Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Siri & superior sound

Denon’s new line of Siri-enabled Apple Dwelling sensible audio system could also be what customers are in search of within the absence of up to date HomePod and HomePod mini. Let’s take a pay attention.

Japanese audio model Denon is out with its newest vary of audio system: the Denon Dwelling 200, Denon Dwelling 400, and Denon Dwelling 600. Whereas all completely different sizes and value factors, all the line caters to Apple customers with assist for conversing with Siri and AirPlay.

The brand new units launch in what has been a chronic pause in Apple’s HomePod product cycle. The second-generation full-sized HomePod launched in 2023, and HomePod mini has gone even longer with out an replace, hitting cabinets in 2020.

This makes Denon’s new lineup much more engaging with few options out there. I have been testing each the Denon Dwelling 200 and Denon Dwelling 400 for the final couple of months.

Let’s examine how they carry out and evaluate to HomePod.

Denon Dwelling audio system evaluate: Design

All three audio system within the vary share a transparent identification. They’re wrapped in mesh material, with apparent buttons and metallic accents.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: The smaller, Denon Dwelling 200 appears smooth and chic

The Denon Dwelling 200 and Denon Dwelling 400 are most related, with a curved anodized aluminum base and the mesh-covered prime. The tops are flat, with buttons on the highest or aspect and further IO on the again.

The Denon Dwelling 600 is the most important departure because the contoured speaker physique seems to take a seat angled on prime of the bottom. This supplies higher sound path for spatial assist, sending audio up, to the perimeters, and ahead.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Standing gentle on the underside of the Denon Dwelling 400

I really like the metallic accents particularly, as they create a sublime upscale look past the HomePod. They’re out there in each gentle gray and black, with the previous being proven right here.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Controls on the highest of the Denon Dwelling 200

In contrast to with HomePod that has a touch-sensitive floor, the buttons are bodily and have a delicate *click on* when depressed. There is a combo play/pause button, quantity controls, three user-designated shortcuts, and a multi-function button that may invoke your digital assistant of alternative.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Variations in design between the Denon Dwelling 200 and Denon Dwelling 400

The Denon Dwelling 400 is simply over twice as extensive and as a substitute of the buttons on the highest, has a metallic grille that helps with Spatial Audio. The buttons are relocated to the trip aspect for straightforward entry however you do not see them from the entrance.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Rear ports shared throughout the Denon residence speaker line

For the bonus IO, there are each USB-C and auxiliary audio inputs, a Bluetooth toggle, and a bodily toggle that may disable the mic if you don’t need a sensible speaker listening in.

Lastly, the audio system have a mushy gentle that glows out of the underside. It acts as a little bit of a standing gentle and might change coloration.

Denon Dwelling audio system evaluate: Simple setup for Apple customers

There are a number of strategies of setup for the brand new Denon audio system. I believe for Apple customers, although, it is best when utilizing Apple Dwelling.

The audio system will be arrange similar to every other Apple Dwelling accent. You open the Dwelling app, faucet the + button, and scan the pairing code on the speaker.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Scan the pairing code so as to add to the Dwelling app

This opens a popup modal on the backside of the display screen to stroll you thru the onboarding course of, like giving the speaker a reputation and assigning it a room in your house. Behind the scenes, it additionally provides your Wi-Fi credentials.

I might say that is principally a super setup course of. You needn’t do some convoluted pairing course of the place you hook up with a short lived community, obtain any third-party apps, and even manually enter any credentials.

The one method Denon might have made this any simpler can be in the event that they used NFC for commissioning fairly than scanning the QR code. Which means the entire setup course of might be began with a faucet versus opening the Dwelling app first.

That is one thing nonetheless seldom seen, even on devoted sensible residence merchandise. Corporations in all probability skip it as a result of added value of the NFC chip that is used merely as soon as throughout that preliminary setup course of.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: The standing gentle can change colours

Whereas we’re speaking in regards to the setup and wi-fi, to date in my testing, I’ve not encountered any cases of the audio system going offline. Each audio system have remained on-line, out there, and responsive after I solid audio to them.

