Denon AVR-S660HFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 8 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment23%
PROS 23%
CONS 77%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 8 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an easy-to-set-up, budget-friendly 5.2 AV receiver
  • You prefer a clean front panel without HDMI/USB clutter
  • Your use is mainly movies rather than critical music listening

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need guaranteed VRR support for 4K 60Hz gaming
  • You want clear, consistent power specifications
  • You need rock-solid long-term reliability without distortion or heating issues

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Value
Panasonic SA-BX500~$599 · 1.4× pricier
Modern decoding formatsConvenient front-panel S/video accessFlexible speaker configurationMarketing/title inaccuracyPerceived brand decline in receivers
Panasonic SA-BX500~$599 · 1.4× pricier
Modern decoding formats
Convenient front-panel S/video access
Flexible speaker configuration
Marketing/title inaccuracy
Perceived brand decline in receivers
Best value
2Value
Yamaha RX-V573~$549 · 1.3× pricier
Future-Proof HDMI SupportGood DSP Sound ProgramsGood Price-to-Performance ValueMenu System Criticized by Some
Yamaha RX-V573~$549 · 1.3× pricier
Future-Proof HDMI Support
Good DSP Sound Programs
Good Price-to-Performance Value
Menu System Criticized by Some
3Budget
Sony STR-DH790~$400 · similar price
Dolby Atmos & DTS:X SupportPowerful, Clear Sound QualityStrong Value for PriceWeak Treble/High-Frequency DetailPower Output Lower Than Advertised at 8 OhmsDSP/Configuration Difficulties
Sony STR-DH790~$400 · similar price
Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support
Powerful, Clear Sound Quality
Strong Value for Price
Weak Treble/High-Frequency Detail
Power Output Lower Than Advertised at 8 Ohms
DSP/Configuration Difficulties
4Value
Denon AVR-X1700H~$649 · 1.5× pricier
Overall positive owner satisfaction8K future-proofingEasy initial setupConfusing speaker/subwoofer setupHarsh highs out of the boxPerceived sound quality decline vs older models
Denon AVR-X1700H~$649 · 1.5× pricier
Overall positive owner satisfaction
8K future-proofing
Easy initial setup
Confusing speaker/subwoofer setup
Harsh highs out of the box
Perceived sound quality decline vs older models
5Value
Onkyo TX-SR605~$549 · 1.3× pricier
Excellent long-term sound qualityPreferred operation over newer competitorsReliable over many yearsConfusing TrueHD/DTS-MA display behaviorHDMI output degrades over timeUnexplained mode-switching glitch
Onkyo TX-SR605~$549 · 1.3× pricier
Excellent long-term sound quality
Preferred operation over newer competitors
Reliable over many years
Confusing TrueHD/DTS-MA display behavior
HDMI output degrades over time
Unexplained mode-switching glitch
6Value
Marantz NR1510~$579 · 1.3× pricier
Good value for moneySlim, space-saving designFront-channel pre-outsConfusing or limited power outputNo HDMI 2.1 supportInconsistent volume between inputs
Marantz NR1510~$579 · 1.3× pricier
Good value for money
Slim, space-saving design
Front-channel pre-outs
Confusing or limited power output
No HDMI 2.1 support
Inconsistent volume between inputs
7Value
Onkyo TX-SR608~$649 · 1.5× pricier
Good value on the used marketLong-term reliabilityDecent 480p upconversionNo bass/treble control for surround/center channelsHDMI audio setup problemsLimited remote/TV input switching
Onkyo TX-SR608~$649 · 1.5× pricier
Good value on the used market
Long-term reliability
Decent 480p upconversion
No bass/treble control for surround/center channels
HDMI audio setup problems
Limited remote/TV input switching
8Budget
Onkyo TX-SR3100~$379 · similar price
Excellent value for moneyStrong power and sound qualityThoughtful build featuresHDMI board reliability concernsOnkyo click noiseAccuEQ room correction problems
Onkyo TX-SR3100~$379 · similar price
Excellent value for money
Strong power and sound quality
Thoughtful build features
HDMI board reliability concerns
Onkyo click noise
AccuEQ room correction problems
9Value
Sony STR-DN1080~$600 · 1.4× pricier
Clean, punchy sound qualityLong-term reliability for many ownersStrong value for priceAtmos pause/rewind popping noiseHDMI-CEC/eARC home screen glitchCan't adjust EQ while music plays / random power-on
Sony STR-DN1080~$600 · 1.4× pricier
Clean, punchy sound quality
Long-term reliability for many owners
Strong value for price
Atmos pause/rewind popping noise
HDMI-CEC/eARC home screen glitch
Can't adjust EQ while music plays / random power-on
10Value
Denon AVR-X1600H~$549 · 1.3× pricier
Atmos/eARC Support After Firmware UpdatesPunchy, Detailed SoundWorks Well With Various Speaker SetupsBrighter, Leaner TonalityLimited Power for Larger SpeakersRoom Placement Can Limit Sound Performance
Denon AVR-X1600H~$549 · 1.3× pricier
Atmos/eARC Support After Firmware Updates
Punchy, Detailed Sound
Works Well With Various Speaker Setups
Brighter, Leaner Tonality
Limited Power for Larger Speakers
Room Placement Can Limit Sound Performance
You are here
11Budget
Denon AVR-S660H~$429
Adequate Power for Typical UseClean Front Panel DesignEasy SetupVRR Compatibility IssuesConfusing Power SpecificationsReliability Concerns
Denon AVR-S660H~$429
Adequate Power for Typical Use
Clean Front Panel Design
Easy Setup
VRR Compatibility Issues
Confusing Power Specifications
Reliability Concerns

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Setup is simple and the design is clean. Multiple owners describe the AVR-S660H as easy to set up, with one buyer confident enough to purchase a second unit for a relative. The front panel's lack of HDMI and USB ports also earns praise, since some viewers find exposed front connectors on other receivers messy or 'tacky.' For buyers wanting a straightforward out-of-the-box home theater upgrade without complicated menus or cluttered wiring, these comments suggest the S660H delivers a hassle-free unboxing and installation experience, at least for typical 5.1/5.2 movie and TV setups.

Power output specifications are confusing and inconsistent. Commenters repeatedly flag a mismatch between Denon's marketing, which cites 135W per channel, and the receiver's own spec sheet, which lists 75W per channel, leaving buyers unsure what to expect. One real-world user reports satisfaction running roughly 40 watts per channel driven with a separate amp handling bass duties. This suggests actual usable power is closer to the lower figure, and buyers focused on volume headroom or larger rooms should look past marketing numbers before assuming full 135W performance from every channel simultaneously.

VRR gaming glitches and scattered reliability complaints raise concerns. Several commenters report VRR not working properly for 4K 60Hz gaming and ask repeatedly whether Denon ever released a fix, with no confirmation appearing in the comments. Separately, one reviewer describes the S-Series as prone to distorted sound and heating issues, and another says a unit died within a month after switching from a long-used Yamaha receiver. A Klipsch speaker owner also found the bass weak, calling it fine for movies but poor for music, suggesting inconsistent performance across use cases.

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