Denon

Longtime Industry Executive Ken Furst Passes Away

December 19, 2016 by Ted 30 Comments

“Yeah, Ken Furst…he can be a bit of an acquired taste,” a mutual acquaintance once said rather euphemistically as he described Ken Furst to me several years ago. I had just met Ken as a competitor, in a verbal exchange rich with no small amount of taunting and extreme sarcasm. Or as Ken would probably describe it, in an exchange of friendly banter and wry humor. The better I got to know Ken over the ensuing years, the more I realized his version of that exchange was probably more accurate than mine.

Ken Furst died peacefully in his sleep this past Saturday night, December 17th. He was way-too-young at only 66 years old.

Learn more about Ken Furst’s passing… [Read more…] about Longtime Industry Executive Ken Furst Passes Away

Marantz & Denon Add Auro-3D to Select Models

March 30, 2016 by Ted Leave a Comment

Firmware Upgrade Brings New Technology to Top Models

Marantz and Denon both announced this week that they are offering a firmware update that adds Auro-3D, a popular surround sound system in Europe, to two top models in each brand. This upgrade will make these models the most comprehensive home theater center available today – featuring Auro-3D, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X – the most advanced surround sound technologies available.

See more about this move by Marantz and Denon…and about Auro-3D… [Read more…] about Marantz & Denon Add Auro-3D to Select Models

Control4 to Sell Denon Products Directly to Dealers

November 19, 2015 by Ted Leave a Comment

Control4 Corporation announced today that it will begin offering Denon products to Control4 dealers through a web portal at which products from both brands can be purchased. The move is a first for both brands, as far as we’re aware, and represents a potential expansion of Denon’s distribution channel.

See more on this new Denon/Control4 relationship… [Read more…] about Control4 to Sell Denon Products Directly to Dealers

Denon Intros Two New Atmos AVRs

June 18, 2015 by Ted Leave a Comment

Denon announced two new A/V receivers (AVRs) on Wednesday, both sporting Dolby’s latest Atmos surround sound technology and, hedging their bets, ready for DTS:X with a free firmware update later this year. These new AVRs are moderately priced and, as is the rule these days, absolutely packed with features.

See more on these new major home theater contenders from Denon… [Read more…] about Denon Intros Two New Atmos AVRs

D&M Holdings Borrows $25 Million to Build More HEOS

June 11, 2015 by Ted Leave a Comment

An independent commercial finance company, Siena Lending Group, announced last week that it has worked with North Mill Capital to close on a three-year asset-based revolving credit facility in the amount of $25 million with D&M Holdings, Inc. and D&M Canada, Inc. Siena says that the funds will support D&M’s growth and their “seasonal working capital requirements.” It will also, apparently, help Denon grow their HEOS line. Why do we say that? Read on…

See more on this, including how this deal connects to Denon’s HEOS line… [Read more…] about D&M Holdings Borrows $25 Million to Build More HEOS

D+M Group Issues Response to Sonos Lawsuit

October 23, 2014 by Ted 2 Comments

BREAKING NEWS

Earlier today, we reported that wireless music system powerhouse Sonos had filed a lawsuit against Denon in regards to its HEOS line of wireless music systems. The lawsuit alleged, among other things, infringement on four of their patents and asked the court for an injunction to stop HEOS products from being sold.

Today, we received a statement from D+M Group, the parent of Denon, in response to this lawsuit.

See the D+M Group’s statement on the Sonos lawsuit… [Read more…] about D+M Group Issues Response to Sonos Lawsuit

Sonos Sues to Halt HEOS

October 22, 2014 by Ted Leave a Comment

Photo of HEOS product line — HEOS product line

Congratulations Denon, your new HEOS system is so successful that wireless music monster Sonos has taken notice…and filed a lawsuit to stop it. It has been a open secret since we first learned of HEOS this past June that HEOS is meant to attack the same wireless music player market that Sonos essentially invented. Many have tried to take on Sonos…but none have come close to replicating the features and performance Sonos introduced to consumers. Until HEOS…

See more on this development. Will Denon fight? Or license?… [Read more…] about Sonos Sues to Halt HEOS

A Deeper Dive into the World of Dolby Atmos; Is This Audio’s 3D?

July 2, 2014 by Ted Leave a Comment

GUEST POST

Is Dolby’s new Atmos format the next frontier in surround sound processing? Or will it merit a repeat of Paul Klipsch’s famous line: “Ho, hum, another breakthrough”?

You’d certainly think the former after prowling the aisles at the just-concluded CE Week in NYC. Both Onkyo and Pioneer showed prototype Atmos-enabled A/V receivers (complete with demonstrations under what must be called “challenging” conditions) while Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, and Integra all indicate they’ll be ready with an array of products in late Q3 or early Q4 this year. But will Paul Klipsch be proven prophetic once again, even if posthumously? That remains to be seen.

The Thinking Behind Atmos…

CE Week 2014 – As Others Talk Atmos, Denon Talks Heos

June 27, 2014 by Ted 4 Comments

At times during CE Week 2014 we felt as though we were caught in some kind of a clash of the unknown Greek gods – Atmos vs. Heos. In one corner – Pioneer and Onkyo announced, displayed, and demonstrated the all-new 7+ channel Dolby Atmos surround sound systems…with a fair amount of fanfare. In the other corner, calmly confident Denon executives showed HEOS, the company’s new wireless multi-room Sonos-killing (they hope) system. Who would win the day???

See more on Denon’s HEOS system… [Read more…] about CE Week 2014 – As Others Talk Atmos, Denon Talks Heos

D+M Group Cuts Licensing Deal for Denon & Marantz Professional Businesses

April 16, 2014 by Ted Leave a Comment

D+M Group (formerly D&M Holdings), continues their program of divesting businesses it determines are “non-core” to the company’s central focus on the consumer-based Denon, Marantz and Boston Acoustics brands. This week, we learned that the company has cut a deal to license the professional products businesses done under both the Denon and the Marantz brand names to inMusic Brands, Inc.. This move closely follows the announcement last month that the company was selling off the Calrec Audio business to Electra Parters.

See more on this new but not particularly surprising development… [Read more…] about D+M Group Cuts Licensing Deal for Denon & Marantz Professional Businesses