Denon AVR-X1600H DAB (UK version)

Highlights
- 7.2 channels
- 7.1 channel processing
- 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
- Dolby Atmos, DTS:X capable
- HDR10, Dolby Vision, 4K Passthrough
- AirPlay 2, DLNA, HEOS
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- USB and Phono inputs
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Overview
Denon AVR-X1600H DAB was introduced in 2019. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing.
We evaluated the Receiver and gave 85 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 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 video signal passthrough and 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...
Pros and Cons
In this section we present pros and cons of Denon AVR-X1600H DAB.
PROS |
---|
👍 Certified 4 Ω Performance |
👍 Bi-amp Capability |
👍 Dolby Atmos |
👍 Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
👍 Dolby TrueHD |
👍 Dolby Digital Plus |
👍 Dolby Surround Upmixer |
👍 Dolby Digital EX |
👍 DTS:X |
👍 DTS Neural:X |
👍 DTS Virtual:X |
👍 DTS-HD Master Audio |
👍 DTS-HD High Resolution Audio |
👍 DTS 96/24 |
👍 DTS Express |
👍 DTS-ES |
👍 High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network |
👍 Gapless Playback |
👍 DSD via USB |
👍 DTS Dialog Control |
👍 Dialog Level Adjustment |
👍 Dialog Normalization |
👍 Compressed Music Enhancer |
👍 Audyssey Dynamic EQ |
👍 Audyssey Dynamic Volume |
👍 Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. |
👍 Audyssey App Support |
👍 Optimized Bass Redirection |
👍 HDR10 |
👍 BT.2020 color space |
👍 Dolby Vision |
👍 HLG |
👍 Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through |
👍 3-D Ready |
👍 4K or 8K Video Passthrough |
👍 DLNA 1.5 |
👍 HEOS |
👍 Works with Amazon Alexa |
👍 Google assistant |
👍 Apple Siri |
👍 Ethernet |
👍 Wi-Fi |
👍 Bluetooth |
👍 Bluetooth Headphone Transmission |
👍 eARC |
👍 New HDCP Version |
👍 USB Input |
👍 Phono Input |
👍 Composite Video Inputs |
👍 Composite Video Outputs |
👍 Zones |
👍 Detachable Power Cord |
👍 Analog Tuner |
👍 Digital Radio |
👍 Spotify |
👍 Tidal |
👍 Deezer |
👍 Napster |
👍 New Bluetooth Version |
CONS |
---|
👎 No Front Wide Channel Support |
👎 No IMAX Enhanced |
👎 No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer |
👎 No DSD via HDMI |
👎 No High-resolution Music Enhancer |
👎 No HDR10+ |
👎 No 4K or 8K Video Upscaling |
👎 No Chromecast Built-In |
👎 Does Not Work with SONOS |
👎 Few HDMI Outputs |
👎 Few Analog Audio Line Inputs |
👎 No Component Video Inputs |
👎 No Multi-Channel Input |
👎 No Analog Pre-Outs |
👎 No Pandora |
👎 No SiriusXM Internet Radio |
Major Changes from its predecessor
Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X1600H DAB to its predecessor AVR-X1500H and displaying the major changes.
UPGRADES | Denon AVR-X1600H DAB | vs | Denon AVR-X1500H |
---|---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | vs | ||
Bluetooth Headphone Transmission | vs | ||
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) | vs | ||
Newer HDCP Version | 2.3 | vs | 2.2 |
Digital Radio | DAB/DAB+ | vs | |
Newer Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | vs | 3.0 + EDR |
DOWNGRADES | Denon AVR-X1600H DAB | vs | Denon AVR-X1500H |
---|---|---|---|
Analog Tuner | FM with RDS | vs | FM/AM with RDS |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Denon AVR-X1600H DAB vs Denon AVR-X1500H.
Amplifier
Denon AVR-X1600H DAB has 7 channel amplifier and delivers 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and also has a stable performance at 4 Ω load.
Video Features
The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 60p. It can bypass 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
Denon AVR-X1600H DAB supports Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. It can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.
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
Denon AVR-X1600H DAB supports DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. It can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.
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 a new 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.
Audyssey
Denon AVR-X1600H DAB comes with Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Dynamic Volume.
Audyssey Dynamic EQ selects the best possible frequency response and surround volume levels moment-by-moment. This ensures that the bass response, tonal balance and surround impression remain constant despite changes in volume. This is the first technology that carefully combines information from incoming source levels with actual output sound levels in the room, a pre-requisite for delivering a dynamic volume solution.
