Latest news with #Denon
Tom's Guide
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I'm a tough critic when it comes to audio gear, but these $199 headphones still have me hooked
I spend a lot of my life reviewing some of the best headphones... and I also spend a lot of my life reviewing some of the worst headphones. Charles Dickens, who? I think I just rewrote "Great Expectations" for the audiophile crowd. Anyhoo, I reviewed the Soundcore Space One Pro back in February, and I still can't believe how good these headphones are. I gave them a near-perfect 4.5 stars and struggled to fault them. And the best part? They're just $199. (Well, they're often on sale for $169, which makes them like a 4.75 star product.) I've tested my fair share of headphones, and I think the Space One Pros absolutely blow the Bose QuietComforts out of the water in terms of value, and I'll tell you why. What makes the Space One Pro headphones so good? For starters, they're a fraction of the cost of other headphones of this caliber. But my favorite part is the personalized EQ (HearID), which I'll get into in full in 3...2...1... I know some headphone brands offer personalized EQs now (Denon, JBL, Jabra, etc), but the Soundcore version is straight-up entertainment. I've never been so enthralled by a silly little game on my silly little phone before. Let me walk you through it. The Soundcore app runs you through a game (called HearID), where you select which EQ sounds better. Have you ever been to the opticians for a vision test, and they ask you which lens is better? It's like that, but with the same song under different EQ styles. After you complete the game, the headphones generate your perfect EQ, based on what you like. So if you choose the bassier songs, it'll create a bass-heavy EQ. Similarly, if you choose the enhanced vocal (treble) track, it'll provide you with treble-focused EQ. I found this way more effective and fun than a manual EQ slider. Sure, I'm more than capable of adjusting my own frequency volumes — that's all an EQ is, after all — but this made it so much more fun. I was immediately enamored with these headphones. Kind of ironic, but I think the Soundcore Space One Pros are more comfy than the Bose QuietComforts. The soft cups felt like clouds against my ears, and I couldn't feel the plastic driver casing through the mesh. As soon as I put the Space One Pro headphones on, I was shocked at how cheap they are. Usually, even mid-range headphones have thin mesh between the cups and the drivers, but not the Space One Pros. Look at that! So flexible! I feel like a little kid when they say "Mommy! Look at me!" and do some wild contortion that only kids under five are capable of. (I used to be a kindergarten teacher, and that happened to me about 10 times a day. They also used to ask me if I, too, could put my foot over my head. I can't.) The Space One Pros are comfy and flexible, so they can easily be stowed away in a bag or even in a jacket pocket without being too bulky. I'd definitely grab these right before leaving the house and not worry about accidentally breaking them while stuffing them in my bag, running after the bus. As much as I love the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones, they're not perfect. The ANC is good, don't get me wrong. But it's not great. They won't be the best noise-canceling headphones any time soon. When I was testing them, I could still hear traffic noise when I was walking around the city. However, when I was in the office, my colleagues had to wave their hands in front of my face to get my attention. So, swings and roundabouts. If you want to be aware of your surroundings on city walks, then the ANC might not be a negative. All that being said, if you need mind-blowing ANC, then you have to spend $$$ and go for the $349 Bose QuietComfort headphones. Bose is renowned for its industry-leading ANC, and the QuietComforts are no different. My colleague Nikita says that Bose's ANC is "so good you feel lonely", which I think is the best way to describe it. So if you want to save some dough and get mind-blowingly good value headphones? The Space One Pros are calling your name. But if you need ANC that will block out the world? The Bose QuietComforts might just steal the crown here. Me? I'm more than happy with my $150 saving and my Space One Pros.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Denon's Latest AH-C840NCW Wireless Earbuds Are Now Shipping
The new wireless earbuds announced by Denon last month are now shipping so I thought I would tell you a little more about these mid-priced earbuds that go up against Apple's AirPods. Since the announcement, Denon has been sold by its owner Masimo to Harman International, along with its stablemates Marantz and B&W. But it's business as usual at one of Japan's oldest and most venerable audio brands. The new Denon AH-C840NCW are true wireless earbuds with silicone ear tips and adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation for a more immersive listening experience. The noise cancelation is Hybrid ANC which automatically adjusts the level of noise cancellation using two microphones in each earpiece to monitor sound. The ANC also has a transparency mode that enables users to stay aware of ambient noise if needed. Adaptive hybrid ANC differs from regular Adaptive ANC. With normal Adaptive ANC, the amount of noise cancellation applied is purely based on surrounding sounds. Hybrid ANC combines both feedforward and feed-backward circuitry to capture and cancel noise across a wider range of frequencies. A full charge of