RCA Line Input22
      RCA Line Output
      XLR Line Inputs
      Phono Input
      Optical Inputs22
      Optical Outputs
      Coaxial Inputs1
      Composite Video Input22
      Composite Video Output11
      S-Video Input
      S-Video Output
      Component Video Input
      Component Video Output
      PC In
      Multi-Channel Input
      RCA Pre-Outs0.20.2
      XLR Pre-outs
      Front A/V InputsUSBUSB
      Speaker A/B
      Headphone Out6.3 mm (1/4")6.3 mm (1/4")
      ZONES Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      Zones11
      RS-232C Interface
      +12V Trigger Output
      Remote (IR) Input/Output0 / 00 / 0
      MISC Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      On-Screen Display
      GUI Languages33
      Control4 SDDP
      Display 1 line 1 line
      Remote ControllerRC-1216RC-1216
      Pre-programmed / Learnable / LCD Display / / / /
      Detachable Power Cord
      Denon Link HD
      Setup Assistant
      Quick Select plus / Quick Select / /
      RADIO Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      Analog Tuner FM/AM with RDS FM/AM with RDS
      Digital Radio
      Internet Radio
      Pandora
      Spotify
      Tidal
      Deezer
      Napster
      SiriusXM Internet Radio
      CONSTRUCTION Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      Front Panelnot Metalnot Metal
      Speaker Terminals55
      Large Speaker Terminals
      Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
      Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals
      High Grade Audio Components
      Gold plated RCA terminals
      POWER Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      Power SupplyAC 230 V, 50/60 HzAC 230 V, 50/60 Hz
      Power Consumption310 W310 W
      No Sound PowerECO On/Off: 26 W/35 WECO On/Off: 26 W/35 W
      Standby Power0.1 W0.1 W
      GENERAL Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function
      Auto Power off
      Dimensions (W x H x D)434 mm x 151 mm x 319mm
      17 1/8" x 6" x 12 5/8"
      434 mm x 151 mm x 319mm
      17 1/8" x 6" x 12 5/8"
      Weight7.5 kg7.6 kg (16 lbs 12 oz)
      Warranty3 Years3 Years
      SPECS Denon AVR-X540BT Denon AVR-X550BT
      Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 270 W (0.08% THD)70 W (0.08% THD)
      Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 290 W (0.7% THD)90 W (0.7% THD)
      Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)140 W (10% THD)140 W (10% THD)
      Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)130 W (1% THD)130 W (1% THD)
      Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)200 mV/47 kΩ200 mV/47 kΩ
      S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)98 dB98 dB
      Frequency Response (Analog In)+1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode)+1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode)
      Bluetooth Version2․1 + EDR3․0 + EDR
      Bluetooth Frequency2.4 GHz2.4 GHz
      USB TerminalUSB2.0 5V, 1 AUSB2.0 5V, 1 A
      FM Frequency87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
      FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.)Mono: 2.8 µV (20.2 dBf)Mono: 2.8 µV (20.2 dBf)
      FM Effective Sensitivity1.2 µV (12.8 dBf)1.2 µV (12.8 dBf)
      FM S/N RatioMono/Stereo: 70 dB/67 dBMono/Stereo: 70 dB/67 dB
      FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz)Mono/Stereo: 0.7%/1.0%Mono/Stereo: 0.7%/1.0%
      AM Frequency522 kHz - 1611 kHz522 kHz - 1611 kHz
      AM Effective Sensitivity18 µV18 µV

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

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