The audio system assist Wi-Fi 6, together with not solely 2.4GHz and 5GHz, however 6GHz, too. With sturdy Wi-Fi in my residence, I used to be in a position to allow the high-fidelity mode for uncompressed excessive bitrate audio that used throughout multi-room playback.

Denon Dwelling audio system evaluate: Good residence powers

What makes these audio system so interesting to me in comparison with others of their weight class is that they assist Apple Dwelling. This does not simply make the setup course of simpler, however permits them to behave nearly equivalent to a HomePod.

Because it seems within the Dwelling app as a Dwelling accent, you possibly can embody it in your house automations. Easy ones, for instance, like routinely pausing audio playback once you or the final individual leaves the house, are fairly helpful.

These audio system can be utilized in additional complicated scenes and automations, too. You might have the audio system play your “prepare” playlist within the morning when your alarm goes off, you possibly can have a “pump up” playlist once you set a exercise scene, or play white noise with a sleep timer when setting your “Goodnight” scene.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: The Denon Dwelling 200 displaying within the Dwelling app

One other profit is that it may be used as an intercom with different Apple Dwelling audio system, together with HomePods. If I am in my studio, my accomplice can name me over the intercom from the kitchen HomePod to my studio Denon Dwelling 400, and I can speak again to them.

You probably have an Apple Dwelling doorbell, the Denon Dwelling audio system can act as wi-fi chimes. That method, if somebody presses the doorbell on the entrance door, the Denon speaker down within the studio can chime to let me know somebody is there.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Use AirPlay to solid audio to the Denon audio system, together with a number of directly

This brings assist for AirPlay, too. You possibly can solid audio from almost any Apple gadget to the Denon Dwelling audio system.

That is what permits Apple-native multi-room assist. You possibly can play to a number of AirPlay audio system directly, which will be any mixture from HomePods and third-party audio system.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Throughout setup, you possibly can activate Siri on the audio system

My favourite is simply utilizing Siri for this. I can ask Siri on my iPhone to play my Jams playlist on the Denon Dwelling 400, or if I say to play in a sure room, it’ll go to all audio system in that location.

Largest of all is full assist for Siri, although the implementation is slightly complicated. Apple does enable third-party audio system to construct in Siri, however to date, Denon and Ecobee are the one main gamers to take action.

Denon Dwelling audio system evaluate: Siri, however not on HomePod

The catch with Siri assist is that the queries aren’t processed immediately on the third-party speaker, however as a substitute require a HomePod or HomePod mini. What occurs is that once you ask Siri a query, it listens on that third-party speaker, routes the query to a close-by HomePod, then provides you the reply again on the unique speaker.

This main caveat is probably going why a number of the large gamers, like Sonos, choose to cozy as much as different digital assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or its personal assistants as a substitute. They do not need you to have to purchase a HomePod, however fairly you purchase extra of their audio system.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: The standing gentle can change to Siri colours once you invoke Apple’s assistant

For a lot of Apple customers, they probably have already got some model of HomePod or two within the Dwelling, so I do not contemplate this an enormous draw back. It’s one thing to concentrate on although, earlier than buying the speaker with the anticipation of utilizing Siri.

So far as utility, Siri is principally in characteristic parity with HomePod. Something you possibly can ask a HomePod, you possibly can ask your Denon speaker.

You possibly can ask it to manage your sensible residence equipment, to textual content somebody, to test the climate, convert models of measurement, and extra. That stated, there are some ways in which they differ.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Denon Dwelling 200 continues to be bigger than the bottom HomePod

HomePod, for instance, can act as a full Dwelling Hub. A Dwelling Hub helps run scenes and automations once you aren’t at residence and is a Thread Border Router.

