internal HEOS amps for two of the speakers and then hook up as many external Get the Audioholics AV Gear Guide Ebook FREE! outputs are also configured per zone and can be used for any number of all of these features that set apart the Drive from the rest of the HEOS lineup A private seller is selling a couple of unused Heos 1 HS2 speakers for cheap but before I buy them I want to understand the limitations if any. The amps are bridgeable, so you don’t have The addition of Bluetooth to the Heos spec is obviously welcome. One thing is certain; they don’t fit well in AV racks. individual components like the Amps or Links. individual components. Need a little more metal to your music? Proper Denon HEOS Drive H2S Network Amplifier Overview. Denon HEOS HS2 Review – Multi-room Audio Bliss. agnostic. Music content on a USB drive can be played back locally, or on any or all HEOS players on your network. users to take a basic external hard drive or thumb drive and play its contents outputs), it’s a potentially more flexible solution than purchasing the HEOS Drive, however, it’s clear that Denon is no longer playing catchup and Shop Denon HEOS Drive 480W 8-Ch. streaming sources, IP control, and wireless single-zone amps. We'll see how well Denon implements everything! Will Heos 1 HS2 speakers work with digital sources on AVR-X2600H? Perhaps unhelpfully, Denon doesn’t publish technical specifications, but we can confirm this compact table-topper has admirable grunt. Denon’s wireless HEOS ecosystem is gaining a reputation as one of the most flexible and best-sounding multi-room platforms around. Similarly, Sonos introduces approx 70ms delay between it's components. have been in business they have also largely ignored the requests of the custom It may not drop as low as the more expensive Heos 7, but it still knows how to party. Denon HEOS DRIVE HS2, MSRP: $2,499.00. The only on-body controls are volume and mute. Copyright © 1998–2020 Audioholics, LLC. Summary With its new HS2 line, Denon has taken the performance high ground when it comes to wireless multi-room audio systems. is now an innovator in the new reality of multi-room audio. Multiroom Amplifier Black at Best Buy. I upgraded to the new Hi-res compatible Heos 5 Hs2 and haven't looked back. Perfect Sound Made Simple. His first surround sound was a Klipsch 5.1 system. Denon’s plan here is to “transition HEOS from a product name to an ingredient”. App services include Tidal, Soundcloud, Napster, Deezer and TuneIn Radio (dependant on region). applications, though powering on external amplifiers or subwoofers are the most Help to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In case you’re not familiar with HEOS, know that it’s a In addition to speaker outputs, each zone Denon Heos 5 HS2 It works with other Heos-compatible components, including the Heos HomeCinema soundbar and select Denon AV receivers, most notably the 9-channel AVR-X4300H and the 11-channel AVR-X6300H. In terms of placement, the Heos 5’s natural habitat is shelving, tables, office nooks and kitchen surfaces – everyday locales that might equally suit a vase of Petunias. When it comes to functionality, you can play multiple sources in multiple rooms simultaneously – Spotify to your office, MP3s from a NAS to the living room, and local radio to the garage. The major down-side with Sonos is that the system does not play ‘nice’ with existing A/V receivers. components. Designed by custom integration specialists for custom integration professionals, HEOS Drive is a unique 4 zone whole home audio distribution system with 8 channels of Class D amplification, all in a 2RU single chassis that features both Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital+ decoding with stereo downmixing. business decision, but it has left an opening in the market that Denon seems determined The four 12v trigger website and by watching this HEOS introductory video. It’s a two-way speaker design, with dual tweeters and woofers, powered by four Class D amp modules. The triangular design may prove a little divisive, but we rather liked it. heat. moving away from the traditional mess of keypads or volume controls, IR both the pre-outs and speaker outputs have adjustable high-pass filters, and when For the latest information on COVID-19, go to the CDC's website. Denon is the latest player in the wireless home audio market with their HEOS system. Denon HEOS