It was a dark and stormy night. Well, maybe not that bad, but it was certainly overcast and gloomy outside when I decided to stay in for the night and test out the new Denon DHT-S517 soundbar.

I had been looking forward to trying it out ever since I got my hands on it, and what better time than when there’s nothing else to do?
- TRANSFORM ANY TV INTO A HOME THEATER SYSTEM - With (2) 1" tweeters, (2) 4.7” x 1.6” midranges, (1) 1" center-channel driver & (2) up-firing speakers, the Denon DHT-S517 soundbar with wireless sub offers immersive 3D audio with Dolby Atmos overhead effects
- UNIVERSAL CONNECTIVITY - Experience exceptional sound clarity from your TV through a single HDMI connection. Connect your TV, Blu-ray and other devices via HDMI eARC, ARC or digital optical input, and seamlessly control the sound bar with your TV remote
- HEAR EVERY WORD WITH DIALOGUE ENHANCER – Denon brings to you an intelligent way of enhancing dialogue, making it sound crisp without adjusting the overall volume. Enjoy crystal clear movie and TV dialogues, even during loud scenes or complex soundtracks
- UNLIMITED WIRELESS MUSIC STREAMING - Enjoy your favorite tracks at your fingertips with the DHT-S517 that allows you to connect your Bluetooth-enabled smart device and directly stream your music to the sound bar via Bluetooth
- EASY SETUP - With all cables in the box, a Quick Start Guide, and a straightforward user concept, the DHT-S517 is easy to install and use. Just under 3" tall, it fits below the TV without blocking the IR remote sensor. Place it on a shelf or wall-mount it
The setup process was a breeze; all I had to do was connect the soundbar to my TV with the included HDMI cable, plug in the power cord, and I was good to go. After firing up my Netflix account and selecting one of my favorite shows, I sat back to enjoy some high-quality audio.

The first thing that struck me about the Denon DHT-S517 was its sleek, stylish design. It’s a very minimalist soundbar, and it looks great next to my TV. The sound quality is excellent, with clear highs and rich, powerful bass. I was really impressed with how well the soundbar filled my small living room with sound. I didn’t even need to use the included subwoofer; the bass was already quite impressive.
Denon’s new soundbar is designed to give you the ultimate in-home theater experience. With a powerful front-firing driver array, upward-firing speakers, and powered subwoofer it delivers more than just great audio.

The Denon DHT S517 Soundbar is designed to enhance your home theater experience by providing a rich soundscape with dialogue optimization. With three levels of enhancements available, this bar can make movies more immersive and exciting!
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It also lets you turn up the volume on voiceover while still listening to higher volumes without raising other speaker volumes in tandem – perfect for those who suffer from hearing loss or just want their voices heard above everything else around them.
Denon has included three sound modes to help you get the right balance between clarity and immersion.

You can select from “Movie”, for when your listening experience is on an even keel, or opt instead in favor of night mode which strips away all surrounds except what’s needed specifically during dialogue scenes so they’re not lost amidst other noises around them- this works especially well if there are lots going off simultaneously but only one thing deserves attention at any given moment!
Lastly, there’s pure music mode – no processing whatsoever just raw tracks played straight through speakers without any added effect that might make the experience unnatural.
Read: Denon DHT-S516H Home Theater Slim Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer
Denon’s soundbar, the DHT-S517 is designed with simplicity in mind. After connecting it through an HDMI cable you can simply set up your TV and be ready for some high-quality music! The rear panel of this unit includes three inputs: one optical digital output, one 3.5mm auxiliary jack, and one HDMI port.
Table of Contents
Features:
- 3.1.2 channel configuration
- Powered subwoofer with wireless connection
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Built-in decoding for Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos
- Dialogue enhancement and night mode features
- Sleek, stylish design
- Remote included
- Wall mountable
Specifications
Brand | Denon |
Model | DHT-S517 |
Type | Soundbar |
Features | |
Acoustic System | 3.1.2 (7 drivers) |
Wireless Subwoofer | ✔ |
Digital input: Optical | ✔ |
Analog input (3.5mm mini jack) | ✔ |
Simple one wire setup | ✔ |
Bluetooth | ✔ |
Dolby Digital decoding | ✔ |
Soundmode Music, Movie | ✔ |
Night listening mode | ✔ |
Denon Dialog Enhancer | ✔ |
Digital input: Coaxial | ✖ |
DTS | ✖ |
HDMI: ARC / inputs | 1x in / 1x out eARC |
3D Audio | Dolby Atmos (up-firing) |
Installation | |
Keyhole style wall mount | ✔ |
Tabletop placement | ✔ |
Control | |
Control buttons | ✔ |
Remote Control | ✔ |
TV remote learning function | ✔ |
General | |
Available color: Black | ✔ |
Standby Consumption | 0.4 Watt |
Auto Power Off | ✔ |
Dimensions (W x D x H) | 41.3 x 2.3 x 3.8 inch (104.90 x 5.84 x 9.65 cm) |
Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) |
Subwoofer Dimensions (W x D x H) | 6.7 x 14.5 x 11.4 inch (17.01 x 36.83 x 28.96 cm) |
Subwoofer Weight | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) |
Left/Right Tweeters | 2x 1″/25mm (round) |
Left/Right Midrange Drivers (W x H) | 2x 4.7 x 1.6″/120mm x 40mm (racetrack) |
Center Full-Range Driver | 1x 1″/25mm (round) |
Left/Right Up-Firing, Full-Range Driver | 1x 2.6″/66mm (round) |
Subwoofer Driver | 1x 5.9″/15cm (round) |
Final Words
The Denon DHT-S517 soundbar is a great addition to any home theater setup. It delivers clear highs and rich, powerful bass, and its sleek, minimalist design looks great next to your TV. The soundbar also includes several features that make it perfect for enhancing your movie-watching experience, including dialogue enhancement and night mode modes.
With three inputs available on the rear panel, the Denon DHT-S517 is easy to connect to any device. And with its built-in Bluetooth connection, you can easily stream music from your favorite devices.
Frequently Asked Questions – Denon DHT-S517 Soundbar
What is the difference between “Movie” mode and “Night” mode?
Movie mode is designed to provide a balanced soundscape, while Night mode strips away all surrounds except what’s needed specifically during dialogue scenes.
How many inputs does the Denon DHT-S517 soundbar have?
The Denon DHT-S517 soundbar has three inputs: one optical digital output, one 3.5mm auxiliary jack, and one HDMI port.
Can the Denon DHT-S517 soundbar be wall-mounted?
Yes, the Denon DHT-S517 soundbar can be wall-mounted.
Where can I download the manual?
You can download the manual here.