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Denon AVR-2309CI
Manufacturer: Denon Electronics Ltd. Part number: AVR-2309CI
- CNET Editor rating: Not yet rated
- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews
- More product information:
- Editors' blog post
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Description:
- Marketing description is not available.
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| Advanced Lamps | Not yet rated | In stock | as of 11/25/2009 |
CNET editors' blog post
By Matthew Moskovciak, 05/21/08
The Denon 2809CI
Denon has announced several new AV receivers for 2008, ranging from $1,200 down to $300. While last year's line of AV receivers marked a huge break from previous generations--with a colorful graphical user interfaces and curvy exterior design--the 2008 line looks to mostly continue the innovations from last year. The initial announcement lacked most of the important specifics we'd like to know about these receivers, but we have a broad idea of what they will offer.
All receivers will feature Audyssey Dynamic Volume, which is a sound processing mode that aims to keep volume at a stable level while you watch, so commercials don't sound louder than shows and explosions in movies won't startle you. We haven't tested Audyssey Dynamic Volume ourselves, but we could see it being a popular feature as varying sound levels is a complaint we often hear. All the new receivers will also have Audyssey Dynamic EQ, which is designed to make softer passages sound richer. While it's always nice to have these options, we're betting audiophiles will shun both of these sound processing modes as they tend to distort audio, either stripping it of its impact or making it artificially bassy.
The six most expensive models (AVR-2809CI, AVR-2309CI, AVR-1909, AVR-989, AVR-889, and AVR-789) feature upconversion of analog signals up to 1080p, as well as onboard decoding for high-resolution audio soundtracks, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. HDMI connectivity wasn't released for all models, but Denon did specify how many inputs a few of the receivers will have: two for the AVR-589, three for the AVR-689 and AVR-789, and four for the AVR-889 and AVR-989. The AVR-2809CI will offer three-zone, three source capability, meaning you can listen to three separate audio sources in three different rooms. All other receivers feature two-zone, two source capability.
According to Electronic House, the new receivers will be available in July. The suggested retail prices of the announced models is as follows: AVR-2809CI ($1,200), AVR-2309CI ($850), AVR-1909 ($650), AVR-1709 ($450), AVR-1609 ($350), AVR-989 ($1,200), AVR-889 ($750), AVR-789 ($600), AVR-689 ($400), and AVR-589 ($300).
User reviews
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Quality sound, lots of features
Pros: Warm sound, good picture with HDMI, good MultiEQ performance, very nice DynamicEQ & Dynamic Volume features, graphic equalizer for added flexibility, enough clean power for medium sized rooms.
Cons: Set-up requires time for best output, uncomfortable remote, detailed yet tiring manual, 2-channel analogue source decoding into prologic/neo not the best, may sound a bit sluggish and bassy for some, average standard tv upscaling.
Summary: This is my first Denon experience. Overall I am just happy with its performance. However it requires patience to get the best out of this capable unit in challenging rooms (...
Summary: This is my first Denon experience. Overall I am just happy with its performance. However it requires patience to get the best out of this capable unit in challenging rooms (mine in living room of 11x15 feet). That way starters in HT may complain a lot while hardcore HT lovers may not fall in love with it. Optimal set-up requires patience/knowledge of AVRs and the uncomfortable remote coupled with the "too" detailed manual do not help things.
There is enough power to shake mid-sized rooms and the sound is typical of Denon-warm with leaning towards lower-mids and high-low frequencies. This becomes more evident if someone tries to use "large" floorstanders without subwoofer (like me). Again some finer details of upper-mids and highs may sound muddled in some sources. The MultiEQ should do a good job (again depending upon rooms, placements, furniture, etc). But one can do a lot with the DynamicEQ/Dynamic Volume or the Manual (graphic equalizer) settings to suit the output to ones liking. I found the prologic/neo decoding for 2 channel source lacking in depth, warmth and imaging. Other DSPs are satisfacory but highly limited compared to if one has experienced Yamaha products (Yamaha DSPs really spoils you to that you never like any other DSPs). However two-channel reproduction is very good with this unit.
Video performance with HDMI is likeable with any source. However non-HDMI performance may marginally suffer with poor sources. I am not sure but the FM reception has much more noise compared to my Kenwood hi-fi or earlier Yamaha AVR.
Connectivity is liberal except for limiting (for some) assignable inputs to digital inputs/component video inputs only. Also one pair of AUX at the rear would have been more helpful (apart from 1 AUX input in front panel).
I feel this unit is very much capable of reproducing very good quality sound both with music & movies. However one need to have the patience to explore all that it offers to get the best out of it.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Perfect for Multiple HD Devices
by emarido on February 9, 2009
Pros: Auto Setup works great, tons of inputs, dynamic volume works, Video upconversion works, looks good
Cons: Price, Manual, OSD (On Screen Display)
Summary: Auto Setup - I had an older model Denon before this and upgraded for the HDMI connectivty. I was never able to get HDMI to pass sound to my TV ...
