Denon's Heos Adds Bluetooth Streaming, Hi-Res Audio Capability in Gen 2 Products

Denon said it added Bluetooth accessibility to the Heos wireless multiroom sound system Tuesday. It also added compatibility with WAV, ALAC and FLAC Hi-Res audio files, including files up to 24 bit/192 kHz over Wi-Fi or USB. Coming soon is playback of DSD and AIFF audio tracks, the company said. The new platform uses an ARM A9 1.25 GHz processor with 512 MB flash memory, combined with 256 MB RAM. Pricing remains the same, a company spokeswoman said. Series 2 products are available at Amazon and Crutchfield and will replace the Series 1 line, she said. Products from the two series can work together, and adding a Series 2 speaker to a first-generation system enables Hi-Res audio support across the network, she said. Series 1 users who just want to add Bluetooth can do so with a $50 USB dongle.