the battery inside the storage case can provide up to 35 hours of playtime before a top-up is necessary. A full charge of the earbuds can yield up to 10 hours of listening time before they need to go back in the case. The earbuds also support wireless charging as well as the usual USB-C. That figure depends on volume levels, the audio codec being used and whether ANC is turned on. With ANC turned on, the earbuds deliver up to seven hours of listening time from a single charge, with up to 24 hours of listening on the go using the charging case. A five-minute burst charge can provide about an hour of listening time. These days, most people rely on their earbuds for making phone calls. It's important to have microphones that can pick up the user's voice. To handle this, Denon uses two mics and noise canceling to filter out some of the ambient sound that the mics would normally pick up. This can enhance call clarity in noisy spaces. Currently, Bluetooth technology is going through a transition with many manufacturers of earbuds and other devices moving to the new Bluetooth LE standard. Bluetooth LE Audio is a power-efficient version of Bluetooth that's designed for low-bandwidth, intermittent data transmission, making it suitable for battery-powered devices, wearables and smart home products. Bluetooth LE consumes less energy than Classic Bluetooth by quickly establishing and terminating connections as well as optimizing small data transfers. What's more, Bluetooth LE Audio supports high-quality, low-power audio streaming with audio codecs like LDAC and LC3. The AH-C840NCW earbuds also support Auracast. This is a new Bluetooth technology that can broadcast to multiple earbuds or speakers. For example, a sports bar might have a TV showing a football game but with the sound off. If the TV supports Auracast, anyone with a pair of Auracast-compatible earbuds or headphones can pick up the audio signal from the TV wirelessly and listen to the ball game commentary without disturbing anyone around them. It's a little like the inductive loops used for hearing aid wearers. As well as supporting Auracast, the Denon AH-C840NCW also have multipoint connectivity which means the earbuds can pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. One device could be a phone for business calls, while the other could be a tablet showing a movie or a digital audio player streaming Tidal. With multipoint, a user can switch seamlessly between two devices. For example, they might be watching a movie on their iPad when an important business call comes in on their smartphone. One press and the user can seamlessly switch to take the call, automatically pausing the movie until the call is ended. To get the most from these new earbuds, Denon has updated its smartphone app which offers customization of the AH-C840NCW. The Denon Headphones app lets the user adjust sound settings, touch controls, manage ANC levels and apply any future firmware updates for optimal performance. Finally, the earbuds support voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant when connected to a compatible device. They include protection against sweat and water thanks to a waterproof rating of IPX4 which means they are resistant to sweat and water splashes, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities. The Denon AH-C840NCW true wireless earbuds are shipping now from Denon's website and through authorized retailers priced at $159 / £159 / €159.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Denon Takes Shots At Sonos In Multi-Room Speaker War
Denon HEOS multi-room speaker While Sonos continues cleaning up the mess from its disastrous app overhaul, Denon is quietly rolling out some pretty nifty upgrades that feel suspiciously well-timed. The latest Denon Home update adds Qobuz Connect support, which is a boost for audiophiles who've long wanted native control over the French brand's highly regarded streaming service, with the new platform launching today at High End Munich 2025. Like Connect options that already exist from the likes of Spotify and Tidal, Qobuz Connect lets you stream high-resolution music directly from the Qobuz app to compatible hi-fi devices, so no Bluetooth, AirPlay, or third-party apps are needed. It hands off playback to your audio gear, so your phone just acts as a remote, and you can switch between devices without interrupting the music. But that's not the only boost for Denon as the Japanese audio brand has announced a raft of quality-of-life tweaks to the HEOS ecosystem. The HEOS app now loads faster (we're told it shaves off two seconds before you see your homescreen populate), and playlist limits have jumped from 300 to 1,000 tracks. You can also save room group presets and Denon has also added Roon Ready support and network sharing via SMB 3.0. Denon has had a busy month. A couple of weeks ago, its umbrella company Sound United was sold by the Masimo Corporation to the Samsung-owned Harman International, for a cool $350 million. That means that Denon, along with Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Polk, and Marantz are now part of a big audio family with the likes of Harman Kardon, JBL, AKG, Mark Levinson, Arcam, and Revel. Like Sonos, Denon's HEOS range includes a variety of wireless speakers designed for different room sizes and audio needs. With Sonos still having to make amends to its existing user base, and having a much harder job attracting new users after a disastrous 12 months, brands like Denon have a better chance than ever to steal a march on the ever-expanding multi-room music market.
