Denon today announced the $800 HEOS HomeCinema wireless soundbar and subwoofer system, the latest in the evolution of the HEOS wireless multi-room sound system. The HEOS HomeCinema upgrades the sound of any flat screen TV while also working as a powerful speaker set for the HEOS wireless music system.
Thanks to the included wireless subwoofer, HEOS HomeCinema delivers true high fidelity sound with any type of networked music as well as a thrilling listening experience for movies. The wireless soundbar features dual 2-inch by 5-inch precision drivers that reproduce the upper bass and midrange audio, delivering clear audio especially in the vocal range. There are also dual 20mm dome tweeters that reproduce the entire treble range, with response extending to 20 kHz.
The unit provides an HDMI input and output (with TV audio return channel) as well as Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS decoders. Thanks to the HEOS App control and TV remote learning function, the setup and operation are easy.
Flat screen TVs come with one of the HDMI inputs equipped with Audio Return Channel (ARC), which lets users listen to audio from a source device (such as a cable or satellite box) as well as being able to listen to audio from the TV’s internal tuner or from a smart TV’s built-in content streaming capability. In addition users can use the TV remote to control the volume of the soundbar.
For TVs without ARC, users can connect the HEOS HomeCinema via one of the two available digital audio connections—both optical and coaxial digital audio inputs are provided as well as an IR learning function for the TV remote.
Users’ favorite movies and music will come alive with built-in Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, and listeners can enjoy enveloping surround sound thanks to Denon’s exclusive Virtual Surround processing. This exclusive processing uses advanced psychoacoustic algorithms that simulate the surround sound of a multi-channel home theater speaker system. Dolby Digital Plus lets you enjoy 5.1-based sound from leading video online services for premium content.
The matching wireless HEOS HomeCinema subwoofer features dual 5-1/4-inch woofers that work in tandem to deliver the authoritative deep bass found in today’s movie and music soundtracks for distortion-free bass at any listening level. The level can be easily controlled via the HEOS app. The compact subwoofer can be placed horizontally or vertically for the widest range of installation options.
Features
- Amplifies TV sound and works as a HEOS speaker
- Wireless subwoofer included
- Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS
- HDMI input/output, HDMI ARC
- Optical and coaxial inputs and AUX in
- USB input for mass storage
- Music and Movie DSP modes
- Dialog enhancer and Night mode
- TV sound can be distributed throughout the HEOS ecosystem
- Shelf or wall mount
- Built-in keyholes for wall mounting, including wall mount template
- HDMI and optical cable for TV connection included
- Installation assistant via app, including IR TV remote learning
- IR blaster in case TV sensor is hidden by the soundbar
Easily connect to an existing Wi-Fi network to bring Denon-quality audio to any—or all— rooms with the HEOS app, available for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire. HEOS by Denon delivers a user’s favorite music from the world’s leading online music services including top cloud sources, “legacy” sources, and any smart device, to the room users want to hear the music they enjoy.
Price and Availability
The Denon HEOS HomeCinema is expected to be available in July 2015 for $799.
In addition to the HEOS HomeCinema, the HEOS by Denon product line includes four wireless multi-zone music players: HEOS 1 ($199) and HEOS 1 Go Pack ($99), HEOS 3 ($299), HEOS 5 ($399), and HEOS 7 ($599). Also part of the series is a Wi-Fi range extender HEOS Extend ($99) as well as the HEOS LINK ($349), HEOS AMP ($499) and HEOS Drive ($2,499).
