execs and cons
- Hello-res audio help
- Multi-room integration
- Dolby Atmos help
- Costlier than opponents
- Imprecise EQ settings
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Sonos has maybe been essentially the most acknowledged identify within the house speaker marketplace for a while, however Denon has one thing to say about that. The corporate lately launched its lineup of second-generation house audio system: the Denon Dwelling 200, Dwelling 400, and Dwelling 600.
The Denon Home 400 is the mid-tier possibility within the lineup, and it is designed to go head-to-head with the Sonos Era 300. It has the same, bigger kind issue, up-firing Dolby Atmos audio system, and a slew of sensible 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 replaced my Sonos Era speakers with an unlikely alternative – and didn’t miss a beat
Sonos has spent years refining its sensible 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 Dwelling 400 to search out out.
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It is truly very sensible
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 may also 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 lounge setup with out working speaker wire in every single place — and it mirrors Sonos’ implementation with its soundbars. Denon additionally helps HEOS-compatible subwoofers for further 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 foremost streaming providers.
Music sounds glorious
Contained in the Dwelling 400, you may 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 kind 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 serious 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 reasonably than virtualized top results.
Additionally: Tidal vs. Qobuz: I tried both hi-res streaming services, and they couldn’t be more different
You’ll be able to hear the distinction in appropriate content material, too. Whether or not you truly wish to use Atmos whereas listening to music is one other story. I typically discover it gratifying, however I normally want to stay to stereo playback. Nonetheless, Atmos help 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 reinforce the peak impact.
You’ll be able to management the speaker’s frequency vary, nevertheless 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 downside for this speaker particularly. You’ll get primary bass, treble, and top controls, so you can also make heavy-handed changes, however the controls are just a little onerous to search out.
I spent some time digging by means of settings earlier than realizing I needed to truly be taking part in audio by means of the speaker to regulate the changes. When you get an understanding of the app and the way it works, you may discover it largely simple to navigate, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not very intuitive.
For those who’re an audio nerd, you may recognize the higher help 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 means of the USB port, you may 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 Home 400 is a severe house 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 contemplate the Dwelling 400 an audiophile-grade speaker, however informal listeners will recognize its sound.
Additionally: Sonos Play vs. Sonos Move 2: Why I’d go with the $200 cheaper Bluetooth speaker
For those who’re on the lookout for immersive and full-sounding audio with out paying a excessive value, the Denon Dwelling 400 is completely price contemplating. That mentioned, whether or not it beats options will depend on your area. In some areas, like Europe, it prices the identical because the Sonos Era 300, however within the US, it prices $150 extra. Most individuals on the lookout for a sensible 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.