Your Listening experience can be greatly diminished when there are significant shifts in volume between television programs, commercials and within the program material itself. When this happens you must constantly adjust the volume to maintain your desired listening level. Audyssey Dynamic Volume monitors the volume of program material moment-by-moment and automatically adjusts it, maintaining the desired listening level for all content while optimizing the dynamic range to preserve impact.
Room Correction
Denon AVR-X1600H DAB comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction system and includes the calibration microphone. It also supports Audyssey App.
Audyssey is an acoustic measurement technology which automatically restores the acoustic distortion caused by the acoustic behaviour of a room with only a push on a button. Audyssey equalization provides an clear, accurate, natural sound with voices and dialog that become focused and intelligible, restoring the musical balance. Musical instruments and sound effects become precisely localized and the surround soundstage is made seamless and enveloping.
Connectivity
Denon AVR-X1600H DAB can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or built-in wi-fi adapter. It can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. The Receiver works with Amazon Alexa and supports AirPlay 2. It has 6 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.3 copy protection. There is a phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the cartridge output of the turntable directly to the Receiver.
Front panel has HDMI and USB inputs.


Specifications
Here we list all the available features and specifications of Denon AVR-X1600H DAB.
BASICS | |
---|---|
Brand | Denon |
Model | AVR-X1600H DAB |
Type | A/V Receiver |
Country | UK |
Release Year | 2019 |
AMPLIFIER | |
---|---|
Channels | 7.2 |
Front Wide Channel Support | |
Discrete Amplification | |
THX™ Certification | |
Continuous 6 Ω Rated | |
Certified 4 Ω Performance | |
Mono Block Power Amplifier Construction | |
Bi-amp Capability | assignable |
AUDIO | |
---|---|
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine | Four 300 MHz DSP cores |
DAC | AKM |
Maximum Channel Processing | 7.1 |
D.D.S.C. HD Digital | |
Alpha Processing | |
Air Studios Monitor Certification | |
Dolby Atmos | up to 5.1.2 |
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | |
Dolby TrueHD | |
Dolby Digital Plus | |
Dolby Surround Upmixer | |
Dolby Pro Logic | |
Dolby Digital EX | |
Surround EX | |
DTS:X | up to 5.1.2 |
DTS Neural:X | |
DTS Virtual:X | |
DTS Neo | |
DTS-HD Master Audio | |
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio | |
DTS 96/24 | |
DTS Express | |
DTS-ES | Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1 |
IMAX Enhanced | |
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer | |
PCM | 2-ch/Multi-ch Input |
Music Playback via USB | MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, DSD |
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network | up to 192 kHz |
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB | Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, DSD |
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB | |
Gapless Playback | |
DSD via HDMI | |
DSD via USB | 2-ch Input |
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 Dual Subwoofer Output |
CALIBRATION | |
---|---|
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. | Audyssey MultEQ XT |
Audyssey App Support | |
Optimized Bass Redirection | |
Bass Sync |
VIDEO | |
---|---|
Video Signal Type | NTSC/PAL |
HDR10 | |
HDR10+ | |
BT.2020 color space | |
Dolby Vision | |
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) | |
QMS (Quick Media Switching) | |
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) | |
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) | |
QFT (Quick Frame transport) | |
3-D Ready | |
Video Signal Passthrough | up 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 | |
---|---|
MHL Input | |
DLNA 1.5 | |
FireConnect | |
FlareConnect | |
HEOS | |
Chromecast Built-In | |
DTS Play-Fi | |
Works with Amazon Alexa | |
Google assistant | |
Apple Siri | |
Works with SONOS | |
AirPlay | AirPlay 2 |
Apple Product Connection | iPod, iPhone and iPad |
Remote App | Denon 2016 AVR Remote App for iOS and Android devices and Kindle Fire |
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue | |
Ethernet | |
Ethernet Switch | |
Wi-Fi | |
Bluetooth | SBC |
Bluetooth Headphone Transmission | |
HDBaseT Compatible | |
Enhanced ARC | |
HDCP Version | 2.3 |
HDMI Input | 6 (1 front) |
HDMI Output | 1 |
USB Input | 1 Front for USB memory |