Digital Trends
15-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Qobuz Connect launches with Denon, Marantz, and 58 more hi-fi brands
Fans of Qobuz, the France-based subscription music service that specializes in lossless, hi-res audio, now have a new way of streaming their favorite tracks to their favorite devices. Qobuz Connect has been added to the company's iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows apps, letting them control compatible streaming speakers and components from a big list of hi-fi brands. Most folks will recognize names like Denon and Marantz — every device made by these brands that work with the HEOS streaming software are now Qobuz Connect compatible — but the list also includes niche hi-fi players, such as Rotel, Nagra, HiFi Rose, Lindemann, Wiim, and Volumio. Here's the entire list. 'Qobuz Connect is a feature that has been eagerly awaited by our subscribers,' said Qobuz's Chief Product Officer, Axel Destagnol. 'We are proud to offer the most complete Connect solution on the market today, combining high resolution, app synchronization and remote control. Our priority has been to develop a simple, intuitive interface, to facilitate the experience of all our listeners.' Recommended Videos Much like Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect turns the Qobuz app into a single point of control, avoiding the need to use Bluetooth, AirPlay, Google Cast, or proprietary apps like Wiim Home. If you use your computer as your streaming device (perhaps connected to an external DAC), as long as the computer's Qobuz app is open, you can remote control it from the Qobuz mobile app. Moreover, all streams are sent from Qobuz's servers to the receiving device directly, at their maximum supported resolution, without needing to pass through your smartphone or computer first. I tried it out using the Qobuz app on iOS and macOS, sending streams to the Wiim Ultra network music streamer and it worked seamlessly. You'll need the most recent version of the Qobuz app, and you may need to update the firmware on your streaming device if it's on the list of supported brands. The new version of the app also simplifies the interface. Instead of offering two output menus (the bottom-left device menu and the top-right casting button), all connection options are now chosen from the bottom-left device menu. Qobuz Connect is perfect for the music fan who wants any easy way to stream to a single device, but at the moment, there's no way to connect to multiple Qobuz Connect devices simultaneously and no way to group them. If you need that kind of control, you'll have to use the native control app (HEOS, Wiim Home, etc) for your gear, or switch to a protocol like Apple AirPlay.
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Harman To Acquire B&W, Denon, Polk And Marantz From Masimo In $350 Million Deal
Bowers & WIlkins has shipped one million pairs of speakers from the 600 Series range since they were ... More first launched 25 years ago. Bowers & WIlkins Masimo Corporation (Nasdaq: MASI), a leading global medical innovator has announced today in a press statement that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Sound United consumer audio business to Harman International , a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The aggregate purchase price is $350 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. The sale includes the Bowers & Wilkins , Denon , Polk and Marantz brands which will now join Harman's portfolio of premium audio brands which includes JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Arcam, and Revel. The sale follows the previously announced review of Masimo's consumer audio business and will support the company's strategic focus on driving innovation in its core professional healthcare segment. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, subject to receiving necessary regulatory approvals. Quentin Koffey, Vice Chairman of Masimo's Board of Directors, stated, 'Finding the right home for this business has been a stated priority of the new Board from day one, and this transaction represents an important milestone as we continue to position the Company to achieve our goals of accelerating revenue growth while delivering disciplined margins. Masimo has tremendous opportunities ahead and we are confident we have the right healthcare-focused strategy, experienced leadership team and culture of innovation in place to build on our significant positive momentum.' Dave Rogers, President of Harman's Lifestyle division, added, 'This acquisition represents a strategic step forward in the expansion of Harman's core audio business and footprint across key product categories such as Home Audio, Headphones, Hi-fi components, and Car Audio. It complements our existing strengths and opens new avenues for growth. Sound United's portfolio of world-class audio brands including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon and Marantz, will join Harman's iconic family of brands, including JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Arcam, and Revel. Built on a shared legacy of innovation and excellence in audio technology, this combined family of brands, together with the talented employees of both companies, will deliver complementary audio products, strengthen our value proposition and offer more choices to consumers." Katie Szyman, Chief Executive Officer of Masimo, said, 'Since I took over as CEO, a key objective has been refocusing our business to ensure we are allocating time and resources to areas of unmet clinical need and driving growth and operational efficiencies. This transaction aligns with these objectives. Our consumer audio business and its talented team will be well positioned for growth and success under Harman's leadership.' The transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions, including the receipt of any required regulatory approvals. Centerview Partners LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as financial advisors to Masimo and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP served as legal advisor to Masimo in connection with the transaction. Comment: Harman is buying some classic and premium brands from Massimo and the financial resources of Harman International, backed up by parent company Samsung, will secure a long-term future and development for some of the world's best-known and well-loved audio brands.
