So, for example, orange lights will indicate a DTS audio source, whereas green will be for Dolby, and blue for Bluetooth. BA1 1UA. We should note, however, that DTS-HD Master Audio formats won’t work under this setup. The DHT-S514 is a hi-fi sound system with a 2-way dual-channel soundbar and wireless subwoofer. I only have speakers so i suggest contact with Denon or the wonderful folks at Crutchfield. The issue we had with trying that was only having the one input: without an HDMI splitter to bring in the other devices, it becomes an impractical way to set up the DHT-S216 unless lossless audio is that important to you. Ty Pendlebury/CNET. The DHT-S716H’s lack of Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or even DTS:VirtualX support does give us pause given the rapid rise of object-based 3D audio for both movies and music. The Denon DHT-S716H is a 3.0-channel soundbar, which uses a total of nine built-in drivers (including three tweeters and six mid-range cones) to deliver the left, center, and right audio channels. It goes louder than you might expect, and DTS Virtual:X 3D surround sound aims to deliver the kind of overhead sound you’d get from having upward-firing speakers. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. Getting the DHT-S716H connected to my Wi-Fi network wasn’t much trouble, although it may take you a few extra steps if you’re not already invested in the HEOS ecosystem. The Denon DHT-S216 is an all-in-one soundbar that will enhance your home audio without breaking the bank. What’s confusing about the app is that you must navigate to different tabs for different settings; for example, the sound settings are all found on the “Now Playing” tab, but if you want to adjust the brightness for the LED indicator or re-run the setup assistant, you’ll need to head for the Music tab and tap the Settings button in the top-left corner of the screen. Denon’s Virtual Surround processing is according to the company of the highest possible quality. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, Nintendo has acquired a new developer – here’s what it means for Switch owners, Where to buy Xbox Series X: all the latest restock updates, Where to buy PS5: all the latest restock updates, Best laptop 2021: our pick of the 15 best laptops you can buy this year, Come e dove acquistare una licenza di Microsoft Office legalmente, Make Cyberpunk 2077 play much, much better with just two super simple fixes, Xbox Series X survey asks if you want PS5 DualSense features in the Xbox controller. The back of the sound bar hosts a r… Rounding it out is a plug for a wired connection to a subwoofer. Low-profile w/clear, crisp, detailed sound Posted 1 year ago. This well-connected and powerful 4K-ready 3.0 soundbar can has wireless 5.1 home cinema and multi-room options if used with Denon’s HEOS speakers. We played music that way all the time, and found it a better method than Bluetooth. The Denon DHT-S216 doesn’t look all that striking, but its neutral look allows it to fit right in with any home entertainment center. Besides the HDMI inputs, there’s also an ARC-enabled HDMI output, optical (Toslink) and RCA-style digital audio inputs, a wired ethernet network port, a USB port that supports music files (including MP3, AAC, and FLAC), a 3.5mm audio input, and a jack for an IR receiver (not included). While the DHT-S716H lacks 3D audio support, it does comes with a different killer feature: HEOS, Denon’s high-resolution multi-room audio platform. Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. Denon did right by the DHT-S216. Denon’s sound bar also comes with a wireless subwoofer to add even more punch to the TV’s audio output. Denon’s approach to its soundbar range is similar to Bowers & Wilkins, with an emphasis on sound quality. While the DHT-S716H lacks 3D audio support, it doescomes with a different killer feature: HE… A full-range sound bar with DTS Virtual:X 3D audio for enhanced bass and crystal-clear dialogue during TV and movie. Enhancing the dialogue often only raised the mids, rather than specifically boosting voice clarity. More than this, though, it’s also a handy music streamer. TechHive |. © Excellent sound from woofer even though strictly Bluetooth connection to bar. The tension in the border clash in Sicario came through nicely, as did the chaos of the underpass chase in The Dark Knight, where a multitude of sounds cascaded throughout. Obviously, the Atmos-less DHT-S716H doesn’t deliver the benefits of height channels or object-based audio, but I was still impressed by the soundbar’s surprisingly wide soundstage as the credits whooshed across the screen, and there was a solid, respectable thump as Richard Donner’s “directed by” credit hit the screen. First, I tried the DHT-S716H with the