Denon Home 550
Score: 78/100
Bose Smart Dolby Atmos
Score: 83/100Rankings
The Bose Smart Soundbar delivers Dolby Atmos and AI Dialogue Mode in a slim form factor, with built-in Alexa and extensive wireless connectivity. It lacks ADAPTiQ calibration and may be under-powered for larger rooms, and the wall-mount bracket is sold separately. Perfect for small-to-medium living rooms seeking an all-in-one smart sound solution.
The Denon Home 550 is a compact 4-channel soundbar offering virtual Dolby Atmos/DTS:X and full HEOS multi-room support. Its main compromises are the absence of a dedicated subwoofer and limited HDMI inputs. Best suited for small-to-medium rooms where space is at a premium and users value streaming versatility.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
4 | 5best | |
2.188 inbest | — | |
0.75 inbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 7.3 lb | 6.909 lbbest |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(1) | ||
Audio Channels | 4 | 5 |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | Supported | 5.0 |
Build & Design(2) | ||
System Weight (lb) | 7.3 lb | 6.909 lb |
System Dimensions (H×W×D) (cm) | 65.97×7.49×11.99 cm cm | 5.6×69.4×10.4 cm cm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Denon Home SB550 for its virtual 4‑channel Atmos/DTS:X implementation, wide soundstage, and the convenience of a single HDMI eARC cable that also carries 4K HDR video. They also highlight the HEOS multi‑room ecosystem and the bass boost from three passive radiators, while noting the absence of a dedicated subwoofer and calibration tools as potential drawbacks for audiophiles.
Consumers generally view the SB550 as an easy-to-set-up, space-saving soundbar that offers solid streaming options and immersive virtual surround. Praise centers on the straightforward HDMI eARC hookup and the ability to stream high-resolution music, while the lack of deep bass and unspecified power output are occasional concerns.
Professional reviewers commend the Smart Soundbar for delivering a remarkable sound-to-size ratio, with its five-speaker array and TrueSpace upmixing providing immersive audio despite the compact chassis. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and Alexa adds convenience, but critics note the lack of ADAPTiQ calibration and a lower speaker count than Bose's higher-end Ultra model, making it a solid mid-range choice rather than a flagship.
Everyday users praise the compact design, Dolby Atmos effect, and voice-control convenience, while noting the limited speaker count and desire for a wall-mount bracket. Overall sentiment is positive for the feature set relative to size and price.
