Skip to main content

Denon’s new user-friendly E-Series AV receivers pack next-gen features while keeping prices under control

Denon AVR-400 HedWith all of the new AV receivers coming down the pike this week, you might almost think we were back in Las Vegas at CES 2013.  But the truth is that not everyone brings all of their new toys to that particular show. Receiver manufacturers march to their own beat and seem to prefer CEDIA as the venue to show off the newest wares. Besides, it’s pretty easy to get lost in the zoo that is the world’s largest consumer electronics show.

The past few weeks have been a bit of a coming out party for manufacturers’ new AV receiver line-ups. The latest offerings from Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, and Sony will not sound the same, but we are noticing some key features getting applied across the board.  2013 is officially the year of the super-affordable AV receiver with next-gen technology. Like its competitors, Denon has added support for 4K/Ultra HD, MHL, AirPlay, and high resolution audio formats to a line of user-friendly receivers with bargain basement pricing. Let’s check ’em out.  

Recommended Videos

Denon has a fairly extensive line-up of AV receivers ranging from its top-of-the-line AVR-4520CI to its brand new AVR-E200 ($250) which just launched today. The AVR-E200 is the baby in the new E-series family of Denon AV receivers and it’s clear that the company is going after college students, recent graduate with new jobs, and young couples looking to power the entertainments systems in their first new home.  And, as we intimated earlier, Denon is not alone in this pursuit – all of its competitors have feature-packed, buget-friendly models coming in under $600 .

The new E-series includes three models: the AVR-E400 7.1 Network Home Theater Receiver ($600), the AVR-E300 5.1 Network Home Theater Receiver ($400), and the aforementioned AVR-E200 5.1 Home Theater Receiver. The top two models support Apple AirPlay allowing you to stream music from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch – which begs the question – why bother with a $250 model that doesn’t?

The top two models also offer support for Pandora, Spotify (which requires a subscription), vTuner, SiriusXM, and allow you to view your photos via Flickr. The E400 and E300 can also be controlled via Denon’s remote app.

Denon Setup UIAll three models feature a redesigned on-screen UI to make set-up that much simpler. The exclusive “Denon Setup Assistant” walks users through the entire setup process (AVR-E300 & AVR-E400 Only). For convenient setup and easy EQ-setting, the AVR-E400 and AVR-E300 both feature Audyssey MultEQ automatic room acoustic measurement and correction system along with Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Dynamic Volume for immersive surround sound, even at reduced volume levels.

All E-Series receivers feature Denon’s new color-coded speaker terminals and supplied matching color cable tags to ensure correct speaker cable hookup right out of the box. For even more setup simplicity, Models AVR-E400 and AVR-E300 both feature Denon’s new Easy-Connects “push-in” type speaker wire connections making the task of connecting speaker wires easier than ever before. Why are we just now seeing this?

The new AVR-E400 7.1 receiver can be configured for a full 7.1-channel system or as a 5.1 channel system in the main room with powered support for audio in another room. Denon color-coded easy terminalsFor total system connectivity, the AVR-E400 is equipped with 6 HDMI inputs including 5 on the rear panel along with 1 on the front panel for easy connection of an HDMI-equipped camcorder, game console or other portable multimedia device.

The AVR-E400’s video processor includes SD-to-HD up-conversion, along with 4K/Ultra HD (3840×2160) pass-through for the next generation of 4K/Ultra HDTVs. The E400 is rated at a maximum of 185 watts for each of the 7 channels but we’re rather skeptical that those numbers will prove to be the case as manufacturers tend to fudge the math when it comes to rating power into more than two channels.

The AVR-E300 outputs 10 fewer watts into all 5 channels and has 1 less HDMI input on the rear panel.  The AVR-E200 is a 5.1 AV receiver with 4 HDMI inputs and is rated at a maximum 165 watts for all of its channels.

The new E-series AV receivers from Denon are available for purchase now at authorized retailers. 

Topics
Ian White
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ian has been a full-time A/V journalist since 1999, covering the world of high-end audio, video, music, and film for Digital…
Best gaming TVs of 2024 for Xbox Series X, PS5, and more
LG C4 OLED

The best TVs should look great, sound fantastic, and feature numerous optimizations for the types of content people love watching most. And while it would easy to say that a TV billed as 4K is all you need for a great gaming TV, pixel count is just one checkbox. If you’re a diehard gamer (console or PC), there are plenty of other picture specifications to consider when buying a new TV. And while 4K resolution is still essential, features such as HDR (high dynamic range), input lag, and response time are far more critical tech specs to gamers who want their games to be smooth, fast, and looking as good as they can. 

Not all TVs are created equal, and even some of the best TV brands have one or two sets that aren’t great for gaming. That’s why we’ve put together this list of all the best gaming TVs you can buy in 2024. With options from Samsung, Sony, LG, Hisense, and TCL, there’s a gaming TV on this list for just about everyone.

Read more
Amazon deals: TVs, laptops, headphones and more
amazon boxes on doorstep

Amazon is one of the most popular retail outlets on the planet. It has almost everything you could want among its shelves, and that includes a plenty of deals worth taking a look at. All of the best Amazon deals are scattered across departments, with some great TV deals, laptop deals, and tablet deals leading the charge. There are even some really great coffee maker deals and MacBook deals worth taking a look at. We’ve pieced together what we consider to be some of the best Amazon deals to toss in the shopping cart today, so read onward for all of the details. You can also check out what the competition is up to with the current Best Buy deals and Walmart deals.
TCL 43-inch S4 4K Google TV — $210 $280 25% off

Value is front and center with the TCL 50-inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV, as it’s a nice balance of affordability and features. It delivers stunning 4K picture quality with four times the resolution of Full HD, as well as endless entertainment with easy access to your favorite streaming services. Google Chromecast is built right into the TV, allowing you to easily stream movies, shows and photos from your Android or iOS device. It also has 3 HDMI inputs, which makes it great for gamers who want to connect several consoles, or for anybody looking to set up a home theater arrangement.

Read more
Best Beats headphone deals: Studio Pro, Studio Buds, Powerbeats
Beats Studio Pro sitting on travel case.

You haven’t fully shopped the best headphone deals until you’ve had a look at everything Beats has to offer. It’s one of the most popular headphone brands on the planet, but unlike Bose headphone deals and even Sony headphone deals, Beats headphone deals often turn out some significant price drops. Whether you’re looking for an in-ear option or a set of the best wireless headphones Beats has you covered, and we’ve got you covered when it comes to the check-out line. Below you’ll find all of the best Beats headphone deals. They include some substantial discounts on the Beats Studio 3 and Powerbeats Pro headphones, but if you’d like to consider some other options be sure to check out what’s going on among today's best AirPods deals, best AirPods Pro deals, and best AirPods Max deals.

Best Beats earbuds deals

Read more