execs and cons
Execs
- Hello-res audio assist
- Multi-room integration
- Dolby Atmos assist
Cons
- Dearer than rivals
- Obscure EQ settings
Observe ZDNET: Add us as a most popular supply on Google.
Sonos has maybe been essentially the most acknowledged title 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 possibility 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.
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 superb instance of the place it is landed. Can Denon actually tackle the likes of Sonos with aggressive options? I have been utilizing the Denon Dwelling 400 to search out out.
Finest bluetooth speaker offers of the week
Offers are chosen by the CNET Group commerce crew, and could also be unrelated to this text.
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 properly. 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 properly by itself, however you can even pair two for stereo playback or use them as wi-fi encompass audio system alongside the Denon Dwelling Sound Bar 550. That possibility is particularly useful if you wish to construct out a correct front room setup with out operating speaker wire in all places — and it mirrors Sonos’ implementation with its soundbars. Denon additionally helps HEOS-compatible subwoofers for further low-end muscle.
Christian de Looper/ZDNET
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 properly. Setup is straightforward, multi-room grouping is reliable, and you have got protection throughout the main streaming providers.
Music sounds glorious
Contained in the Dwelling 400, you will discover six drivers complete, 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 component 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 assist actual Dolby Atmos music playback, utilizing bodily upfiring drivers somewhat than virtualized top results.
Additionally: Tidal vs. Qobuz: I attempted each hi-res streaming providers, and so they could not be extra completely different
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 pleasing, however I often favor to stay to stereo playback. Nonetheless, Atmos assist does actually assist if 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 reinforce the peak impact.
You possibly can management the speaker’s frequency vary, however it’s not very exact. To be clear, Sonos would not provide you with very exact management both, so in case you’re evaluating the 2, this is not essentially an enormous disadvantage 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 just a little laborious to search out.
Jada Jones/ZDNET
I spent some time digging by settings earlier than realizing I needed to truly be taking part in 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 principally straightforward to navigate, however it’s nonetheless not very intuitive.
In case you’re an audio nerd, you will recognize the higher assist for hi-res audio on the Denon Dwelling 400. The Dwelling 400 can play full 24-bit/192kHz audio natively, and in case you play audio by the USB port, you’ll be able to play your FLAC recordsdata. 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 Dwelling 400 is a critical residence 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 think about the Dwelling 400 an audiophile-grade speaker, however informal listeners will recognize its sound.
Additionally: Sonos Play vs. Sonos Transfer 2: Why I would go along with the $200 cheaper Bluetooth speaker
In case you’re on the lookout for immersive and full-sounding audio with out paying a excessive worth, the Denon Dwelling 400 is completely price contemplating. That stated, 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 on the lookout 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.
