I recenly replaced my Sony STRD-865 receiver with a new Denon AVR-2700 and here are my opinions: 1. So far I am Not satisfied with the bass response of the Denon. I've read some of the other reviews of the Denon and I see that some other people feel the same way. I turned the subwoofer control on and off, and still I don't think it is satisfactory. The Denon otherwise has beautiful sound. The highs are crisp, but not too bright. And the Cinema EQ makes movie dialogue sound life-like and pleasant to the ears. The adjustability of the delay and speaker level is great. I just wish there was a loudness feature or something.
2. The remote control is very well laid out, with very easy to use and understand on-screen menus. The remote was easy to set up and it actually operates all my other components unlike other universals I have tried. You can even program macros to complete a series of functions with the touch of one button! The owner's manual is not so great though. It is very vague and does not clarify what each specific setting does. I read it twice, and I eventually gave up trying to understand the poor wording and poor directions.
3. The build quality of the Denon is Top notch. This thing is a solid 29 pounds, and has plenty of ugradability and expandability with the digital inputs and can be upgaded to DTS later down the road.
4. Denon pays attention to detail, and it shows. The display can be set to 3 different brightness levels, or turn it off. There is a button on the remote for just about everything. The five channel stereo is a great feature. Overall I am glad I bought the Denon, although there are a few things that I would change if I could. Any questions or comments? Email me-Muchotaco@hotmail.com

I have been looking to begin a above average HTS for a while now. I looked around many stores and after listening to many receivers, I bought the Denon AVR2700. I do not however have a full surround set of speakers, but have borrowed my friends Bose set and his paradigm powered sub for the numerous keg parties I throw in my back yard. It rips sh*t. 5 Channel speaker is worth it alone. I am not an audiofreak but I do know that when the bass starts kickin, the people start jumpin, the sound is great. My next purchase will be a speaker setup that will compliment such a good reciever. Does anyone have any suggestions or recomendations for speakers. I want to spend anywhere from $700 to $1000. Mail me. I give this 4 stars cause I have not used it for DVD yet

I purchased a Dennon 2700 about 2 months ago. I really like the sound it puts out. I got a real good deal on the Dennon at Audio King for $588. I use this system to listen to normal TV Stereo broadcasts... I like the Stereo function. For CD's I like to listen in the 5 Speaker function... the Dennon does a great surround sound in this mode.. much better than Dolby Surrond. For DVD, most of the movies I've rented are in Dolby Digital, but a few have been in 5.1... wow. Really feels like your in the theater. Try Armagedon.... I live in an apartment and even on a low volume setting, the place literally shook!
This system does not have DTS built in, so if you feel that's a real need, you should look at something else or plan on purchasing a DVD with DTS built in. The 2700 also does not have the heavy duty power amps of some of it's big brothers, but for the price, I think it's one of the best deals out there.

I researched the Web for speakers. I was looking for a set of small speakers and a sub woofer. The Bose were basically overrated for the price. I too was looking for something in the $1000 range. I narrowed my search to 3 speaker systems:

Boston Accoustics Micro series - I liked these speakers. They have an aluminum
enclosure for the fronts... but they are very small and didn't have the mid range.

Klisph Quintet - These speakers have a really neat mounting system. A leg bracket that lets the speakers move and tilt and also doubles as a wall mount. Again, these are small speakers and don't have the mid-range.

I read reviews on the above and kept coming accross the Energy Take-5 system. Though not rated as good for HT, they were rated tops for stereo. However again, these speakers are very small and don't have any mid range (you can get good base from the sub, so you don't need bigg woofers). Although I didn't want the Take-5, the writeups put me on the track to look at other Energy speakers.

I finally settled on the Energy XL series. These are great speakers! I purchased the e:XL16's. These are about 12x7x11 inch enclosures, look pretty need and have great sound. The recommended HT set up for these is a pair of XL16s for the front mains, an e: XLC(center), e: XLR's for the rears and I went with a e:XL10S for the sub woofer. However when at the store I decided I didn't like the rears (looks/mounting). I decided to go with the e:XL16's all around. I really like the set up.

