We have tested the Denon HEOS multiroom APP!

We Tested the Denon HEOS Multiroom App

Denon is best known for its award-winning AV receivers and high-fidelity amplifiers, but the brand’s reach extends far beyond traditional home audio components.

Denon offers a diverse product lineup—from speakers and subwoofers to amplifiers and wireless sound systems—all designed to work together within the HEOS multiroom ecosystem. This smart platform allows users to wirelessly connect and control multiple Denon devices throughout their home.

---

The HEOS App

The HEOS app serves as the central hub for managing this multiroom system. Available for both iOS and Android, it enables users to:

• Group and ungroup rooms
• Stream different music to different zones
• Control volume, playback, and source selection for each room

Whether you’re hosting a party or simply enjoying background music in the kitchen, the HEOS app provides intuitive and responsive control, making it easy to synchronize audio or play something unique in each space.

HEOS (Home Entertainment Operating System) is a wireless multi-room sound system from Denon you will find installed on electronic products such as Denon and Marantz wireless speakers, receivers / amplifiers and other audio products. The software is free to download and compatible with iOS and Android smart devices, it requires a home WiFi network to operate.

Streaming Services and Supported Formats

The HEOS system supports music streaming from a wide range of popular providers, including:

• Amazon Music
• Deezer
• iHeartRadio
• Pandora
• Mood Mix
• Napster
• SiriusXM
• SoundCloud
• Spotify
• TIDAL

You can stream music via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. However, Wi-Fi is recommended for superior sound quality, as it allows the transmission of uncompressed music files—offering a significant upgrade over Bluetooth’s compressed audio.

HEOS supports the following digital audio file formats:

• MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC)
• DSD
• FLAC, WAV, WMA

---

Source Sharing and HEOS Stereo Performance

HEOS doesn’t just stream music from online platforms—it also allows users to share content from connected local sources, such as CD players, turntables, or TVs, to any other HEOS-compatible wireless speakers in the home. This makes it an ideal whole-home entertainment solution, especially when paired with a HEOS-enabled AV receiver.

For stereo sound setups, HEOS also performs admirably. When using two matching speakers of the same brand and power, users can enjoy rich, balanced stereo playback, perfect for critical listening.

---

HEOS Surround Sound and Setup Simplicity

HEOS is also equipped to handle wireless surround sound, provided you’re using compatible speakers or a home theater receiver. HEOS-enabled systems can transmit Dolby Digital and DTS surround signals wirelessly, allowing for flexible speaker placement and minimal cabling—a major convenience in modern living spaces.

After downloading the HEOS app on your smartphone or tablet, setup is quick and user-friendly. By tapping “Setup Now”, the app automatically detects and connects to all nearby HEOS-compatible devices, making the system ready to use within minutes.

Music Streaming with the HEOS Multiroom System

Once set up, the HEOS Multiroom system allows you to stream music seamlessly over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to any compatible HEOS device throughout your home—no matter where you are. Whether you’re in the kitchen, living room, or bedroom, music follows you effortlessly.

The HEOS app also enables direct streaming to your AV receiver, so you can enjoy high-quality playback through your home theater system. This makes it incredibly convenient for users who want centralized control of their music without switching apps or sources.

---

HEOS Link – Expanding Legacy Systems

If you have an existing stereo or home theater receiver that does not have HEOS built-in, you can still integrate it into your HEOS system using the HEOS Link.

The HEOS Link is a wireless preamplifier designed specifically for the Home Entertainment Operating System. It connects to your traditional audio system via analog or digital audio inputs, effectively transforming it into a HEOS-compatible device. This is a perfect solution for users who want to modernize older but high-quality equipment.

---

HEOS and Alexa Voice Control

HEOS devices are fully compatible with Amazon Alexa, providing the convenience of hands-free voice control. Once you link your HEOS-enabled receiver or speaker to the Alexa app on your smartphone, you can control playback with simple voice commands.

Commands such as:

• “Alexa, play jazz in the living room.”
• “Alexa, turn up the volume.”
• “Alexa, play Spotify on Denon.”

…can be issued from your smartphone or a dedicated Echo device, making it easy to control your music experience without lifting a finger.

HEOS was introduced as HS1 first in 2014. Denon introduced the enhanced 2nd generation of HEOS (HS2) in 2016, adding additional features to it. Denon receivers were even equipped with a separate button for HEOS wireless speakers and Bluetooth streaming. Henceforth, supporting Hi-Res audio and 5 GHz wireless transmission, the HS2 has been further improved.

Testing

To connect the speakers to a Wi-Fi network, all you have to do is download the HEOS APP and launch it, or use an Ethernet cable or a 3.5mm connector to transfer data from your smartphone or tablet to your devices. The flashing LEDs on each product indicate connection.

Alexa allows you to control playback with voice control, it also has a Bluetooth connection, although it lacks the aptX required for “CD-like” 16bit / 44.1kHz streaming.

---

Multi-Device Use and Account Integration

To get the most out of the HEOS multiroom ecosystem across multiple devices—such as PCs, tablets, and smartphones—it’s recommended to create a Denon account. This allows you to:

• Sync preferences across platforms
• Easily switch between devices
• Save time on setup and navigation

Once logged in, your entire HEOS setup becomes centralized and accessible, providing a seamless experience throughout your home.

---

App Integration and High-Resolution Streaming

While Spotify operates via the Spotify Connect interface, all other supported streaming services—like TIDAL, Deezer, or Amazon Music—are accessed directly within the HEOS app. Setting up a multi-speaker configuration is simple, allowing you to:

• Group speakers by room or zone
• Stream different music to each speaker or synchronize them all

The HEOS system supports high-resolution music streaming, including:

• 24-bit / 192 kHz audio via Wi-Fi or USB
• DSD playback up to 5.6 MHz

This means audiophiles can enjoy studio-quality audio without physical media or wired connections.

---

Usability Observations

One minor drawback of the HEOS app is the location of the Settings menu, which is found within the Music section. For example, if you’re streaming from TIDAL and need to adjust your device settings, you’ll have to exit the music view entirely, which can disrupt the listening flow. A more accessible, global Settings panel would greatly enhance the user experience.

---

Test Device: HEOS 1

All functions and features in this review were tested using the HEOS 1 wireless speaker, which performed reliably throughout. Despite its compact size, the HEOS 1 delivered clean, room-filling sound and responded quickly to streaming commands via the app—demonstrating that even entry-level HEOS hardware is robust and responsive.

Sound

We tested the HEOS application in a smaller studio, where the acoustics were perfect, the printed sound-absorbing panels on the walls ensured the right ratio of basses, and the diffusers, completed with front panels, created an ideal sound. In the case of a studio, optimal acoustics are much more important, as the quality of sound recordings depends on them.

The HEOS system’s performance was truly impressive, an experience you wouldn’t want to miss. When used in smaller rooms, Denon recommends to turn down the bass in the EQ settings. The software handled the treble confidently, but lacked precision or fine dynamics.

Conclusion

The multi-room Home Entertainment Operating System together with the DENON speakers is not necessarily capable of the best quality sound, as it was lacking accuracy, dynamism and fun. The settings are very easy; you will connect and configure all devices very quickly, and a plethora of really impressive features awaits you.