Summary: Auto Setup - I had an older model Denon before this and upgraded for the HDMI connectivty. I was never able to get HDMI to pass sound to my TV and then Audio Out from the TV to the reciever. I also never got surround sound truly working or balanced correctly when it did work. The auto setup with a microphone in the middle of the room works great. It takes 2 minutes and makes a pulsing nosie from each speaker. The volume truly sounded great after. Surround while watching movies was perfect. Wiring was actually not that bad but as with any reciever, it can be a real pain. If you are using HDMI you have nothing to worry about.
A big plus about this is not only upscaling to 1080p which makes your non-HD or lower HD content look great on the bigscreen...but all of your component video in goes HDMI out. You only need to send one cable to your TV which is awesome. In my case I have 4 HDMIs and my Wii (component) cables going in but only one HDMI going to the TV.
Looks I think the unit looks good, especially an ugprade over my older Denon but I think the simpler look of the 2809ci would have been nice to see on teh 2309ci. Alot of the setup buttons on the front don't need to be displayed all the time. Just a personal issue.
Dynamic Volume - This is really cool and works. I always have friends complaining when we watch TV to turn the volume down during commercials because now a days, stations like NBC use the trick to grab your attention during ads. Well as soon as you go into commercial break and the volume goes up, or even if you change channels, you'll see the front of the reciever tell you how much it is adjusting volume so that to you the listener, you don't notice a difference. It really works great. Its something that you are so used to dealing with you may say...ahh forget it, its not worth it, but it is.
Upconversion - The upscaling looks great. Not sure if it was my blu ray player or the reciever or both but DVDs looked incredilble on my TV. I May try testing out watching a DVD on my Wii (assuming i can do that) to see the real effect of the upscaling.
Connectivity - So I own a Wii, Xbox, AppleTV, Bluray and Cable box. I also like to have an auxillary hdmi for my laptop or my room mates laptop. With the 4HDMI in, we really are able to connect as many thigns as we want. The beauty is the extra component cables essentially being the equivelant of HDMI (since they will leave the reciever via the HDMI Monitor)
Sound - I am not an audioholic or whatever but for me the sound is great. I live in a small apartment so sound isn't the most important or easily detectable thing.
All in all, if you have a lot of components, consider this reciever for a headacheless setup.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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warm sound great features
by jrossi311 on October 26, 2008
Pros: 4 HDMI inputs
multi room capability in low price point
Audyssey Dynamic volume great for aprtments and blaring commerclsCons: need time and knowlage to assign inputs especialy connecting the optical cables with component cables
Summary: This is my first Denon after having a Yamaha for several years. When I upgraded to a 1080p TV I realized that my old reciever was way out of date. ...
Summary: This is my first Denon after having a Yamaha for several years. When I upgraded to a 1080p TV I realized that my old reciever was way out of date. This reciever made a huge difference in picture quality as soon as I pluged it in and the upconversion is great. It does take a long while to get all of the sound fields set up to your liking. The microphone is tempting to use but it put way to much emphasis on my center chanel and got almost nothing out of the surround. All and all this is a great product and after you put in the time for the initial set up it will be delivering clear warm sounds that fill the room. I recomend this product
a couple of miss types. I do own the AVR-2309ci Not the 2909
my setup:
Sony 40" XBR
Denon AVR-2909ci Reciever
Nintendo
PS3
Harmony One remote (best purchase ever)
Paradyme Center
Monitor book shelf
Klipsh Surround
Updated on Oct 26, 2008
and miss spelled commercials1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Denon Electronics Ltd.
- Part number: AVR-2309CI
- Description: Marketing description is not available.
General
- Product Type AV receiver
Audio System
- Sound Output Mode Surround Sound
- Built-in Decoders DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS-HD Master Audio
- Surround Sound Effects Neural Surround
- Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Yes
- Surround System Class 7.1 channel
- Additional Features Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Dual-zone capability, XM satellite radio ready, Sirius satellite radio ready
Connections / Cables / Slots
- HD connectors HDMI connection(s) on this receiver make it a great choice for your High-Def home theater. One cable carries digital audio and video data directly to your display.
Signal Processing Features
- HDMI Switching Yes
- HDMI Version 1.3a
- HDMI Pass-Through Up to 1080p
- Video Conversion/Scaling Analog to HDMI up conversion
- Upscaling via HDMI Up to 1080p
Connectors
- Headphone Jack Yes
Radio
- Type Radio tuner - AM/FM - Digital
Remote Control
- Remote Control Universal remote control
Remote Control (2nd)
- Type Remote control
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Phone stereo 6.25 mm ) - Front, 1 x Composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Front, 1 x SPDIF input - Front, 1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Front, HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Rear, HDMI output ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Rear
Power
- Power Device Power supply - Internal
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Auto calibration microphone
Manufacturer info
- Denon Electronics Ltd.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Denon Electronics Ltd. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.usa.denon.com/
- Address:
P.O. Box 867, Pine Brook, NJ 07058-0867 - Phone: (973) 396-0810
- Fax: 973-396-7448
