Onkyo and Denon have a radically different sound. Most Denons have strong bass and control and Onkyo is much more treble-oriented, having a less composed, but more lively sound. Possibly, the livelyness of Onkyo might grab you, or you are put off by its more "shouty" sound, depending on taste.
Don't buy TOO much into magazine reviews. They can be misleading sometimes. Trust your own ears and listen with your own music/movies and speakers/sources.