Review of the Supreme AVR-1910
The AVR-1910 stands out from its peers with its supreme performance. Coupled with extensive signal processing capabilities, it is packed with superior features that include the latest high resolution audio decoders, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The AVR-1910 is one of the first to include Dolby Pro Logic IIz, which provides front height channel effects, for an amazingly expansive front soundstage. The video section highlights the most up-to-date Video Reference Series processor from Anchor Bay Technologies, providing analog-to-digital video deinterlacing and upconversion to HD, with both component and HDMI outputs, and features 1080p 24Hz/60Hz HDMI pass-through. With four HDMI inputs and dual component inputs, the Denon AVR-1910 is fully equipped for present and future HD sources. The Audyssey MultEQ room acoustic measurement and correction system guarantees highest audio fidelity. This system analyses the speakers and the listening room and automatically corrects the response for the smoothest and most genuine tonal balance. Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ ensure rich tonal quality at any volume level, without outrageous volume jumps during commercial interruptions.
The capability to upconvert analog video sources has become typical on midrange receivers, but the feature is not often well-implemented, with inadequate image quality being the standard. Denon’s latest midrange model, the AVR-1910, is a standout in this characteristic, offering up the most excellent upconverted image quality out of all the receivers we’ve tested in 2009. It also delivers a solid midrange AV receiver feature set with four HDMI inputs, second zone functionality, 7.1 analog inputs, and onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The bad were mostly on the design side, with the AVR-1910 having a difficult double-sided remote, annoying back-panel design, and a text-based onscreen display (vs. a graphical user interface). Also, its price tag is on the high end for a midrange receiver and we perceived the sound quality to be only ordinary compared to its competitors. The Denon is a solid selection if you expect to combine a lot of analog video sources into your home theater or need some less common connectivity options, like switched-AC outlets or full 7.1 analog inputs. However, competing receivers offer more features for less money–often with better sound quality–and will be a better option for most buyers.
Denon’s line of AV receivers all showcase the same slightly curved front panel. The two main knobs (input select and volume) are appropriately large and are on opposite sides of the front panel. The center is dominated by a large glossy display, and underneath are few additional buttons. Just to displease obsessive home theater nerds who hate extra light sources, there’s an illuminated ring (green when on, red when off) around the power button in the lower-left-hand corner.
Its strange design with the included clicker has a series of small buttons up top to select inputs, and below is a series of important buttons that seem to be nearly randomly placed. The Denon AVR-1910 showcases an old-school text-based onscreen display, with white text on a black screen. It is not a big flaw; most people don’t access an AV receiver’s menu frequently. Still, we wish it was a little more user-friendly. On the upside, we liked the chart-based method of assigning inputs, although it forces the screen to “refresh” every time you make a change.
Luckily, the Denon AVR-1910‘s menus are more clear-cut for speaker setup. Autosetup conforms to the standard Denon/Audyssey routine we’ve used over the past few years. Plug in the included calibration microphone and the receiver automatically brings up the onscreen setup display.
Audyssey MultEQ requires the user to repeat the setup test tones up to six times, and before you start each pass you’ll need to move the microphone to a different listener location in the room. The system determines each speaker’s “size,” volume level, distance from the calibration mic position, and optimal crossover frequency relative to the subwoofer. Audyssey MultEQ also calculates EQ (equalization) curves to correct for speaker and room acoustic anomalies.