Home entertainment products have already been considered an essential part of every home. Even in the radio and television era, it has always been an integral part of every family’s daily activity, watching or listening to it. After years have passed, home entertainment has benefited from technological advancements.
Now, two of the top-notch home entertainment brands with affordable prices are trying to compete which is better, the Denon or Onkyo?
Denon is one of the longest manufacturing companies of home entertainment systems that still exist today. They have always been known for their high-quality products with budget-friendly prices. They have survived the industry for many years as they were able to adapt to the advancements.
On the other hand, Onkyo, established in 1946, has been one of the top-quality home entertainment brands until now, which is expected from a Japanese company. They have earned an excellent reputation for bringing together audio engineering with cutting edge technologies.
Sound Quality
Denon

For a long time, Denon has been offering top-quality home entertainment systems. From entry-level to high-end, Denon offers AV receivers, soundbars, amplifiers, speakers, headphones, etc. Their products’ sound quality is one the most renowned in the business. I’d recommend you read my Denon AVR-S540BT review if you are interested in a mid-range receiver.
When it comes to high-quality wireless speakers, Denon’s flagship wireless speaker, Home 350, is one of the best options in the audio market. The Denon Home 350 makes an immediate impression as it is able to produce a surprising amount of bass. It also has an uncluttered mid-range and high-frequency clarity.
Denon’s flagship AV receiver will exceed your expectations of a top-quality AV receiver. The Denon AVR-X8500HA offers the perfect balance you need for a home theatre amplifier as it can produce highly impressive punchy, brawny, and loud recreation of sound. It also supports Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X to create stunning surround soundtracks.
It is really what you expect and more from the most expensive Denon AV receiver as they are highly renowned for powering any surround sound system.
Denon has always been of the best brands and most coveted for home entertainment systems, and their products’ sound quality will never fail you.
Onkyo

Onkyo is one of the brands in the home entertainment industry where audiophiles are buying its products due to its sound quality. Onkyo has top-of-the-line products for your home system setup that can produce high-quality sounds.
For Onkyo’s flagship AV receiver, the TX-8390 is a beast that aims to deliver a claimed 260W (at 6ohms) into 11 channels and offer Dolby Atmos or DTS:X surround sound configurations up to 7.2.4. It is designed for those who want to listen to authentic hi-fi sound as it is also equipped with Onkyo’s AccuEQ room-acoustic calibration.
One of the best Onkyo loudspeakers, the Onkyo D-77NE, is a 3-Way loudspeaker that offers full-scale sound to people who care deeply about music. It uses non-pressed paper as it is able to produce deeper, more rhythmic and accurate bass.
It also uses ultra-thin silk and polyester resin to provide the stiffness necessary for fast and accurate audio reproduction while reducing unwanted vibrations.
Onkyo also offers top-notch subwoofers at a budget-friendly price. The Onkyo SKW-208 is able to produce heart-pounding explosions, hypnotic basslines, and all-enveloping low-frequency effects. It distributes bass tones evenly throughout the room. Its sound quality is impressive for both watching movies and listening to music.
Onkyo’s employees are keen to stress that sound quality is more important than the product’s design; this is why the company has concentrated on sound quality rather than sheer quantity. Onkyo is really a reliable brand when it comes to sound quality.
Build Quality
Denon
Denon’s build quality has always been impressive over the years, and it is reflected in their solidly constructed products.
Denon’s flagship over-ear headphone, the Denon AH-D9200, has a unique aesthetics for a headphone. It uses a natural dampening Japanese Bamboo wood housing, and due to its unique vibration dampening properties, the Japanese Bamboo wood also produces a natural, detailed sound that rivals a concert hall. It is also very durable, light and comfortable to wear.
If you are looking for mid-tier wireless speakers with the impressive build quality, the Denon Home 250 is an excellent option. It is equipped with two dynamic tweeters, two powerful mid-drivers and a passive radiator to ensure that it will give an exceptional sound quality. It is covered with a water and stain-resistant acoustic cloth, which makes it easier to bring anywhere.
