OVERALL
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Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

Denon DHT-S216 Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£190N. of audio channels:2.1Audio output power:120 WHDMI ARC type:ARC

Denon DHT-S216 Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 1 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Denon DHT-S216
5.8/10

Overall score

Score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 65% of models
Score components

95%

5.8

Technical score

5%

7.3

Reviews score ( 0 · 1)

Reviews score 5% · 7.3 · based on 1 video
1 video counts as 0.5 of the 2 needed; the rest counts as 7/10. Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%. A video or a short review counts less than a full test.
▲Better than 65% of soundbars
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 59% of models
Score components

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

▲Better than 59%
5.8

Technical score

Technical score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 66% of models
Score components

25%

5.3

Audio

18%

4.7

Formats

16%

7.0

Connectivity

14%

6.4

Controls

12%

7.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

6.4

Design

▲Better than 66%
7.3

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 84% of models
Grades by review (1)
1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Share in the overall score: 5%, the same for every model in this category.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 84%
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £190
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of soundbar Denon DHT-S216

Technical score
Technical score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 66% of models
Score components:

25%

5.3

Audio

18%

4.7

Formats

16%

7.0

Connectivity

14%

6.4

Controls

12%

7.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

6.4

Design

5.8
Reviews score
7.3
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

6.9
Brand name
Denon
N. of audio channels
2.1
This soundbar offers 2.1 audio channels, more than 56.9% of soundbars and equal to 19.2% of soundbars.
Audio output power
120 W
Market range: <10 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 120 W of audio output power, more than 70.7% of soundbars and equal to 6.9% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 20 Hz, lower than 90.1% of soundbars and equal to 9.9% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 20.7% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 17.6% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 1 HDMI inputs, more than 68.1% of soundbars and equal to 27.1% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 31.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 4.2, which is older than that of 61.6% of soundbars and the same as that of 24.9% of soundbars.
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Smartphone app
no
This soundbar does not have smartphone app. 35.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 26.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 9.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 31.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
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HDMI version
2
This soundbar uses HDMI 2, which is newer than that of 58% of soundbars and the same as that of 15.4% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
ARC
This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 31.9% of soundbars and the same as what 46.3% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 37.4% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
4K
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to 4K, which is higher than that of 80.1% of soundbars and the same as that of 17.2% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
60 fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to 60 fps, higher than 82.4% of soundbars and equal to 14.4% of soundbars.
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AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 20.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 23.4% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 21.3% support native Amazon Music.
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Width
890 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 890 mm wide, wider than 64.4% of soundbars and equal to 1.1% of soundbars.
Height
66 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 66 mm high, shorter than 51.9% of soundbars and equal to 2.1% of soundbars.
Thickness
60 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 60 mm thick, thinner than 89.8% of soundbars and equal to 2.1% of soundbars.
Weight
3,400 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 3,400 g, more than 77.1% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar uses plastic for the build material, which is different from that of 4.8% of soundbars and the same as that of 89.4% of soundbars.
Fabric grille or wrap.
Show more

Denon DHT-S216 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Supports HDR pass-through
    This soundbar supports hDR pass-through support, the average soundbar does not.
    HDR10 and Dolby Vision pass-through.
  • Higher pass-through resolution
    This soundbar supports 4K for HDMI pass-through resolution, while the average soundbar supports none.
    4K vs none
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (2.1 vs 2). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
    2.1 vs 2.0
  • Higher HDMI pass-through frame rate
    This soundbar has a higher HDMI pass-through frame rate than the average soundbar (60 fps vs none fps). The average soundbar supports an HDMI pass-through frame rate of none fps.
    60 fps vs none fps
  • 2 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (6 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    6 vs 4
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (2.1 vs 2). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
    2.1 vs 2.0
  • 2 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (6 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    6 vs 4
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 32 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (20 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • 71.4% more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (120 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    120 W vs 70 W
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, MP3, WAV vs MP3).
    AAC, MP3, WAV vs MP3
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Supports HDR pass-through
    This soundbar supports hDR pass-through support, the average soundbar does not.
    HDR10 and Dolby Vision pass-through.
  • Higher pass-through resolution
    This soundbar supports 4K for HDMI pass-through resolution, while the average soundbar supports none.
    4K vs none
  • Higher HDMI pass-through frame rate
    This soundbar has a higher HDMI pass-through frame rate than the average soundbar (60 fps vs none fps). The average soundbar supports an HDMI pass-through frame rate of none fps.
    60 fps vs none fps
  • Newer HDCP version
    This soundbar uses 2.2 for HDCP version, while the average soundbar uses none.
    2.2 vs none
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • 26 mm thinner design
    This soundbar is thinner than the average soundbar (60 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    60 mm vs 86 mm
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    no (port is a service terminal only, not for media playback)
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    no (port is for service terminal only)
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 4.2 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    4.2 vs 5.0
  • 1 fewer sound modes
    This soundbar offers fewer sound modes than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    3 vs 4
  • 1,400 g heavier weight
    This soundbar is heavier than the average soundbar (3,400 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    3,400 g vs 2,000 g
  • Harder firmware updates
    This soundbar uses USB for firmware update method, while the average soundbar uses app-based, USB.
    USB vs app-based, USB
  • Smaller speaker drivers
    This soundbar uses smaller speakers than the average soundbar (2x1" & 2x3" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch). The average soundbar uses speakers of 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch.
    2x1" & 2x3" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch
  • 4.29x less popular
    Denon DHT-S216 is less popular than the average soundbar (1 vs 4.3).
    1 vs 4.29
  • 2x more expensive
    Denon DHT-S216 is more expensive than the average soundbar (£190 vs £95).
    £190 vs £95
  • 1 fewer sound modes
    This soundbar offers fewer sound modes than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    3 vs 4
  • Smaller speaker drivers
    This soundbar uses smaller speakers than the average soundbar (2x1" & 2x3" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch). The average soundbar uses speakers of 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch.
    2x1" & 2x3" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    no (port is a service terminal only, not for media playback)
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    no (port is for service terminal only)
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 4.2 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    4.2 vs 5.0
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC
  • Harder firmware updates
    This soundbar uses USB for firmware update method, while the average soundbar uses app-based, USB.
    USB vs app-based, USB
  • No front display
    This soundbar uses none for display type, while the average soundbar uses LED.
    No built-in display.
    none vs LED
  • 1,400 g heavier weight
    This soundbar is heavier than the average soundbar (3,400 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    3,400 g vs 2,000 g
  • 128 mm wider width
    This soundbar is wider than the average soundbar (890 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    890 mm vs 762 mm
  • 2 years older release
    This soundbar is older than the average soundbar (2019 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    December 3, 2019
    2,019 vs 2,021

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0
Michael Perlitschke
✓ explicit
03/09/2020
Long hands-on review · sound and connectivity tests
Verdict
Denon DHT-S216 is a solid system worth recommending, though it will not suit every listener's taste.
Not graded
Not graded
Brand video
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Denon DHT-S216

  • 2.1-channel layout with clearer dialogue than basic TV speakers
  • HDMI ARC with CEC plus one HDMI input for easier TV integration
  • Useful everyday features such as dialogue enhancement, night mode and a remote
  • Bluetooth, optical and AUX inputs give it flexible connectivity for a mid-range setup

What customers don't like about Denon DHT-S216

  • No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X support
  • No external subwoofer, rear speakers or upfiring speakers
  • No Wi-Fi, casting or voice-assistant integration
  • Only one HDMI input and a fairly large body for a simple 2.1 bar

Verdict

The Denon DHT-S216 is a compact 2.1-channel, 3.4 kg all-in-one soundbar featuring dual 3-inch down-firing subwoofers and support for DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Digital [1]. Key specifications include 4K UHD HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 4.2, and Dialogue Enhancer mode, offering a low-profile design (890 x 60 x 120 mm) with clear audio performance [1]. Pros include easy setup and excellent dialogue clarity, while cons are limited to a lack of Wi-Fi, a subpar remote, and moderate bass performance in large rooms [1].

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