Apple’s HomePod has handoff utilizing ultra-wideband to routinely switch audio as your telephone approaches. The Denon nonetheless will get recommended within the Dynamic Island once you open the Music app close by, although.

A Dwelling Hub can be what processes the AI video for HomeKit Safe Video, similar to folks, automotive, or package deal detection. Plus, HomePod and HomePod mini have built-in environmental sensors for temperature and humidity.

This can be a little bit of studying the tea leaves, however due to how Siri works on third-party audio system, I anticipate Apple Intelligence to reach sooner fairly than later.

Apple has been engaged on these next-generation HomePod and HomePod mini for seemingly fairly a while. In the event that they do launch within the fall of 2026 as anticipated, Apple Intelligence will definitely be supported.

Once more, one other leap right here, however that will imply in the event you bought a brand new HomePod or HomePod mini with Apple Intelligence, Siri in your Denon speaker can be upgraded. Hopefully, that is not wishful considering, however it’s not a giant leap to make.

Whereas I do strongly consider that is the way it will play out, I additionally strongly warning towards shopping for a product right now with the promise of an replace sooner or later. When you purchase these audio system now, be comfy with how they work now, and rely future upgrades as a bonus.

Denon Dwelling audio system evaluate: HEOS app

To be crystal clear, customers can completely arrange and use these audio system with none further apps. However the Denon HEOS app has some added advantages for customers that need to use it.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: The Denon HEOS app has extra controls and direct streaming choices

This app can information by way of a bit extra of a convoluted setup course of for non-Apple customers, plus has direct streaming from varied platforms. Customers can immediately stream from plenty of completely different companies, together with Tidal, Spotify, Deezer, iHeartRadio, and extra.

You possibly can stream from these companies, regulate quantity, carry out updates, and regulate the monitor queue. It is just like the Sonos expertise, although possibly a bit extra limiting.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: You possibly can regulate audio high quality and stability from the HEOS app

Inside HEOS, there are sound controls for the audio system. You possibly can activate “pure” mode to take away any processing or get into the weeds and manually regulate the bass, treble, or width (bodily spaciousness of the soundstage).

Denon Dwelling audio system evaluate: Audio high quality

As we flip to audio high quality, I need to be certain to separate it between the 2 that I’ve available to check. I additionally need to evaluate them to the competitors, similar to Apple and Sonos.

Beginning with the smaller of the 2, the Denon Dwelling 200 has three drivers. There are two smaller drivers positioned in direction of the highest that angle barely outwards and a 4-inch front-facing woofer.

In contrast on to HomePod, which is on the market for $100 much less, the Denon Dwelling 200 completely sounds higher. It is fuller, with a bigger emphasis on the midrange.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Controlling audio playback direct from Apple Music

Personally, at occasions, I discover the bass on HomePod to be a bit overpowering and even sloppy, and I believe Denon did a superb job at filling out the midrange.

That is not to say the bass is missing in any method on the 200. Each Denon and Apple audio system have 4-inch woofers, and it positively places out some oomph. It is also a lot larger quantity than the HomePod, with it being arguably too loud in my residence to ever go previous 75%.

One of the best ways I can describe the sound may be very heat, which is one thing I like. It additionally maintains this consistency, even on the excessive volumes.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Evaluating the Denon Dwelling 200 towards the Sonos Period 100 and Sonos Period 300

I might additionally say that the Denon Dwelling 200 sounds higher than the Sonos Period 100, although there is not an ideal comparability to Sonos. This efficiency needs to be anticipated, given the considerably larger price ticket of the Denon.

Personally, I even most well-liked the Denon Dwelling 200 to the Sonos Period 300, to a level. The Period 300 is bigger and dearer, however I believe the Denon Dwelling 200 has a hotter profile that I appreciated and has a smaller footprint.

