Denon AVR-591 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver with HDMI 1.4a supporting 1080p and 3D (Black) Review


Talk about a modern feature set. Whether or not firmware will upgrade HDMI 1.3 or not on your existing system, choosing a system with an HDMI 1.4 repeater for all inputs is a good idea and this unit certainly has the skill to do so. Let’s jump right into the pros and cons of the unit because it certainly isn’t perfect. As a long-time user of Pioneer/Sony ES/Denon receivers, I think Denon’s done a fair number of things pretty well.

Pros:
- HDMI on-screen Audyssey eq and assignment functions. This helps a lot because the small screen on the unit won’t suffice. Using the same technology as the Alpine imprint system (which works great in the car), you can tune to your environment. Not unique, but well done all the same
- HDMI repeater for all inputs. This is a pro and con, read more to find out why.
- HDMI 1.4 for future 3D capability. Plan for that future 3D screen (Especially good if you already own a PS3)
- Denon reputation and audio quality compared to similar priced Pioneer/Sony units
- Price, very reasonable for the feature set

Cons:
- Power rated at 6 ohms, which, as you might expect means that it doesn’t have quite the juice of its rivals (70w/channel at 8ohm). I definitely notice the lack of power with many inputs more than my previous Sony unit
- HDMI repeater is not particularly good with component inputs. Using the component inputs on the Wii, direct connection to the TV is vastly superior visually to the HDMI conversion the Denon performs
- Relatively steep learning curve. You will find a little frustration with some of the advanced functions as the manual is a bit tedious. This is par for the course though, so nothing specific to Denon.

Denon AVR-591 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver with HDMI 1.4a supporting 1080p and 3D (Black) Feature

  • Fully discrete 5-channel power amplifier delivers 75 watts per channel, 110 watts per channel
  • Decodes Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution
  • HDMI 1.4a Repeater Inputs (4) and Output (1) support 1080p/24, 3D (All formats), 7.1 Uncompressed Audio, DVD-Audio, Deep Color
  • Audyssey MultEQ automatic room acoustic measuring and correction system, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ audio processing
  • iPod/iPhone compatible via optional Denon iPod/iPhone docks. Compressed Audio Enhancer for iPod, MP3 devices and satillite radio

Denon AVR-591 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver with HDMI 1.4a supporting 1080p and 3D (Black) Overview

Performance, technology and affordability are the hallmarks of the AVR-591. A powerful 5 channel x 75W amplifier section delivers detail and dynamics to music and movie soundtracks. It’s equipped with HDMI 1.4a Repeating technology, compatible with 1080p (24fps) and 3D (all formats) allowing delivery of both audio and video to your HDTV with single HDMI cable. HDMI connectivity supports the latest generation surround sound formats available on Blu-ray disc, including Dolby TrueHD and DD+, dts-HD and dts-HR. Also included is Dolby Laboratories new Pro Logic IIz Matrix decoding featuring front height effects channels to dramatically increase the front soundstage for the ultimate surround sound experience. The AVR-591 boasts a number of Audyssey technologies. Advanced Audyssey MultEQ analyzes a speaker systems interaction with the listening room at up to six measurement points (microphone included), and then automatically corrects the response to optimize clarity and tonal balance. Audyssey Dynamic Volume is an automatic volume-leveling system that tracks audio dynamics to eliminate the irritating volume swings between TV shows and commercials. Audyssey Dynamic EQ is also on board to ensure rich bass and smooth tonal balance at low volume listening levels. In addition to enhanced HDMI 1.4a repeating (4 in, 1 out), the AVR-591 features, analog to HDMI conversion (480i to 480p) and five analog inputs. A front-panel audio/video input allows quick and easy connection of camcorders and game systems. System setup is simplified by a new, enhanced icon-based on-screen display that is delivered over HDMI. You can also connect and control your iPod/touch or iPhone using one of Denon’s available iPod/iPhone docks, which provides on-screen artist, album and song information. When connecting iPod and other MP3 players, the AVR-591 features Denon’s exclusive Compressed Audio Restorer to improve sound quality and dynamics.

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Customer Reviews

Denon receiver – Garret M. Hampton –
Thus far excellent. Really impressed with the features given the price-point (paid 5 no tax, free shipping). Use it in the bedroom system with OPPO 83 (very good) and driving B&W in ceiling CCM65s; easy to set up, easy to calibrate; easy to tweak (although I’m pretty good with this stuff); manual is OK-ish, a little painful at times if you take it literally, but you’ll get it right if you stick at it. Seems like there is plenty of slam at the bottom end, high end clarity and no muddy resonance (partly great speakers). Would think it’s hard to beat, although to be fair, I didn’t try the Onkyo at the same price point–I generally like Onkyo, but this is my third denon in as many years driving different room systems and am very impressed with quality all round. Probably couldn’t go too far wrong

perfect for a bedroom! – W. G. Brooks – Maui
I wanted to upgrade our bedroom system and came across this unit. We all know and love Denon so that part was a slam-dunk… But check out the details, it’s fully 3D ready with 1.4a HDMI, it’s got the Audyssey system for calibrating all your speakers and decodes the latest sound tracks [DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS ES 6.1 ...] and pumps out 75W/ch. –plenty enough for ANY bedroom system! WAIT WAIT WAIT, I forgot to mention the coolest part, I got this baby delivered all the way to Maui in less than a week for under 0 tax, title and tags!!! Now my system in the bedroom sounds just as good as the living room at a fraction of the cost.. and the girlfriend loves it to because we now go to bed a lot earlier!

BTW, if you didn’t already pick it up, I LOVE this receiver! All thumbs up!

Very nice – at any price! – Kelley Peagler – Springboro, OH
I received this for my Father’s Day/Birthday gift (actually I have the kit-in-a-box with the Boston Audio speakers) and it is amazing! Took me parts of two days to hook it up, as I had to disconnect the old receiver, devices and speakers, connect and configure the devices and install the home theater speakers. Fairly straightforward to configure the speakers using the Audyssey MultiEQ application. When I finally got everything hooked up and configured – impressive!! I watched my first Blu-Ray movies via PS3 (Star Trek and 2012) and my wife yelled at me because it was too loud – I had the sound at -10 db! My only complaints (and they are minor) is that I wish it had more than one component input (I have an 1G XBox 360 and a Wii), and the transition from input to input is slow. the audio seems to sync faster than the video. It can take several seconds to see the picture from the DirecTV receiver (it is a HDMI DVR, but it is probably the DVR’s problem). I’ll resolve the situation by getting a new XBox that supports HDMI and connect the Wii to the component on the receiver. Best money we’ve spent on electronics in YEARS!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 29, 2010 16:16:37

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