I traded my Sonos Era 300 for Denon's new home speaker - and see no reason to go back

At a glance:

• Denon Home 400 challenges Sonos Era 300 with Dolby Atmos and HEOS multi-room audio.
• Six-driver design with dedicated Class D amps delivers hi-res 24-bit/192kHz playback.
• In the US, the Home 400 costs $150 more than the Era 300, making value region-dependent.

The battle for premium smart speakers heats up

For years, Sonos has dominated the conversation around high-end home speakers, but Denon is making a serious push to change that narrative. The company's new second-generation lineup—Home 200, Home 400, and Home 600—arrives with the mid-tier Home 400 squarely aimed at the Sonos Era 300. Both speakers share a similar larger footprint, up-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos, and deep integration with streaming services, but Denon's approach through its HEOS multi-room platform offers a different take on the smart speaker experience.

Denon's HEOS ecosystem handles everything from multi-room grouping to app control, and in day-to-day use, it proves surprisingly capable. The platform natively supports Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and more, while Apple Music relies on AirPlay 2. Setup is straightforward, grouping is reliable, and coverage of major streaming services is comprehensive. The Home 400 also fits neatly into broader home theater plans: pair two for stereo, use them as wireless surrounds with the Denon Home Sound Bar 550, or add HEOS-compatible subwoofers for extra low-end punch.

Sound that punches above its weight

Inside the cabinet, the Home 400 packs six drivers: two tweeters, two 4.5-inch woofers, and two up-firing drivers dedicated to height information. Each driver gets its own Class D amplifier, giving the speaker precise control over every frequency band. This is a significant step up from the previous-generation Home 250, which lacked true Atmos playback. The Home 400 is the first HEOS-enabled speaker to deliver real Dolby Atmos music using physical up-firing drivers rather than virtualized effects.

Listening to Atmos-compatible tracks reveals the difference, though whether you actually want Atmos for music is a matter of taste—I often prefer stereo. Where Atmos truly shines is in home theater use, with the surround speakers and front channels working together to create a convincing height effect. Frequency adjustments are available but basic—bass, treble, and height controls are present but not fine-grained, and they're tucked away in the app, only accessible while audio is playing. That lack of precision mirrors Sonos' own limitations, so it's not a unique drawback.

Hi-res audio and value considerations

Audio enthusiasts will appreciate the Home 400's superior hi-res support. It can play native 24-bit/192kHz audio and, via USB-C, handle FLAC files directly—something the Sonos Era 300 cannot match, as it downscales high-res input during playback. For casual listeners, the difference may be subtle, but for those who've invested in high-quality digital libraries, it's a meaningful advantage.

ZDNET's buying advice positions the Home 400 as a speaker that blurs the line between consumer and audiophile in the sub-$500 range. It's not a true audiophile-grade product, but its sound quality, feature set, and flexibility make it compelling for most users. The real question is value. In Europe, the Home 400 and Era 300 are priced the same, making the choice a matter of ecosystem preference. In the US, however, the Home 400 costs $150 more, which tips the scales toward Sonos for budget-conscious buyers—unless hi-res audio support is a priority.

The verdict

The Denon Home 400 is a serious contender in the premium smart speaker market. It delivers excellent sound, robust feature integration, and true Dolby Atmos in a polished package. While the HEOS app isn't quite as refined as Sonos', it's more than capable for daily use. For those who value hi-res audio and want a speaker that doubles as a home theater asset, the Home 400 is absolutely worth considering—provided the price premium in your region doesn't outweigh the benefits.