USB DC Out Port | |
Analog Audio Line Input | 2 |
Analog Audio Line Output | |
Phono Input | |
Optical In | 2 |
Optical Out | |
Coaxial In/Out | / |
Composite Video Input | 2 |
Composite Video Output | 1 |
S-Video Input | |
S-Video Output | |
Component Video Input | |
Component Video Output | |
PC In | |
Multi-Channel Input | |
Analog Pre-Outs | 0.2 |
XLR Inputs | |
XLR Pre-outs | |
Front A/V Inputs | HDMI, USB |
Speaker A/B | assignable |
Headphone Out | 6.3 mm |
ZONES | |
---|---|
Zones | 2 |
Powered Zones | 2 |
Zone 2 | |
RS-232 | |
+12V Trigger Output | |
Remote (IR) Input/Output | 0 / 0 |
MISC | |
---|---|
On-Screen Display | Hybrid Graphic User Interface |
GUI Languages | 9 |
Web Browser Control | |
IP Control for CI | |
Control4 SDDP | |
FL Display | 1 line |
Remote Controller | RC-1227 |
Pre-programmed / Learnable / LCD Display | / / |
Detachable Power Cord | |
Denon Link HD | |
Setup Assistant | |
Quick Select plus / Quick Select | / |
RADIO | |
---|---|
Analog Tuner | FM with RDS |
Digital Radio | DAB/DAB+ |
Internet Radio | TuneIn |
Pandora | |
Spotify | |
Tidal | |
Deezer | |
Napster | |
SiriusXM Internet Radio |
CONSTRUCTION | |
---|---|
Front Panel | not Metal |
Speaker Terminals | 7 |
Large Speaker Terminals | 7 |
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals | |
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals | |
High Grade Audio Components | |
Gold plated RCA terminals |
POWER | |
---|---|
Power Supply | AC 230 V, 50/60 Hz |
Power Consumption | 430 W |
No Sound Power | ECO On/Off: 29 W/39 W |
Standby Power | 0.1 W |
GENERAL | |
---|---|
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function | |
Auto Power off | |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | 434 mm x 151 mm x 339 mm (with antenna: 434 mm x 215 mm x 339 mm) 17 1/8" x 6" x 13 3/8" (with antenna: 17 1/8" x 8 1/2" x 13 3/8") |
Dimensions of Package (W x H x D) | 523 mm x 232 mm x 435 mm 20.6" x 9.1" x 17.1" |
Weight | 8.5 kg |
Weight of Package | 10.6 kg |
Warranty | 3 Years |
SPECS | |
---|---|
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 | 80 W (0.08% THD) |
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 | 120 W (0.7% THD) |
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA) | 175 W (10% THD) |
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC) | 145 W (1% THD) |
Phono Distortion | 0.03% (1 kHz, 3 V) |
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line) | 200 mV/47 kΩ |
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Phono MM) | 2.5 mV |
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) | 98 dB |
S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A) | 74 dB |
Phono RIAA Deviation | ±1 dB (20-20 kHz) |
Frequency Response (Analog In) | +1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode) |
DSD Sampling Rates via USB | 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz |
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance | 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite) |
Video Frequency Response | 5 Hz to 10 MHz, 0 dB/-3 dB (Composite) |
Ethernet Standard | 100BASE-TX |
Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n |
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency | 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz |
Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
Bluetooth Frequency | 2.4 GHz |
USB Terminal | USB2.0 5V, 1 A |
FM Frequency | 87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz |
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.) | Mono: 2.8 µV (20.2 dBf) |
FM Effective Sensitivity | 1.2 µV (12.8 dBf) |
FM S/N Ratio | Mono/Stereo: 65 dB/65 dB |
FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz) | Mono/Stereo: 0.4%/0.4% |
DAB Freq | 174.928 (5A) - 239.200 (13F) MHz (BAND III) |
* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted
Successor
In 2021 Denon AVR-X1600H DAB was replaced by AVR-X1700H DAB. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.
UPGRADES | Denon AVR-X1700H DAB | vs | Denon AVR-X1600H DAB |
---|---|---|---|
HDR10+ | vs | ||
QMS | vs | ||
VRR | vs | ||
QFT | vs | ||
Video Signal Passthrough | up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4 | vs | up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4 |
Video Signal Upscaling | from 1080p up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4 | vs | |
Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | vs | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n |
Newer Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | vs | 4.1 |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Denon AVR-X1700H DAB vs Denon AVR-X1600H DAB.