Price: I checked with some mail order firms... got some quotes from what I felt were reputable dealers from California (good reviews from other Web purchasers). I also looked for a local dealer and found one in Winona, MN which is about 50 miles from Rochester, MN where I live. I told him what the price was that I'd gotten off the Web and he said he'd sell them to me for that! Price was:

e:XL16 $398 (4)
e:XL C $139 (1)
e:XL10S $289 (1)

Total Price without cables: $826 + tax

Dealer: Audio Designs 1-888-452-8346
(Salesman I worked with was: Joe Brewton)

Try to listen to these if you can.

Just finished reading the reviews of the 2700. It's surprising that some folksthink it lacks in the bottom end. That has not been my experience. I wonder
whether some of these folks know what neutral, natural sound is like. Not a
criticism, just an observation based on discussions with people who think
a grossly overdriven bass is the be-all/end-all in audio. To these people my first suggestion is to check speaker placement; then check your tone controls; finally examine your listening habits. If you're a pop or rock freak, you may not be accustomed to hearing full range music realistically produced and reproduced.

Mine is set up a little different from the norm. I use only three channels of the receiver: center, left surround and right surround simply because the front stereo is too good to leave out of the loop ( separates and very analytical ). The Denon mates with them beautifully, though I would never argue that in pure stereo it could equal my normal stereo separates. But in DVD it really shines. Two discs I recommend for both audio and video are: Das Boot and Mimic. With a SW powered up and the digitally remastered soundtrack on Das Boot, you will shake the walls when listening to the sub's screws. Mimic has some amazing ambient information ( and it's a very clean soundtrack also ).

Anyway, I recognize the subjectivity of this kind of stuff, but in general agree that in its price range it cannot be beat. But there is other good equipment. This just happens to best appeal to my tastes. I don't believe in perfection so so will give it a 4+ rating. Denon is a very good company and real innovators.

Value, features, quality

No DTS

Got a great price on this discontinued model. DTS wasn't worth the extra $120+ to me. Don't think I can say much that hasn't been said before.

Similar Products Used:

Pinoeer, Yamaha receivers

Great sound, flexible digital inputs, 6 channel analog input, 5 channel stereo

Not DTS, terrible remote control

This is a great receiver! It has plenty of power for modest sized speakers. It is very easy to use and sounds great. The digital inputs can be assigned to any input, making them extremely flexible. The only things that are missing is DTS and a good remote. Pick up the Cinema-6 remote (available at WalMart for about $20) and you'll be a happy camper.

Excellent inputs, Dolby digital, 5 channel stereo mode.

On screen menus

An excellent AV receiver at an affordable price.

Excellent performer for both music and movies, extremely easy to set up and use.

No DTS decoder.

This is an excellent and affordable receiver that excels at both home theater and music. It is extremely easy to use and has been trouble free for the 6 months I have had it. I would highly recommend the Denon AVR 2700.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer DV-414 dvd player, Energy Take 5 w/10" sub

5 channel stereo, excellent input, good build quality, On screen display

Remote control-No direct access to the audio/DSP mode, need to cycle through one by one. No DTS

I owned this 2700 for 5 months and I love it so much. I upgrade this from a 2 year old JVC 770 and I could tell a big different why people go for Denon. The sound is so clean and sweet, not like JVC, the sound is bright at high and very unnatural. I like the Dolby Digital mode. I don’t have the sub yet but the neighbor already complaint the bass that rattles their carpeted floor. I can’t imagine how it sounds when I put on a sub with its LFE.
Now I spend more time to baby-sit my HT system at home than watching movie in the theater. I love the 5-channel stereo. My guests were impressed when I used it during party. It is a great receiver for the its price and value.

Here is my system : Receiver : Denon AVR-2700,
CD player: Denon DCM-360,
DVD player: Toshiba 2109,
Front Speaker: AR 310HO,
Center channel speakers :AR CS25,
Surround : Cheepo KLH bookself

Similar Products Used:

Denon DCM-360 CD player, Toshiba 2109 DVD player, AR 310HO main speakers. AR CS25 center channel speaker.

Price and sound

Setup instructions suck

Good unit for the price but very difficult to understand the setup instructions. I have a AVR 3300 on order.