Home > Consumer Reviews > Denon AVR-4308CI Multizone Home Theater Receiver with Network Streaming and Wi-Fi

**Update 11.18.09: The Pioneer Elite SC-27 is fantastic. Beautiful video and sound output. I highly recommend.

I have had 3 Denon receivers in the past. Two from the 90's of which models I don't recall, but I was going to upgrade to the AVR-4308CI from the once flagship AVR-5700 that I have had for 9 or 10 years. These new receivers have plenty of great features like automated speaker setup, wifi, etc. I was prepared for the same quality of sound, at least, of the old receiver.

I currently have a 5.1 Paradigm Reference surround system. Two front, two back, Center, and Sub. Using component video inputs and optical sound inputs for HDTV/Blu-ray/Xbox/Tuner. However, this receiver will not allow me to have rears if I have no side surround. If I turn off side surround, it will not allow me to use rear surround at all. Shutting off side surround shuts off *all* surround. So I plugged the rears into side surround, which produced poor results. Then I tried turning on side surround, with the rear speakers plugged into rear, and leaving side-surround empty. This also produced poor results. Then I tried turning off surround altogether, and attempting front "faux" surround, which was very undesriable. No matter which setting I tried, the results were poor (meaning, basically, that sound was not clear and crisp and voices were mumbling or muffled.

I also tried using a Blu-ray player (LG BD390) and, from component input, I was getting horizontal dark and light monochrome artifacts. It came from this particular receiver, because I plugged in two TVs to the reciever, and the same artifacting occured with both. Plugged it back into the AVR-5700, and problem solved. I can only assume this was some attempt from the receiver to mess with video that I was never able to alter and track down in the settings.

For the sound issue, I updated all of the firmware which took 1.5 hours. I attempted to alter all of the automated settings to manual settings to try to tweak everything sound-related I could, but nothing came out un-muffled. So, I tried contacting Denon for assistance to see if they could offer suggestions. I was met with what I can only describe as patronizing "assistance" from a person who had me swap cables around and change settings I'd already changed. He acted as though there is no way the product would produce poor results, and I'm obviously an idiot.

So, in any case, plugging the AVR-5700 back in fixed every problem I had been having, so I am sending back this terrible receiver to a company I no longer respect and will purchase a Pioneer Elite SC-27 next.

This receiver was quite costly so my expectations were high. I had an older THX but non-DTS model Denon, and the sound was wonderful. The most striking difference I see is that when my cable company has a dropout, the previous Denon used to take a full second or two for the digital processor to snap back in with sound (with a loud 'tick' sound). This also happened with DVD switching from layer 1 to layer 2 in the middle of the movie.

So this one has no perceptible delay. It seems just as fast as the analog sound in the TV itself.

I am using inefficient speakers, so I still have to drive it at -9 for most movies. I had hoped to be able to operate at lower volume levels, but NHT Super Ones are not "ported" and just need more juice!

I got this beast through Amazon, through OneCall. It was an open box special and looked perfect. I could not tell it had been an open box except for the second level of packing tape. I'd do it again!

Oh, some were concerned about the video processing. The picture looks great to me!

I have had the 4308ci for about a week. The picture quality and sound are outstanding, but as others have noted, this is a complex receiver with lots of options and a very poorly written manual. I have spent hours figuring things out by trial and error. Just one example: the receiver comes with two HDMI monitor outputs. Switching from one to the other should be easy, right? Well, it is, but it's taken me a week to figure out how to do it in the grahical user interface, since its buried a couple of levels down in a HDMI setting menu. Still haven't figured out how to do it on the remote. I actually thought the unit might be defective! So, this is a receiver for those who want great quality with lots of options and are willing to work to get it.

While I would give high marks to the receiver itself, it is extremely complex. There's nothing wrong with complexity assuming the instruction manual provides guidance but the instructions that come with the AVR-4308CI are, frankly, abysmal. It is a perplexing dichotomy how a manufacturer can produce such a high quality receiver but package it with a manual that is deficient in every respect. If you buy this receiver, you need much patience and you will work hard to get it working to your satisfaction.

This unit was very easy to set up right out of the box. The audio sound from LPCM Uncompressed, Dolby True HD, or DTS MA HD Blu ray's is amazing. Lot's of power and clean sound. Each channel is easily idenfitied. Very pleased!