HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON

Denon AVR-X3800H vs Sony STR-AN1000

We compare the Denon AVR-X3800H and Sony STR-AN1000 head-to-head on performance, features, value, and more. Here's which one wins.

Our Pick

Denon AVR-X3800H

Scored 9.3/10 in our testing

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Best Overall

Denon AVR-X3800H

Best 9.4-channel Dolby Atmos receiver with DIRAC Live room correction

Overall:9.3/10Winner

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Best Value Atmos

Sony STR-AN1000

Best affordable 7.2-channel Dolby Atmos receiver under $500

Overall:9.2/10

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Score Breakdown

Denon AVR-X3800H	Category	Sony STR-AN1000
9.7/10 ✓	Performance	9/10
9.5/10 ✓	Features	9/10
8.5/10	Ease of Use	✓ 9.3/10
8.8/10	Value	✓ 9.5/10
9.3/10 ✓	Overall	9.2/10

Specs Comparison

Denon AVR-X3800H	Spec	Sony STR-AN1000
9.4 — full Atmos	Channels	7.2
105W per channel	Power	100W per channel
6 in / 3 out — 8K/60Hz	HDMI	6 in / 2 out — 4K/120Hz
DIRAC Live room correction	Calibration	360 Spatial Sound Mapping
HEOS, AirPlay 2, Spotify	Streaming	360RA + Atmos

Denon AVR-X3800H

Pros

+ 9.4 channels — full Atmos
+ DIRAC Live — best room correction
+ 8K HDMI passthrough
+ HEOS multi-room

Cons

− Expensive
− Complex setup for beginners
− Large and heavy
− DIRAC requires paid upgrade for full version

Sony STR-AN1000

Pros

+ Under $500 with Atmos
+ Easy phone-based calibration
+ 4K/120Hz — PS5 ready
+ 360 Reality Audio

Cons

− 7.2 — no height channel pre-outs
− Fewer HDMI inputs
− No DIRAC or Audyssey XT32
− Sony ecosystem-focused

Our Verdict

Based on our scoring, the Denon AVR-X3800H comes out on top with an overall score of 9.3/10. The Denon X3800H is the sweet spot for serious home theater. 9.4 channels support full 7.1.2 Atmos layouts. DIRAC Live room correction is dramatically better than Audyssey. 8K HDMI passthrough. HEOS multi-room streaming. This is the receiver enthusiasts upgrade to.

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Read the full Best AV Receivers Dolby Atmos 2026 guide for complete reviews of all 3 products.