Denon and Sony are two renowned and well-respected brands in the audio industry that produces high-quality speakers, headphones, soundbars, and subwoofers.
In this article, we will cover a general overview of both brands, looking specifically at sound quality, durability, price and so on. Of course, each brand has different devices at different price points, however, we will compare them as closely as we can.
Before we do that, here are some other comparisons in this series:
Denon vs Sony Comparison Table
| Criteria | Denon | Sony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Reputation | Denon is a well-regarded brand known for high-quality audio and home theater solutions. | Sony is a globally recognized brand with a diverse range of electronic products. |
| Sound Quality | Denon emphasizes impressive sound quality with a focus on accuracy and clarity. | Sony is known for delivering high-quality audio experiences across various product lines. |
| Build Quality/Design | Denon products feature solid build quality and often showcase sleek, modern designs. | Sony products combine durable build quality with stylish and innovative designs. |
| Product Range | Denon offers a diverse range of audio and home theater products catering to various needs. | Sony provides a comprehensive lineup of audio products, home entertainment systems, and more. |
| Pricing | Denon products cover a range of price points, offering options for various budgets. | Sony products span different price ranges, providing options for a wide consumer base. |
| Features | Denon products often incorporate advanced features and technologies for enhanced user experiences. | Sony integrates cutting-edge technologies, offering advanced features and innovations. |
Pros and Cons
Denon Receivers Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High-quality sound: Denon receivers are known for producing high-quality signals that create high sound quality sound if you have good speakers.
- Advanced features: Denon receivers often come with advanced features, e.g support for Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D, DTS, DTS:X Pro and IMAX.
- Easy setup: Denon receivers are generally easy to set up and use, with intuitive controls and user-friendly interfaces.
- Durability: Denon receivers are often well-built and will often last for years.
Cons:
- Expensive: Denon receivers tend to be more expensive than some other brands
- Bulky size: Denon receivers can be quite large and bulky, which may be an issue if you have limited space.
- Limited customer support: Some users have reported difficulty with access to Denon’s customer support representatives.
Sony Receivers Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High-quality sound: Sony receivers are known for producing high-quality signals that create high sound quality sound if you have good speakers.
- Value for money: Sony receivers are often priced competitively.
Cons:
- Underpar Durability: Some Sony receivers may not be as durable as some competitor products.
- Limited compatibility: Some Sony receivers may not be compatible with many devices.
- Limited customization options: Some Sony receivers may have limited customization options out of the box unless you have technical knowledge.
Quick History
Denon Quick History
The Japanese manufacturing company, Denon, was founded by Frederick Horn in 1910. It started off by importing recording equipment until 1910, when it started manufacturing recording equipment.
Denon used to be called ‘Nippon Denki Onkyo Kabushigaisha’ but later changed its name to Denon. The name Denon resulted from the merging of Denki Onkyo with the record label Nippon Columbia in 1947.
The company started by producing one-sided gramophones and records. However, they grew over the years because of mergers and expansion of the product line. Today, Denon is known for manufacturing high-end audio equipment, home theater systems, AV receivers, wireless stereos, and other electronic devices.
Sony Quick History
Sony Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of consumer electronics products incorporated in 1946 by Ibuka Masaru and Morita Akio as Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation.
Before this, Ibuka had used his Japanese Precision Instruments Company to supply electronic devices during World War II. He met Morita while they worked for the Imperial Japanese Army as engineers designing heat-seeking missiles during World War II.
In 1952, Ibuka made efforts to license the transistor from Bell Laboratories in the US before Morita signed a deal with Western Electric there the following year. The agreement led to the production of Totsuko’s transistor radios, Sony’s TR-63, in 1955. In 1958, Sony became the official company name.
The name was derived from the Latin word Sonus which stands for “sound.” Its pocket radios were the company’s most significant success and led to its international brand recognition.
In 1960, Sony Corporation of America was created with headquarters in New York City. Sony then introduced the MD-5, the first all-transistor desktop calculator, in 1964 during the New York World’s Fair, followed by the historic shipping of its first Trinitron color television in 1968.
Sony currently focuses on research and development (R&D), planning, designing, manufacturing, and marketing of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets.
Sound Quality
Denon Sound Quality
One thing that cannot be separated from the Denon brand’s decades of existence is the production of high-quality audio equipment. It boasts high-quality surround sound in all the home theaters and other audio equipment.