opening titles of 1979’s Superman, which has been remastered in 4K and Dolby Atmos. Two other key features are missing here – there's no Wi-Fi chip inside the soundbar, so no wireless connectivity to the home network. You may not need it if you live in a smaller space, but larger rooms would definitely gain an advantage with one. Denon claims that the soundbar’s advanced acoustics and precise tuning can “realistically simulate a multi-channel soundtrack” as well … There are various listening modes, including Movie Surround Sound, Dialog Enhancer, Music and Night Mode. Stay In Touch. Given that you can always add a subwoofer and surround speakers later, the DHT-S716H is a compelling choice for discriminating listeners looking for the easiest way to upgrade their TV’s sound. On December 24, Robert Andrew Clarence Boll, 46, of Dow City, was stopped for a defective brake light and having a valid Crawford County warra… While that platform also doesn’t have voice assistant access, other TVs do. First, surround sound won’t be an option because there’s no way to make it work. I also liked the sound of the Phantom Zone as it twirled into the frame and captured General Zod and his lieutenants, complete with audio that slid across the sides of the room in a surround-like effect (this despite the fact that the DHT-S716H lacks any virtual surround modes). While it’s tempting to dismiss any new higher-end soundbar that lacks object-based Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X 3D audio support (after all, even budget soundbars support the formats these days), the DHT-S716H proves that top-notch sound doesn’t necessarily require height channels. Given that the DHT-S716H is one of the rare soundbars to come with four HDMI inputs, connecting your video sources directly to the soundbar is the most appealing option, particularly since the DHT-S716H supports both 4K and HDR passthrough (including Dolby Vision). This configuration allows for DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as Dolby TrueHD, to come through. Al Griffin | Aug 12, 2020 | 0 comments. Unfortunately we didn’t have a separate subwoofer to plug in to this thing – but, if we had, we’re pretty sure the sound bar would’ve sounded even meatier than it already does. As long as the TV is set to HDMI ARC in its own settings, there should be no issue. The Denon DHT-S716H is a 3.0-channel soundbar, which makes use of a complete of 9 built-in drivers (together with three tweeters and 6 mid-range cones) to ship the left, heart, and proper audio channels. Read our, Controls, remote, indicators, and Bluetooth, TechHive’s coverage of the best soundbars, [ Further reading: TechHive’s top picks in smart TVs ], Rich, detailed, and surprisingly deep sound, Four HDMI inputs rather than the usual one or two. For the left and right channels, the DHT-S216H serves up two drivers for each, includin… Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! The setup process was pretty shaky and the iOS app itself is very unstable. For one thing, the indicator is distractingly bright, even when you set it to the lowest brightness level using Denon’s HEOS app (more about the app in a moment). The sound bar is light – much lighter than we’d anticipated – and its matte plastic casing was a little boring, but it almost seemed to blend in well with the bottom of our flat screen TV once set on our media stand. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. You won’t get everything you might expect in a sound bar these days, but if it’s sound quality that you care about, your money will stretch pretty far here. Rockers for volume and bass, plus modes for Movie, Night and Music, and three dialogue enhancer settings to choose from. No one genre really stood out, though that’s probably a good thing. Once you do find your footing with the HEOS app, streaming music to the DHT-S716HS is a breeze: Simply sign in to a music service to start streaming (track navigation is handled within the HEOS app). Placing it in front of my 55-inch LG C9 OLED TV, the curved top of the soundbar blocked a sliver of the LG’s screen, but I didn’t find it terribly bothersome given its non-reflective fabric covering. Mind you, the DHT-S716H’s main soundbar unit can’t reproduce the bone-rattling booms that a subwoofer delivers, but its bass response is still surprisingly impressive, and I can only imagine how good it might sound once paired with a wireless sub. The design of it is plain and unassuming with its lightweight plastic housing and fabric mesh grill; it looks cheaper than it sounds… The back has a decent array of ports, including HDMI ARC, Toslink optical, Aux-In, plus another HDMI input for additional use cases. While it lacks Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, the