Denon DHT-S517

Good features for the money ; Robust, expansive sound ; Well built and unobtrusive looks

Small subwoofer issues add up ; Occasional audio format confusion ; Uncertain with music

Though the Denon DHT-S517 gets plenty right, it’s just flawed enough to prevent it being a default choice.

Chunky, large-scale and (mostly) detailed sound ; Well made, nicely finished and inconspicuous ; Decent specification at the price

Subwoofer is not as accomplished as the soundbar ; Can get flustered by music ; Not short of competition

It’s unrealistic to expect perfection, especially from a product priced so aggressively - but while the DHT-S517 gets far more right than it gets wrong, it’s not quite the finished article.

Well priced ; Easy to set up ; Understated looks ; Excellent vocal clarity ; Wide soundstage

Lacks smart features ; Dolby Atmos effect isn't the most impressive ; Subwoofer could use more oomph

The Denon DHT-S517 is a capable soundbar that's wonderfully easy to set up and a pleasure to live with. It might not offer the Atmos experience of your dreams but, at this price, it might come close enough.

Very well balanced sound, with clear and natural dialogue. Far above typical TV sound, and the best we've heard in that price range. Dolby Atmos with dedicated upward-firing speakers.

Music sounds a bit muffeled. More expensive soundbars give bigger and louder sound. Bluetooth is the only streaming option.

The Denon DHT-S517 is a compact soundbar that fits into any environment, but still manages to fit its own Atmos speakers on top. Together with the compact subwoofer, it delivers an impressively good and balanced sound for movies, and the soundstage...