Denon receivers are very good at producing a warm sound that is accompanied by a clear sound effect. The sound quality of an average Denon audio equipment is crystal clear, which makes it an excellent choice for both commercial and professional use.
However, this does not eliminate the fact that they are good picks for home audio equipment. The brand has successfully kept up its reputation of impressive sound quality.
Sony Sound Quality
Sony products generally sound good. Compared to other competitors, Sony is a premium brand that takes a lot of time to research and develop its sound systems, making it one of the best-sounding audio products.
The soundbars are feature-loaded, have great surround sound performance, and most of them support Dolby Atmos content. Sony is at the forefront of technology innovation, its sound-loving engineers work tirelessly to maintain the standard of its high-quality Hi-Fi speakers.
Features
Denon Features
Denon has improved their product by introducing new features and improvements to the old ones according to the trend.
Here are some features you can expect from a Denon product:
- Up to 13 Channel on the AV Receivers
- Surround sound technology includes Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D, DTS, DTS:X Pro, IMAX enhanced, and others.
- Up to 8 HDMI input port
- Bluetooth, HEOS, Wi-Fi, and AirPlay 2 streaming support.
- Multiple input and output ports
- Built-in phono equalizer on the turntable
- Voice control features include Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant.
Sony Features
Sony is known to manufacture high-quality products. Some of the key features of Sony speakers include:
- Bluetooth speakers with prolonged battery life
- Compact designs that make them easily fit in every home or office space
- High-quality sound
Key features of Sony TVs include:
- Good picture quality
- New frame tweeter technology with sound-from-picture reality
- Two-position stand
- New Ambient Optimization
- Hands-free capabilities such as remote control systems for easy management of TV programs
- Easy connectivity
- Compatibility with 4K 120fps
Build Quality
Denon Build Quality
You can be sure of a pretty decent build for any Denon product you choose. As a company, Denon has been consistent with the build quality of its products over the years.
If you are someone that prefers a strong build quality for your appliances, Denon might be a hard road to take for you. This is because most Denon appliances are mostly heavy on design and less on strength.
Denon receivers are still up for the contest against other well-rooted brands in terms of build quality. It is commonly compared to brands such as Yamaha and Marantz, but the choice here is dependent on individual preference.
Sony Build Quality
Sony was initially known for good-quality products. In fact, Sony originally maintained a high market price to compensate for the high build quality despite many customers saying they charged so high.
Most people say that Sony manufactures premium audio products with fantastic sound quality and build.
No company can handle a wide array of products like Sony while maintaining high quality. Sony leads in manufacturing cameras, audio, and mobile phones, among many other products. Besides, they offer a fantastic after-sales service.
However, some people note that the build quality they get from Sony is generally bad. This is mainly from customers who buy Sony cameras who say they have had a problem or two with their Sony cameras, and even after Sony fixed them, the situation became worse.
Therefore, whether Sony products are of good build or not remains an opinion whose outcome mainly depends on the type of product and the experience of individual users.
Ease of Use
Denon Ease Of Use
On average, Denon products are easy to use. They come with soft buttons that are clearly labeled in plain terms for ease of understanding. Size also contributes to its ease of use. Denon has a line of lightweight and portable products in the audio market that almost anyone can easily operate.
Another factor that contributes to their ease of use is their connectivity. It offers a range of wired and wireless connectivity that allows it to be used and operated anywhere in the house and professionally.
Sony Ease Of Use
Some Sony products are not easy to use. For instance, getting Sony KDL-32EX650 to work is not very easy. Besides, setting up a wireless network takes a long time.
Also, setting up the Bravia KDL-40WD650 (Bravia is a Sony brand) is more complicated despite Sony 43XG7005 being the most intuitive and easy-to-use Sony TV with a quick and responsive menu.
The speakers are however easy to use with the Bluetooth ones easily connecting to your devices to provide on-the-go entertainment.
Cost
Denon Cost
Denon products are much more affordable than most other audio system manufacturers. This does not mean they have less quality than the other brands.
Most Denon receivers, for example, deliver amazing quality at an affordable price, from $400 to modern, high performing ones such as the Denon AVR-X6700H with Ultra HD at around $3000.
Note that no matter how cheap the price of a Denon product is, it will still deliver a decent quality of output for what it is designed for.
