Design

First, let us consider the design. With their appearance, none of these receivers will really wow you. Both have a clean front panel, few buttons, and a clear display in that traditional black box look. The X2700H leans more futuristic, but the S960H has a more conventional vibe.

Still, the simplicity of the X2700H strikes me as something rather notable. You are not becoming overburdened with pointless switches or calls. Denon keeps things simple, with most controls accessible on the remote or in the app. If you, like me, want a neat living room arrangement, it helps to keep the clutter under control.

Conversely, should you have limited room, both units are somewhat heavy. These are not little gadgets, hence if you have never handled a high-end receiver before, the weight might be a bit of a surprise. So, maybe consider your arrangement in light of your limited space. Still, the design is solid—nothing innovative—but practical and aesthetically pleasing as long as you're OK with the scale.

Connectivity

These receivers start to flex here now. When you are configuring a home theater, connectivity is crucial; both the S960H and X2700H are equipped. The X2700H is somewhat preferable, however, if you want a straightforward, easy-to-connect gadget.

While the S960H also has 6 HDMI inputs, the X2700H provides 7. If you like me and run many devices—a gaming console, a Blu-ray player, maybe even a streaming device—you won't have any problem plugging them all in. Both support 8K; unless you already have an 8K TV (which I do not), it is not a deal-breaker. Still, knowing you are future-proofed with any model is encouraging.

There is a catch, however. The X2700H has a more seamless Bluetooth and Wi-Fi configuration. Compared to the S960H, which seemed to have an additional step or two, I had less problem getting things operating. Not very tech-savvy might be a minor but frustrating obstacle.

But with its 2.1 HDMI capability, the S960H edges ahead here as well. For players, it's a game-changer. My PS5 linked up with clearly smooth frame rates and no-lag gameplay. If you consider gaming to be important, the S960H could be your first choice. The X2700H can also do it, but the S960H seemed just a little more gaming-oriented.

Both companies endorse all the well-known streaming services, including Spotify, Tidal, and Deezer. Both of them support AirPlay 2, which is a major benefit if you use Apple devices; you can stream right from your phone without hassle.

Performance

While the S960H provides somewhat less at 90 watts per channel, the Denon AVR X2700H offers you 95 watts per channel. Though it's not a large difference, an additional five watts is particularly important when you're blasting the volume during an action moment. The X2700H delivers a little more force. It has deeper depth, particularly in the middle, but not necessarily loudness.

After experimenting with a few musical genres and films, I found this: The S960H shines with podcasts or programs with plenty of conversation. Even at lower settings, voices come through perfectly clean, something I valued during late-night binge-viewing of episodes like The Leftovers. Yet the X2700H? Your ticket for complete immersion is that one. Watching an action movie causes the highs to be acute without being piercing and the lows pound. Your chest starts to tighten, precisely what you want from a home theatre system.

For Dolby Atmos aficionados, both receivers treat it like a dream. In my experience, however, the X2700H seemed more active. With two ceiling speakers, I built up a 5.1.2 system where the overhead sound seemed more realistic. The S960H is unique, however the X2700H was a little bit more captivating. You will value the tiny variations here if surround sound is your passion.

Having said that, the S960H is more than enough if you're not the kind to fix every little detail. Rich, full, most people won't notice a significant difference unless you are directly comparing the two.

Where and When to Use

Given your medium- to large-sized living space, both of them will fit well. For a smaller location, the X2700H might be overkill; yet, it excels in larger spaces where you want to surround every corner with sound. It's ideal for weekend movie evenings and will impress guests with how it changes the venue if you have events.

Conversely, the S960H seems to be the superior all-arounder. You won't feel as if you're missing anything whether you're arranging in an apartment or have a smaller living room. Though it doesn't shout for attention like the X2700H, it does all you need it for and performs as required.

Compatible Devices

When it comes to fit, both designs are flexible. I tried with an Apple TV, an older Blu-ray player, and a PS5 and found no problems across the mix. With its additional HDMI connector, the X2700H looks to be somewhat more future-proof, but the S960H addresses all the fundamentals.

The X2700H blends beautifully with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for someone who already has smart home devices. Although the S960H enables voice control as well, I felt the X2700H responded somewhat faster when using Alexa.

Ease of Use

If you're not acquainted with AV configurations, receivers like these may be frightening. Denon does, however, do a quite decent job of ensuring the first setup is easily navigable. On both models, the on-screen setup assistance walks you through every stage; while it may be a bit tiresome, it is simple.

The X2700H's remote seems a little more user-friendly, and the receiver's own UI is only slightly refined. The X2700H could be a better option for someone like you who wants to just set it and forget it. Though not difficult to use, the S960H seems a little more old-fashioned in its operation.

Cost

Given the greater power and features, the X2700H is more expensive than the S960H at the time of writing makes sense. The S960H is great value, nevertheless, if your budget is tighter and you do not need the extra horsepower.

The X2700H feels more premium for the additional expense, but if you're not a major audiophile or someone with a larger space to fill, you could be just as delighted saving a little amount of money and using the S960H.