{"id":2154,"date":"2020-04-03T22:01:18","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T20:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-clash-of-the-titans-denon-350-vs-yamaha-musiccast-50\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T21:46:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T19:46:07","slug":"review-clash-of-the-titans-denon-350-vs-yamaha-musiccast-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-clash-of-the-titans-denon-350-vs-yamaha-musiccast-50\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Clash of the Titans – Denon 350 vs Yamaha MusicCast 50"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Smart speakers<\/strong> are a prominent technology and encompass a broad range of features. Unlike popular Bluetooth speakers<\/a>, which offer wireless portability with their integrated battery and Bluetooth connectivity, smart speakers in this price bracket extend functionality significantly. Beyond voice assistance, they offer multi-room connectivity (similar to Sonos<\/strong>), seamless integration with prevalent music services (such as Tidal<\/strong> and Spotify<\/strong>) via dedicated apps, and typically feature larger designs, often requiring a power outlet, with a speaker configuration and audio fidelity approaching Hi-Fi quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This review focuses on two leading models currently generating buzz. Representing the white corner, we have Yamaha’s flagship smart speaker, the Yamaha MusicCast 50<\/strong>, released last year and currently priced around 5 000 SEK. In the black corner is the Denon Home 350<\/strong>, boasting six integrated speakers and a corresponding price tag of 7 500 SEK. This review assesses the performance of these audio giants against each other and determines if the price difference justifies the investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical Knock-out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both speakers exhibit similarities regarding technology, format support, and setup. As previously noted, they provide compatibility with major music streaming services, offering direct access via their respective apps: Spotify, Tidal, and Deezer<\/strong>. Discrepancies arise in less common services, with the Denon Home 350 supporting Soundcloud, while the Yamaha MusicCast 50 supports Pandora and SiriusXM (digital radio). Given the limited adoption of these latter services in Sweden, they are not examined in depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Each speaker is accompanied by a user-friendly app that streamlines the connection process, allowing users to assign names and room designations. This is particularly useful for multi-speaker configurations, enabling room-based control. Both devices support Bluetooth 4.2, Airplay 2, and manufacturer-specific multiroom systems (MusicCast for Yamaha<\/a>, which is also compatible with certain Yamaha amplifiers<\/a>, and HEOS for Denon). Furthermore, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple’s Siri are supported. While Alexa is currently limited to English and German, potentially dominating the US market, its adoption in Sweden remains minimal. Google Assistant performs adequately, although its practical time-saving benefits are debatable, particularly given its propensity for unintended activation. For primary control, we utilized the dedicated apps or Airplay\/Spotify Connect. Both apps facilitate seamless firmware updates, and the speakers were evaluated using the latest available software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An app is essential for comprehensive control, requiring a smartphone or tablet, which is commonplace in most households. Direct control from PC and Mac computers is not currently supported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the Hood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Yamaha MusicCast 50<\/strong> has a weight of 4.5 kg and supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network connections (the latter is recommended for optimal performance). It delivers an output power of 35W x 2, receives Bluetooth signals via SBC and AAC codecs, and supports the following file formats via the USB port: MP3 \/ WMA \/ MPEG-4 AAC: up to 48 kHz \/ 16-bit, ALAC: up to 96 kHz \/ 24-bit, FLAC \/ WAV \/ AIFF: up to 192 kHz \/ 24-bit. Wake-on-LAN functionality is supported, even from sleep mode, albeit with a slight delay. Available in white and black finishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Denon Home 350<\/strong> weighs 6.3 kg and also supports both 2.4\/5 GHZ network connections. It incorporates a 6-channel, digital class D amplifier with a power rating of “over 100 W” (specific details are not yet available on the distributor’s official page<\/a>) and features a full six speakers (2 x 6.5-inch woofers, 2 x 2-inch midrange drivers, 2 x 3\/4-inch soft dome tweeters). Supported formats via USB include: MP3, AAC, ALAC, WMA, WAV, FLAC\/FLAC HD, DSD (2.8\/5.6 MHz). It also supports Wake-on-LAN (very fast) and is available in white and black, featuring a fabric surround instead of a metallic grill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On paper, these two devices exhibit significant similarities in service and format support. However, the Denon Home 350 is heavier, incorporates more speakers, and carries a 50% higher price tag. This review assesses whether these differences manifest in tangible performance advantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s delve into the core of this comparison:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sound Quality – Yamaha MusicCast 50<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Yamaha MusicCast 50 delivers a balanced<\/strong>, agreeable<\/strong>, and warm sound signature<\/strong>. Speech-based audio, such as radio broadcasts (P1) or podcasts, exhibits remarkable clarity, creating an immersive listening experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For music evaluation, we utilized Tidal<\/strong>‘s premium HiFi tier (199 SEK \/ month), featuring lossless audio<\/strong> and MQA<\/strong> (Master Quality Authenticated) content, ensuring accurate reproduction of the artist’s intended mix and eliminating potential compression artifacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"tidal<\/a>
Tidal offers high-quality streaming, justifying its price.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Get Lucky<\/strong> by Daft Punk<\/strong>, a contemporary classic, demonstrates clear vocals and well-defined instruments, complemented by a pleasant bass response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hip-hop track The Hills<\/strong> by The Weeknd<\/strong> presents a challenging mix across the frequency spectrum, providing a comprehensive test of treble, midrange, and bass reproduction. The MusicCast 50 handles the upper registers effectively, while the bass impresses with its breadth and power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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