As home entertainment systems have become more advanced, the demand for high-quality audio equipment has increased. When it comes to choosing a receiver for your home setup, the Marantz CINEMA 50 and the Denon AVR-X3800H are two popular options that deliver a high-fidelity experience. So if you’ve been looking for a new home receiver, you’re in the right place! Our Marantz Cinema 50 vs Denon AVR-X3800H article will break down what sets these two receivers apart, helping you to make an informed decision on which one is the best for you.
Marantz Cinema 50 vs Denon AVR-X3800H Side-by-Side:
| Marantz Cinema 50 | Denon AVR-X3800H | |
|---|---|---|
 |  |
|
| Amplifier: | 9.4 channel (110W per channel) | 9.4 channel (105W per channel) |
| Connectivity (Inputs/Outputs): | 6/3 x HDMI, 6 x Analog In, Phono In, 2 x Optical, 2 x Coaxial, Subwoofer Out, 11 x Speaker Terminals, 1 x USB Type-A | 6/2 x HDMI, 5 x Analog In, Phono In, 2 x Optical, 2 x Coaxial, Subwoofer Out, 11 x Speaker Terminals, 1 x USB Type-A |
| Audio Formats: | 2.8 MHz DSD, 5.6 MHz DSD, AAC, ALAC, DSD, FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA | 2.8 MHz DSD, 5.6 MHz DSD, AAC, ALAC, DSD, FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA |
| Video Support: | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log Gamma | HDR, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dynamic HDR |
| Upscaling | 1080p to 8K UHD | 1080p to 8K UHD |
| Dimensions: | 17.4 x 15.4 x 6.5 | 17.1W x 14.9D x 6.6”H |
| Weight: | 29.8 lbs | 27.6 lbs |
| Price | Find on Amazon B&HPhotoVideo | Find on Amazon ProjectorScreen.com |
Marantz CINEMA 50
The Marantz Cinema 50 is a stylish and compact receiver with impressive power and a great centerpiece for your home’s entertainment setup. The CINEMA 50 features more than enough ports that we needed to set up our speaker system, and there’s also built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and HEOS support for wireless speakers. All-in-all, the CINEMA 50 provided us with a variety of connectivity options.
For those seeking a capable receiver with easy connectivity and wireless features, the CINEMA 50 is an excellent choice. Its HEOS integration allows for the effortless creation of a multi-room speaker setup with any HEOS-compatible wireless speakers. Additionally, we found the sound quality to be superb when listening to music, offering a detailed and bright audio experience.
Moving on to the video performance of the CINEMA 50, we found the video performance to be outstanding. The HDMI inputs support an 8K resolution at 60 Hz, along with HDR10+ support, Dolby Vision, and HLG. For gamers, the CINEMA 50 features Variable Refresh Rates (VRR) and Auto-Low Latency Mode (ALLM) to provide a smooth gaming experience. Our full Marantz Cinema 50 review.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Dolby Atmos, DTS, and DTS:X support
- 8K Resolution and 4K/8K Video Upscaling
- 120 Hz refresh rate via HDMI
- HEOS Integrated Technology
Cons
- No Phono Input
Denon AVR-X3800H
The Denon AVR-X3800H is a powerful and feature-rich receiver with 9.4 channels of amplification driven by 105 watts of power each and provided us with a rich, detailed, and immersive audio experience. We found the look of the AVR-X3800H to be a bit stale, it looks like the standard A/V receiver that Denon has been producing, but we did appreciate its compact size compared to earlier generations of Denon receivers.
Setting up the AVR-X3800H was a seamless experience, and we appreciated the new, updated user interface that Denon has provided us with for the AVR-X3800H. Connectivity-wise, we had everything we needed, including HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 8K resolution at 60 Hz and the usual range of audio connections that allowed us to connect up to 11 speakers to the AVR-X3800H.
Moving on to the video performance of the Denon AVR-X3800H, we found the performance to be comparable to the CINEMA 50. The AVR-X3800H offers the same wide range of features aimed at video performance, including HDR10+ support, Dolby Vision, and HLG. Additionally, VRR and ALLM support for gamers provided us with a liquid-smooth gaming experience. Our full Denon AVR-X3800H review.
Pros
- Better price than the Marantz CINEMA 50
- HDCP 2.3 Support
- 8K Resolution at a 60 Hz refresh rate
- HEOS Wireless Integration
- Four independent Subwoofer connections
- IMAX Enhanced Audio Support
Cons
- No composite connections
- Stale front panel design
Marantz CINEMA 50 vs. Denon AVR X3800H: Performace Comparison
Installation Ease
Both of these receivers offer a guided on-screen setup that makes setting up the Denon AVR-X3800H and Marantz CINEMA 50 a breeze, especially for anyone setting up their first receiver. We appreciated how seamless the interface of the setup was for the Denon AVR-X3800H. The interface showed us which connections to make based on various speaker setups. Similarly, we found installing the Marantz CINEMA 50 to be simple, with an incredibly straightforward setup that impressed us for such a feature-rich receiver. Additionally, a Marantz Smartphone App allows you to use the setup interface on your phone if you don’t want to use your TV to set up the CINEMA 50.
Easier Installation: Marantz CINEMA 50
Sound Quality
The Denon AVR X3800H and Marantz CINEMA 50 are 9.4-channel receivers offering a wealth of features to improve and boost sound quality. We found that both receivers offered a comparable experience when it came to sound quality. Technically speaking, the CINEMA 50 is slightly more powerful than the AVR-X3800H thanks to it delivering 110 watts of power per channel compared to Denon’s 105 watts of power per channel. Features-wise, both receivers support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, along with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 for room calibration and Audyssey’s dynamic EQ, which selects the best possible frequency response.
Better Sound: Tie
Voice and App Control
We appreciated how easy it was to control the CINEMA 50 through Marantz’s AVR app, which allowed us to adjust settings, manage our speaker setups, and manage all of the features that the CINEMA 50 comes with. Additionally, the CINEMA 50 includes support for various voice assistants, including Alexa, Google Voice Assistant, and Siri, which made it easy for us to control the receiver without getting up.
On the other hand, Denon features their own app for controlling the AVR-X3800H, the Denon AVR remote. We didn’t find the app as simple to use as the Marantz AVR app, and we had a significant amount of trouble getting the Denon AVR app to connect to our network. We also noted that it was prone to crashes while using the app.
Better Voice and App Control: Marantz CINEMA 50
What’s the Bottom Line: Marantz CINEMA 50 vs Denon AVR-X3800H
We were impressed with both receivers and found them to be very comparable, carrying many of the same features and connectivity options. We prefer the Marantz CINEMA 50 as it comes with an easier setup and features a slightly better experience when it comes to both the on-screen user interface and Marantz mobile app. (Find on Amazon) During our testing, we found the AVR phone app offered by Marantz to be more stable and offer a better customization experience. The Denon AVR-X3800H is a great receiver and comes in at a better price than the CINEMA 50, (Check on Amazon) so if you are looking for a solid receiver that isn’t as expensive as the CINEMA 50, it’s not a bad pick.
Related Comparisons:
- Denon AVR-X3800H vs AVR-X4700H Comparison