With its budget-priced, all-in-one soundbar, Denon opted to deal with audio efficiency fairly than dabble in wi-fi or smart-home performance, and the outcomes are—for essentially the most half—a pleasure to listen to. While the $250 DHT-S216H can’t hook up with your Wi-Fi community or take orders from Alexa, this low-profile soundbar boasts clear, crisp sound, together with spectacular bass due to its built-in subwoofers and (in a primary for Denon’s soundbar lineup) DTS Virtual:X audio.
We had been fairly happy with the DHT-S216H’s audio efficiency general, given its funds price ticket. And whereas DTS Virtual:X audio can sound a tad harsh at occasions (notably in the case of dialog), we had been usually fairly impressed with the immersive really feel of this more and more widespread digital 3D {surround} mode.
You can’t join the DHT-S216H to your Wi-Fi community (which implies there’s no assist for Denon’s HEOS wi-fi multi-room audio platform) or management it with Alexa or Google Assistant, however you possibly can improve it with virtually any wired subwoofer, whereas evening and dialog-enhancer modes regulate the soundbar’s audio for late-night listening or for dialog-heavy motion pictures and TV exhibits.
This evaluation is a part of TechHive’s protection of the best soundbars, the place you’ll discover critiques of competing merchandise, plus a purchaser’s information to the options you need to think about when buying.
Configuration
Despite its lack of a separate subwoofer (though you possibly can add one later if you want), the Denon DHT-S216H nonetheless counts as a 2.1-channel soundbar, with that “.1” designation (for low-frequency results) coming courtesy of the soundbar’s pair of 3.0-inch downfiring woofers, which get a lift from the bass reflex ports on the left and proper sides of the unit.
For the left and proper channels, the DHT-S216H serves up two drivers for every, together with a 1.0-inch tweeter and a 1.75 x 3.5-inch rectangular mid-range driver. Because the soundbar lacks a central driver, the left and proper channels fill within the hole to create a digital middle channel for dialog. All 4 left and proper drivers are hid by cloth that extends to the center of the cupboard’s prime.
The all-in-one, 2.1-channel Denon DHT-S216H encompasses a pair of down-firing subwoofers.
Besides the lacking middle channel, the DHT-S216H additionally lacks up-firing drivers, which may provide peak channels for object-based 3D audio codecs comparable to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. That mentioned, the soundbar does assist the more and more widespread DTS Virtual:X format, a virtualized 3D audio expertise that does a surprisingly good job (though not good, as I’ll describe momentarily) of bringing immersive {surround} sound, full with peak cues, to funds soundbars that aren’t geared up with up-firing drivers.
Measuring 35 x 2.35 x 4.7 inches and weighing in at an affordable 7.5 kilos, the DHT-S216H is comparatively simple to select up and carry, whereas its low profile received’t block the underside fringe of most TVs (together with my very own 55-inch LG C9 OLED TV, which has an unusually low-slung base).
Inputs and outputs
The DHT-S216H comes with a reasonably customary assortment of inputs and outputs for a funds soundbar, with a notable (and welcome) exception.
In a central cavity at the back of the DHT-S216H, you’ll discover a pair of HDMI ports, together with one HDMI enter and one HDMI output that helps ARC (Audio Return Channel), a protocol that permits for audio sources related to your TV to ship audio again all the way down to the soundbar by way of an HDMI cable. While some producers skimp by solely together with a single HDMI-ARC port on their funds soundbars, Denon noticed match so as to add that second HDMI port, which (as we’ll see in a second) yields some key advantages for audiophiles.
Ben Patterson/IDGBesides its two HDMI ports, optical, and 3.5mm analog inputs, the Denon DHT-S216H options an RCA analog output for an elective wired soundbar.
Besides the HDMI ports, there’s an optical (Toslink) enter and an analog 3.5mm aux jack for these with older TVs that lack an HDMI output. Denon consists of HDMI, optical, and 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cables within the field.
As a bonus, the DHT-S216H comes with an RCA-style line-level subwoofer output, which lets you add a wired subwoofer, good for including some further oomph to the soundbar’s low-frequency results.
