Clean sound. Great theater mode. Excellent channel separation

Not much bass. Average remote

Just got this one for a week. Overall, it is a nice unit. Nice appearance. The home theater modes for movies are far better than the average. Every channel delivers clean smooth sound.

My main problem with this unit it that it is a bit too cold. I've had a old Pioneer pro-logic receiver for a few years. Paired with my Klipsch reference speakers, the old puppy produces powerful and "in your face" music tonicity, especially in it studio mode. My RF-3s and RC (best speakers you can buy under $3,000, IMHO) put out ground shaking bass, near life vocal reproduction. Musically (for CD playing), Denon 1801 is quite different. It is too clean to an extent of being cold. Classical and soft rock CDs sound no life. It sends LFE exclusively to subwoofer, which is not much to begin with. Changing speaker size setup woundn't help much. If you don't have a good sub, it is hard to enjoy music. I also feel that the vocal is quite distant and weak. Maybe Denon and Klipsch don't work together well. Suggestions are welcome.

On the plus side. This Denon does DVD movies far better than any other brands that I have tried in this price range. Silky clean sound stage. It is so pure that you can detect minor problems in recording. It also looks professional, -- good for showing off -- kidding.

Overall, it is a good piece for HT. For music, try something else -- Onkyo maybe

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer. Listened to Onkyo, HK, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha.

I love this receiver. Right out of the box I hooked it up to my Definitive BP10s and the sound was smooth and deep. I like the all the parameters that you are able to adjust in every Sound Field. One of the parameters I like is that the speakers are set up automatically(time delay) by entering in the distance from the speaker to the listening area. Maybe this is standard now, buy my Sony did not do this.

I heard about the remote and was kind of worried. When I got it, the only thing that I do not care for is that it only will control Denon audio sources (My Toshiba DVD, Sanyo VCR and my Phillips TV are controlled). The only other thing is that I wish the remote had a number pad on it for TV use.

I highly recommend this unit to anyone looking for a solid and reasonably priced receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-D1015(120 watts per cannel, does not compare to the 70 the Denon puts out.)

Clean and smooth sound, runs cool, quality for price

none.(some say that remote is confusing, but it doesn't bother me at all, cause i think remote is not so important to me)

This is a very good receiver from Denon (like other products are too cool etc. 1400 and 1800). Before i buy 1801 i was listen 1800 my brothers house and it sounds amazing. DD/DTS decoders and DAC's are made for quality of Denon (other products too). If you want quality for low price choose Denon. I recommend this unit to everyboy who watch movies lot and listen music (This is great in movies, but works also music,superb!!!).

warm sound 5 channel stereo

remote

i have been going through yamaha hell lately. i realy like the yamaha line but out of the three i tried (596,496,795a) they were just to bright. i also tried the pioneer elite vsx-21 and although not as bright, it didnt have the wide sound stage i liked from the yamaha. all of these are very good receivers but didnt seem to pair well with my speakers. i then stumbled across the denon and the first night i could hear a big difference. not as bright, and a wonderful sound stage. very open. the warm sound of this unit put me to sleep last night while listening to some classical music. i love the 5 channel stereo. would'nt mind a little more power but i think im topped out on budget now. this unit still puts out some very dynamic sound though. i believe i have made my choice. highly recomended.

Similar Products Used:

pioneer elite, yamaha