execs and cons
- Hello-res audio assist
- Multi-room integration
- Dolby Atmos assist
- Costlier than opponents
- Obscure EQ settings
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Sonos has maybe been probably the most acknowledged identify within the dwelling speaker marketplace for a while, however Denon has one thing to say about that. The corporate not too long ago launched its lineup of second-generation dwelling audio system: the Denon House 200, House 400, and House 600.
The Denon House 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 an analogous, 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.
Additionally: I changed my Sonos Period audio system with an unlikely various – and did not miss a beat
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 options? I have been utilizing the Denon House 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 House 400 works completely nicely by itself, however you can too pair two for stereo playback or use them as wi-fi encompass audio system alongside the Denon House Sound Bar 550. That choice is particularly useful if you wish to construct out a correct lounge setup with out working speaker wire all over the place — 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 simple, multi-room grouping is reliable, and you have got protection throughout the most important streaming providers.
Music sounds wonderful
Contained in the House 400, you may discover six drivers complete, together with two tweeters, two 114mm (4.5-inch) woofers, and two up-firing drivers devoted to peak info. 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 House 250, which had fewer drivers and could not do something near true Atmos playback. The House 400 is definitely the primary HEOS-enabled speaker to assist actual Dolby Atmos music playback, utilizing bodily upfiring drivers slightly than virtualized peak results.
Additionally: Tidal vs. Qobuz: I attempted each hi-res streaming providers, they usually could not be extra totally different
You’ll be able to hear the distinction in suitable content material, too. Whether or not you truly wish to use Atmos whereas listening to music is one other story. I typically discover it satisfying, however I normally desire to stay to stereo playback. Nevertheless, Atmos assist does actually assist while 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 may work collectively to boost the peak impact.
You’ll be able to management the speaker’s frequency vary, however it’s not very exact. To be clear, Sonos does not offer you very exact management both, so should you’re evaluating the 2, this is not essentially a giant disadvantage for this speaker particularly. You’ll get fundamental bass, treble, and peak controls, so you can also make heavy-handed changes, however the controls are a bit of onerous to seek out.
I spent some time digging by settings earlier than realizing I needed to truly be taking part in audio by the speaker to manage the changes. When you get an understanding of the app and the way it works, you may discover it principally straightforward to navigate, however it’s nonetheless not very intuitive.
Should you’re an audio nerd, you may respect the higher assist for hi-res audio on the Denon House 400. The House 400 can play full 24-bit/192kHz audio natively, and should you play audio by the USB port, you may play your FLAC information. That is forward of the Sonos Period 300, which may settle for 24-bit/192kHz audio as an enter however downscales it throughout playback.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Denon House 400 is a critical dwelling speaker that considerably blurs the road between consumer-grade and audiophile audio system within the sub-$500 worth vary. True audiophiles with deep pockets will not take into account the House 400 an audiophile-grade speaker, however informal listeners will respect its sound.
Additionally: Sonos Play vs. Sonos Transfer 2: Why I would go together with the $200 cheaper Bluetooth speaker
Should you’re searching for immersive and full-sounding audio with out paying a excessive worth, the Denon House 400 is completely price contemplating. That mentioned, whether or not it beats options depends 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 wise speaker on this class will wish to save the money and go for the Period 300, particularly if they do not care about higher high-res playback.