Now, some could look askance on the prospect of a wired subwoofer versus the wi-fi ones that include (or will be added to) competing soundbars. It’s true that with wi-fi soundbars, the one cable you want to take care of is the ability twine, which supplies you larger freedom by way of putting the soundbar within the room.
On the opposite hand, the DHT-S216H’s wired RCA-style subwoofer connector is appropriate with an enormous number of third-party subwoofers, which implies you will be pickier (or extra worth acutely aware) concerning the subwoofer you select. Soundbars that assist elective wi-fi subwoofers sometimes solely let you decide one from the identical producer, and people choices will be dear.
While you possibly can add a wired subwoofer to the DHT-S216H, you can’t add {surround} audio system to the soundbar, wired or in any other case. If you desire a Denon soundbar that may be upgraded for true {surround} sound, you’ll have to pony up for one of many producer’s HEOS-enabled wi-fi soundbars, such as the $900 the DHT-S716H we reviewed earlier).
Last however not least is the ability port, which connects to a five-foot energy twine that’s fortunately freed from built-in bricks or wall warts. Indeed, the two-prong plug suits neatly into a regular AC socket with out blocking any close by retailers.
Setup
Getting the Denon DHT-S216H up and operating is simple. You can both place the soundbar straight in entrance of the TV or mount it on a wall utilizing the 2 mounting keyholes within the rear of the unit. A few plastic mounting spacers are included, however you’ll want to provide your individual mounting screws.
Once you could have the DHT-S216H positioned simply the way in which you want, you’ll want to attach its energy cable after which join the soundbar to the TV. For the optical and 3.5mm inputs, the connections are easy; simply plug the included cables into the corresponding outputs in your TV and also you’re accomplished.
For HDMI, you could have a choice to make. One choice is to make use of simply the one (included) HDMI cable, which you’ll be able to plug into the HDMI-ARC ports on each your TV and the soundbar. The great thing about ARC is that it permits your TV to ship audio to the soundbar from an HDMI-enabled supply (comparable to sport consoles, Blu-ray gamers, and TV set-top packing containers) which can be already related to your TV set. The draw back, nonetheless, is that the ARC protocol doesn’t assist lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs, which shall be a disappointment for audiophiles.
A second choice is to attach an HDMI video supply on to the soundbar’s HDMI enter, after which use the soundbar’s HDMI output to move video to your TV (4K HDR passthrough is supported, together with Dolby Vision). The upside to connecting a video supply on to the soundbar’s HDMI enter is that you just don’t have to depend on ARC for audio, and subsequently you possibly can hear Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks in all their lossless glory. But for the reason that DHT-S216 solely has a single HDMI enter, you’ll have to swap cables (or purchase an HDMI swap field) you probably have a couple of video supply.
Controls, distant, and indicators
On the highest of the DHT-S216H are buttons for energy, enter supply, Bluetooth, and quantity up/down, whereas the soundbar’s compact, non-backlit distant has a collection of buttons that allow you to regulate the amount, tweak the bass response, swap inputs, allow varied sound modes, and activate the dialog enhancer or evening modes.
Ben Patterson/IDGButtons on the highest of the Denon DHT-S216H embody energy, enter supply, Bluetooth, and quantity up/down.
While the DHT-S216H’s distant lacks backlighting, the intuitive button format makes it simpler to search out the right buttons at midnight. The two large bass and quantity rockers are proper within the middle, with the enter buttons and the DTS Virtual:X button straight above. The sound mode and dialog enhancer controls are on the underside. The mute button, in the meantime, sits within the top-right nook, all by itself.
Status indicators on the DHT-S216H are restricted to a row of 5 LEDs that peek out from behind the material masking, which gentle up in varied colours and combos relying on what’s taking place. A blue gentle, for instance, tells you when a Bluetooth system is related, whereas a pair or inexperienced or orange lights point out a Dolby or DTS audio supply respectively. The 5 LEDs additionally function a five-step quantity indicator, and so they flash in several combos relying on the lively enter (one gentle for HDMI, two for ARC, three for optical, and 4 for analog). The minimalist LEDs will be complicated at first, however you get the dangle of them finally.
Ben Patterson/IDGThe Denon DHT-S216H’s distant isn’t backlit, however its intuitive button format makes it simple to make use of at midnight.
