Denon HEOS 7 HS2

Not like anything

The first thing that surprises the audio system of the popular Japanese manufacturer Denon HEOS 7 HS2 is an unusual form factor. Almost half a metre in length (479 mm), but at the same time low (203 mm) and thin (164 mm), the speaker is not at all like traditional monoblocks, it looks stylish and quickly finds its place in a modern interior.

The physical volume and mute buttons are located on the right side of the case, and the connectors are on the bottom of the back, so they do not spoil the brevity of the appearance. The product is available in black and white. The second option looks more spectacular, but over time it risks losing its attractiveness without proper care, since the audio fabric that the speaker is sheathed with easily collects dust and dirt.

5 speakers for great sound

The musical capabilities of Denon HEOS 7 HS2 surprise much more than appearance: the manufacturer placed 2 tweeters, 2 midrange speakers, 2 passive radiators and a subwoofer inside, which provided clear and powerful sound with tight bass and bright highs. But for some reason I didn’t indicate the power, but here it’s enough even for a small cafe with an area of about 70 metres. And Multi-Room support will help make HEOS 7 part of a single media system for comfortable listening to your favorite music in any room.

Connectivity

The model has an Ethernet connector, a mini-Jack input (3.5 mm) and USB for reading flash drives and charging (!), and from wireless technologies — Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Management is carried out from a smartphone, and with support for voice assistants Amazon Alexa and Google, and the initial setup takes only a few minutes.

Separately, it is worth noting the presence of a headphone output on the left side of the case and a colour status indicator, unobtrusively located on the front panel at the bottom. Depending on the operating mode or identified problems, it lights up green, blue, red or yellow, and the intensity of the glow can be adjusted.

With all its capabilities, the Denon HEOS 7 HS2 costs a lot too — about $650. But his younger brother HEOS 5 HS2 is almost half the price. However its power and dimensions are more modest, there is no woofer and headphone output. Otherwise, the systems are identical, and the ability to choose a cheaper alternative is a definite plus for Denon.