Modern TVs offer jaw-dropping visuals, a huge range of broadcast and streaming options and look damn fine as well – all slimline and gorgeous. But there’s one problem with those skinny frames – it just doesn’t leave room for a decent set of speakers. So if you want your 4K TV to sound as good as it looks, you’re going to want to invest in a soundbar. Specifically, a soundbar from Denon, who have a model to suit just about any requirement and budget.
With a Denon soundbar you’ll get crisp dialogue that’s comprehensible at key moments – yes, even during those TV shows where everybody mumbles. You’ll hear soundtracks as the composer and director intended. And explosions will be… explode-ier. More explosive. Because if a picture is worth a thousand words, a 4K picture with impeccable sound is worth a billion. With a soundbar, you get to fill your TV room with sound, without having to fill it with speakers. Just one slimline unit can provide the full sonic experience, including full surround sound and Dolby Atmos.
To make sure you bring the full cinema experience to your home, which Denon soundbar is best for you? Let’s take a look at the range…
Denon DHT-S216
Denon brings all its many years of hi-fi experience to this entry level soundbar. Plug and play simplicity is served up, thanks to HDMI ARC, and you’ll be amazed at the sonic boost you’ll hear. For easy music playback from your phone or tablet, there’s also Bluetooth. With support for Dolby audio and DTS Virtual:X, the Denon DHT-S216 provides a massive, all-enveloping sound from a bar less than 2 inches tall. And all for less than £200!
Denon DHT-S316
The next step up the soundbar evolutionary ladder adds more oomph, with a wireless subwoofer handling bottom end duties. The price is still remarkably low for such a quality ‘bar.
Denon DHT-S416
All the skills of the DHT-S316 but with the very welcome addition of Google Chromecast Audio built-in. This feature allows you to stream Hi-Res Audio from some of your favourite music services over Wi-Fi. It also means you can connect this soundbar with additional Chromecast Built-In or Google Assistant Enabled devices via the Google Home app. Again, a powerful, wire-free subwoofer brings the boom to your room.
Denon DHT-S517
Now we’re really cooking, as the Denon DHT-S517 is the first soundbar in Denon’s line-up to feature upward-firing speakers for an immersive Dolby Atmos experience. Widely used on streaming channels and an increasing number of Blu-ray discs, Dolby Atmos is the current state of the art in surround sound, with music, effects and dialogue assailing you from left, right, all around and even from above. Denon’s advanced audio knowledge makes this possible from just one slimline bar and compact subwoofer.
Denon Home Sound Bar 550
If you want to really boost your home cinema sound and music, take a close look at the Home Sound Bar 550. The recipient of multiple awards, Denon’s range-topper has a HUGE sound, with all the audio delights of Atmos, and its main rival DTS:X, making it a truly versatile centre for all your movies and music.
The Denon Home Sound Bar 550 also boasts HEOS Built-In Technology for multi-room audio streaming, and can be paired with compatible rear surround speakers and subwoofers from Denon’s extensive, compact and rather sexy range. Oh, and there’s also support for Alexa, which means that not only can you control key features of the soundbar with your voice but also that Alexa can provide all her usual news-reading, smart home-controlling and music-playing duties, as well as delighting you with her sassy yet deadpan brand of ‘humour’.
