HEOS, the wireless music system from Denon, has introduced the HEOS HomeCinema HS2 sound bar, the latest addition to HEOS’ wireless multi-room speaker offerings. The sound bar and wireless subwoofer include Alexa voice control and whole-home audio expandability, for $799 MSRP.
Through Amazon Alexa voice control, consumers can access popular music streaming services (Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, Tidal, etc.), adjust volume, change tracks, and several other commands via the HEOS Home Entertainment Skill and an Amazon Alexa device (e.g. Amazon Echo). The HEOS HomeCinema HS2 is also optimized to work with other HEOS family products, empowering users to play music throughout the home. With support for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS decoding, listeners have access to truly outstanding surround sound.
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“The HEOS HomeCinema HS2 not only provides outstanding sound for any TV, it also increases the efficacy of the HEOS network, which is currently the most fully-featured IoT audio platform in the industry,” said Nick Murrells, technical category director, HEOS. “In combining Denon’s legendary audio prowess with whole-home audio capabilities, Amazon Alexa and the latest entertainment technologies, the HomeCinema HS2 is an easy choice for consumers who prize great sound, flexibility and ease-of-use.”
Under the hood, the HEOS HomeCinema HS2 boasts two bi-amplified mid-woofers and two tweeters with four channels of Class D digital amplification, and powerful 400MHz floating point DSP engine, which gives the low-profile unit serious oomph. It also comes paired with a wireless subwoofer featuring dual 5 ¼-inch drivers, delivering deep, distortion-free bass that today’s movies and music require. The subwoofer is also capable of being placed horizontally or vertically for the widest range of installation options. Ideal for commercial integrators, the HEOS HomeCinema HS2 is IP controllable and boasts robust third-party control from popular manufacturers including Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, and ELAN.
Optimized movie viewing and music listening is achieved via the HEOS HomeCinema HS2’s multiple pre-set EQ modes, which enable users to enhance certain movie scenes (“Movie Mode”), select a wider soundstage with even dispersion (“Music Mode”) or lower the bass and boost voice EQ for clearer dialogue (“Night Mode”). Users can also enjoy high-resolution audio playback when streaming tracks over a wireless network or playing directly from a USB device. Leveraging built-in Bluetooth and HEOS technology, users can effortlessly and wirelessly play music from their favorite music streaming services—in one room or many with other HEOS products—while controlling it all via the free HEOS app.
Setting up the HomeCinema HS2 is as easy as connecting the included optical or HDMI input and output to a TV and plugging in the wireless subwoofer. Users can control the sound bar via the included remote control with IR learning function, the TV’s remote control via HDMI ARC, satellite or cable box remote using the IR learning feature, and the HEOS app.