DHT-S716H boasts rich, detailed, and surprisingly deep sound given its lack of a subwoofer. While this pricey, HEOS-enabled soundbar lacks (out of the box, at least) surround and low-frequency channels, not to mention Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, it has an ace up its sleeve: warm, detailed, and surprisingly deep sound, which you can always augment later by adding a wireless subwoofer or surround speakers. Roku Streambar review: Dolby sound and 4K streaming in one. Denon didn’t supply the DSW-1H or any other wireless surround speakers for this review. The Best Budget Sound Bar: JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Sub. Explore Life Stories, Offer Condolences & Send Flowers. Using the virtual 3D surround heightened the highs and lows, but not always the mids, which affected dialogue. It’s an old school remote, with no backlit buttons and straightforward layout, but it does the job. Also consider. Last but not least, Ciara’s “Level Up” sounded pleasing punchy on the soundbar even without the benefit of a subwoofer, with a nice pulsing baseline and crisp vocals. The app consists of three tabs: a “Rooms” tab that lets you group the HEOS speakers in your home, a “Music” tab that lets you stream tunes from a variety of music service (such as Amazon Music HD, Pandora, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, and iHeartRadio) as well as switch between the soundbar’s various video and audio inputs, as well as a “Now Playing” tab for changing sounds modes, toggling the dialog enhancer and night modes settings, as well as change HDMI inputs. Once again, I was impressed by the soundbar’s rich yet subtle audio, along with its attention to high-end detail. Learning the remote also means learning the LED array on the sound bar itself. I really want to like this soundbar and the HEOS ecosystem overall but there's quite a bit of work for Denon to catch up to established systems like Sonos today. In that setup, you would plug in one of the devices into that port and then run another HDMI cable from the sound bar’s ARC output to the TV. Clearly designed with discriminating listeners in mind, the DHT-S716H also comes with four HDMI inputs (far better than the usual one or two) and support for Denon’s HEOS high-resolution multi-room audio platform. It prioritized putting together impressive audio performance over a checklist of features. The DHT-S716H takes a Spartan approach when it comes to integrated controls, with only volume and mute buttons on the left side of the cabinet and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connect buttons in back. Senior Writer, So, I decided to explore finding something that could replace the sound bar and not break the bank in the process. There are workarounds for that involving a TV or compatible box. For another thing, the indicator isn’t terribly useful beyond setup and troubleshooting, telling you (for example) whether the soundbar is connected to Wi-Fi, installing a firmware update, rebooting, pairing with a Bluetooth device, or encountering a hardware or network error. It really depends on what you’re watching with it. Denon is continuing its 110th-anniversary celebrations with the launch of a well-equipped budget soundbar. When a TV is connected, it’s an available source through Spotify Connect. Sadly, the soundbar supports neither Chromecast nor AirPlay 2. There are buttons for all the main inputs, plus dedicated ones for DTS Virtual:X and Pure, a mode we’ll get to later. The DHT-S716H’s remote isn’t backlit, and it doesn’t have much in the way of controls. Cyberpunk 2077 loses over 75% of players on Steam, Ready to upgrade your audio? First, you’ll need to install the HEOS app, then create a HEOS account if you don’t already have one. $2,500 at Audio Advice. The jet-black DHT-S514 has a slim, rectangular frame, with a small collection of rubberized keys along the top, and port holes bored into each end. Bath For full control of the DHT-S716H, including access to its settings, you’ll need the HEOS app, which can be a bit confusing to use. There was a problem. This sound bar is specifically designed for … With passive speakers you can run everything thru this great receiver. Granted, we weren’t expecting miracles knowing this sound bar has no actual center channel, but it could’ve also been far worse, considering the price. The newer, higher-bandwidth eARC (“e” for “enhanced”) standard can handle lossless audio, but the DHT-S716H doesn’t support it (and few soundbars do at this point, although we may see more of them starting in 2020). Again, because the remote has no backlit buttons, the sound bar’s LEDs are your only visual sign of what mode or feature is actually working at any given time. The soundbar doesn’t come with