Here are some price ranges for different devices from Denon:
- AV Receivers: $200 – $5000
- Speakers: $200 – $700
- Amplifiers: $500 – $5000
Sony Cost
The average costs of most Sony products are listed below:
- Speakers: $40 – $4000
- Receivers: $20 – $1000
- Amplifier: $30 – $500
Space Requirements
Denon Space Requirements
There are several portable product lines from Denon that are perfect for use almost anywhere with great portability. These products range from home theaters, soundbars, and Bluetooth speakers, to receivers and amplifiers.
However, understand that space consideration for using these products is not about their size alone, ventilation requirements are another contributing factor to the space consideration.
Inadequate space could cause the device to heat up hence causing a possible shutdown. For an average Denon appliance, particularly those that require putting in an enclosed area, a minimum of 5 inches is required around it for ventilation.
Sony Space Requirements
Every person wants to maximize their small spaces. This is why every audio manufacturer puts more effort into researching to use of versatile drivers that can deliver high efficiency while reducing the volume of materials used.
Sony products are generally constructed with a compact design and build. They take smaller spaces than other products and will perfectly fit into your small spaces whether you buy a smart TV or home theater system.
Remote Controls
Denon Remote Controls
Denon offers ease of access for using their devices and the opportunity to control the device while sitting away from it.
A remote function unique to Denon is HEOS, which allows users to enjoy music on the device from any room. The HEOS feature is a wireless multi-room sound support that uses an integrated Android/iOS app.
Asides from the HEOS feature, you can control a Denon device with the Denon remote control app. Although, this is only possible if the phone that has the app and the Denon device are connected to the same Wi-Fi source.
Sony Remote Controls
Some people report that remotes for Sony KD-55XD8005 TVs, KD49X8309C, KD49XD8077 and KD-55X8508C, among other brands, have occasional problems. The issues are mainly that the remote controls become unresponsive occasionally and have to be troubleshot to continue working.
Sony remote controls are, however, generally excellent and responsive. However, where the remotes show problems, Sony offers quick customer support to ensure you continue using your remote control perfectly to enjoy your TV programs.
Connectivity Options
Denon Connectivity Options
Power consumption by Denon devices varies from device to device. For example, the power range for an average entry-level Denon receiver is around 140 watts for 1 channel and 70 watts for 2 channels. However, the power range/consumption for an average soundbar is roughly around 53 watts.
To make the best use of your Denon device, it would be best to read through the user manuals to understand the power range of the particular device.
Sony Connectivity Options
When it comes to connectivity options, Sony is one of the most evolving brands in the market today. For instance, Sony Bravia (Bravia is a Sony brand) comes with a wide range of connectivity options, from USB to wireless connectivity channels.
Some of the connectivity options supported by different Sony products include:
-
- RCA for older products
- USB ports
- HDMI ports for digital connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Composite video inputs
- Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity
Power Range
Denon Power Range
Power consumption by Denon devices varies from device to device. For example, the power range for an average entry-level Denon receiver is around 140 watts for 1 channel and 70 watts for 2 channels. However, the power range/consumption for an average soundbar is roughly around 53 watts.
To make the best use of your Denon device, it would be best to read through the user manuals to understand the power range of the particular device.
SonyPower Range
Like many audio products in the market, Sony products work perfectly well with the conventional power range of 110 V – 240 V.
They have a shallow standby power consumption, and the TVs are built with a power-saving mode backlight on and off control to help minimize power consumption.
Frequency Response
Denon Frequency Response
Most Denon portable bookshelf speakers have a frequency range of around 80Hz – 100Hz. But the range common to most portable speakers is 80Hz. However, Denon AVR Receivers such as the AVR X4000H have a frequency range of 16Hz to 200Hz.
Sony Frequency Response
Most Sony audio products deliver within the frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. This frequency range effectively supports a good delivery of audio outputs for Sony speakers, subwoofers, and even Sony TVs.
Conclusion
Denon is a brand that dates back to the early days of sound systems, but because it produces quality sound systems, it still owns the market. Denon products are quite affordable, with quality that outweighs the price. Although every product comes with its flaws, Denon produces those that can be easily overlooked.
Sony is good for playing jazz sound. The brand is versatile with numerous connectivity options and good build quality. Besides, there are products for all price ranges.