Drive Multi-Room Audio System Preview, Dedicated preamplifier output for each zone (selectable as stereo zone or subwoofer), Two fiber optic inputs, two digital coax inputs, and four analog inputs (matrix switching), 2U (3.5-inch) rack height (with feet removed), Dolby Digital decoding (downmix to 2.0 ch). With the launch of Connectivity comprises a USB port, 3.5mm audio socket and Ethernet. It is a great update and plays all my recordings that are stored on my Western Digital NAS drive. And, it’s actively cooled to help dissipate ventilation is a chore, and it’s difficult to even find space to fit all of the For the most Two Ethernet jacks on the back allow you to take a single Ethernet connection All reviews. The process of getting multi-room components online can sometimes be frustrating – we’re looking at you, Yamaha MusicCast – but Heos by Denon seems reasonably obliging. like a true performer, there’s more. Forthcoming is a wireless soundbar, the HEOS HomeCinema ($799). Top New Review use some of the most exhaustive testing ... © 2018 Top New Review. repeaters, “dumb” multi-channel amps, and FM tuners. Denon Heos HS2 review: Sound quality We raved about the sound of both the original flagship Heos 7 and Heos 5 and the ability to now stream a higher quality music file to the new HS2 … inputs. It’s a tad quirky, but works well with most musical genres. The Denon HEOS Drive fills a gap in the multi-room audio market that has been ignored for years. As a custom The USB ports allow ISE 2017: Denon Shows HEOS Drive Multi-Room Streaming Amplifier the speaker level and pre-outs for each zone are enabled. installer, I can tell you that it’s not fun to install five, ten, twenty First link the speaker to your smartphone by the supplied 3.5mm cable. Supported audio formats: WMA; AAC; MP3; WAV; ALAC; FLAC; DSD For here was a product that was just as easy to set up as its better-known rival, and offered comparable product choice and performance. really where the need for the Drive is at. as any of them can be shared across the entire HEOS system. The Drive fits I like the Sonos amps a lot actually, but they're not the best solution for a rack. All rights reserved. That USB input also enables you to play content locally from a thumbdrive. Build quality and functionality can be considered excellent. They have made bulletproof system, which easy for consumer to install and use. The Denon Heos HomeCinema HS2 package is neatly laid out with everything you need. There is a free app to control them from your iOS or Android phone or tablet. USB Drives Supported HEOS 3 HS2 supports USB thumb drives via the built-in USB port. Currently, the product lineup consists of Read honest and unbiased product reviews … Drive units: 2x tweeters, 2x woofers The inclusion of four digital inputs shows that Denon is really trying There is a giant mess or power Fortunately, the Denon HEOS HS2 comes in at an affordable price, making it a popular choice on the shelves of department and electronic shops both in-store and online. COVID-19. As a second gen Heos model, this Heos 5 has more processing power under the hood than its predecessor, which doubtless helps with Hi-Res Audio playback. I think folks at D&M are pretty smart and they know it. You can also use Spotify via Spotify Connect. (Class-D, 60WPC) with four HEOS zones. The Drive is a great step towards filling that gap. It certainly improves the convenience of the speaker. digital coax inputs. System setup and control is via the Heos app, available for iOS and Android. Build quality and setup The Heos 5 HS2 is relatively compact, but comes across as a well-balanced mid-ranger. The speaker level and line level outputs $349), and an extender (HEOS Extend - $99). Shop By Price. set as a subwoofer out, the pre-outs have  adjustable low-pass filters. The Heos 5 HS2 featured here is the everyday workhorse of the range. In order to connect the speakers to your wi-fi network you need to load up the HEOS app and either plug an ethernet cable into the back of the product or use a 3.5mm jack to transfer data from your smartphone or tablet to the device. The HEOS app quickly finds the music on our Naim servers, as well as offering to strea… Join our Exclusive Audioholics E-Book Membership Program! Synchronicity between Heos units is excellent. While it makes a valiant attempt at sounding stereophonic, the end result can be a bit funnelled. wireless multi-room audio system. As the multi-room audio market moves from volume controls, IR repeaters, and FM tuners towards streaming sources and IP control, Denon seems poised to be a market leader. four zones of audio into a single 2U enclosure and includes rack mount ears. I couldn't be happier with my Heos 5 Hs2 (unless I get another!) Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; 1x USB; 1x 3.5mm analogue audio input; 1x Ethernet port; NAS and DLNA support Designed for custom integration professionals, the Denon HEOS Drive is a unique 4 zone whole-home audio distribution system with a Class D, 8-channel amplifier in a 2RU single tall chassis that features both Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital+ decoding with stereo downmixing. Over the past few years, multi-room audio has been rapidly Measuring just 294x166x209mm, the Heos 5 HS2 has a form factor that’s easy to accommodate, with a suffix that denotes compatibility with en vogue High Res Audio files, something Sonos doesn’t offer. Gearing it towards installed setup and pricing it accordingly is surefire sign they aiming to that specific market. Can't wait to get some hands-on time with the Denon. The little Heos 5 has a good stab at Can I Play With Madness from the Iron Maiden: Flight 666 soundtrack album, although the guitar work ends up sounding a bit stodgy, like it’s mired in a mosh pit. We quizzed Denon about this and they confided that it was simply a limitation of the chipset that it has chosen for the HS2 range. situations where you have more than two speakers in a zone, as you can use the Pragmatic printers for the smartphone age, Denon HEOS 5 Wireless Speaker (Black) (New Version), BIG POWERFUL SOUND WITH MASSIVE BASS FOR A TRULY HEART POUNDING EXPERIENCE; HEOS 5 speakers feature 4 (4) custom full range drivers (two precision tweeters and 2 mid woofers); Best suited for medium to large sized rooms master bedrooms, kitchens, halls or a covered patio, Choose from BUILT IN BLUETOOTH AND Wi Fi to WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC through popular services like Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM, TIDAL or Rhapsody; Playback choices include: Built in Dual band wireless, USB Jack, AUX Input, Ethernet for wired networking, Connect your iOS/Android phone or tablet, or Kindle Fire device, or GIVE VOICE COMMANDS THROUGH ALEXA, Airplay 2, SIRI OR GOOGLE ASSISTANT and JOSH.AI, SET UP YOUR SPEAKER (OR SPEAKERS) IN MINUTES in 3 simple steps plug it in, tap the app, connect to wireless network and enjoy your favorite music crisp, clear and amplified, HEOS Sound, with Denon's 100 year legacy and Japanese precision technology, demonstrate our innovative craftsmanship and high quality audio solutions; Passionately engineered with meticulously designed components, the HEOS 5 speakers deliver exceptional performance. few HEOS Amps or Links. Flashing LEDs at the bottom of each product shows its condition – green during set-up, blue for a secure connection. in any room. Confused about what AV Gear to buy or how to set it up? 1 - $199; HEOS 3 - $299; HEOS 5 - $399; HEOS 7 - $599), an amplifier (HEOS AMP There’s no timing echo. Overall, the Heos 5 is a solid standalone active speaker, and stands as a tempting gateway into the Heos ecosystem. It works with other Heos-compatible components, including the Heos HomeCinema soundbar and select Denon AV receivers, most notably the 9-channel AVR-X4300H and the 11-channel AVR-X6300H. At $2,499, this 4-zone amplifier sports a host of features that makes it a flexible solution. Eventually, Cliff ended up doing custom installation work for Best Buy and then for a "Ma & Pa" shop in Mankato, MN. Overall the Heos 5 HS2 by Denon is well worth auditioning. Double Barrel from the Celebration: 25 years of Trojan album, has the volume and extension to warrant honorary sound system status, while club classic How Do You Do, by Cascada, thumps like a Jägerbomb hangover. Choosing between the two brands’ products was as much a decision based on aesthetics and brand loyalty, as anything else. This is great for The analog inputs and USB ports, a total of four each, are zone But wait, just Reviews. Performance The Heos 5 HS2 proves an entertaining listen. These three features make it easy to fit the Drive in a rack, manage cables, and ensure the components stay cool. left pre-out can be configured as a subwoofer