Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: Siri & superior sound

Denon’s new line of Siri-enabled Apple Residence sensible audio system could also be what customers are searching for 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 Residence 200, Denon Residence 400, and Denon Residence 600. Whereas all totally different sizes and worth factors, your complete line caters to Apple customers with help for conversing with Siri and AirPlay.

The brand new units launch in what has been a protracted 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 obtainable. I have been testing each the Denon Residence 200 and Denon Residence 400 for the final couple of months.

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

Denon Residence audio system evaluate: Design

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

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: The smaller, Denon Residence 200 seems to be glossy and stylish

The Denon Residence 200 and Denon Residence 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 additional IO on the again.

The Denon Residence 600 is the largest departure because the contoured speaker physique seems to sit down angled on high of the bottom. This offers higher sound route for spatial help, sending audio up, to the perimeters, and ahead.

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: Standing mild on the underside of the Denon Residence 400

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

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

In contrast to with HomePod that has a touch-sensitive floor, the buttons are bodily and have a refined *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 Residence collection audio system evaluate: Variations in design between the Denon Residence 200 and Denon Residence 400

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

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: Rear ports shared throughout the Denon dwelling 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 wise speaker listening in.

Lastly, the audio system have a mushy mild that glows out of the underside. It acts as a little bit of a standing mild and may change shade.

Denon Residence audio system evaluate: Straightforward setup for Apple customers

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

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

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: Scan the pairing code so as to add to the Residence 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 mainly a great 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 means Denon may have made this any simpler could be in the event that they used NFC for commissioning relatively than scanning the QR code. Meaning the entire setup course of could possibly be began with a faucet versus opening the Residence app first.

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

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: The standing mild can change colours

Whereas we’re speaking in regards to the setup and wi-fi, up to now in my testing, I’ve not encountered any situations of the audio system going offline. Each audio system have remained on-line, obtainable, and responsive once I forged audio to them.

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

Denon Residence audio system evaluate: Sensible dwelling powers

What makes these audio system so interesting to me in comparison with others of their weight class is that they help Apple Residence. 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 Residence app as a Residence accent, you possibly can embrace it in your house automations. Easy ones, for instance, like robotically pausing audio playback if 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 may have the audio system play your “prepare” playlist within the morning when your alarm goes off, you possibly can have a “pump up” playlist if you set a exercise scene, or play white noise with a sleep timer when setting your “Goodnight” scene.

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: The Denon Residence 200 exhibiting within the Residence app

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

You probably have an Apple Residence doorbell, the Denon Residence audio system can act as wi-fi chimes. That means, 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 Residence collection audio system evaluate: Use AirPlay to forged audio to the Denon audio system, together with a number of without delay

This brings help for AirPlay, too. You may forged audio from almost any Apple gadget to the Denon Residence audio system.

That is what permits Apple-native multi-room help. 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 Residence 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 Residence 400, or if I say to play in a sure room, it is going to go to all audio system in that location.

Greatest of all is full help for Siri, although the implementation is somewhat complicated. Apple does enable third-party audio system to construct in Siri, however up to now, Denon and Ecobee are the one main gamers to take action.

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

The catch with Siri help 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 if 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 few of the large gamers, like Sonos, want 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 relatively you purchase extra of their audio system.

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: The standing mild can change to Siri colours if you invoke Apple’s assistant

For a lot of Apple customers, they possible have already got some model of HomePod or two within the Residence, so I do not think about this an enormous draw back. It’s one thing to pay attention to although, earlier than buying the speaker with the anticipation of utilizing Siri.

So far as utility, Siri is mainly in characteristic 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 dwelling equipment, to textual content somebody, to verify the climate, convert items of measurement, and extra. That stated, there are some ways in which they differ.

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: Denon Residence 200 remains to be bigger than the bottom HomePod

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

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

A Residence Hub can also be what processes the AI video for HomeKit Safe Video, resembling 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 relatively 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 may imply in case you bought a brand new HomePod or HomePod mini with Apple Intelligence, Siri in your Denon speaker could be upgraded. Hopefully, that is not wishful pondering, however it’s not an enormous bounce to make.

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

Denon Residence 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 wish to use it.

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: 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 numerous platforms. Customers can immediately stream from plenty of totally different companies, together with Tidal, Spotify, Deezer, iHeartRadio, and extra.

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

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: You may alter audio high quality and stability 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 alter the bass, treble, or width (bodily spaciousness of the soundstage).

Denon Residence audio system evaluate: Audio high quality

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

Beginning with the smaller of the 2, the Denon Residence 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 Residence 200 completely sounds higher. It is fuller, with a bigger emphasis on the midrange.

Denon Residence collection audio system evaluate: 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 feel Denon did a wonderful job at filling out the midrange.

That is not to say the bass is missing in any means 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 increased quantity than the HomePod, with it being arguably too loud in my dwelling to ever go previous 75%.

The easiest way 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 Residence collection audio system evaluate: Evaluating the Denon Residence 200 towards the Sonos Period 100 and Sonos Period 300

I might additionally say that the Denon Residence 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 increased price ticket of the Denon.

Personally, I even most well-liked the Denon Residence 200 to the Sonos Period 300, to a level. The Period 300 is bigger and costlier, however I feel the Denon Residence 200 has a hotter profile that I favored and has a smaller footprint.

Once more, the comparability is hard. The Denon Residence 200 lacks the upward-firing driver of the Sonos Period 300, however in case you transfer to the Denon Residence 400, it is costlier, whereas being even greater nonetheless.

Listening to “The Mountain Track” by Tophouse, I can very a lot really feel the music construct and swell with that full, broad 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 Residence collection audio system evaluate: Denon Residence 400 on a shelf in my studio

Shifting to the Denon Residence 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 can not emphasize how a lot this could actually fill out a room. Enthusiastic about the Denon Residence 600, that have to be wild.

After I first began listening to the Denon Residence 400, essentially 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 quantity. It was wonderful.

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

Denon Residence 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 help, however there is not any promise on when that characteristic will likely be delivered.

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

In an more and more aggressive area, Denon has excelled right here. I am very happy with your complete ecosystem.

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

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

Shifting up the lineup, customers can select the speaker that fits their setting, 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 adequate, there have been zero alternate options that allow you to maintain Siri.

Whereas I am a large Sonos fan, the Denon Residence 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 alternate options right here, Denon did the very best it was capable of, throughout.

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

Denon Residence audio system evaluate: Professionals

• Modern, premium, fashionable designs
• Constructed-in Siri, and sensible dwelling options like doorbell chime, and intercom
• Implausible audio high quality
• Dolby Atmos help
• Straightforward setup via Apple Residence

Denon Residence audio system evaluate: Cons

• Requires HomePod or HomePod mini for Siri
• Considerably costly
• No Dolby Atmos by way of Apple Music but

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

The place to purchase Denon Residence 200 & Denon Residence 400

The Denon Residence 200 sells for $399 and may be ordered from Amazon and B&H Picture, whereas the Denon Residence 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 Picture.

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