Samsung may sit at the top of the corporate food chain, but it was Harman—now a Samsung subsidiary—that snapped up Sound United, the parent company of Denon, Marantz, and HEOS. For now, though, it’s business as usual—and that business just got a little better for hi-res audio fans. Denon and Marantz have announced that their HEOS Built-in devices now support Qobuz and Qobuz Connect, giving users native, high-res streaming without the need to cast, use Bluetooth or fiddle with extra apps.
It’s a smart move that expands the brands’ audiophile credentials—and one that’s not-so-great news for TIDAL, which suddenly looks a bit less exclusive in the high-res streaming game even though they’ve offered TIDAL Connect since 2020.
What is HEOS?
HEOS is Denon and Marantz’s app-based platform for managing your home audio system. With the HEOS App, users can stream music—including hi-res audio tracks—from multiple services and enjoy seamless multi-room control across compatible devices. Whether you want one song playing in every room or a different vibe in each of up to 64 zones, HEOS makes it easy. With the addition of Qobuz and Qobuz Connect support, users can now access native high-res streaming directly—no casting, no extra steps, just clean, detailed playback the way it should be.
What is Qobuz?
Qobuz is a high-resolution music streaming and download service founded in 2007. The name comes from the “Kobyz,” a sacred two-stringed instrument from Central Asia—mostly Kazakhstan—traditionally used in shamanic rituals. Made of wood and horsehair, and played with a bow, the Kobyz was believed to hold supernatural powers, capable of warding off evil spirits and illness. It’s an apt name for a service that aims to elevate your listening experience beyond the ordinary—no gimmicks, just pure, high-res sound that treats music like the sacred art it is.
Based in France, Qobuz is a high-resolution music streaming and download service founded to deliver the best possible sound quality—Hi-Res (up to 24-bit / 192 kHz) and lossless/CD quality—across all genres. Since launching in the U.S. in 2019, Qobuz has continued to expand into new markets, including recent successful rollouts in Canada and Japan. It remains the only platform to offer both high-res streaming and downloads, making it the go-to choice for serious listeners who’ve grown tired of waiting for Spotify HiFi and never really warmed up to TIDAL’s shifting priorities.
Pro Tip: You don’t have to be a Qobuz subscriber to purchase music downloads.
In addition to streaming and download options, Qobuz also has an online Magazine. The magazine features artist profiles, top artists, album lists, interviews, event news, and even stereo equipment reviews.
What is Qobuz Connect?
Qobuz Connect is a game-changer for anyone serious about Hi-Res audio. With this feature, you can control your music directly from the Qobuz app and that music is delivered directly from the Qobuz servers to your playback device, be that a receiver, integrated amp, music streamer or powered speaker, with no middleman. No lossy Bluetooth, third-party apps or extra remotes needed. Switch effortlessly between devices—like moving from headphones to your full Hi-Fi system—without skipping a beat. It’s the seamless, hassle-free experience audiophiles have been waiting for.
Accessing Qobuz
Owners of a Denon or Marantz device with HEOS can stream directly from the Qobuz app to compatible wireless speakers or a receiver. Open the app, select the device, and select favorite music and albums in studio-quality sound.
If you don’t have a Qobuz account, you can go to their website and scroll through their offerings before deciding if you want to take the plunge. The “Studio” plan starts at $10.83/month (with yearly subscription) and offers unlimited streaming in lossless and high resolution audio formats. There are options for one user, two users, or the whole family (up to 6). A student plan offers the same plan at a significant discount (currently $4.99/month). The “Sublime” plan provides the same unlimited streaming as “Studio” but with big discounts on music downloads so you can add those favorite tracks or albums to your permanent collection, even in ultra high quality DSD or DXD formats.
Key Qobuz with HEOS Benefits
- Audiophile-Quality Sound: Experience Qobuz’s rich, high-resolution catalog through Denon and Marantz’s renowned audio engineering.
- Seamless Connectivity: No need to switch apps. Qobuz Connect lets you control playback on HEOS devices directly within the Qobuz app or from the playback device itself.
- More Ways to Listen: With support for Qobuz, TIDAL, Deezer, and Roon Ready certification, HEOS offers an unmatched range of premium listening options for every music lover.
- Tailored for Users: Whether you’re an audiophile, casual listener, or anywhere in between, HEOS makes it easy to enjoy your favorite service your way with the highest sound quality possible.
Getting Started with Qobuz Connect on Denon and Marantz Devices
To get started with Qobuz, update your compatible Denon or Marantz device to the latest firmware and ensure your Qobuz app is also up to date. Open the Qobuz app, tap the Connect icon (looks like a speaker with a wire coming out), select your Denon or Marantz device, and start enjoying hi-res music, provided you have a Qobuz subscription.
