Denon and Marantz confirm Dolby Atmos AV receivers

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Due for release in September, the high-end AVR-X4100W and the AVR-X5200W X-Series models are the first Denon AVRs to feature Dolby Atmos

We already knew about the new Denon X-Series AV receivers – set for release later this year – but now the company has confirmed that the two flagship models will also support Dolby Atmos.

The news follows similar announcements from Onkyo and Pioneer, with Denon's AVR-X4100W and AVR-X5200W AV receivers to incorporate Dolby Atmos when they are launched in September.

Marantz has also confirmed it will release two amps with Dolby Atmos on board, the SR7009 (due for release in September) and the AV7702 (October).

MORE: Read all our home cinema amplifier reviews

The Denon AVR-X4100W will cost £1299 and the AVR-X5200W £1699, although the release focuses on Dolby Atmos on Denon products and doesn't mention the AVR-X7200W, which is due to lead the range with a £2399 price tag.

The Denon and Marantz amps will be able to run a 9-channel Dolby Atmos layout using 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 configurations (yes, that's how they're being described), where the last figure refers to ceiling-mounted or Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers.

Denon says, "A 5.1.4 speaker configuration is based upon a traditional 5.1 speaker layout complemented by 4 overhead or Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers.

"A 7.1.2 configuration is based on a 7.1 speaker layout with 2 overhead, or Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers."

The AVR-X5200W meanwhile will have the processing capability to support a full 11-channel Dolby Atmos setup, adding the possibilty of a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos configuration.

Yoshinori Yamada, global business team leader for Denon audio and video products, said: "It is a testament to the unique sound experience Dolby Atmos delivers that some of the world’s leading filmmakers have embraced it as a storytelling tool.

"Every detail comes alive, making the audience feel as if they are in the middle of the movie action. The experience is unmatched in the home theatre today." It's fair to say he's a fan, then.

The new Atmos receivers sit above the AVR-X1100W (pictured, middle), £399, the AVR-X2100W, £499, and the AVR-3100W, £799.

MORE: Denon confirms first X-Series AV receivers for 2014

MORE: Dolby Atmos: What is it and how can you get it?

by Joe Cox

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Joe Cox
Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff, and the Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).