Utah Denon dealer reacts to Heos update

By Devin Brown

On December 1 Denon will release its first major update for its wireless multi-room audio system Heos. Jim Young, the president of AVI Systems, a Utah Denon dealer, thinks the update will help sell Heos but is still hesitant to sell it against the more popular Sonos and Bose systems.

The update will give users the option to set up new devices with a home’s Wi-Fi. Other new features will add apps such as, iHeartRadio and SiriusXM Radio. It will also give integrators the option to program Marantz AV receivers to control the Heos system.

Jeff Coates, the director of sales for D&M Group – the company that owns Denon – said he’s excited for the update to be released. He said currently Heos users have to set up their systems with a 3.4 mm audio cord. According to Coates, this has caused confusion among Heos customers.

Coates said Heos was designed to be “easy.” He said he wants everyone to be able to use it.

“The update is the next step for our customers,” Coates said.

Young’s company, even though it sells Denon AVR receivers, doesn’t sell Heos products because of the Sonos lawsuit. In October Sonos filed against Denon for patent infringement. The price of Heos might increase, according to Young. He said if the lawsuit results in Heos paying a settlement it will mean fewer profit margins for dealers.

“We’re still waiting to hear what happens with the lawsuit,” Young said. “I think it’s a good product but it’s too soon to start carrying.”

Coates said the Sonos lawsuit won’t “stand up” in court. He said D&M’s lawyers told his company to “continue with business as normal.” He said one reason for the lawsuit is because Heos product names resemble Sonos speaker names – Play 1, Play 3 and Play 5.

“We probably shouldn’t have named are products with 1, 3 or 5,” Coates said. “But really what we have done isn’t any different from what Bose has done. Sonos just noticed how well we’ve done.”

AVI is a dealer for Bose and Sonos, they offer wireless multi-room audio systems. Young said both systems have things to offer. The Bose SoundTouch products, according to Young, give people the option to have button “pre-sets” on top of each Bose speaker.

“With Denon and Sonos products you need a phone to operate your music,” Young said. “With Bose you can have your phone in the other room and still pick your music with the pre-sets.”

On Heos’ website, under the FAQ page, people have asked when Heos might release a soundbar. The website says, “It may become an option for the future.”

Coates would not comment if Denon plans to release any new Heos products next year in conjunction with the update.