Audio & Headphones · Head-to-head
Denon AVR-X3800H vs Onkyo TX-RZ50
Which should you buy? Here's the honest call, pulled from our full The Best AV Receivers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Denon AVR-X3800H hits the sweet spot of power, connectivity, and flexibility that suits the most home theaters. The Onkyo TX-RZ50 is the value runner-up, bringing Dirac Live and THX cinema punch for less money if you can live with fewer 8K inputs.
Denon AVR-X3800H
Buy itThe all-rounder that gets nearly everything right for the money.
- Nine channels of amplification plus four independent subwoofer outputs for flexible speaker layouts
- Six 8K-capable HDMI 2.1 inputs, so multiple game consoles and a 4K player can all stay connected
- Audyssey included and Dirac Live available as an upgrade, giving a genuine room-correction path
- Reviewers consistently describe a smooth, dynamic, cinematic presentation that is easy to live with
- The on-screen menu system is deep and can feel overwhelming during setup
- No front-panel HDMI input for quick temporary connections
Onkyo TX-RZ50
Buy itTHX certification and Dirac Live room correction at a price that undercuts the competition.
- Dirac Live room correction is supported out of the gate, a feature usually reserved for pricier receivers
- THX Certified with a muscular, room-filling sound that owners praise for movies
- Nine channels of amplification with pre-outs for up to 7.2.4 processing if you add external amps later
- Broad streaming support including Chromecast built-in, DTS Play-Fi, and Works with Sonos
- Only three HDMI 2.1 (8K) inputs, so heavy gamers with several consoles may run short
- Physically large and heavy, and the styling is more utilitarian than premium
Side by side
| Denon AVR-X3800H | Onkyo TX-RZ50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Anyone building a 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 theater who wants the best balance of features, power, and long-term flexibility. | Value-focused buyers who want serious room correction and cinema punch without paying premium-tier prices. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Denon AVR-X3800H - The all-rounder that gets nearly everything right for the money. Choose the Onkyo TX-RZ50 instead if value-focused buyers who want serious room correction and cinema punch without paying premium-tier prices.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best AV Receivers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).