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Sonos has maybe been probably the most acknowledged identify within the residence speaker marketplace for a while, however Denon has one thing to say about that. The corporate just lately launched its lineup of second-generation residence audio system: the Denon Dwelling 200, Dwelling 400, and Dwelling 600.
The Denon Dwelling 400 is the mid-tier choice within the lineup, and it is designed to go head-to-head with the Sonos Period 300. It has the same, bigger type issue, up-firing Dolby Atmos audio system, and a slew of good streaming options. It is also constructed on the corporate’s HEOS multi-room audio platform, for integration with audio system from different HEOS-compatible lineups.
Sonos has spent years refining its good speaker choices, and the Period 300 is a wonderful instance of the place it is landed. Can Denon actually tackle the likes of Sonos with aggressive alternate options? I have been utilizing the Denon Dwelling 400 to seek out out.
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It is truly very good
The HEOS multi-room platform runs issues behind the scenes, and it handles issues like streaming, the app expertise, and so forth fairly nicely. I truly discovered it supported all of the options I’ve come to depend on in my Sonos audio system. HEOS natively helps a number of music streaming platforms, together with Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and extra, whereas Apple Music connectivity depends on the speaker’s AirPlay 2.
The Dwelling 400 works completely nicely by itself, however you too can pair two for stereo playback or use them as wi-fi encompass audio system alongside the Denon Dwelling Sound Bar 550. That choice is particularly useful if you wish to construct out a correct lounge setup with out working speaker wire in all places — and it mirrors Sonos’ implementation with its soundbars. Denon additionally helps HEOS-compatible subwoofers for additional low-end muscle.
For bodily connections, there’s Wi-Fi, a USB-C port, a 3.5mm aux enter, and a built-in microphone. Whereas the HEOS ecosystem may not be as well-built as Sonos’s, in day-to-day use, HEOS works fairly nicely. Setup is straightforward, multi-room grouping is reliable, and you have got protection throughout the foremost streaming companies.
Music sounds glorious
Contained in the Dwelling 400, you will discover six drivers whole, together with two tweeters, two 114mm (4.5-inch) woofers, and two up-firing drivers devoted to top data. Each single a type of drivers will get its personal devoted Class D amplifier, giving the speaker exact management over every factor of the sound.
This acoustic make-up is a significant improve over the previous-generation Dwelling 250, which had fewer drivers and could not do something near true Atmos playback. The Dwelling 400 is definitely the primary HEOS-enabled speaker to help actual Dolby Atmos music playback, utilizing bodily upfiring drivers moderately than virtualized top results.
You possibly can hear the distinction in appropriate content material, too. Whether or not you truly need to use Atmos whereas listening to music is one other story. I typically discover it pleasant, however I normally desire to stay to stereo playback. Nonetheless, Atmos help does actually assist whenever you use these audio system as surrounds in a house theater setup. The immersion of 3D audio is noticeable from the encompass audio system and the entrance channels, which might work collectively to boost the peak impact.
You possibly can management the speaker’s frequency vary, nevertheless it’s not very exact. To be clear, Sonos would not offer you very exact management both, so should you’re evaluating the 2, this is not essentially a giant downside for this speaker particularly. You’re going to get fundamental bass, treble, and top controls, so you may make heavy-handed changes, however the controls are somewhat arduous to seek out.
I spent some time digging by settings earlier than realizing I needed to truly be enjoying audio by the speaker to regulate the changes. When you get an understanding of the app and the way it works, you will discover it largely simple to navigate, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not very intuitive.
In the event you’re an audio nerd, you will respect the higher help for hi-res audio on the Denon Dwelling 400. The Dwelling 400 can play full 24-bit/192kHz audio natively, and should you play audio by the USB port, you may play your FLAC recordsdata. That is forward of the Sonos Period 300, which might settle for 24-bit/192kHz audio as an enter however downscales it throughout playback.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Denon Dwelling 400 is a critical residence speaker that considerably blurs the road between consumer-grade and audiophile audio system within the sub-$500 value vary. True audiophiles with deep pockets will not think about the Dwelling 400 an audiophile-grade speaker, however informal listeners will respect its sound.
In the event you’re searching for immersive and full-sounding audio with out paying a excessive value, the Denon Dwelling 400 is completely value contemplating. That mentioned, whether or not it beats alternate options is dependent upon your area. In some areas, like Europe, it prices the identical because the Sonos Period 300, however within the US, it prices $150 extra. Most individuals searching for a sensible speaker on this class will need to save the money and go for the Period 300, particularly if they do not care about higher high-res playback.
