We’ve all been there: you buy a gorgeous new high-definition television, set it up on your console, pop on your favorite blockbuster movie, and… the sound is flat. TV manufacturers have mastered the art of building paper-thin screens, but that physical refinement comes with a major casualty—audio quality. Built-in TV speakers are tiny, firing downward or backward, leaving you with muddy dialogue, thin music, and absolutely zero low-end punch.
While upgrading to a simple soundbar is a common quick fix, it never truly replicates the three-dimensional, chest-rattling cinematic magic of a dedicated home theater setup. If you want real surround sound that wraps around your living room without overcomplicating your space or draining your bank account, a 5.2-channel receiver is the ultimate sweet spot. It gives you those vital left, center, right, and surround channels, plus dual subwoofer outputs to balance out the bass.
Today, we are taking an in-depth, hands-on look at the Denon AVR-S670H 5.2 Ch Home Theater Receiver (2023 Model) – Amazon Renewed version. Priced at an incredibly attractive $539, this certified refurbished receiver promises to offer the exact same high-end 8K video pass-through, pristine hi-fi audio, and seamless smart streaming as a brand-new unit, but at a fraction of the cost. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into its features, weigh the pros and cons, analyze customer feedback, and help you decide if this future-proof receiver belongs in your entertainment center.
Product Overview: A Closer Look at the Denon AVR-S670H
The Denon AVR-S670H is the entry-level multi-channel receiver in Denon’s acclaimed S-Series lineup. Designed to offer the core features of premium theater setups without the intimidating price tag or setup complexity, this 2023 model brings modern video and audio standards directly into small-to-medium-sized living rooms.
Design and Physical Build
Out of the box, the AVR-S670H features a clean, classic, and robust home theater aesthetic. Weighing in at a sturdy 17.2 pounds, its black brushed metal front panel looks professional and blends effortlessly into any media console. The layout is highly intuitive: a massive volume dial dominates the right side, while an equally tactile source input selector dial sits on the left.
In the center, a bright, dimmable LED display provides clear real-time feedback on your volume level, active input, and the audio decoding format currently in play. Directly underneath the display, Denon has included quick-select buttons for your favorite inputs, a quarter-inch headphone jack, a port for the Audyssey setup microphone, and a convenient front-facing USB port for high-resolution audio playback.
Core Specifications
- Amplification: Discrete 5-channel amplifier delivering 75W per channel (8 ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 channels driven).
- Subwoofer Support: Dual subwoofer outputs (5.2 configuration) for balanced room bass.
- Video Formats: 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through, 8K upscaling, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG, Dynamic HDR, and HDCP 2.3 standard.
- Audio Formats: Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS Neo:6 upmixers.
- Gaming Features: Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Frame Transport (QFT).
- Connectivity: 8 HDMI ports (6 inputs / 2 outputs) including 3 dedicated 8K inputs, eARC/ARC, Phono input (MM), digital/analog inputs, built-in Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
- Smart Streaming: HEOS Built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TIDAL, Amazon Music, and TuneIn.
Setting up a modern receiver can sometimes feel like trying to land a space shuttle. Denon bypasses this frustration with their brilliant HD GUI Setup Assistant. The moment you connect the receiver to your TV via HDMI, an on-screen graphical wizard guides you step-by-step through stripping speaker wires, plugging in sources, and calibrating your system.
To ensure perfect performance, Denon includes the Audyssey Room Correction Suite. By plugging the included calibration microphone into the front panel and placing it in your primary seating positions, the receiver plays a series of test tones to measure your room’s acoustic properties. It then automatically adjusts individual speaker levels, distances, and EQ curves to deliver balanced, natural audio tailored specifically to your room’s physical layout.
The Pros: Why the Denon AVR-S670H Stands Out
If you are looking to build a high-performing home theater, the Denon AVR-S670H offers several standout features that make it a compelling purchase:
Exceptional Cost Savings via Amazon Renewed
Buying high-quality audio equipment can quickly get expensive. Choosing the Renewed version of the AVR-S670H for $539 is an incredibly smart way to maximize your budget. Amazon Renewed products are meticulously inspected, tested, and cleaned by qualified technicians to look and perform like brand-new items. You get a modern, highly capable 2023-model receiver at a steep discount, backed by Amazon’s renewed guarantee for ultimate peace of mind.
