Faisal Ghaffar 
If you are looking for a combination of soundbar and subwoofer that will not break the bank, then the Denon DHT-S517 is a great option. You can connect it to your TV in different ways and it also boasts Dolby Atmos support, which means you can have a spatial audio experience.
Design and build
The understated overall finish of the Denon DHT-S517 is quite similar to the Denon DHT-S416, which is its more affordable sibling. Black matt plastic has been used for the rear, while a grey fabric cover is used on the front to keep things neat. There is a Denon logo in the center and the front has LED lights to show bass and volume levels. They will flash different colors to show when Atmos is enabled and when the soundbar is connecting.
The Denon DHT-S517 is also quite compact and weighs just 2.5kg, which means you can mount it on the wall if you want. The top is where you will find the input source, Bluetooth connection, and volume and power buttons. You can wirelessly connect the soundbar and the subwoofer, but the latter will still have to be plugged in. It has the same inconspicuous and lightweight design.
There is a remote available with the Denon DHT-S517 that can be used for controlling the connection type, power, bass, and volume and EQ modes. Everything is labeled on the remote clearly, but it is a bit flimsy.
Connectivity and setup
It is immensely easy to set up the Denon DHT-S517. There is one HDMI ARC input on the back, along with a power port, an extra HDMI port, an optical cable port and a USB-C slot. If you want to take advantage of Dolby Atmos, then you will need to use the eARCfor your TV. The light turns aqua when the sound output is Dolby Atmos and green in the case of Dolby Digital.
Sound quality
In terms of sound, the Denon DHT-S517 is an excellent soundbar for its price. There are about seven drivers in the bar itself. At each end, there is a tweeter, a mid-range driver and a dedicated central channel. The Atmos effects are powered by a pair of up-firing speakers. As for the subwoofer, it is great for handling the low end.
The surround sound support from Dolby Atmos works quite well. Dialogue is balanced evenly with sound effects and music, but the speaker works best with a TV and not as a music player. You can find dedicated EQ modes available for music and movies and there is also a night mode that adjusts the volume and bass.
You can also take advantage of ‘dialogue enhancement’ as there are three levels available, which could be useful if you have trouble hearing conversations in movies with the background music.
The Verdict
The Denon DHT-S517 is an excellent soundbarfor anyone who wants to have the Dolby Atmos experience without going overboard with your budget. It can enhance your gaming and movie experiences significantly.
