Sound quality:
Denon's Home Sound Bar 550 has Good overall sound quality. In the Pure sound mode, the bass has good impact, but is slightly boomy and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is fairly even, but is somewhat hazy and congested and a bit grainy. Treble is extended, but is slightly smeared. Does a decent of recovering the actual room ambience of a recording but sounds somewhat congested. The two channel sound field extends somewhat above the top, and a bit beyond the width of the speaker array and lacks depth.
No significant difference in sound quality between optical, analog, USB, HDMI, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi inputs.
The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
Sound Modes
The various sound modes had a noticeable effect on the sound field and tonal balance.
Multichannel
When 5.1 channel program material is played back in the Pure sound mode the width and height of the sound stage expands, and depending on the program material extends well above and somewhat beyond the width of the soundbar enclosure. The various sound modes had a noticeable effect on the sound field and tonal balance.
Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
When playing Dolby Atmos or DTS:X material in the Pure sound mode, the width and height of the sound stage expands, and depending on the program material can expand to fill the front of the room up to and including the ceiling. In the other sound modes the sound field expands further and depending on the program material and sound mode can expand to fill the front end of the room up to and including the ceiling out to the same plane as the listener.
TV ease of use: Excellent overall.
Features ease of use: Very good overall.