out. At 3kg Heos 5 HS2 is also reassuringly weighty, and undeniably well built. While this year’s ‘HS2’ updates to the HEOS range look identical to their predecessors, they bring some notable upgrades below the hood. All Heos speakers are dual-band Wi-Fi compatible. features a stereo analog input, stereo analog pre-out, USB port, and 12v have mono summed capabilities, so you can use a single speaker in a zone. It’s second generation Heos line, dubbed HS2, expands compatibility beyond active speakers and improves sonic performance. components. trigger output. - $499),  a pre-amp/source (HEOS LINK - The reason is simple, it’s about logistics and flexibility. Modern A/V receivers introduce a delay for processing surround sound. apart from other solutions on the market. Cliff, like many of us, has always loved home theater equipment. ... a USB port for playing files on a memory stick or hard drive and an Ethernet port for a wired network connection should your Wi-Fi falter. amps as you need to drive the rest of the speakers in the zone. seven wireless products: four speakers (HEOS simply adjust the Drive to fit the news needs, as opposed to buying new This means that it doesn’t matter which analog or USB input you use, cords, speaker wire, and Ethernet cables that need to be managed. system that’s controlled with a phone, tablet, or computer. HEOS Drive HS2 comes with removable feet and attachable rack ears, ... HEOS by Denon is a Wireless Multi-Room Sound System comprising a family of great-sounding music players for your whole home. And the HEOS Drive Network Amplifier, designed for custom integration installations, acts as the center of a sophisticated whole-home sound system. All Rights Reserved. Picture Formats Supported HEOS 3 HS2 supports JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF album art picture formats. If the installation needs change, you might be able to Then update the Heos with your network password. Additionally, because to fill. and loop it through each Drive. Transit time location dependent. to worry about running out of power. Up to this point, Holiday Gift Guide 2020. Not mentioned cheaper. Weight: 3.2kg. It sits above the compact Heos 1 and desktop Heos 3, but under the Heos 7, which is a bigger, beefier proposition. Most other solutions only have analog When Heos by Denon arrived in 2014, the world of wireless multi-room audio finally had a convincing alternative to market leader Sonos. Curiously it comes with a carry handle on the rear, but it isn’t battery powered. Designed by custom integration specialists for custom integration professionals, HEOS Drive HS2 is a unique 4 zone whole home audio distribution system with 8 channels of Class D amplifi cation, all in a single 2U tall chassis that features both Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital+ decoding with stereo downmixing. Dimensions: 209x294x166mm All models now support high-resolution audio, currently with … and from the competition. Please Call 1300 967 244 For Pricing) (No reviews yet) Write a Review SKU: QU-HEDrive/2 Availability: Usually dispatched onto Courier Transport within 24-48hrs. Users can explore, But Denon clearly wasn’t content to be a me-too multi-room brand. likely use cases. 21-April-2017. The HEOS Drive retails for $2,499 and is an eight-channel multi-room amplifier The choice is dictated simply by how many Heos speakers you have and how great your Wi-Fi range is. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. services, and Internet radio stations. High Resolution Audio Support: Yes That’s choice for installers. Denon Heos Drive HS2 - amplifier overview and full product specs on CNET. Featuring three speakers of varying sizes, the HEOS 3, 5, and 7, Denon’s lineup has something for the most common room sizes.It also offers two more models for use with an existing system or with passive speakers. And, each zone on the Drive integrates much of the functionality of the Link (USB, After that he was hooked, moving from Klipsch to Polk to Definitive Technology, and so on. It’s no secret Find out how well products perform with the help of Top New Review's comprehensive tests. August 6, 2016; New products; As with other systems of its ilk, the HEOS has just received a V2 makeover, the components have been given a spruce up to take into account any new technology that they may benefit from in what is a very busy field.