any up-firing drivers, so there’s no object-based audio support for such 3D sound formats as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Denon Virtual Surround technology creates a powerful, realistic home theatre experience through Dolby Digital, DTS Decoding and the Denon-proprietary Dialogue Enhancer for crystal clear dialogue at any volume. If money's tight and your TV needs an audio boost, the Denon DHT-S216 Home Theater Soundbar is a cheap way to upgrade your audio without breaking the bank. 5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent 5.1 System, Top Sound Quality, Aweful Denon Customer Service Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2020 I completed a 5.1 surround sound system for my family room with the Denon DHT-S716H soundbar, DSW-1H subwoofer, and 2 Heos 5 speakers for left and right surround. Instead, you’ll find only two: Movie and Music, and that’s actually just fine, given that both modes sounded great to my ears. While the DHT-S716H’s HEOS support affords plenty of flexibility, the HEOS speakers themselves don’t come cheap. Most of the soundbars I review only offer a single HDMI input, while high-end soundbars will occasionally give you two. We found it could be pretty good for dialogue-heavy shows or even a concert video, but we leaned toward DTS Virtual:X or Movie mode for movies and TV shows. Nope, you won’t hear the same deep rumbles that you would with a subwoofer, but I still experienced plenty of “I can’t believe there’s no subwoofer” moments, particularly as the the ship began jettisoning the massive stages of the rocket. You don’t have to use a Denon one if you don’t want to, and while a wired sub may limit your options on layout and deployment, it’s a nice perk to have at this price point. All rights reserved. In my case, the setup process was eased because I already own a Denon HEOS A/V receiver that’s connected to my Wi-Fi, which allowed the app to connect the soundbar to my wireless networks without having to enter my network password. The Good The Denon HEOS HomeCinema offers decent home-theater sound and excellent music replay. TVs have certainly gotten better visually, but it’s been at the expense of the onboard speakers. … Read our Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar review. You can also stream music via Bluetooth (I had no trouble streaming songs from my iPhone XS) or use the soundbar as a Spotify Connect device. Product was very easy to connect to tv, and profile of sound bar was perfect for placing this at base of flat screen without compromising view or remote signals. That also means no built-in voice assistant access for Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. That’s when we put the dialogue enhancer to medium or high to make up for it. We were impressed with how full sound came out despite not having a separate subwoofer. This affordable soundbar/streamer … TechHive helps you find your tech sweet spot. You can also easily upgrade the DHT-S716H’s audio to 3.1- or 5.1-channel sound by pairing it with other HEOS speakers, such as the DSW-1H subwooferRemove non-product link and/or (for example) a pair of HEOS 3Remove non-product link wireless bookshelf speakers. The sound bar comes with its own remote, and we found we had to reach for it more often than we expected to make adjustments. Denon HEOS Bar soundbar review. Any TV or box with Android TV gives you access to Google Assistant, as would any Fire TV product from Amazon. You will receive a verification email shortly. $2,500 at Crutchfield. Performance. The DHT-S216 has Bluetooth, which is a convenient alternative, though we had some issues with playback dropouts. Thanks to its HEOS support, the DHT-S716H lets you play tunes or TV audio on other Denon HEOS-enabled speakers in your home. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he covers smart home and home entertainment products. Here is a new soundbar/subwoofer system from Denon (DHT-S316). Also, when you play the bar at max volume, there's a bit of distortion present, but it may not be audible with real-life content. Samsung HW-N650?