Will my Denon AVRX4500H be able to handle this set up

[Eppie]

With 5.1.2 the receiver does a lot more than just power the speakers. The audio calibration (Audyssey for Denon) sets the cross over points for the speakers, adjust the phase so that the speakers are time aligned (the speaker distance setting) and does the bass management. You want to use the included calibration microphone and set up Audyssey per the owners manual. I can't think of any white AVRs. You will likely need to go with silver.

I like white speakers and see no problem with the swap if you already have buyers. The room looks very nice. Running Audyssey should help balance the surrounds and ATMOS speakers and you make manual adjustments as well. Is the bass boomy everywhere or just on the couch? Bass calibration will help the room but if it is location specific then sometimes you need to change the subwoofer locations.

 

[-Jim-]

With 5.1.2 the receiver does a lot more than just power the speakers. The audio calibration (Audyssey for Denon) sets the cross over points for the speakers, adjust the phase so that the speakers are time aligned (the speaker distance setting) and does the bass management. You want to use the included calibration microphone and set up Audyssey per the owners manual. I can't think of any white AVRs. You will likely need to go with silver.

I like white speakers and see no problem with the swap if you already have buyers. The room looks very nice. Running Audyssey should help balance the surrounds and ATMOS speakers and you make manual adjustments as well. Is the bass boomy everywhere or just on the couch? Bass calibration will help the room but if it is location specific then sometimes you need to change the subwoofer locations.

I agree @Eppie . But if the decision has been to "Go White", I'd wait for the new gear before spending any time setting the old gear up.

 

[tenerifepaul]

The receiver is the Denon AVRX4500H, perfectly capable but I really don't like the user interface which IMO is not very intuitive. The JBL MA range especially the 7100, or 9100 offer a much more modern look and feel and whilst I doubt they are as good as the Denon they would probably be more than adequate for our use which is solely Home Cinema using HMDI arc from the apple TV 4k. The TV is new aTCL 98C 855.
I am looking at the SVS Ultra evolution series and SVS subs and centre in white. The alternative if I want to splash out are the KEF meta range.

 

[-Jim-]

The receiver is the Denon AVRX4500H, perfectly capable but I really don't like the user interface which IMO is not very intuitive. The JBL MA range especially the 7100, or 9100 offer a much more modern look and feel and whilst I doubt they are as good as the Denon they would probably be more than adequate for our use which is solely Home Cinema using HMDI arc from the apple TV 4k. The TV is new aTCL 98C 855.
I am looking at the SVS Ultra evolution series and SVS subs and centre in white. The alternative if I want to splash out are the KEF meta range.

While I appreciate your user interface woes, the Denon is a very good receiver well suited to your application.

I've been a JBL speaker fan for ages, but their move (It's all really Harmon isn't it) in receivers seems to be a marketing move so Customers can buy an "All JBL" system. The reviews I've read on the JBL MA7100HP have found it lacking.

"Conclusions
JBL has made massive strides in look and feel of the MA7100HP leaving its competition -- including its own -- in the dust. It is absolutely gorgeous to look at and for the most part, to use. Their target was lower performance levels and sadly, that is what they deliver. Performance is not terrible but nothing an enthusiast can get excited over. I hope they take this outside design and upgrade the internals at least one step. Then they would have a winner on their hand. As it is, I would use this AVR in a living room where looks are very important.

It is with heavy heart that I can't recommend the JBL MA7100HP AVR. Its beauty is sadly skin deep."

The Reviewer amazingly says all this even though he states his company is a dealer for JBL. His integrity is beyond reproach.

I'd be cautious on buying a receiver based on cosmetics, especially one that's "new" in this segment.

After setup, user interface is minimal for most, and frankly I don't mind reading the manual & watching videos to get my systems just right when new. The object here is always getting the best sound you can for the $ spent. If it doesn't give you those results, then what's the point if it just looks good sitting there?

Perhaps, purchase your new Subs & Speakers, then hook them up to the Denon and see what it sounds like once configured correctly. If you still find it lacking, then consider making the jump to another brand.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[Trebdp83]

The receiver is the Denon AVRX4500H, perfectly capable but I really don't like the user interface which IMO is not very intuitive. The JBL MA range especially the 7100, or 9100 offer a much more modern look and feel and whilst I doubt they are as good as the Denon they would probably be more than adequate for our use which is solely Home Cinema using HMDI arc from the apple TV 4k. The TV is new aTCL 98C 855.
I am looking at the SVS Ultra evolution series and SVS subs and centre in white. The alternative if I want to splash out are the KEF meta range.

The JBL MA9100 should be fine for anybody not consumed with inaudible issues and getting perfect lines on a graph. I would recommend a bigger area rug for that room, which looks great by the way. and perhaps one with a pattern to pop off of the floor.

If the Apple TV 4K is connected directly to the TV and you are using ARC to get the audio to the Deon, be aware that the Denon supports ARC but not eARC. The Apple TV 4K outputs multichannel PCM by default and will exceed the bandwidth limits of ARC. Some TV's can re encode signals to fit over ARC but not all. If that is the case here, two channel PCM will be output to the Denon. It is better to connect the Apple TV 4K to the receiver to get uncompressed multichannel PCM and Atmos from the Apple TV 4K.

 

[-Jim-]

The JBL MA9100 should be fine for anybody not consumed with inaudible issues and getting perfect lines on a graph. I would recommend a bigger area rug for that room, which looks great by the way. and perhaps one with a pattern to pop off of the floor.

If the Apple TV 4K is connected directly to the TV and you are using ARC to get the audio to the Deon, be aware that the Denon supports ARC but not eARC. The Apple TV 4K outputs multichannel PCM by default and will exceed the bandwidth limits of ARC. Some TV's can re encode signals to fit over ARC but not all. If that is the case here, two channel PCM will be output to the Denon. It is better to connect the Apple TV 4K to the receiver to get uncompressed multichannel PCM and Atmos from the Apple TV 4K.

I see the Denon Manual references eArc connections so I assume it's capable. However, I'd suggest using the receiver as the hub for everything, and having it default to whatever input (in my case Cable TV) when it shuts down to pass through that signal so I can use the TV's speakers. I only use the Audio Return Channel for the Apps I infrequently use (like Amazon Prime, Crave, Netflix, etc.) on the Dolby Atmos System.

Of course all this could easily be mute as a shift to a white or silver receiver could /would have different options.

 

[Trebdp83]

Couldn’t remember when Denon models featured eARC. Should work fine with appropriate settings at both ends.

 

[tenerifepaul]

Thanks guys. Typically the more information I get the more confusing it becomes. There is little doubt the Denon is more than capable for our use. Everything I have read or listened to confirms the JBL is more 'form than function', so I doubt I will go down that road.
Having had a chat with a an AV expert mate, a couple of things have become clear. The room accoustics are a challenge and without some accoustic treatment I'm going to struggle whatever system I go for. He did suggest a pretty 'outfield' idea. Simplify everything by going for a full Sonos Arc Ultra system...apparently its a 'gamechanger'. It would work with the aestetics and my experience with my Samsung HW-Q900A in my 'sports room' upstairs has partially converted me. I still have doubts about whether the Sonos , even the full system would be an upgrade on what I have but he seemed convinced.