The Sound Quality
Build Quality
The EQ function(which helps oddly shaped rooms, or rooms with difficult acoustics)
Connectivity

Really nothing worth mentioning

Superb sounding receiver for both music and movies. This is one of the best receivers in its class. To get better sound, you would need to go the separates route. Smooth, detailed sound. Dolby Digital Plus sounds outstanding through the analog inputs.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Pro-Logic Receiver
Harmon Kardon Pro Logic Receiver
Sony Dolby Digital Receiver
Onkyo Dolby DIgital/DTS Receiver

Mentioned above in review

THE OTHER REVIEWS RATING THE DENON AVR-3805 AT 4 OR BELOW! IT DESERVES 5 STARS IN EVERY CASE!

A simple follow up to my previous review more so to target the recent negative reviews on the Denon AVR-3805.
My first review (about 3 pages over) was clearly a very accurate review of this product, and my opinion of this receiver hasn't changed one bit. After the Denon AVR-3805 clearly acheiving the "Heavy Weight Contender" in the mid to hi-end all in one receiver via numerous post, and highly sought after by the audio enthusiast & audiophiles, by the numbers of "views per week" posted on av.com for over a year now, and also proven to be one of the "best seller" receivers according to Tweeter, Ultimate Electronics, and many other hi end audio boutique's. I really have a hard time believing any of the negative or ratings below "4" reviews here on audioreview.com.
My personal opinion? I would only imagine that Denon's main competition had their employees post negative reviews so those potential buyers would take a second look at their product before purchasing a flawless, proven time after time Denon AVR-3805.
So.... I wouldn't take any previous review that states that they were dissapointed with the 3805's perfomance seriously! Much less letting it influence my buying decision! Again, after nearly 18 months of hard demanding use, playing on average 5-7 DVD's (most in dts/dolby digital/dts-es/d.d.ex) a week, and even more DVD-Audio and SACD's per week, with my master volume at near reference levels (in most cases) in a 7.1 configuration. There simply isn't a better all in one surround sound receiver in its class period! Now, with that said, and the hi demand for such a great product, I can see a bad unit slipping by quality control once in a blue moon. But for you people that still haven't made the leap of faith to purchase one of these receivers? Your really missing out on an outstanding audio experience! One you wont forget for a long time! Now if you must have to have a HDMI output, and like XM radio, the 3806 (the 3805 with these two features) might be the receiver for you. The 3805 can now be found all over for around $800 through an authorized dealer (which I wouldn't have it any other way), and for $6-700.00 on eBay and Audiogon. The 3805 has a massive power supply hence the hi current 120 watts X 7, and Hi End Burr Brown DAC's (digital to analog conversion), Video up conversion to simplify connections on the rear panel, 5 way binding post for easy speaker cable accessability (I use banana plugs plugged straight in the terminal which minimizes confusion, and makes it much easier to connect), Alpha 24 Processing Plus (A HUGE PLUS OVER THE COMPETITION! ) for minimizing ambient noise and distortion for an incredible audio experience, and many, many more features that most other hi-end receivers have. It doens't have the THX certification simply because a certification is all THX is. A certification that simply says it passes the THX audible 20hz-20Khz test from Lucas film ltd. THX doesn't effect the sound in any manner what so ever! Believe me, I took the 4 day THX certified class in California about two years ago. The THX logo sure looks good on the front of a receiver though, but, again, doesn't effect the sound at all. The 3805 would retail around $1499 if it was THX Select, and probably $1700 or there around if it had THX Ultra. Not necessary. I've compared a few THX receivers right next to the 3805, and the 3805 wins imo. Now if your comparing this reciever to a B&K 307 or 507sr2, then the B&K is going to dominate. But not $2000 worth of domination! Yes you can get a better A/V receiver out there, but I garauntee this.... Your going to spend a whole lot more to get little improvement! Ignore nay review that rates this product a 4 or below! I simply DONT believe them! No I do not work for or have any relationship with Denon Electronics other than just being a loyal fan for over 6 years. Take this review for what its worth, and if you want to learn more about the 3805, read my previous review as I tried to do it justice then. 18 months later, Im still surprised from time to time on how the 3805 plays any audio source with such realism. God Bless! Theatrejunkie

Customer Service

Havent had to use Denons CS yet thank God!

