Since its inception, Denon continues to produce some of the best receivers on the market to remain relevant and competitive. Their receivers offer value for the buck with tons of engaging audio features. The Denon AVR-S540BT is one of the company’s finest 5.2 receivers with a modern user interface design. It is rated at a whopping 70 watts per channel, to drive a custom integrated speaker system effortlessly.
The AVR-S540BT also comes with great features such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD to let you enjoy multi-channel audio and a cinematic sound for music, movies, and even TV shows. In addition, the unit is fairly easy to use, but it may take you time to master different settings.
We’ll provide a detailed Denon AVR-S540BT receiver review and explore what makes this unit a unique 5.2 home theater receiver.
Let’s get to it!
Basic Denon AVR S540BT Specs
| Channels | 5.2 |
| Total Output Power per Channel | 70W (8 Ohms / 20 Hz to 20 kHz) |
| Frequency Response | 10 Hz to 100 kHz |
| Video pass-through | 4K |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 98 Db |
| Bluetooth | 3.0 + EDR |
| Tuner support | AM/FM |
| Audio processing | Dolby Atmos/ DTS |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs. |
Denon AVR S540BT Review
The Denon AVR-S540BT provides a rich and full sound for music along with a truly immersive experience for movies and TV. Like the, AVR-S650H, this receiver has five channels of amplification, and it is designed to bring the best out of your speaker system. And with a total of five HDMI inputs, the AVR-S540BT lets you connect to various audio sources, including TV, gaming console, and more.
Features
Authentic surround sound: The AVR-S540BT provides a perfect opportunity to build or upgrade your home theater sound by adding realism to your surround sound. The receiver’s five channel speakers can be used in a standard 5.1 home theater configuration. However, it provides the option of adding a second subwoofer for an elevated listening experience.
Smart TV compatibility: The included Smart TV remote control makes it easy for you to control the receiver once paired with your smart TV. You can easily access the menu using the HDMI CEC function, but the menu may vary depending on the functionality of your TV. Furthermore, you can use the four quick select buttons to access the Smart menu and choose between different audio settings for TV, media players, and others.
Convenient mobile control app: Other than using the remote control, the user can download Denon’s 500 Series mobile control app for use with both Android and iOS devices. The app comes in handy when the remote control is out of reach but needs to adjust the volume, select different audio sources, or even switch the system on or off.
HEOS compatible: This 5.2 receiver comes with Denon’s HEOS Link, meaning you can build wireless multi-room audio with authority. This function provides a great way to expand Denon quality throughout your home with the added convenience of running a wireless sound system.
After downloading and installing the HEOS app on any compatible device, you can use the inbuilt Bluetooth to stream music to HEOS compatible speakers regardless of their location in the house. Besides, the apps also let you access Spotify, Pandora, and other music streaming online services.
Automatic speaker setup: To finish off the setup process, the AVR-S540BT comes with a microphone that helps to optimize your system to suit your room layout. That way, the operator will have the ability to calibrate the audio settings as well as fix any flaws in the system (for instance, it helps get rid of muddy bass). In addition, it automatically adjusts the volume of all channels to ensure you get a balanced sound throughout the house.
Exceptional video and picture quality: Featuring HDMI 2.0/2.2 specification, the AVR-S540BT is not only designed to support high-quality 4K signals, but also provide outstanding brightness and contrast. The unit incorporates HDR and pure color sub-sampling technologies for a true-to-life display and to elevate your video and picture experience. In addition, it is ready for Dolby Vision to take your viewing experience a notch higher.
Front USB port: The AVR-S540BT is equipped with a USB port on the front panel to allow you to connect compatible USB devices seamlessly. What’s more, the unit is compatible with various audio formats such as MP3, FLAC, among other file formats.
Compressed Audio Restorer: Thanks to the compressed audio restorer, you can enjoy any MP3 file and other digital file formats without sacrificing on the sound quality. Furthermore, it restores the pre-compression sound characteristics so you can enjoy a diversified sound range from your favorite channel system.
What we like about Denon AVR-S540BT
- Setting up the receiver is straightforward, thanks to the on-screen setup guide
- Realistic, immersive sound
- Multiple analog and digital connectors
- You don’t need height channels since it is Dolby Atmos enabled
- It includes an AM/FM tuner
- The HDMI standby modes let switch between HDMI inputs simultaneously
- Expanded music streaming options
- We like its ease of use
What we don’t like about Denon AVR-S540BT
- Lacks phono input—you may need to get a phono preamp to connect your turntable
- Entry-level unit, but it is worth for what it costs
- Some users reported minor hitches with some HDMI’s
Conclusion
The Denon AVR-S540BT is a solid receiver for anyone looking to put together a decent 5.2 sound system. And although it is lacking in some areas, it is simple to set up and performs outstandingly better than similar receivers in this price range. It is also a perfect choice for those looking for a unit with numerous audio options but who don’t want to spend a big buck on a high-end receiver. Lastly, it provides enough inputs for almost all your audio components.
We hope that this Denon AVR-S540BT review was worth a read.
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