Frankhere: I really like the Denon X4500H!! I haven’t even scratched the surface what this unit is capable of , however , I will share my opinion on what I have enjoyed and used so far. First thing I did was play a 4KUltra HD Blue Ray “ King King “ 2006 starring the lovely Naomi Watts. The sound format is Dolby 7.1 Virtual X on this Blue Ray and I only have 1 4K Blue Ray because I didn’t have until now the receiver to process the sound properly. I had a Denon AVR 3300 that was 20 years old and only did Dolby Digital and DTS. Anyway , I put the disc in and what I heard was friggin phenomenal detailed sound , fabulous separation and sound definition. No wonder this new ( new to me ) technology is so well loved and wanted by the general public! I’m using the X4500H in a 5.1 set up and I don’t have “ height speakers “ in my 12’ ceilings , however , I do have extremely efficient Bowers & Wilkins for rear surrounds ) in each corner of my 12’ ceiling in my Great room where my system is located. They are 12 feet up and about 23’ feet apart and 3 feet behind where I sit in my BarcaLounger. This AVR allows me to hear sounds with depth and definition and sounds I never heard before on this blue Ray. Dolby Virtual X is Bad Ass and makes you feel you are in the movie and experiencing what you are watching!! My front right and left mains are Klipsch Forte III’s ( in beautiful American Walnut ) they are incredible and this AVR is feeding them what they have been starving for since I got them in November of last year. My Center is the Klipsch RP-500C and this AVR allows me to hear dialogue like never before. My sub is a Klipsch R-120SW and “ You guesses it , Sounds so alive , realistic and life like. The sub sounds like it’s supposed to sound with deep rich smooth clear and clean low frequencies!! Every step Kong took could be felt and heard. Like I said , in my 5.1 set up , it’s amazing and being a 9.1 capable AVR I can hook up either 4 additional speakers in my existing room or choose to put a pair in my master bedroom and a pair outside on my patio!! I don’t know about the height set up because I’m not using ceiling speakers ( Do Not Need Them )
The 9 individual channel amplifiers in this AVR are designed to perform to any desired level. There is the capability to hook up 11 speakers to this AVR but I won’t be going there anytime soon so I can’t comment on the height you requested info on , sorry about that. Now , on to music compatibility!! Holy cow , the Denon is definitely a very musical AVR and my Klipsch Forte III’s sound so good “ In Direct “ mode I had to double check that the sub was off and it was. I’m hearing instruments and percussion
That I haven’t heard before on CD or Vinyl LP’s!!
Be sure to let us know how you like it.