The Denon DHT-S517 is a 3.1.2-channel soundbar from Denon, listed at $499. It ships with a wireless subwoofer, so the price covers the bass as well as the bar.
Denon DHT-S517 Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Dedicated height channels (3.1.2) for Dolby Atmos, not only virtual processing
- ✓A dedicated centre channel for dialogue
- ✓Subwoofer included in the box
- ✓HDMI eARC carries lossless Dolby TrueHD and Atmos from the TV
- ✓HDMI input with 4K pass-through - a spare port for a console or player
- ✓Dialogue enhancement and a night mode
- ✓Learns your TV remote
- ✗No DTS:X, so DTS soundtracks play without their height layer
- ✗No rear speaker option, so surround stays virtual
- ✗No Wi-Fi - music streams over Bluetooth only
Channels and Surround Sound
The 3.1.2 badge means 3 ear-level channels (left, centre and right), 1 subwoofer channel, 2 height channels firing at the ceiling. It decodes Dolby Atmos. Virtual surround: Movie Mode.
Subwoofer, Rear Speakers and Mounting
A wireless subwoofer is included, rated at 100 watts, measuring 6.75 x 14.56 x 12.94 in (W x H x D). It cannot add rear speakers. Wall-mountable: Yes (no bracket supplied).
Connections
The Denon DHT-S517 has HDMI eARC to the TV - the connection that carries lossless Dolby TrueHD and Atmos from the TV's own apps and inputs; 1 HDMI input with 4K video pass-through (HDMI 2.0b); optical digital input; 3.5mm analogue input; USB-A input.
Streaming, Control and Sound Modes
No Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; a remote in the box. Sound features: dialogue enhancement, night mode, learns the TV remote.
Size and Which TV It Suits
The bar measures 41.31 x 2.31 x 3.81 in (W x H x D), or 1049 x 59 x 97 mm, and weighs 5.5 lbs. It is no wider than the screen of a 50-inch TV (43.6 in wide) or larger, which is where a soundbar looks in proportion. At 2.31 in tall it should clear the bottom of most TVs sitting on their own feet.
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Denon DHT-S517 Specifications
| Sound |
|---|
| Channels | 3.1.2 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| DTS:X | No |
| Drivers | Tweeters: 1" Dome (3); Midrange: 2.625" Up-Firing (2); Woofers: 4.75"x1.625" Cone (2); Subwoofer: 5.25" Cone; Enclosure: Sealed (bar),Ported (sub) |
| Power (bar, total) | 50 watts |
| Power (subwoofer) | 100 watts |
| Subwoofer | Included |
| Rear speakers | None |
| Virtual surround | Movie Mode |
| Dialogue enhancement | Yes |
| Night mode | Yes |
| Room correction | No |
| Connections |
|---|
| HDMI to TV | eARC |
| HDMI inputs | 1 |
| Video pass-through | 4K |
| HDMI version | 2.0b |
| Optical inputs | Yes |
| Analogue input | 3.5mm |
| USB | USB-A |
| Subwoofer output | Wireless |
| HDMI CEC | Yes |
| Streaming and Control |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Voice control | No |
| Remote included | Yes |
| Learns TV remote | Yes |
| Physical |
|---|
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 41.31 x 2.31 x 3.81 in / 1049 x 59 x 97 mm |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.49 kg |
| Subwoofer size | 6.75 x 14.56 x 12.94 in (W x H x D), 9.5 lbs |
| Wall mounting | Yes (no bracket supplied) |
| Warranty | 2 Years parts, 2 Years labour |
| List price | $499 |
Power is the maker's total across all drivers and is not comparable to an amplifier's per-channel rating.