On Thursday, we got news of a brand new soundbar from renowned speaker manufacturer Denon.
It’s packed with features but also comes with a hefty price tag. Given the money involved, should you just pick up a Sonos Arc instead?
Introducing the Denon Soundbar 550
So, why has the new Denon Soundbar 550 caught our eye? Let’s have a look at some of the headline features.
Perhaps most importantly for audiophiles, the new soundbar will support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D surround sound. The sound is delivered by a six-driver array and works with most of the prominent streaming protocols, including HEOS, Apple AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth. It will also work with the Roku TV operating system. Unfortunately, however, there is no support for Chromecast.
Officially, Alexa will not be supported until a firmware update that will roll out in April 2021.
Controlling the speaker is also straightforward. It has a proximity sensor that lights up the physical buttons when it detects that your hand is nearby, and there is a remote with three programmable quick select buttons.
Lastly, multi-room and multi-speaker setups are supported. For example, you could add Denon’s subwoofer for extra sound, add models such as the Denon Home 150, 250, or 350 for rear-channel surrounds, or even connect third-party speakers and receivers using HEOS.
The Soundbar 550 will launch in the United States in February 2021 and will cost $600. A global release date and price have not yet been announced.
Denon Soundbar 550 vs. Sonos Arc
So, how does Denon’s new model stack up to the competition?
The best soundbar on the market in 2021 is arguably the Sonos Arc. There is one key difference between it and the Denon speaker—the Denon version does not have the Arc’s height speakers.
It is the same cost-cutting design measure that Sony took with its HT-G700 and JBL with its Bar 5.0. Both use virtual Dolby Atmos rather than the real thing; it seems like the Denon speaker will follow suit.
Stay tuned for more information over the coming weeks.
