Denon AVR-S570BT Review: Budget 8K AVR Worth Buying?
The Denon AVR-S570BT 5.2 Channel AV Receiver earns a solid 8.5/10 from cross-platform user feedback, with standout praise for its sound quality, ease of setup, and 8K video support. While marketed as a future-proof entry-level AVR, digging deeper into user reports shows it’s better suited for small to medium home theaters than advanced multi-zone setups. Across Amazon, Best Buy, Reddit, and Trustpilot, owners consistently highlight “great, clean, powerful sound” and “super easy setup,” but also note limitations like the lack of Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi, and multi-zone output.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — excellent for budget-conscious home theater enthusiasts prioritizing 8K video and Bluetooth audio, but less ideal for multi-zone or high-channel immersive setups.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Crisp, powerful sound quality | No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X |
| Simple, guided setup process | No multi-zone capability |
| Reliable Bluetooth streaming | Lacks Wi-Fi and smart assistant integration |
| 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz HDMI 2.1 support | Only one HDMI output |
| Affordable price point | Limited analog/digital inputs |
| Effective auto speaker calibration | No phono input for turntables |
Claims vs Reality
Denon’s marketing emphasizes “8K ultra HD and enhanced gaming experience,” and on this point, user feedback confirms the claim. Best Buy reviewers mention flawless compatibility with “my 4K-120Hz TV,” and Reddit user reports back that it “goes great with my 4K-120Hz TV” for both movies and gaming. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) are appreciated by console gamers, with one Trustpilot reviewer noting “lag-free response and immersive sound that puts you in the middle of the action.”
However, Denon’s positioning as a “true surround sound experience” glosses over the absence of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, a gap that more advanced home theater builders quickly notice. A Best Buy customer pointedly remarked, “sound quality is good, but the unit is not set up to allow the flexibility of sound in just one room or throughout the house.” This aligns with the spec sheet — it’s strictly a 5.2 channel unit with no height virtualization or multi-zone audio.
The “wireless music streaming via Bluetooth” claim stands up well in practice. Multiple Best Buy reviewers praise the Bluetooth for ease and reliability, with one noting, “works perfectly streaming from my iPhone 15 Pro Max.” But while Denon’s site lists Alexa and HEOS in the broader brand ecosystem, verified buyers confirm this model lacks Wi-Fi and voice assistant integration, making it less versatile for smart home setups.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Sound quality is the most consistent high point. Across Best Buy’s 4.5-star average and Amazon’s 4.3-star rating, customers call it “great, clean, powerful” and “acoustically awesome” when paired with quality speakers like Klipsch. A verified Best Buy buyer wrote, “plenty of power to run my Bose speakers; easy to use with the TV.” The discrete 70W per channel amplification, while modest on paper, delivers satisfying volume and clarity for typical living room setups.
Ease of setup is another strong suit. Denon’s guided on-screen assistant earns repeated praise for making installation “simple and straightforward,” especially for users integrating older speaker systems with modern smart TVs. Reddit users highlight the software’s step-by-step guidance: “Denon’s AVR tuner made installation simple and easy with their software walking me through the process.”
Video handling capabilities — 8K pass-through, HDR10+, Dolby Vision — are validated in user anecdotes. Gamers and movie enthusiasts enjoy smooth visuals; one Reddit commenter stated it’s “perfect for my living room stereo system… goes great with my 4K-120Hz TV.”
Common Complaints
The lack of multi-zone support frustrates some buyers upgrading from older receivers. A Best Buy review laments, “I have only one option on a multi-channel device,” with Denon support confirming the absence of zone 2. Similarly, there’s no phono input, limiting direct turntable connectivity without a preamp — a gap for vinyl listeners.
Feature omissions like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Wi-Fi stand out for tech-savvy users. A Trustpilot reviewer lists “no Dolby Atmos height virtualization, no Wi-Fi, and does not work with Amazon Alexa” as deal-breakers for their setup. Input count is another pain point — fewer HDMI ports than older Denon models and limited analog/digital inputs can constrain complex systems.
Some users dislike the reliance on an on-screen UI for audio adjustments. A Best Buy buyer misses “old knobs for bass, treble, and balance,” finding it inconvenient to connect to a TV for settings.
Divisive Features
Power output sparks debate. For small rooms, 70W per channel is ample, but advanced users compare it unfavorably to higher-end Denon or Yamaha models. One Best Buy reviewer upgraded to a Yamaha after finding it underpowered for their needs, while others call it “plenty of power” for their speakers.
Bluetooth performance is generally solid, but a few audiophiles note its limitations compared to Wi-Fi streaming in higher-tier Denon units. Still, for casual streaming, most find it “flawless.”
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and Reddit feedback indicate stable performance over months of use. There are no widespread reports of early failures, and buyers of refurbished units echo positive experiences — “no flaws with this system” appears in multiple comments. The Denon brand reputation for durability reinforces buyer confidence, with several noting they replaced decade-old Denon units with the AVR-S570BT.
No scam concerns emerge; the only caution is ensuring buyers select the correct model for their needs, as mistaken expectations (multi-zone, Atmos) lead to disappointment.
Alternatives
Within Denon’s 2022 lineup, the AVR-S970H offers 7.2 channels, zone 2 support, and HEOS integration, making it a better fit for multi-room audio. For immersive audio, the AVR-X1700H adds Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Best Buy reviewers suggest these models for those needing more flexibility, while affirming the AVR-S570BT’s value for entry-level setups.
Price & Value
New units retail around $399–$449, with refurbished options as low as $299 and used eBay listings under $250. The competitive price makes it an attractive buy for first-time home theater builders. Resale value holds reasonably well due to Denon’s brand cachet, with working units selling quickly on secondary markets.
Community buying tips emphasize matching the AVR’s capabilities to your room and speaker setup. If you don’t need Atmos or multi-zone, the AVR-S570BT’s combination of HDMI 2.1, auto calibration, and clean sound is hard to beat at its tier.
FAQ
Q: Does the Denon AVR-S570BT support Dolby Atmos?
A: No, it supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD but lacks Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, making it unsuitable for height channel setups.
Q: Can I stream music over Wi-Fi?
A: No, it only has Bluetooth for wireless streaming. Wi-Fi-based HEOS is available in higher-tier Denon models.
Q: Is it good for gaming?
A: Yes, gamers benefit from HDMI 2.1 features like VRR, ALLM, and 4K/120Hz pass-through, delivering smooth visuals and responsive audio.
Q: Can I connect a turntable directly?
A: Not without a phono preamp, as it lacks a dedicated phono input.
Q: How easy is setup for beginners?
A: Very easy — the on-screen assistant guides users step-by-step, making it beginner-friendly.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a budget-conscious home theater enthusiast with a single-room setup and value ease of use, clean sound, and modern HDMI 2.1 features. Avoid if you need multi-zone, Dolby Atmos, or Wi-Fi streaming. Pro tip from the community: pair it with quality speakers and let the auto calibration do its work — “movies are acoustically awesome” when room-tuned.
