I traded my Sonos Period 300 for Denon’s new residence speaker – and see no motive to return

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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 Home 400 is the mid-tier possibility within the lineup, and IT‘s designed to go head-to-head with the Sonos Period 300. IT has an analogous, bigger kind issue, up-firing Dolby Atmos audio system, and a slew of good streaming options. IT‘s additionally 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‘s landed. Can Denon actually tackle the likes of Sonos with aggressive options? I have been utilizing the Denon Dwelling 400 to seek out out.

IT‘s really 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 effectively. I really 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 effectively 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 very useful if you wish to construct out a correct lounge 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.

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 won’t be as well-built as Sonos’s, in day-to-day use, HEOS works fairly effectively. 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 complete, together with two tweeters, two 114mm (4.5-inch) woofers, and two up-firing drivers devoted to peak Information. Each single a type of drivers will get its personal devoted Class D amplifier, giving the speaker exact management over every aspect 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 assist actual Dolby Atmos music playback, utilizing bodily upfiring drivers relatively than virtualized peak results.

Additionally: Tidal vs. Qobuz: I attempted each hi-res streaming companies, they usually could not be extra completely different

You may hear the distinction in appropriate content material, too. Whether or not you really wish to use Atmos whereas listening to music is one other story. I generally discover IT pleasing, however I normally desire to stay to stereo playback. Nevertheless, 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 might work collectively to reinforce the peak impact.

You may 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 when you’re evaluating the 2, this is not essentially a giant downside for this speaker particularly. You’ll get primary bass, treble, and peak controls, so you can also make heavy-handed changes, however the controls are somewhat arduous to seek out. 

I spent some time digging by way of settings earlier than realizing I needed to really be taking part in audio by way of the speaker to manage the changes. When you get an understanding of the app and the way IT works, you will discover IT principally simple to navigate, however IT‘s nonetheless not very intuitive.

In the event 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 when you play audio by way of the USB port, you’ll be able to 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 Home 400 is a severe 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 might go together with the $200 cheaper Bluetooth speaker

In the event 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 is dependent upon 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.