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For years, Sonos has been the go-to model for multi-room audio system. That, nevertheless, could be altering.
Denon not too long ago took the wraps off of its latest-generation audio system, together with the brand new Denon Residence 400. Each pack bodily upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos playback, each plug into strong multi-room ecosystems, and each are designed to anchor a contemporary wi-fi audio setup. If you happen to’re cross-shopping premium sensible audio system, these two are virtually actually in your radar.
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They are not priced the identical, although. The Sonos Period 300 runs about $479, whereas the Denon Residence 400 will set you again $599, at the least within the US. In Europe, they’re truly the identical value.
Worth apart, these audio system take barely completely different approaches to sound tuning, bodily connectivity, and ecosystem integration. So which one do you have to purchase? Here is the breakdown.
You can purchase the Sonos Period 300 if…
1. You will have different Sonos audio system
If you happen to’ve already purchased into Sonos, grabbing the Period 300 could be a simple choice. Sonos runs one of the vital mature and totally built-out multi-room audio platforms accessible, and including a brand new speaker to that system shall be easy. Plug it in, and the Sonos app picks it up mechanically — setup takes a few minutes tops, and grouping audio system throughout completely different rooms solely takes just a few faucets within the app.
There’s extra to it than fundamental multi-room audio, although. The Period 300 can even function a rear encompass speaker when paired with Sonos soundbars, which is a critically helpful function in case you’re piecing collectively a house theater with out desirous to cope with speaker wire.
Because the Period 300 has Dolby Atmos assist baked in, utilizing a pair of them as surrounds provides you precise peak channels from the again of the room — and that may add quite a bit to the immersive expertise. If you happen to’re already utilizing a Sonos Arc or Beam in your front room, the Period 300 drops proper into that setup.
2. You desire a barely extra consumer-friendly sound profile
Neither the Period 300 nor the Residence 400 is what a hardcore audiophile would name reference-grade — however that is not likely the purpose of both one. The place they really differ is in how they’re tuned. The Denon Residence 400 goes for a extra impartial presentation with stronger low-mids and smoother highs. The Period 300, however, is just a little brighter and bass-heavy — although it is actually not excessive.
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The distinction is delicate in apply, however it’s undoubtedly there. Sonos pushes the bass a bit and pulls again barely on the mids, which creates a sound signature that numerous on a regular basis listeners will discover instantly participating and enjoyable.
If you happen to are likely to gravitate towards audio that is punchy and full of life fairly than flat and analytical, the Period 300 might be going to really feel extra thrilling straight out of the field. That mentioned, the Denon continues to be a really succesful bass speaker; it simply is not as in-your-face because the Period 300.
3. You need to avoid wasting money
At $449 versus $599, you are saving $150 by going with the Period 300 — and that hole will get even tougher to disregard in case you’re planning to purchase a pair for stereo listening. The Period 300 already sounds glorious at its value, and spending much less right here doesn’t suggest you are giving up something dramatic by way of audio high quality or options.
For most individuals purchasing within the premium sensible speaker class, the financial savings alone make a powerful case for Sonos — until the Denon brings one thing particular you actually need.
You can purchase the Denon Residence 400 if…
You need extra bodily controls
Bodily connectivity is one space the place the Denon Residence 400 beats the Sonos Period 300. The Sonos Period 300 has a USB-C port on the again that requires an adapter for line-in or Ethernet. The Denon Residence 400, however, has a USB-C enter and a 3.5mm aux jack.
That additional flexibility is a little bit of a bonus if you wish to hook up a turntable, join a neighborhood music library, or work the speaker into present dwelling audio gear with out messing round with dongles.
For anybody who loves analog audio or already has a group of bodily media and hi-fi elements, the Denon’s strategy is a bit more accommodating.
You just like the HEOS ecosystem
The Residence 400 runs on the HEOS multi-room platform, and whereas HEOS would not have the identical identify recognition as Sonos, it is a succesful ecosystem that retains rising. Considered one of its greatest promoting factors is that it is not locked to a single model — HEOS works throughout a wide range of audio system, A/V receivers, and amplifiers from Denon, Marantz, and different appropriate producers.
If you happen to already personal a Denon or Marantz receiver, the Residence 400 may combine straight into that setup in a method a Sonos speaker simply cannot.
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Voice assistant assist is one other differentiator value mentioning. The Residence 400 provides full Siri integration by way of AirPlay 2, so you should use it as a correct Siri speaker — one thing Sonos would not do.
To be clear, Sonos nonetheless helps AirPlay, however the Period 300 cannot be used as a Siri speaker itself; it will possibly, nevertheless, be used as an Alexa speaker. The HEOS app is not fairly as refined as Sonos’s, however when you get used to it, you will discover it completely superb.
You need high-resolution audio assist
If hi-res audio truly issues to you, the Denon Residence 400 has a transparent technical benefit. It natively handles full 24-bit/192kHz audio, and in case you feed it FLAC information by way of the USB port, it will possibly play them with out concern.
The Period 300 can technically settle for 24-bit/192kHz audio as an enter, however it downscales throughout playback. For most individuals streaming from Spotify or Apple Music, this distinction is not audible or related. However in case you’re the sort of listener who particularly seeks out hi-res tracks and desires to know your speaker is enjoying them again at their native decision, the Denon is the clear winner right here.
Author’s selection
If you happen to’re in search of immersive and full-sounding audio with out paying a excessive value, the Denon Residence 400 is totally value contemplating. That mentioned, whether or not it beats alternate options will depend on your area. In some areas, like Europe, it prices the identical because the Sonos Period 300, however within the US, it prices greater than $100 extra.
Most individuals in search of a sensible speaker on this class will need to save the money and go for the Period 300, particularly if they do not care about higher high-res playback.