Once more, the comparability is hard. The Denon Dwelling 200 lacks the upward-firing driver of the Sonos Period 300, however in the event you transfer to the Denon Dwelling 400, it’s miles dearer, whereas being even greater nonetheless.

Listening to “The Mountain Music” by Tophouse, I can very a lot really feel the music construct and swell with that full, extensive sound. Equally, “World’s Smallest Violin” by AJR has a ton of element because the music morphs between musical devices that make the music very cool to hearken to.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Denon Dwelling 400 on a shelf in my studio

Shifting to the Denon Dwelling 400, it has six whole drivers. There are two outward-firing tweeters, twin 4.5-inch woofers, and two extra upward-firing drives.

This one will get even louder and is overkill for any small to medium room. It has higher stereo separation as properly and a broader soundstage.

I am unable to emphasize how a lot this will actually fill out a room. Excited about the Denon Dwelling 600, that should be wild.

Once I first began listening to the Denon Dwelling 400, probably the most noticeable change was the bass. It was much more highly effective, however nonetheless tightly managed.

You possibly can really feel this bass in your chest earlier than even having to show up the quantity. It was superb.

Theoretically, the Denon Dwelling 400 will present extra correct Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio than the 200. I say theoretically as a result of I wasn’t in a position to check it.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: The underside of the speaker has a silicone foot and a thread for mounting on a standard speaker stand or bracket

At the moment, Dolby Atmos content material is simply supported when streaming immediately from Tidal or Amazon Music Extremely HD. I do not subscribe to both of those as an Apple Music listener.

Denon says it’s engaged on Apple Music Dolby Atmos assist, however there is no promise on when that characteristic will probably be delivered.

Denon Dwelling audio system evaluate: Siri-ous audio high quality for Apple customers

In an more and more aggressive house, Denon has excelled right here. I am more than happy with all the ecosystem.

The bottom mannequin, whereas dearer than a HomePod, has notably higher audio high quality. It additionally presents higher on-device controls, a number of wired inputs, and nonetheless retains Siri assist.

Denon Dwelling collection audio system evaluate: Denon Dwelling 400 is an amazing-sounding premium speaker with Siri assist

Shifting up the lineup, customers can select the speaker that fits their surroundings, upgrading to the bigger, extra highly effective, and louder fashions. When you ever discovered that HomePod wasn’t loud sufficient or the audio wasn’t ok, there have been zero options that allow you to maintain Siri.

Whereas I am an enormous Sonos fan, the Denon Dwelling 200, 400, and 600 supply greater than aggressive audio high quality with native Apple options. As an Apple person, Denon is providing a greater expertise.

Small factors are subtracted for having a HomePod as a requirement for a full expertise, however that onus lies on Apple, not Denon. With so few options right here, Denon did the best possible it was in a position to, throughout.

Proper now, I believe Denon put out the very best throughout sensible speaker, in the event you’re prepared to pony up for superior sound. For Apple customers, it is the premium choice to decide on, no less than whereas we look ahead to the potential of a refreshed HomePod.

Denon Dwelling audio system evaluate: Execs

• Glossy, premium, trendy designs
• Constructed-in Siri, and sensible residence options like doorbell chime, and intercom
• Implausible audio high quality
• Dolby Atmos assist
• Simple setup by way of Apple Dwelling

Denon Dwelling audio system evaluate: Cons

• Requires HomePod or HomePod mini for Siri
• Considerably costly
• No Dolby Atmos through Apple Music but

Denon Dwelling 200 & Denon Dwelling 400 Score: 4 out of 5 stars

The place to purchase Denon Dwelling 200 & Denon Dwelling 400

The Denon Dwelling 200 sells for $399 and will be ordered from Amazon and B&H Picture, whereas the Denon Dwelling 400 retails for $599.

That mannequin, which is available in your alternative of Charcoal or Stone, can be bought at Amazon and B&H Picture.

The strong Denon 600, in the meantime, will run you $799 at Amazon and B&H.