Just went to training on the new Helo system from Denon. They may have actually come up with a winner. Phone / tablet GUI looks better than the old Sonos Gui ( new Sonos GUI is a joke. ) Being released with 2 way modules for Crestron, URC, Savant and RTI. Hardware is very similar to what Sonos has but will add an all in one multi zone chassis around CEDIA and may be built into newer Deneon receivers soon.

what about interenet sources, is it similar to what Sonos supports? imho, Sonos main two selling points are the sheer number of internet streaming sources you can add, and the GUI control (though I've not had a chance to use since the recent GUI change enough to amend my opinion).

i have my eye on this, very curious

It's HEOS by Denon. "Home Entertainment Operating System".

What's interesting about it is there's nothing stopping them from integrating it into their AVRs as well as the stand alone devices for a true Party Mode that actually works.

The app is pretty good, Denon wants to add new services every quarter I believe.

Yup, which is what i expect they would do.

I also would hope that if they brought it to their receivers that marantz would also get it too.

Cant wait to check it out at cedia, what is concerning though is it using the existing wifi rather then their own, which isnt a problem when we take over the networks but i can see a consumer struggling with this and may soil the name due to network issues.

Ill also add that if denon gets the mainstream music services sonos does we may actually be looking at a "sonos killer"

Love love LOVE the integration capabilities, native too! I hope it works out!

I assume better margins too?

final nail in the coffin for the so called nuvo sonos killer?

Looks promising. Wonder if it sounds better than SONOS?

Their little "Cocoon" guys look pretty fun too.

Streaming services at rollout will be Spotify, Pandora, Rhapsody and internet radio. Will add XM and many others soon after. They played their version of a Sonos Play 5 and it sounded way better. I was also concerned about it using Wifi but we sell a Pakedge wifi setup with almost every Sonos system.

anticipated release date? Too, I presume one can do 2way (metadata, etc) to the likes of RTI, URC, etc?

3PedalMINI, you said "final nail in the coffin for the so called nuvo sonos killer?" ... what is this Nuvo product that was billed as the "sonos killer?

Hmmm...I don't see a source-only HEOS device, all that's listed here are the speakers and the bridge?? Do they not have a sonos:connect-type device?

[Link: whathifi.com]

I haven't sold Denon in years, are there margins any better than Sonos?

[Link: legrand.us]

granted they dont have any stand alone speakers but this was directly aimed at sonos. I also think they had stand alone speakers in development but due to the massive failure i think they are just limping it along.

Nuvos issue, no services and extremely buggy app

ah, ok I do remember seeing this Nuvo piece some time back at a road show; gladI didn't miss anything ;)

For those who havn't, have a look at Casatunes. It's a pretty cool system that does what Sonos can do and more (also less in some applications - just being my own devil's advocate here).

They come configured for 3 to 24 wired zones and each one does, I believe up to 10 additional Airplay zones so for systems where you aren't hardwiring external amps and speakers it works well. You can AirPlay to receivers (not just Denon) speakers or Apple devices of course. Wired and wireless zones can be used in the same system.

If you do hardwire to a receiver Casatunes will turn it on and off and select the appropriate input over IP, serial, or IR, all through the iOS or Android app. A pile of brands are supported. I used a couple of Marantz receivers and it works great.


The system has 12v triggers, external analogue inputs, and can be integrated into RTI, Control 4 and other systems with more on the way.

It does internet radio and many streaming services plus Serius/XM

I just finished an 8 zone system and the customer loves it. It's very easy to use, support is great, and best of all there is good margin.

It's worth a look.
Craig

Not if you customers shop online. ;)