Availability
Qobuz Connect is now available on all compatible devices from Denon and Marantz with HEOS. Whether streaming in your living room, home theater, or dedicated listening space, this update ensures an elevated and seamless high-fidelity music listening experience.
Pro Tip: In addition to Qobuz, the following HEOS Built-in products are also Roon Ready. Note: this list is not comprehensive.
Denon: DNP-2000NE, Denon Home Wireless Speakers, Denon Home Amp, AVR/AVC-S670H, AVR/AVC-X3800H, DRA-900H, PMA-900HNE
Marantz: SACD 30n, CD 50n, LINK 10n, MODELs M1/M4, MODEL 60n, MODEL 40n, AV10, STEREO 70s, Horizon/Grand Horizon
The Bottom Line
Since the 2023 HEOS update, the platform has become smoother and more user-friendly, making it even easier to access Hi-Res audio streaming and downloads. With the addition of Qobuz Connect, HEOS now offers a powerful alternative to TIDAL’s Connect—except, you know, without the constant reminder that TIDAL Connect was always a bit temperamental. Qobuz Connect, launching this week, elevates the experience further, providing seamless control of your music directly from the Qobuz app across a wide range of devices.
This includes a growing list of compatible brands, such as Aavik, Arcam, Atoll Electronique, Audiolab, Auralic, Aurender, Burmester, dCS, Denon, Focal, McIntosh, Naim Audio, PS Audio, Rotel, WiiM and many more. So, while TIDAL might still have a few fans clinging to the edge, Qobuz Connect is here to snatch that advantage away, making it a perfect fit for audiophiles seeking flexibility, high-res performance, and smooth integration.
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ORT
May 15, 2025 at 1:35 pm
I spoke with the Qobuz representative at the most recent CanJam in LA and expressed my interest in trying the music service I cannot begin to correctly pronounce. I asked her to forward my desire to have Qobuz made natively available on HEOS.
I don’t give an airborne intercourse for Roon, its Roonacy and the silly frAudiophilians that make weird Roonatic claims about its “musicality” are not worth my money nor my time and hard drive space. It ain’t hard to select music myself and hit “PLAY”. Denon offered a ROON trial for 3 months for free. I deleted it after maybe 2 months. It is useless and no, it doesn’t add musicalifragilisticexpealidociousness to playback.
I am a firm proponent (the term “fan” denotes a fanatic. Yuck!) of HEOS by Denon/Marantz and will be adding Qobuz to my HEOS system soon. I never wanted “Tidal Bowel” as I loathed certain aspects of it whilst others Mr. Miyagied (e.g., “waxed off”) to the lies about the service. I already use Pandora, Amazon Music Unlimited and SiriusXM on HEOS. I am looking forward to seeing if Qobuz is as good as friends here on Ecoustics say it is.
I still cannot pronounce it.
ORT
Ian White
May 15, 2025 at 1:59 pm
ORT,
Been paying for it with my hard earned money since launch. And it was offered for free to many of us. It was worth paying for in my eyes. David Solomon is also a mensch in every sense of the word. TIDAL and Qobuz feel like different worlds at this point and I won’t miss TIDAL.
Integrating Qobuz Connect was the right move. And looking at the list of audio brands that offer it today at launch speaks volumes. Probably close to 60 on Day one. Including a lot of the brands that we like.
IW
David
May 15, 2025 at 2:37 pm
I’m a Marantz/HEOS user. I subscribed to Spotify for years and was mostly happy with the service for family use. Most recently I became unhappy with Spotify when the promised HIFI content never materialized and I experienced more frequent glitches with the HEOS/Spotify connection (frequent dropouts).
I had tried Qobuz on two occasions but was very unhappy with the UI experience using UPNP or Bubble. I did love the artist and album information provided by Qobuz though the algorithm is not up to Spotify level. And frankly, the difference in audio quality was minimal.
This year I cancelled Spotify and now use Tidal Connect, also recently added to the HEOS app. The algorithm is also nowhere near Spotify especially in that, when my album of choice finishes, the following tracks are not always of a similar genre or emotion. Again, I don’t hear much difference in quality. The big benefit with Tidal? I can share my family account with up to 5 more people! My son had only one complaint – no voice activation for in-car use, which he used often with Spotify.
Album recommendation – Springsteen – Western Sky. I believe it’s better than Nebraska.
Ian White
May 15, 2025 at 2:49 pm
David,
Interesting experience. I have used both TIDAL and Qobuz since launch and found TIDAL’s integration (now over) of MQA troubling. On the listening front, I hear a discernible difference between TIDAL, Qobuz, and Spotify. Qobuz’s selection of hi-res albums is superior and through my various wireless speakers and streamers just sounds fuller, more detailed, and cleaner to my ears. Maybe I’m deaf (don’t think so) but I hear a rather obvious difference.
Best,
IW
David
May 15, 2025 at 2:39 pm
That should read Springsteen- Western Stars