Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: Siri & superior sound

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

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 totally different sizes and value factors, the whole 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 attractive with few alternate options out there. I have been testing each the Denon Dwelling 200 and Denon Dwelling 400 for the final couple of months.

Let’s have a look at how they carry out and examine to HomePod.

Denon Dwelling audio system overview: Design

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

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

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

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: Standing mild on the underside of the Denon Dwelling 400

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

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: 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 sequence audio system overview: Variations in design between the Denon Dwelling 200 and Denon Dwelling 400

The Denon Dwelling 400 is simply over twice as huge and as an alternative of the buttons on the highest, has a steel grille that helps with Spatial Audio. The buttons are relocated to the experience facet for simple entry however you do not see them from the entrance.

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: 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 comfortable mild that glows out of the underside. It acts as a little bit of a standing mild and might change coloration.

Denon Dwelling audio system overview: Straightforward 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 may be arrange similar to some other Apple Dwelling accent. You open the Dwelling app, faucet the + button, and scan the pairing code on the speaker.

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: Scan the pairing code so as to add to the Dwelling app

This opens a popup modal on the backside of the display 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 would say that is principally an excellent setup course of. You needn’t do some convoluted pairing course of the place you connect with a short lived community, obtain any third-party apps, and even manually enter any credentials.

The one method Denon may have made this any simpler could be in the event that they used NFC for commissioning reasonably than scanning the QR code. Which means the entire setup course of may very well 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 sequence audio system overview: The standing mild can change colours

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

The audio system assist Wi-Fi 6, together with not solely 2.4GHz and 5GHz, however 6GHz, too. With robust 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 overview: 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 an identical 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 whenever you or the final particular person leaves the house, are fairly helpful.

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

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: The Denon Dwelling 200 exhibiting 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 companion can name me over the intercom from the kitchen HomePod to my studio Denon Dwelling 400, and I can discuss again to them.

In case you 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 sequence audio system overview: Use AirPlay to forged audio to the Denon audio system, together with a number of without delay

This brings assist for AirPlay, too. You may forged audio from practically any Apple system to the Denon Dwelling audio system.

That is what permits Apple-native multi-room assist. You may play to a number of AirPlay audio system without delay, which may be any mixture from HomePods and third-party audio system.

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: 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 overview: Siri, however not on HomePod

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

This main caveat is probably going why a few of the huge gamers, like Sonos, want to cozy as much as different digital assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or its personal assistants as an alternative. They do not need you to have to purchase a HomePod, however reasonably you purchase extra of their audio system.

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: The standing mild can change to Siri colours whenever you invoke Apple’s assistant

For a lot of Apple customers, they doubtless 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 function parity with HomePod. Something you possibly can ask a HomePod, you possibly can ask your Denon speaker.

You may ask it to regulate your sensible residence equipment, to textual content somebody, to examine the climate, convert items of measurement, and extra. That mentioned, there are some ways in which they differ.

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: Denon Dwelling 200 remains 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 whenever 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 advised within the Dynamic Island whenever you open the Music app close by, although.

A Dwelling Hub can also be what processes the AI video for HomeKit Safe Video, reminiscent of individuals, automobile, or package deal detection. Plus, HomePod and HomePod mini have built-in environmental sensors for temperature and humidity.

It is 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 reasonably 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 might imply if you happen to bought a brand new HomePod or HomePod mini with Apple Intelligence, Siri in your Denon speaker could be upgraded. Hopefully, that is not wishful considering, nevertheless it’s not an enormous leap to make.

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

Denon Dwelling audio system overview: 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 sequence audio system overview: The Denon HEOS app has extra controls and direct streaming choices

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

You may stream from these companies, modify quantity, carry out updates, and modify the observe queue. It is much like the Sonos expertise, although possibly a bit extra limiting.

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: You may modify audio high quality and steadiness from the HEOS app

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

Denon Dwelling audio system overview: Audio high quality

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

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

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

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: Controlling audio playback direct from Apple Music

Personally, at instances, 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 undoubtedly 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 could be very heat, which is one thing I like. It additionally maintains this consistency, even on the excessive volumes.

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: Evaluating the Denon Dwelling 200 towards the Sonos Period 100 and Sonos Period 300

I would 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 popular the Denon Dwelling 200 to the Sonos Period 300, to a level. The Period 300 is bigger and costlier, however I believe the Denon Dwelling 200 has a hotter profile that I preferred 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 if you happen to transfer to the Denon Dwelling 400, it’s miles costlier, whereas being even greater nonetheless.

Listening to “The Mountain Tune” by Tophouse, I can very a lot really feel the music construct and swell with that full, huge 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 take heed to.

Denon Dwelling sequence audio system overview: Denon Dwelling 400 on a shelf in my studio

Shifting to the Denon Dwelling 400, it has six complete 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 could actually fill out a room. Desirous about the Denon Dwelling 600, that should be wild.

After 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 may really feel this bass in your chest earlier than even having to show up the amount. 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 sequence audio system overview: The underside of the speaker has a silicone foot and a thread for mounting on a conventional speaker stand or bracket

At present, Dolby Atmos content material is simply supported when streaming straight 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 not any promise on when that function can be delivered.

Denon Dwelling audio system overview: 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 the whole ecosystem.

The bottom mannequin, whereas costlier 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 sequence audio system overview: 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. In the event you ever discovered that HomePod wasn’t loud sufficient or the audio wasn’t ok, there have been zero alternate options that allow you to preserve Siri.

Whereas I am a large Sonos fan, the Denon Dwelling 200, 400, and 600 provide 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 alternate options right here, Denon did the best possible it was in a position to, throughout.

Proper now, I believe Denon put out the perfect throughout sensible speaker, if you happen to’re keen to pony up for superior sound. For Apple customers, it is the premium choice to decide on, a minimum of whereas we watch for the potential for a refreshed HomePod.

Denon Dwelling audio system overview: Execs

• Smooth, premium, fashionable designs
• Constructed-in Siri, and sensible residence options like doorbell chime, and intercom
• Unbelievable audio high quality
• Dolby Atmos assist
• Straightforward setup via Apple Dwelling

Denon Dwelling audio system overview: Cons

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

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

The place to purchase Denon Dwelling 200 & Denon Dwelling 400

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

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

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