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Denon's Home Subwoofer lets you create a wireless 5.1 surround sound system
High-end HiFi manufacturer Denon has unveiled the wireless Denon Home Subwoofer that brings extra bass to its wireless Home speaker lineup.
How to build a budget home theater setup
Here's everything you need to know about building a home theater setup on a budget, including the best soundbars, speakers, amplifiers and more to buy.
Denon and Marantz will add HDMI 2.1 to these older receivers for $600
For $600, Denon and Marantz will update pricey receivers from 2018 with the gear needed to handle 8K resolution and 120Hz gameplay via HDMI 2.1
Denon, Marantz and Yamaha address 4K, 8K and 120Hz gaming issues
Playing Xbox Series X games in 8K, or 4K at 120Hz refresh rates is causing problems with some receivers from Yamaha, Denon and Marantz.
Denon expands its home theater lineup with the Home Sound Bar 550
The $599 soundbar will be available in February.
Denon rolls out the first 8K-ready receivers with its 2020 X-Series
Denon's 2020 X-Series receivers handle 8K video as well as key 4K gaming features with prices starting at $849.
The best AV receiver
By Chris Heinonen This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to AV receivers. After reviewing 16 models this year, we're confident that the Yamaha RX-V685 is the best AV receiver for people looking to build or upgrade to a home theater system compatible with the latest standards at a reasonable price. It offers excellent sound quality for surround or stereo and can support true wireless surround sound using wireless rear speakers. It includes five HDMI inputs compatible with current HDR standards plus built-in Bluetooth, AirPlay, and support for the major music streaming services. The Yamaha RX-V685 home theater receiver offers excellent sound quality, producing a wider soundstage and better midrange/treble detail than most of the competition. And if you can't run wires around your room, it can output true wireless surround sound using Yamaha MusicCast rear speakers. This 7.2-channel receiver also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks if you want to add the extra channels, or it can create a powered second zone for stereo speakers instead. Its five HDMI 2.0 inputs are enough for most systems, and its dual HDMI outputs are ideal if you use both a TV and projector. Yamaha's built-in room correction feature effectively measures your speakers and makes adjustments automatically, and there's an optional app for easier setup. The RX-V685 supports Spotify Connect, Internet radio, Bluetooth, AirPlay, and other streaming services. A firmware update later this year will provide support for eARC and AirPlay 2. The Denon AVR-S740H doesn't sound quite as good as the Yamaha RX-V685, but its on-screen setup is the best we've seen, which makes it a great choice for someone who is new to the home theater setup process. Like our top pick, this 7.2-channel receiver offers solid room correction, Dolby Atmos/DTS:X decoding, HDR passthrough, good streaming music support, and five rear-panel HDMI 2.0 inputs (and it adds a front-panel HDMI input). If you're looking for a basic five-channel home theater receiver, the Yamaha RX-V485 offers more features than you'll find on most budget AV receivers for only a small step up in price. It offers many of the features of our main pick, including the option to use wireless surround speakers and built-in Wi-Fi to stream audio directly from Spotify and other online sources. But the RX-V485 has fewer HDMI inputs, its room correction isn't as good as the version on our main pick, it doesn't have a phono input, and it doesn't support Dolby Atmos or a second powered audio zone. If you have a large system that needs more than five HDMI inputs and/or you want to run multiple subwoofers that need to be individually calibrated in the room correction system, the Denon AVR-X3500H has you covered. It uses Audyssey XT32, the most advanced room correction system we tested this year (and the system with the best overall audio quality). With more HDMI inputs, this receiver can accommodate larger systems, and it has pre-outs if you want to add external amplification (and thus more speakers) down the road.
The best turntable
By Chris Heinonen This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to turntables. Whether you're buying your first turntable or returning to the hobby after a long absence, we think you should get the Denon DP-400 because it delivers the best combination of sound quality and user-friendly features. It has a built-in phono preamp for hassle-free setup, offers above-average adjustment flexibility, and sounds great out of the box. The Denon DP-400 has a very clear and detailed sound, was the most speed-accurate of any turntable we tested, and played with very little distortion. It has an integrated phono preamp, so unlike many higher-end turntables, it doesn't require extra hardware to get started. The DP-400 offers convenient features like a speed control dial and automatic platter stopping with tonearm lift when a record finishes playing. The turntable performs very well with the standard cartridge, but if you attach an upgraded cartridge like a premounted Ortofon Red or Blue, you'll have a system that's so good that you'll never feel the need to upgrade further. If you're willing to sacrifice some convenient features—like easy speed switching, auto-stop, and a cue lever to raise and lower the tonearm—the U-Turn Orbit Basic offers good sound quality at a great price. The Orbit Basic takes almost no time to set up and is highly customizable. You can order it with a built-in phono preamp, choose a different color, upgrade the cartridge, and even add a cue lever later on. Its simple design works well.