Similar Products Used:

Too many to list! My wrist would kill me the next day if I completed this section!

5.1, 7.1 Sound reproduction and options
Two-Channel audio sound
"auto" - setup feature (outstanding job balancing speakers to my oddly shaped room to put me in the center of my 5.1 sound field)

Remote
On-screen menu system
low frequency volume in music settings

I recently purchased a set of Monitor Audio RS6's after spending a lot of time listening to speakers in the $500-$1500 range. Unfortunately I didn't spend enough time listening to the speakers paired with receivers. I'm a music teacher and listen to a lot of orchestral and jazz but enjoy RUSH, VH, Led Zepplin, and even some hip-hop/R&B. After spending WAY too much time reading reviews, I determined that with my speaker set I wanted a "warmer" receiver that could handle my music tastes and give me the movie sound I wanted.

Like other reviewers, I found the bass to be nearly non-existent, especially in the music modes. The on-screen menu system was infuriating even for someone like myself who enjoys a little tinkering here and there. I now have a great sounding system, but spent an insane amount of time manually setting each of the channels. I love the system for movies and prefer the sound to my both of my prior NAD and Yamaha A/V components. The remote simply sucks. So all in all, this machine can sound great, but it's clearly not plug & play. Plan on listening for 100+ hours to tweak the machine to your ears, especially if you listen to a lot of 5.1 audio. Two channel is my preferred listening mode and the Denon really does well now that the EQ settings are right.

Connect all video cable directly from DVD/Cable/Sat boxes to TV. Do not use the system as a connect all machine. Lots of degredation from every source I tried. I confirmed this with the retailer who tried the same system set-ups I did after my complaints about the system. He confirmed the noise and now recommends a direct connection.

Would I recommend this model? Only to a few friends. For the average guy, no way. Great sound - not quite like separate components, but a relaxed, smooth music sound. Amazing movie surround receiver. Above average music receiver. Far below average customer friendliness receiver. Wow is that menu bad! The price was right for me, but I'd audition a lot more before buying any upgrades to this model.

Similar Products Used:

NAD & Yamaha A/V receivers over the past 8 years

Many inputs
Upward coversion of Video source.
Made my so many gadgets connections very easy.
Easy setup through the AUTO setup mode.

remote drains battery.
Svideo and Composite have started giving problems since 2 months.
Half TV screen turns yello or Green when connected through Svideo or Composite.
Banana plugs ( not very convinent to fix)

Sold off my Marantz SR14EX MKII, to get much awaited 3805.
It is a great piece of equipment one could have.
Srtongly built, stylish.

Customer Service

Giving back to the dealer to get the problem fixed.

connetivity connectivity tahts all

al most too many to list (once again for this price range)sound, remote, setup sand the fact you can do much better at this price range pioneer elite maybee?

This reciever leaves alot to be desired especialy for the price.Ill start of with the connectivir=ty since it is its strong point,there is alot of connections here however the speaker terminals are far to close together and the layout is somewhat blaw in some circles this could be cancieved as intelligent. NOW lets get down to the nitty gritty,the sound of this reciever ileaves alot to be desired (at this price)the lower frequencies are almost none existant unless you crank them up in the eq section of the menu.Which brings uup another issue ,which is how difficult the menu system is now, dont get me wrong its just like everyother piece you owned in whoich you get youst to it (over time)however in the meantime its clinky and uninpiring which of course leads me back to the sound.While listening to this reciever (using a dd and dts disc downloaded online)i fouind some very problematic areas one of which is the dd decoding,it leaves so much to leave desired you'll wonder (if you are a true audiophile) if your listening to a reciever at half this price range.Now i'm sorry that i have to wright thois review about a (once) great company however you'll find out too if you buy this reciever.now the rest of the recievers sound followes a taditional SONY review which is of course the mid and highs are there in great abundance but overall lack that of a good sounding reciever.Dont be too discouraged though if you bought this reciever the connectivity is top notch and hopefully you can spare the extra change for great speakers. The speakers i used in this review were polk rti10s which make me wonder what kind of speaker it will take?

