Being able to compare Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 and Denon HEOS BAR gave us an insight into what features and technologies these devices offer. Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 turned out to be a more technological and better-sounding device than the HEOS BAR. According to the results of our comparison, Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and HEOS BAR was rated 7 points.
The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 is rated 10 of 10 against 6 for the HEOS BAR according to the audio features rating.
It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 and the HEOS BAR.
There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 has 9.2.4 channels, while the HEOS BAR has 3.0 channels.
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 | HEOS BAR | |
---|---|---|
Built-in channels | 9.2.4 | 3.0 |
Amplification type | active | active |
Output power, W | 1000 (overall) | N/A |
Separate speaker (in package) | 4 | 0 |
Separate speaker connections | wired | wireless |
Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 comes with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 | HEOS BAR | |
---|---|---|
Built-in subwoofer | ✖ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer (in package) | ✔ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer connections | wireless | wireless |
Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 received rating 10 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HEOS BAR, in the same category, earned 5 out of 10 points.
The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.
DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 | HEOS BAR | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital, Dolby TruHD | has not |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS Digital Surround, DTS HD | DTS HD |
The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. For the ability to work with streaming services, the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 received 9 points, and the HEOS BAR - 7 on a 10-point scale.
None of the two models is not implemented AirPlay function. The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 | HEOS BAR | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | ✖ |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Pandora, SoundCloud | Pandora, Deezer, TIDAL, Napster, SiriusXM, iHeart |
The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 was rated 8 out of 10, and Denon HEOS BAR was rated 7 out of 10.
The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Such connection as via Wi-Fi is not possible on any of the devices in comparison.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 has 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the HEOS BAR got 4/1 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.
HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 | HEOS BAR | |
---|---|---|
WI-FI | ✖ | ✖ |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 0 | 1 |
NFC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI input/output | 3/1 | 4/1 |
HDMI ARC | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Optical digital input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Coaxial digital input/output | 1/0 | 0/0 |
Analog audio input/output (RCA) | 1/0 | 1/0 |
Headphone output | 0 | 0 |
Subwoofer output | 0 | 0 |
Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.
Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The HEOS BAR has its own remote control application. Only Denon HEOS BAR has a built-in microphone.
Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. The HEOS BAR has the ability to use a multiroom system.
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 | HEOS BAR | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
App control | ✖ | ✔ |
Microphone | ✖ | ✔ |
Remote control | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room | ✖ | ✔ |
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 | HEOS BAR | |
---|---|---|
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in | 114.3 x 7.6 x 7.6/45.5 x 3 x 3.5 | 109.8 x 7.1 x 14.7/43.3 x 2.8 x 5.8 |
Weight, kg/pounds | 3.1/7.2 | 4.8/10.5 |