Future-Proof 8K & High-Frame-Rate Video
Even if you don’t currently own an 8K TV, this receiver ensures you are ready when you do. With three dedicated HDMI 2.1 inputs supporting 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through, your movies, streaming shows, and games will display in jaw-dropping clarity. The receiver’s ability to upscale standard 4K content to 8K means your existing library gets an instant visual facelift. Combine this with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and you are guaranteed pristine, cinema-grade contrast and color depth.
Elite Next-Gen Gaming Features
For console and PC gamers, input lag and screen tearing can completely ruin the experience. The AVR-S670H is fully equipped with advanced HDMI 2.1 gaming tech. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) prevents annoying screen tearing by syncing the display’s refresh rate to your console’s output. Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) tells your TV to automatically switch to its game mode, bypassing unnecessary processing to lower input lag. Finally, Quick Frame Transport (QFT) minimizes display latency, ensuring your controls feel incredibly tight and responsive.
HEOS Multi-Room Music Streaming
The AVR-S670H is just as much a music hub as it is a movie theater driver. With HEOS Built-In, you can stream high-resolution audio directly from services like Spotify, TIDAL, and Pandora via Wi-Fi. If you have other HEOS-enabled wireless speakers throughout your home, you can easily pair them with the receiver to play the same track in perfect synchronization in the kitchen, bedroom, or living room.
Seamless eARC and HDMI ARC Connectivity
Gone are the days of needing a pile of remotes just to watch TV. With HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), you only need one HDMI cable connected to your television. The TV passes lossless, high-definition audio back to the receiver, and thanks to HDMI-CEC, your standard TV remote can control the power and volume of the Denon receiver automatically. It makes operating the system so simple that anyone in the family can use it without confusion.
Dual Subwoofer Outputs
Relying on a single subwoofer often results in uneven bass distribution, where one seat in your living room gets overwhelmed by bass while another seat gets almost none. The AVR-S670H’s dual subwoofer outputs let you run two subwoofers simultaneously. This spreads low frequencies evenly across the room, producing tighter, punchier, and more realistic bass that you can actually feel.
Dedicated Phono Input
If you are a vinyl enthusiast, you’ll love the dedicated moving magnet (MM) phono input on the back of the receiver. It allows you to plug your turntable directly into the receiver without having to buy a separate external phono preamp, delivering clean, warm, analog stereo performance.
The Cons: Areas for Improvement
While the Denon AVR-S670H is an exceptional, feature-rich unit, there are a few limitations you should keep in mind before clicking “Add to Cart”:
No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X Support
Because this is strictly a 5.2-channel receiver, it does not support overhead “height” channels or virtual spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. If you are looking to build a larger home theater with ceiling-mounted or up-firing Atmos speakers, you will need to step up to a 7.2-channel model (such as the Denon AVR-S770H). However, for traditional surround sound, its lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding are absolutely stellar.
Power Output is Best for Small-to-Medium Rooms
With 75W per channel (measured with 2 channels active), this receiver has plenty of power to drive standard bookshelf speakers and moderately sized tower speakers. However, if you have a massive, open-concept living space with high vaulted ceilings, or if you plan to drive highly inefficient, power-hungry audiophile speakers, this receiver might struggle to hit window-shattering volumes without introducing slight distortion.
Only 3 of the 6 HDMI Inputs Support HDMI 2.1 / 8K
While the receiver boasts a healthy selection of 6 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs, only three of those inputs are dedicated, high-speed 8K / HDMI 2.1 ports. The remaining three inputs are standard HDMI 2.0 ports. For most users, this isn’t a massive issue (typically, you’ll only need HDMI 2.1 for a PS5, Xbox Series X, and a high-end PC), but it is still a physical limitation worth noting if you have a massive array of next-gen source devices.
