Denon has introduced its new Home Sound Bar 550, a high-performance, compact sound bar that can deliver Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D surround sound from a six-driver array.
Stream high-resolution music from a favourite music services or local music libraries directly to the sound bar leveraging HEOS Built-in. For those who have already invested in the HEOS ecosystem, including other Denon Home products, add the Denon Home Sound Bar 550 as a separate wireless zone without pulling new wire.
The Sound Bar 550 can be used as a standalone soundbar or expanded with other wireless Denon Home speakers, including the Home 150, 250, and 350, which can all be implemented as rear-channel surrounds. Listeners who want more impactful bass performance can add the DSW-1H wireless subwoofer separately.
The sound bar’s control panel lights up automatically as an outstretched hand approaches, enabling easy fingertip control of features like volume adjustment, play/pause, and the ability to skip or restart songs without using the app or remote control. Further, the remote control and HEOS app are equipped with three Quick Select buttons. With Quick Select, you can store a preferred source with listening modes, or Internet radio stations for access with a single button press.
The Denon Home Sound Bar 550 is easy to set up, says the company, and can be controlled using the included remote or with most TV remotes. The HEOS app or the on-board illuminated control panel, allowing you to manipulate the sound bar however you want. With eARC connectivity (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), the Sound Bar 550 delivers pleasant sound quality via a single HDMI connection to the TV.
In addition, the Denon Home Sound Bar 550 is Roku TV Ready and was verified by Roku to work seamlessly with Roku TV products. It is also compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 to easily stream from Apple devices. The Sound Bar 550 is the first Denon sound bar to include onboard software drivers for Control4, Crestron, URC, Elan, and more.
All Denon Home models, including the Sound Bar 550, provide access to streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music HD, TIDAL, and more, as well as high-resolution files stored on phones or network via Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, or Bluetooth.
HEOS Built-in functionality affords access to millions of songs, including thousands of high-resolution digital audio tracks all controlled from a single app. Play different music in each room or group all HEOS Built-in and Denon Home devices together to stream the same music in Party Mode throughout the home or office.
In Spring 2021, the Denon Home 550 and Denon Home wireless speaker will include Amazon Alexa voice capabilities via a firmware update, so you can use audible commands to do things like adjust volume, select inputs, and tweak bass and treble levels. The microphone, says Denon, will not be enabled without explicit user permission.
The Denon Home Sound Bar 550 will be available in February 2021 for US$599.