Denon’s New $299 AV Receiver Could Be the Perfect First Step Beyond Soundbars

ducurguz
Oct 2
2 min read

Denon has unveiled its most affordable home theater receiver yet — a no-frills, beginner-friendly 5.1-channel powerhouse that delivers impressive performance for the price.

Black Denon receiver and gray Polk speaker on a wooden cabinet, in a room with soft lighting and plant shadow on the wall.

A True Entry-Level Home Theater Upgrade

The new Denon AVR-S270BT is designed specifically for first-time home theater buyers looking to move beyond soundbars without breaking the bank. With a list price of $399 (but just $299 at Costco), this receiver offers serious value while keeping setup and usability simple.

It delivers 70W per channel into 8 ohms (or 140W at 6 ohms) — more than enough to power a modest surround system. Connectivity is straightforward with HDMI ARC support for seamless TV hookup, plus Bluetooth streaming for music from your phone, tablet, or computer.

Denon even includes a step-by-step guided setup assistant, making this amp especially appealing for home cinema newcomers.

Features at a Glance

5.1-channel surround sound with Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD Master Audio
Up-mixing support via Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo 6
Three 4K HDMI inputs + two 1080p inputs with passthrough for HDR10, Dolby Vision & HLG
Quick Select buttons to save favorite sound modes and volume levels
Remote control included for easy operation

What’s Missing?

There’s a catch: the AVR-S270BT does not support Dolby Atmos. That may be a deal-breaker for enthusiasts seeking full 3D audio immersion. There’s also no 4K 120Hz passthrough, which means gamers with next-gen consoles may want to look elsewhere.

Still, for movie nights, streaming, and everyday TV upgrades, the feature set is more than capable — and at this price point, Denon’s decision to cut Atmos makes sense.

Black Denon AV receiver with LED display showing "DTHD" and "B-ray", flanked by volume knobs and buttons. Remote on right.

Price & Availability

$399 at Denon.com
$299 at Costco (US only)
$499 CAD at Best Buy Canada
Wider global availability still to be confirmed.

Final Take

The Denon AVR-S270BT won’t blow away seasoned audiophiles, but for anyone looking to graduate from a soundbar to a true 5.1 home theater, it’s a smart, affordable first step. Simple setup, reliable performance, and Denon’s trusted sound quality make it one of the most appealing entry-level receivers of 2025.