Entry-Level Audyssey Calibration
While having built-in room correction is a massive plus, the S670H utilizes the baseline Audyssey MultEQ calibration suite. It does a fantastic job of setting up a balanced soundstage, but it lacks the ultra-precise, high-resolution filters and independent dual-subwoofer calibration tools found on Denon’s premium X-Series models, which feature Audyssey MultEQ XT or XT32.
Customer Reviews Analysis: What Are Buyers Saying?
Although the Renewed listing for this specific model holds a modest 9 reviews on Amazon, the broader reception of the Denon AVR-S670H across major audio communities and storefronts is highly enthusiastic, regularly scoring around 4.5 out of 5 stars.
When analyzing the real-world feedback from customers who bought this specific certified Renewed model, several key trends stand out:
- Flawless “Like-New” Quality: Buyers initially hesitant about purchasing a “Renewed” audio component were highly satisfied. Multiple reviews state that the unit arrived meticulously packaged in perfect physical shape, looking completely brand new, and with all essential accessories (calibration mic, remote, antennas) intact.
- Immersive Audio Upgrade: Users transitioning from soundbars frequently note the incredible “night and day” difference in soundstage width and dialogue clarity. The ability of the receiver to drive separate physical speakers makes movies feel alive, with sound effects accurately panning across the room.
- Intuitive Setups: Several reviewers praised Denon’s on-screen GUI Setup Assistant, calling it simple and foolproof. Beginners with no prior experience with AV receivers were able to calibrate their speakers and integrate their devices in under half an hour.
- Minor Criticisms: A few users mentioned that the HEOS app, while incredibly functional for streaming, feels slightly clunky compared to casting directly through native apps like Spotify or Apple Music. A couple of reviewers also mentioned they had to manually raise their subwoofer volume a few decibels after running the Audyssey calibration, as the auto-setup can occasionally trend on the conservative side with bass levels.
Who Should Buy the Denon AVR-S670H?
The Denon AVR-S670H is a highly specialized, modern AV receiver, and it is the perfect fit for several specific types of buyers:
- The Living Room/Apartment Upgrader: If you live in an apartment, condo, or have a standard-sized living room, you don’t need a massive, hot, power-hungry 9-channel amplifier. The 75W-per-channel output of this 5.2 receiver will fill your room with incredibly rich, detailed audio.
- The Next-Gen Gamer: If you own a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or a high-end PC, you need HDMI 2.1 to take advantage of 4K/120Hz gaming. With VRR, ALLM, and QFT, this receiver ensures your gameplay remains buttery smooth and completely lag-free.
- The Soundbar Escapee: If you are tired of the flat, narrow sound produced by a soundbar and want to experience true, physical surround sound with dedicated left, center, right, and rear speakers, this is the perfect, user-friendly entry point.
- The Budget-Conscious Audiophile: If you want modern, future-proof tech (8K, eARC, HEOS streaming, Phono input) from an elite brand like Denon but refuse to pay full retail price, getting the Renewed model at $539 is an absolute bargain.
Final Verdict
If your goal is to build a top-tier 5.1 or 5.2 home theater system, the Denon AVR-S670H (Renewed) is one of the absolute best values on the market. It beautifully bridges the gap between high-fidelity sound reproduction and cutting-edge video technologies like 8K pass-through, HDR10+, and lag-free gaming protocols.
While the lack of Dolby Atmos overhead support may turn away those building a dedicated multi-channel cinema room, the reality is that a properly calibrated 5.2-channel physical speaker setup sounds far superior to any soundbar on the market and is more than enough for the vast majority of living spaces.
By opting for the certified Renewed model, you get to skip the premium retail price tag while still enjoying the legendary audio warmth, dynamic punch, and premium build quality that Denon has pioneered for over a century. If you want breathtaking video, thunderous balanced bass, and effortless smart music streaming, the Denon AVR-S670H is a highly recommended, five-star upgrade for your home.
