The Denon Home Sound Bar 550 is a 4.0-channel soundbar from Denon, listed at $699. The bass comes from the bar alone unless you add the optional subwoofer.
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Decodes both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- ✓A dedicated centre channel for dialogue
- ✓Can add a matching wireless subwoofer later
- ✓Can grow into true surround with optional rear speakers
- ✓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
- ✓Wi-Fi streaming with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
- ✓Dialogue enhancement and a night mode
- ✓Learns your TV remote
- ✓Voice assistant built in (Alexa)
- ✓Compact at 25.63 in wide - fits small TVs and tight spaces
- ✗Decodes Dolby Atmos but has no height channels, so overhead effects are simulated
Channels and Surround Sound
The 4.0 badge means 4 ear-level channels (left, centre, right and 1 for width or surround). It decodes Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but with no height channels the overhead layer is created by processing rather than by drivers aimed at the ceiling. Virtual surround: Virtual Surround.
Subwoofer, Rear Speakers and Mounting
A subwoofer is optional - the bar connects to one wirelessly but does not come with it. Rear surround speakers are optional, so it can become a true surround system later. Wall-mountable: Yes (no bracket supplied).
Connections
The Denon Home Sound Bar 550 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
Wi-Fi (2.4, 5.0 GHz), with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn; voice control: Alexa built-in, Google Assistant optional; app control (Apple iOS, Android); a remote in the box. Sound features: dialogue enhancement, night mode, learns the TV remote.
Size and Which TV It Suits
The bar measures 25.63 x 2.94 x 4.69 in (W x H x D), or 651 x 75 x 119 mm, and weighs 7.3 lbs. It is no wider than the screen of a 32-inch TV (27.9 in wide) or larger, which is where a soundbar looks in proportion. At 2.94 in tall it should clear the bottom of most TVs sitting on their own feet.
Open the soundbar size simulator to try another TV or compare two bars.
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Specifications
| Sound |
|---|
| Channels | 4.0 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes |
| Drivers | Tweeters: 0.75" Dome (2); Midrange: 2.1875" Cone (4); Woofers: 2"x3.5" Passive Radiators; Enclosure: Passive Radiator |
| Subwoofer | Optional |
| Rear speakers | Optional |
| Virtual surround | Virtual Surround |
| 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 | 802.11ac |
| Streaming | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn |
| Voice control | Alexa built-in, Google Assistant optional |
| App | Apple iOS, Android |
| Remote included | Yes |
| Learns TV remote | Pre-programmed |
| Physical |
|---|
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 25.63 x 2.94 x 4.69 in / 651 x 75 x 119 mm |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.31 kg |
| Wall mounting | Yes (no bracket supplied) |
| Warranty | 2 Years parts, 2 Years labour |
| List price | $699 |
Power is the maker's total across all drivers and is not comparable to an amplifier's per-channel rating.