Wireless connectivity
While pricier soundbars sometimes boast Wi-Fi connectivity, less-expensive fashions typically do with out, and the DHT-S216H falls within the latter class. That means you possibly can’t management the soundbar with a cellular app, nor are you able to stream audio utilizing Wi-Fi-enabled providers comparable to Spotify Connect. Looking on the brilliant facet, the dearth of Wi-Fi means you received’t have to take care of connecting the soundbar to your Wi-Fi community, which (in some circumstances, anyway) will be extra bother than it’s price.
The DHT-S216H does assist Bluetooth, nonetheless, permitting you to wirelessly stream tunes by way of your iPhone, Android telephone, or one other Bluetooth-enabled system. To put the soundbar into Bluetooth pairing mode, you merely press and maintain the Bluetooth button on the distant or on the unit itself. Once paired, your Bluetooth system can wake the soundbar from its standby mode. I had no bother pairing the DHT-S216H with my iPhone XS, and the soundbar managed to maintain a steady Bluetooth connection throughout prolonged listening periods.
Sound modes
The DHT-S216H encompasses a trio of main sound modes: Movie (which tunes the sound for a theater-like expertise), Music (which delivers extra of a concert-hall really feel), and Pure (which eschews any extra processing, so you possibly can hear the sound because the artist meant).
There’s additionally a Night mode that limits the dynamic vary of the sound, helpful for holding the amount at a gradual degree throughout late-night listening periods, whereas a three-step dialog enhancer dials up the sound of dialog throughout motion pictures and TV exhibits.
Except for the Pure sound mode, you possibly can increase the immersion of any of the opposite sound modes by turning on DTS Virtual:X, a digital 3D surround-sound expertise that (in our expertise) does a reasonably spectacular job of tricking your ears into pondering the sound is coming from round, behind, and even above you. While DTS Virtual:X can’t compete with the pinpoint accuracy you’ll hear from separate {surround} and peak audio system, it’s an amazing various for many who desire a palpable (if not ultra-precise) {surround} expertise with out coping with a bundle of additional {hardware}. DTS Virtual:X can, nonetheless, add some harshness to the audio, in addition to make dialog sound a tad echoey, and the DHT-S216H (as I’ll describe momentarily) isn’t immune to those points.
Performance
While listening to motion pictures and TV exhibits on the Denon DHT-S216H, I switched to Movie mode and enabled DTS Virtual:X, though I often toggled the DTS’s digital {surround} mode on and off for comparability’s sake. For listening to music, I turned on Music mode and switched off the DTS Virtual:X processing, though I did flip it on a few times to listen to if I used to be lacking something.
Overall, I assumed the DHT-S216H delivered spectacular—and immersive—sound given its lack of {surround} audio system or a separate subwoofer, to not point out its funds price ticket. Granted, a soundbar with {surround} audio system would do a greater job of delivering exact directional {surround} results, whereas a competing however far pricier all-in-one soundbar that I’ve examined (the $900 Denon DHT-S716H, which lacks DTS Virtual:X assist) serves up a richer, extra velvety tone. That mentioned, the DHT-S216H turns in a really respectable efficiency contemplating its restricted 2.1-channel configuration and funds price ticket.
I began off with the thrilling title sequence from 1978’s Superman, full with its swooshing credit and John Williams’s muscular, heroic rating. The Superman soundtrack was not too long ago remastered in Dolby Atmos, and whereas the sound is (fairly naturally) downconverted for the two.1-channel DHT-S216H, the soundbar’s wealthy and detailed sound (once more, relative to its $250 worth) boasted an impressively vast soundstage, even once I turned off the DTS Virtual:X processing (though you’ll miss the ambient peak results with out it). And whereas the deep “thunk” that accompanies Richard Donner’s “Directed by” credit score didn’t have the identical energy as you’d hear from a separate subwoofer, the soundbar’s built-in subwoofers nonetheless managed to pack a stable punch.
Also spectacular was the scene a couple of minutes later through which the sinister General Zod and his minions are imprisoned within the Phantom Zone. As the spinning, razor-thin Phantom Zone twirls into the body, the DHT-S216H’s tweeters managed to breed the high-range squeal of the crystalline anomaly because it scooped up the villains, adopted by a panning whoosh because the Zone swooped up and behind my proper shoulder.