Denon has announced its latest soundbar (DHT-S217) that includes Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth, and more for a modest price of $249. Let’s check out its features and see if it is the right soundbar to improve your TV listening experience.Â
What the Denon DHT-S217 Offers
Product Design: The DHT-S217 fits below most TVs (it’s only 2.6 inches high) without obstructing the screen. It can also be wall-mounted (wall-mounting kit included).
Soundbar Dimensions (W x D x H): 35 x 4.7 x 2.6-inches
Speaker Complement: One 3.5-inch midrange driver and 1-inch tweeter for each of the left and right channels, plus two internal 3-inch down-firing subwoofers (6 speakers total). You also have the option of connecting an external wired subwoofer via the soundbar’s subwoofer output connection.Â
Dolby Atmos: Although the DHT-S217 doesn’t have upfiring speakers, Dolby Atmos height channels are delivered virtually so that you hear overhead sound when present in Dolby Atmos-encoded movies, immersive Dolby Atmos music, or gaming.
In addition to Dolby Atmos, the DHT-S217 also supports PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby TrueHD. DTS audio formats are not supported.
- Tip: Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, and Atmos are not accessible via the soundbar’s digital optical or analog audio connections.Â
Dialog Enhancer: This feature improves dialogue with three modes: Low, Medium, and High. This is great for improved listening with movies, and sporting events, and when viewing at lower volumes. Adjusting the dialog level does not affect the rest of the
Bass Adjust: For added bass flexibility the Denon DHT-S217 has a Bass Adjust feature. This controls the low-frequency output on both internal and external (if used) subwoofers.
Sound Modes: In addition to Dialog Enhancement and Bass Adjust, the DHT-S217 also provides Sound Mode/EQ presets for Movie, Music, and Night Listening (Night Mode). The Night Mode automatically attenuates bass output and dialogue clarity to avoid disturbing sleeping neighbors or family members during late-night binge-watching sessions.
There is also a Pure Mode which bypasses all audio processing so you can hear the source directly.
- Tip: Pure Mode does not support Dolby Atmos.
Control: The Denon DHT-S217 comes with a wireless remote control that includes all needed settings.
Setup: The DHT-S217 is easy to set up and use. With the included HDMI or optical cable, the sound bar is ready to deliver a satisfying listening experience. If you want to use the analog audio input (Aux), you need to purchase a 3.5mm audio cable. The DHT-S217 includes an HDMI-eARC connection and additional audio/video pass-through HDMI connection to accommodate another HDMI-source device.
- Tip: The HDMI connections are 4K/HDR (including Dolby Vision) compatible if needed.Â
In addition, the DHT-S217 has onboard control buttons for power, input selection, Bluetooth pairing, and volume.
Connections
(1) Power Receptacle
(1) HDMI (ARC/eARC) output
(1) HDMI Input
(1) Digital optical input
(1) Analog 3.5mm input (Aux)
(1) Subwoofer Output
(1) USB-A (for firmware updates and service only)
Bluetooth is also included for streaming music from compatible devices, such as smartphones.
- Tip: The DHT-S217 does not have its own internal streaming capability, nor does it support Denon’s HEOS wireless multiroom audio platform.Â
What Comes in the Box
- DHT-S217 Soundbar
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety Instructions
- Warranty
- Wall Mount Template
- Power Cord
- HDMI Cable
- Digital Optical Cable
- Wall Mount Spacers
- Remote Control (RC-1251)
- 2 AAA Batteries with Battery Safety Sheet
Pricing and Availability
The Denon DHT-S217 can be purchased for $249 at Denon.com or through authorized Denon dealers. Availablity in the U.S. is expected by May 2022.
Related reading: Best Soundbars
ORT
April 23, 2022 at 1:04 am
Ummmmm…Denon? No HEOS, no buy. Yup. I am a tremendous Denon/Marantz/HEOS enthusiast and for me, HEOS is THE reason. And it is a quality reason.
Like Denon and Marantz products, HEOS is excellente’!
Yeah. I am such a shallow toad. Nah. HEOS is that good and some here might say, “…And ORT? You are that pedestrian”. 🙂 I just purchased a nice little AVR-S660H and am using it another room because I am a FAMILY oriented toad and could not justify getting the Marantz 40n, not even as a retirement gift to my self.
So…I got the Denon AVR-S660H and it is quite good and not just “for the money”.
But when you get right down to it, every thing we purchase is just that: “Good for the money”. Other wise, why purchase some thing?
And music? Music is good for the soul. When I hear “God Only Knows” even such as I may have, if only for a moment, a soul.
ORT