HEOS not unreasonably, regards the sound of many of these wafer thin TVs as shallow as their screens. What’s good for the eyes isn’t as good for the ears, is HEOS’s summation.

That’s why it makes sense to take a very close gander at the latest Denon HEOS Bar, a soundbar obviously, but one HEOS insists has exceptional sound quality. A sound quality moreover that can take any TV’s audio performance and propel its music making quality to stratospheric heights.

Enhanced TV sound quality is part of a rich HEOS Bar feature set. Equipped with HEOS’s celebrated wireless technology, the Bar plays music from the library stored on various devices such as a PC. But it will also process those from a smartphone using Bluetooth and streaming services including Spotify and Tidal. And yes, it will deliver Internet radio.

Speaking to the staff at Qualifi, the HEOS Australian distributor, all say they regard the Bar as more than just a sophisticated sound bar.

Qualifi’s Ralph Grundl told StereoNET:

We have listened to the Bar with a selection of the latest large flatscreen TVs. Without a doubt movies and music were far more involving with the Bar than without it.

Of course you’d expect us to say that, but even a casual audition reveals the Bar has state-of-the art signal processing, amplification and speaker drivers. What’s more your money buys a complete music-streaming solution and one designed to integrate into a HEOS multi-room system.

The asking price of the Bar is $1299. This amount of money buys any discerning buyer a three-channel soundbar tailor-made for screens over 50-inches.

The Bar is flexible and can be used on a shelf or mounted on a wall with the fixtures provide by HEOS. The sound quality comes from nine high-performance drivers built-into a 45-degree configuration to spread sound around a room.

Signal processing is via Denon’s own acclaimed DSP technology that is used currently in the brand’s award-winning audio video receivers. This patented technology decodes surround sound audio and using elegant processing algorithms gives the sensation of 5.1 channel audio without requiring any extra speakers.

Grundl points out the Bar will integrate easily and effortlessly with a pair of HEOS speakers along with the wireless HEOS subwoofer.

The Bar has four 4K-compatible HDMI 2.0a inputs to link to multi-source ultra high definition AV systems and say, a Blu-ray player, set-top box or PC. The Bar also carries Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio processing to match the clarity of 4K pictures.

’HEOS music streaming is built into the Bar to allow users to hear their music library all the way up to and beyond CD DSD. They can also hear tracks from Internet radio, Spotify and Tidal, or direct from a smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth.’

The Bar delivers this flexibility while still being simple to set up and operate. Also worth having is the feature that allows the Bar to learn commands from a TV’s remote. And as for full system control, what could be easier and nicer to use than the HEOS app?

The new $999 HEOS subwoofer is built to blend seamlessly with HEOS’s entire range. Using the HEOS Amp/HEOS Link users will get powerful, taut bass with any set-up and get it wirelessly.

Nicely styled and finished in matt black, the HEOS subwoofer can be used vertically or horizontally to match the décor of your room.

Internally the new wireless subwoofer carries advanced digital signal processing circuits and two custom-made 13.5 cm drivers driven by classy Class D amplification.

The free HEOS app ensures system integration thanks to a factory-optimised option for each configuration, along with advanced settings for those wanting more control over their individualised listening environment.

We’d call these latest HEOS models, examples of raising the audio bar.

The HEOS Bar and Subwoofer will be available in May this year.

For more information visit the HEOS brand page.