Beatport's streaming service for DJs sends music directly to decks
DJs are used to lugging their music around on vinyl and less back-breaking external drives, but they soon might not need to bring much of anything for their next gig. Beatport recently introduced its $15 per month Link service that streams tracks directly to DJ hardware and software, including Pioneer's entry-level WeDJ app and now Denon's Prime Series decks. So long as there's an internet connection, you can play Beatport's newest releases without hooking up your laptop or some form of storage. And if there's no reliable broadband at the festival, don't panic: You can store 50-100 tracks offline with the Pro and Pro+ versions, including directly on Denon's gear.
Denon parent Sound United now owns Pioneer and Onkyo home audio
The audio world just got noticeably smaller. Sound United, the parent company for brands like Denon, Polk Audio and Marantz, has reached a deal to buy Onkyo's home audio division, including everything from smart speakers to receivers and turntables. Crucially, that gives it control of the Pioneer, Pioneer Elite and Integra labels -- that's a lot of major names under one roof. The purchase will help Sound United offer "premium" gear designed for "specific needs," targeting a wider range of listeners.
The best gear for building your home theater
By Grant Clauser This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. Everyone loves watching a great movie on a big screen with a kickass speaker system, but few would complain about losing the sticky floors, uncomfortable seats, and kids with smartphones (unless they're your own kids). Our A/V team spends thousands of hours each year to find the best-looking and -sounding home theater equipment. Whether you have a dedicated theater room planned or are thinking of upgrading your weeknight living room movie night, we have recommendations covering whatever space and budget you have.
The best Black Friday deals 2017 (updated)
This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, they may earn affiliate commissions that support their work. Read their continuously updated list of deals here.
Use Alexa to control Sony 4K TVs with your voice
Another day, another Alexa skill, right? Well the latest set is pretty useful if you feel like talking to your TV actually responding when you yell at it. With Sony's 2017 4K models with HDR and Android TV you can turn them on and off, adjust volume, input and even start and stop playback with your voice. You can change the channel too, if your cable box is attached to your TV with an HDMI cable. The folks at Logitech Harmony has gotten in on the voice-control action too, in addition to BroadLink and its collection of Hubs.
Qualcomm’s new chips will give rise to more smart speakers
The smart speaker trend started with Amazon's Echo, and now includes Google Home and Apple HomePod, but it could get a lot more crowded thanks to Qualcomm. It has just unveiled a reference "smart audio" design, including microphone, speaker and voice recognition tech that OEMs can use to build their own products without starting from scratch. What's more, it includes support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so OEMs will be able to add those voice assistants to a wider variety of audio products.
Apple brings multiroom speaker support to HomeKit with AirPlay 2
Apple's HomeKit has provided iPhone and iPad users with a simple platform to connect multiple smart home devices, but it's shied away from one of the most important gadgets: speakers. Before revealing the rumored Siri speaker, the company announced today that it's expanding its smart home hub to support a large number of third-party audio hardware.
Polk Audio parent company nabs Hi-Fi brands Denon, Marantz
There's big news for audiophiles: Sound United, the company behind Polk Audio and Definitive Technology, has purchased D+M Group, the owner of Denon, Marantz and Boston Acoustics brands. That will let Sound United, a company mostly known for speakers, sell some of the best-known (and priciest) receivers and home theater systems around.
The best receiver
By Chris Heinonen This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. We spent 10 hours researching and more than 70 hours performing hands-on testing to determine that the Denon AVR-S720W is the best receiver for most people. It offers by far the easiest setup process we've ever seen in a receiver, and it's the simplest to use of the models we tested, with none of the usability flaws of its competitors. It provides very good sound quality and every new feature you might need, including AirPlay, Bluetooth, Pandora, and Spotify Connect support plus the ability to connect directly to Internet radio stations and local DLNA servers.
ASUS is being investigated for price manipulation in Europe
In one of several antitrust investigations launched today, the European Commission has begun probing tech brands ASUS, Denon & Marantz, Philips and Pioneer for suspected price manipulation. As the press release explains, the Commission believes the companies may have broken competition rules by stopping online retailers in Europe from setting their own prices for products including household appliances, laptops and hi-fi equipment. The companies also stand accused of potentially influencing price tags on a broader scale, since many retailers use software that automatically changes product pricing based on what competitors are offering.
Denon outfits Heos speakers with Bluetooth and high-res audio
Denon debuted its Heos line of speakers nearly two years ago, a set of audio gear that looked to rival multi-room setups like Sonos and others. Now Denon is giving the speakers a bit of a boost by adding some new features. The new Heos lineup sports the same model names and exterior design as Series 1 that arrived back in 2014. However, what has changed is the addition of high-res audio and Bluetooth connectivity.
Rdio hits Harman/Kardon and Denon connected speakers, Samsung TVs
If you prefer Rdio's brand of music streaming, there are some new options for connected speakers and smart TVs that play nice with the service. The audio subscription (including its free tier) is now available on Harman/Kardon and Denon audio gear and Samsung's line of smart TVs. What's more, Rdio will soon launch on connected TVs from Hisense and LG as well. These devices join Rdio's list of in-home tech that already includes the likes of Sonos, Roku, Amazon TV, Chromecast and more. The music app also plays nice with Google Cast, so you can employ it on compatible speaker setups from LG and Sony.