- Best Soundbar with Bluetooth. One of the beauties of a 3.0-channel soundbar system is that it’s easy to install, especially if you’re not interested in wall mounting; just plunk it down in front of your TV, plug the detachable power cord into an AC outlet (thankfully, the plug doesn’t come with a power brick or wall wart), and connect it to your TV with the included HDMI or optical cable. Wait, a $900 soundbar without a subwoofer, surround speakers, or object-based 3D audio support? It measures about 35-inches wide, 2.35-inches high and 4.7-inches deep, making it a good companion for your 55-inch TV, but be careful that it doesn't block the IR sensor on your TV – it comes with plastic spacers, but no mounts, brackets or screws inside the box. Unfortunately, while this bar comes with some EQ presets, it doesn't have a graphic EQ, which may be disappointing for listeners who love to customize their sound. However, it takes some time to figure out what the best configuration is for a given content scenario. Copyright © 2021 IDG Communications, Inc. That’s indeed the case with the Denon DHT-S716H, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Sound United’s Denon brand is perhaps best known for its excellent upper mid-range home theater audio components, but with the new DHT-S216 $249 budget soundbar, the company is stretching its expertise to bring the value of better sound-fidelity to a wider audience, and as our review discovered the product mostly hits the mark. We tested this sound bar on a 55-inch TCL 6 Series with built-in Roku TV. Same with Spotify. If money is an object, and your TV needs an audio boost, this is a cheaper way to do it without cheaping out. That last part should be of particular interest because it applies to third-party subs, too. If you choose the ARC option with your video sources connected to the TV, you’ll miss out on lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats, which the standard ARC format doesn’t support. The DHT-S716H boasts one of the most generous arrays of inputs and outputs I’ve seen in a soundbar, starting with the four—count ‘em, four—HDMI inputs. We also liked the combination of music, dialogue and action that went so well together in shows like Miami Vice, The Sopranos and The Wire. Sure, it'd be great if it had built-in Wi-Fi and voice assistants, but its sound quality and price point more than make up for any shortcomings on that front. That’s a bit of a problem when big names, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu and iTunes, don’t natively support it however you will get an effect, regardless. The good news is that you can turn the LED indicator off completely, but it’s too bad that the indicator isn’t more functional or unobtrusive. The power and mute buttons are at the top. It’s an old … Measuring 43.38 x 5.88 x 2.88 inches and weighing in at about 10.6 pounds, the DHT-S716H is relatively easy to handle. Best for music listening. Perhaps that’s what Denon intended. The easiest connection is probably HDMI ARC because it routes all audio for devices connected to the TV through it. Switching over to Vlado Perlemuter’s performance of Maurice Ravel’s solo piano works for Nimbus Records, the DWT-716H managed the tricky task of teasing detail out of Perlemuter’s keystrokes while evoking the atmospherics of the concert hall. While it naturally couldn’t fully emulate a pair of rear surrounds, it held its own quite well in delivering something that felt like more than just a 2.1 “sweet spot” listening and viewing experience. Enjoy enhanced TV sound and music streaming, in one Delivering powerful, immersive sound, the Denon DHT-S416 provides a huge upgrade to movies, gaming and TV sound. We tended to eschew 3D surround unless we were streaming live tracks, preferring to go with Pure or Music and raising or lowering the bass as desired. If you’re going to splurge on a nice big screen, upgrading the audio should be the next order of business. That said, I’m blown away that a 3.0-channel soundbar without a subwoofer could sound this good, and indeed, I’ve heard subwoofer- and Atmos-packing soundbars that have sounded much worse. Visit our corporate site. Denon is a well-known brand that has produced high-quality audio products and it has brought that heritage to the expanding category of sound bars. Denon’s HEOS app gives you full access to the DHT-716H’s settings and controls, but it can be confusing to use. The dual midrange drivers and tweeters should provide a clear sound, while the subwoofer, which is hidden from view, can take care of the layer. Please refresh the page and try again. I eventually got the hang of it, but navigating the HEOS app is a confusing experience the first few times you try it. Speaking of the LED indicator, it’s probably my least favorite feature on the DHT-S716H. You also get a couple of audio features that too many soundbars don’t have: a night mode and a dialog enhancer. The LEDs on the front correspond with the input or the audio source. Like the soundbar itself, the DHT-S716H’s non-backlit remote is also quite spare, although at least the soundbar comes with one; previous Denon soundbars haven’t included a physical remote control at all. Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. We steer you to products you'll love and show you how to get the most out of them. Inside, the sound bar has two downward facing 3-inch subwoofers, two mid-range dual drivers and two 1-inch tweeters. The soundbar doesn’t include any up-firing drivers, so there’s no object-based audio assist for such 3D sound codecs as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. For its limitations and price, the DHT-S216 was a pleasant surprise. If … This receiver was recommended to me by the online salesman and it does exactly what I was hoping for with a price tag under $250.00! That said, you could always opt to hang the soundbar on a wall using the rear mounting holes (no mounting supplies are included, although there is a mounting template). The soundbar doesn’t come with any up-firing drivers, so there’s no object-based audio support for such 3D sound formats as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. All of the ports are included in a central rear cavity, rather than being shunted off to the left or the right. While it blinks when receiving commands from the remote or the app, it can’t show you the volume level or input status. Today in our Denon HEOS Bar review we check this modular 3.0 channels soundbar that offers good audio performance, nice features and the ability to expand to a 3.1 or even a 5.1 full surround system. While the quick select buttons make it easy to quickly select an input with your favorite sound and volume settings, the buttons themselves are only labeled “1” through “6,” so you’ll need to remember which quick select buttons do what. The DSW-1H subwoofer, for example, costs a cool $600, while the HEOS 3 speakers go for $300 each. Polk Signa S3. That’s how we felt after using the Denon DHT-S216, a $250 (£220, around AU$365) standalone soundbar that comes with DTS Virtual:X support and decent specs capable of punching above its audio weight. Don't miss our list of the. We noticed this in Virtual:X’s tendency to add a slight sibilance to voices, particularly in movies or shows that were heavy on dialogue. However, while the S516H doesn’t include a remote, like the Formation Bar, it … Again, the DHT-S716H lacks DTS:X support, but I still got a kick as the Saturn V rockets roared to life and the spacecraft gently rose off the launch pad. Despite its lack of a separate subwoofer (although you can add one later if you wish), the Denon DHT-S216H still counts as a 2.1-channel soundbar, with that “.1” designation (for low-frequency effects) coming courtesy of the soundbar’s pair of 3.0-inch downfiring woofers, which get a boost from the bass reflex ports on the left and right sides of the unit. $2,500 at Best Buy. The Denon DHT-S716H is a 3.0-channel soundbar, which uses a total of nine built-in drivers (including three tweeters and six mid-range cones) to deliver the left, center, and right audio channels. We liked the soundstage in everything we listened to, including how loud we could pump things up without venturing into distorted reverb territory. Indeed, while the DHT-S716H doesn’t have up-firing drivers, I was routinely blown away by the soundbar’s rich, detailed, and velvety sound, even without the benefits of a subwoofer or surround speakers. If you’re not already a HEOS user, the app will let you pick out your Wi-Fi network and enter your credentials. Since this isn’t part of Denon’s HEOS lineup, the DHT-S216 doesn’t support it, wired or wireless. The Denon 2.1-Channel Soundbar is a surprising powerhouse built into a simple pared-down setup. Moving on to music, I teed up the title track of Bruce Springsteen’s The Ghost of Tom Joad, and I was immediately struck by the detail in The Boss’s reedy harmonica performance and the pluck of the acoustic guitar strings, along with the rising warmth of the synthesizers and percussion. We tested all this out on a wide array of films and shows, with an emphasis on specific scenes. Denon DHT-S316 soundbar The DHT-S316 is designed to be placed on a shelf without the bottom of it TV screen, or can be fixed to the wall using the integrated keyholes. The new Denon DHT-S416 is therefore in principle in the middle of the field, but is now the “largest” soundbar at Denon that does not rely on HEOS Built-in. All of this comes with caveats that you have to accept right off the bat. The sound bar comes with its own remote, and we found we had to reach for it more often than we expected to make adjustments. It will do it no matter the audio source, but it’s markedly better when the content actually supports it. You would need the TV on to use them, of course, but it does mean the bar can play its part. The top has physical buttons for power, input, Bluetooth and volume. TechRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Audiophiles will probably already know that, and that’s where the HDMI input comes in. Subscribe for news about price reductions and new lines added. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury,