OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v3.0

Denon DHT-S517 review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£400N. of audio channels:3.1.2Audio output power:?HDMI ARC type:eARC

Denon DHT-S517 Review: Compare 108 technical specifications, 5 expert and video reviews and 2 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Denon DHT-S517
7.4/10

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 77% of models
Score components

35%

6.8

Technical score

30%

8.1

List score

25%

6.8

Reviews score

10%

9.0

Sentiment score

▲Better than 77% of soundbars
7.7

Value for money

Value for money
7.7/ 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 56% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

8.4

Price

▲Better than 56%
6.8

Technical score

Technical score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 77% of models
Score components

25%

6.9

Audio

18%

6.7

Formats

16%

7.4

Connectivity

14%

7.1

Controls

12%

7.4

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

▲Better than 77%
6.8

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.8/ 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. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 59% of models

6.8

Mark 7.9 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

7.9

Average grade

20%

8.0

Popularity

Grades by review (5)
5 videos, average 7.6/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 59%
8.1

List score

List score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (2)
List score: in 2 of 101 lists (2%)
▲Better than 77%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the Denon DHT-S517

Based on 0 · 5

Reviewers agree the design is a real highlight, with no complaints about how it looks.
Praised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Soundbars model ranking

Ranked #61 of 324 models in Soundbars (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of soundbar Denon DHT-S517

Technical score
Technical score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 77% of models
Score components:

25%

6.9

Audio

18%

6.7

Formats

16%

7.4

Connectivity

14%

7.1

Controls

12%

7.4

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

6.8
Reviews score
6.8
List score
8.1
Value for money
Value for money
7.7/ 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 56% of models
Score components:

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

8.4

Price

7.7
N. of audio channels
3.1.2
This soundbar offers 3.1.2 audio channels, more than 88.6% of soundbars and equal to 3.6% of soundbars.
Audio output power
?
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
?
Max frequency
20,000 Hz
Market range: <19k Hz – >20k Hz
This soundbar reaches a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz, higher than 17.5% of soundbars and equal to 76.8% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos. 70% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 16.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD. 83.9% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 1 HDMI inputs, more than 58.8% of soundbars and equal to 37.4% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 28.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 4.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
Show more
Smartphone app
?
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 17.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 5.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 36.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 7.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
2
This soundbar has HDMI 2, which is more capable than 57.2% of soundbars and equal to 14% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
eARC
This soundbar has eARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 71.5% of soundbars and the same as what 28.5% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 29.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
4K
This soundbar passes through 4K, which is higher resolution than 74.5% of soundbars and equal to 23.8% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
60 fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to 60 fps, higher than 79% of soundbars and equal to 16.2% of soundbars.
Show more
AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 19.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 11.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 20.8% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 13% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
?
Height
?
Thickness
?
Weight
?
Build material
plastic
This soundbar is built from plastic, which is more premium than 3% of soundbars and equal to 92.6% of soundbars.
Show more
What reviewers say

Denon DHT-S517 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • 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 Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (3.1.2 vs 2.1). The average soundbar has 2.1 audio channels.
    3.1.2 vs 2.1
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports upfiring speakers
    This soundbar supports upfiring speakers, the average soundbar does not.
  • 3 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (7 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    7 vs 4
  • Higher video pass-through
    This soundbar passes through higher-resolution video than the average soundbar (4K vs none).
    4K vs none
  • 11.0% higher list score
    List score
    8.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (2)
    List score: in 2 of 101 lists (2%)
    8.1 vs 7.3
  • 25.0% higher sentiment score
    9.0 vs 7.2
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (3.1.2 vs 2.1). The average soundbar has 2.1 audio channels.
    3.1.2 vs 2.1
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports upfiring speakers
    This soundbar supports upfiring speakers, the average soundbar does not.
  • 3 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (7 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    7 vs 4
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • 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
  • Higher video pass-through
    This soundbar passes through higher-resolution video than the average soundbar (4K vs 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 support
    This soundbar has a more recent HDCP version than the average soundbar (2.2 vs none).
    2.2 vs none
  • 3.64x more expensive
    Denon DHT-S517 is more expensive than the average soundbar (£400 vs £110).
    £400 vs £110
  • 4.2% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.8/ 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. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 59% of models

    6.8

    Mark 7.9 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.9

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    5 videos, average 7.6/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.8 vs 7.1
  • 3.64x more expensive
    Denon DHT-S517 is more expensive than the average soundbar (£400 vs £110).
    £400 vs £110
  • 4.2% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.8/ 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. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 59% of models

    6.8

    Mark 7.9 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.9

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    5 videos, average 7.6/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.8 vs 7.1

Video reviews

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

9.0
TotallydubbedHD
≈ estimated
27/04/2022
Hands-on review · sound tests and comparison with a rival soundbar
Verdict
Denon DHT-S517 performs well across the full range and is a worthwhile alternative, and it is strongly recommended.
8.0
Reviews mixes
≈ estimated
05/04/2022
Hands-on review · sound tests and comparison with a rival
Verdict
Denon DHT-S517 is good for casual use and has a slight edge over its rival, thanks to pure mode and USB.
9.0
Mark
≈ estimated
11/03/2022
Hands-on review · setup and comparison with previous soundbar
Verdict
Denon DHT-S517 is easy to set up and sounds better than the old soundbar, and it is clearly recommended.
8.0
hxos plus
≈ estimated
01/02/2022
Unboxing · first listening session and feature overview
Verdict
Denon DHT-S517 is a nice upgrade for TV sound, with clear, powerful audio and a solid build, but it has no app or network features.
Overview video
Not graded
Hands-on video, no verdict
Overview video
Overview video
Overview video
Overview video
Hands-on video, no verdict

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Denon DHT-S517

  • Seven drivers and up-firing speakers add height and width to the sound.
  • Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD support for films.
  • The subwoofer is included in the box.
  • Setup is quick, so sound starts soon after plugging in.
  • The input light shows the audio format in use.
  • Its compact body does not block the TV screen.

What customers don't like about Denon DHT-S517

  • The subwoofer is short of punch for loud effects and music.
  • The low bass stops short, so the deepest notes are missing.
  • Without surround speakers, the Atmos height effect is limited.
  • There is no app, no EQ setting and no online functionality.
  • Only one HDMI input limits how many devices connect at once.

Verdict

Seven drivers and up-firing speakers set the Denon DHT-S517 apart from simpler soundbars. It is a 3.1.2 model with Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD, so overhead effects can come from above the couch. Setup is quick, the input light shows the audio format in use, and the unit feels solid at a reasonable weight. Its compact body does not block the TV screen, and the buttons are easy to use. Dialogue enhancement keeps speech clear. The trade-off is the low end. Reviewers found the subwoofer short of punch, and without side speakers the Atmos height effect is limited and the sound feels closed in. There is only one HDMI input, and it uses eARC. It suits someone who watches films in a living room, wants Atmos, and does not need the bass to hit hard.

Compare Denon DHT-S517 with other soundbars

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Graphic comparison of Denon DHT-S517 and other soundbars

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