Similar Products Used:

polk rti10s, cs2,rt35 back,jbl n series front,klipsch sub ive also owned b$k reciever and denon 4802 whoich is what makes this review a heartbreaker.

I am fairly happy with this product. It has a very clean sound and performs all the functions well. The remote is a bit cumbersome. On the downside, the sound is a bit flat and unexciting. There is not a lot of life in the vocals and drums and the base does not have a lot of life in it.

I am fairly happy with this product. It has a very clean sound and performs all the functions well. The remote is a bit cumbersome. On the downside, the sound is a bit flat and unexciting. There is not a lot of life in the vocals and drums and the base does not have a lot of life in it.

Sound Quality Looks Dependability

none

Just hooked up my new Denon 3805.WOW just doesn't say enough! I replaced a Sony STR-DE685. The Sony gave me no trouble and isn't a bad first receiver for the price. But I knew after all the reviews I read about the BIC speakers that my Sony was the "weak link". My BIC's are the extensively modified version direct from Ed Frias.(see reviews on this site) Not much else needs to be said about Ed's work! This Denon receiver brought everything together. Incredible dynamic sound and smooth highs without any fatigue. It's as close to the sound of my Adcom amp as any reciever i've heard. Movies come to life and the sound effects come from a 3 dimensional sound field. The remote works fine. It lights up every time you move it, so I can see replacing the batteries quite often, but i've got four kids, we've always got batteries in the house. If you are thinking about a new A/V reciever, you'll do well to check out Denon's incredible line.

Similar Products Used:

Sony

Finish & workmanship. Sound quality. power. Excellent relation price/quality. Made in Japan. No Malasya or China crapp.

Small hard to acces speakers connections. Manual is a worthless piece of crapp. Remote control unit's a good toy for your children but not useful as control unit. Front control panel coul've benefit from a light or led to operate the buttons in the dark since the remote is useless. Gold plated connections would've been desirable even at extra cost. No microphone for auto room eq setup included (unlike yamaha and pioneer). The point were the cable exits the mic could've been better reinforced to avoid cable splitage. I would've like a an eassy instant acces eq graphic equalizer.

What can I said about this "great" piece of audio equipment that hasn't been said yet. Great construction and finish, great sound quality, excellent dynamics, channel separation, lots of power etc.etc. My original idea was to buy a Marantz SR 8500 but I couldn't find one where I live neither I had the chance to listen one. What attract me to this receiver (the Marantz) was the quality of construction (even tough it's built in Malasya or China) the toroidal transformer, copper plated chasis, gold contacts on connections, neatly arrange circuit boards and cables finnish of the cabinnet. Well now I am glad that I couldn't find one since I am so pleased with this Denon. The sound quality is awesome. So is the construction and workmanship.Unlike the Marantz the circuit boards are stack vertically in the Denon which accounts for beeter space use. The transformer is not toroidal but the weight of it will account for its quality the moment you'll have to lift it. The cable distribuition is neat. Altough it lacks the copper plating of the chasis of the Marantz, I couldn't find any problems concerning interference or resonance of the chasis. The connections are Ok. The owners manual sucks and so does the remote control unit. All the rest thumbs up. Well done Denon!

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Nakamichi av-1 Klipsch rf-35 audio-pro black diamond v2 floorstands audio-pro black pearls v2 bookshelfs

Fills our home theater and then some!

Should have waited for the price drop this past month.

Strong performer in every way