The Denon AVR-S960H is one of the cheaper options for their AV receivers. This AV receiver is very durable and rugged, thanks to its stable housing and quality components. Its aesthetics is pretty much the same as other AV receivers, but it is able to support the most advanced HDMI technologies and is compatible with all modern 3D audio formats.
Denon is known for its knack for manufacturing top-quality home entertainment systems at very affordable prices. Their build quality has always been fantastic, and this can be seen in all of their products.
Onkyo
Onkyo is one of the top brands in the home entertainment industry. Onkyo’s products are impressive and reliable for their price, especially in their entry-level line. Their products are designed to last.
If you are considering purchasing a cheap AV receiver with an excellent quality build, then maybe the Onkyo NR585 is a great option for you. Even though it is one of the cheapest AV receivers from Onkyo, this AV receiver still has the standard quality build of Onkyo, which is known for its durability. It is also built with direct source buttons, which is super helpful.
Onkyo also manufactures top-quality subwoofers. An example of it is the Onkyo SKW-770. It is built with a robust cabinet construction and quality audio components that allows the subwoofer to reach way down deep, providing a fast, well-defined bottom end for all your home entertainment.
If you are looking for high-quality integrated stereo amplifiers at a budget-friendly price, Onkyo A-9130 is a great bet. It is a robust and versatile pre-main amplifier with comprehensive connectivity and outstanding sound quality. It is also equipped with a rigid metal chassis and large, wide-spaced insulators to eliminate the negative effects of vibrations produced by electromechanical resonance.
Onkyo’s products are one of the top options in the market for budget-friendly prices and excellent build quality.
Price
Denon
Denon’s cheap AV receivers are really one of the best in the audio industry when it comes to value for its worth. They also offer various home entertainment components at different price ranges. If you have a limited budget, Denon’s products are really an excellent option for their worth.
Onkyo
Onkyo’s price range varies from its entry-level to its top-quality products. Onkyo’s receivers have excellent connectivity options for its budget-friendly price range. It is why Onkyo has always been a go-to option for audiophiles whose pocket is restricted.
Onkyo’s products are greatly priced considering all its features. It is impossible not to love their products for their worth.
Customer Support
Denon
For its general customer service, Denon’s hotline is available from Monday thru Friday, 10 am to 7 pm EST. It also offers an Online Order Support hotline that is still available from Monday thru Friday, 10 am to 7 pm EST.
Denon offers in-house troubleshooting and technical support at no charge with the same schedule mentioned above. Their website also contains a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page to save time for its customers.
Onkyo
You can contact Onkyo Customer support easily when you encounter any problem with their products. They have a support line in the United States that is available from Monday thru Friday, 9 am to 5 pm EST. They also have a support line in Australia that is available from Tuesday thru Saturday, 8 am to 3 pm AEST.
You can also send a direct email to Onkyo’s Customer Support Center, which replies almost immediately.
Onkyo has excellent customer service support as they also offer firmware updates for their products and a website page for frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Warranties
Denon
Denon offers a two-year warranty for all its defective products if bought from an authorized dealer. The customer is exempted from any repair costs for repairing their DENON product throughout this warranty period. Any further claims, except for the repair costs, are excluded.
The warranty period will commence upon the product’s date of sale to the customer. A purchase receipt must be submitted as proof and handed over to the customer’s dealer. Preferably, customers will deliver the defective product to their dealer in its original protective packaging.
Onkyo
Onkyo offers a 2-year warranty for their products that were purchased directly from them and those purchased in an independent Onkyo authorized dealer.
For their Labor Limited Warranty, there will be no charge for covered labour charges performed by an ONKYO Authorized Independent Service Center. While for their Parts Limited Warranty, there will be no charge for replacement parts installed in an ONKYO Authorized Independent Service Center.
For the price you are going to pay for an Onkyo product, its warranty is pretty impressive.
Which is Better?
Both brands are excellent for their value. They can offer great features in their products without breaking the bank. But If I have to choose between the two, Denon is better for me. Denon has more options in every price range, and its receivers also have a better room correction.