TVs & Audio | April 20, 2024
As the good weather arrives, so do the desires to enjoy tranquil evenings in good company outdoors. To provide the soundtrack for those relaxing days with friends and family, it’s advisable to have a sound system up to the task, with devices like the Denon HEOS Amp and Polk Atrium 4, amplifier and speakers to enhance parties in pools or gardens with the best sound quality.
This wireless amplifier from Denon and the outdoor speakers from Polk demonstrate how the combination of two different manufacturers can result in a great sound experience. Both sets of equipment are available for sale in Spain, with a combined price of 920 euros (580 euros for the amplifier and 340 euros for the speakers, although the latter can be found cheaper in some stores).
To enjoy sound outdoors, it’s not only necessary to have good speakers but also to have an amplifier that can deliver. The Denon HEOS Amp fulfills this role with prowess, being a wireless amplifier with great power that also stands out for its elegant and clean design, leaving behind the traditional and simple rectangular box format with sharp lines and angles.
The HEOS Amp features Class D digital amplification, offering a maximum power of 100 watts per channel, while maintaining low distortion and high current capability, allowing it to be used with low-impedance speakers. With this amplifier, you can achieve high-resolution sound similar to what is enjoyed in a concert hall.
In addition to stereo speaker outputs, the connectivity of the Denon HEOS Amp goes further, featuring a subwoofer output, an RCA connector for stereo line input, and another 3.5mm auxiliary input for connecting to the headphone output of a portable player. It also includes an optical digital input (for CD players, for example) and a USB port, as well as Ethernet and WiFi connectivity.
To further enhance the capabilities of the HEOS Amp, you can utilize the HEOS app from the Denon ecosystem (available for Android and iOS) and utilize its multi-room technology, which makes it easy to listen to different songs on different speakers installed throughout the house or opt for the same song in different rooms, synchronizing the audio precisely.
On the other hand, to complete the perfect outdoor sound system for this spring and summer, you can pair the amplifier with the Polk Atrium 4 speakers, discreet and balanced outdoor speakers. These speakers are capable of withstanding rain, salt, sun, and extreme temperatures, as they feature a mineral-loaded plastic enclosure that makes them resistant to the harshest climates.
Although their size is quite discreet (21.9 x 14.4 x 16.9 cm, allowing them to be installed in virtually any location) and they weigh just over a kilo and a half, these Polk speakers are equipped to deliver high-fidelity sound with confidence. They feature a 4.5-inch midrange woofer and a 0.75-inch tweeter, with a frequency response of 75 Hz-25 kHz, a sensitivity of 89 decibels, and a nominal impedance of eight ohms.
Inside, they also house some interesting technologies, such as Polk’s Dynamic Balance system, which analyzes the speaker’s internal components to reproduce realistic sound at both high and low volumes. They also feature PowerPort technology, which smoothly transmits air from the speaker to the listening area, allowing bass to be perceived deeply and extensively with very little distortion.
