Denon HEOS Drive HS2 Multi-Room Amplifier

Denon HEOS Drive HS2 Multi-Room Amplifier

The Denon HEOS Drive HS2 is a whole-home audio distribution amplifier that puts four independent HEOS streaming zones and eight channels of Class D amplification into a single 2U rack chassis. Each channel is rated at 60 watts into 8 ohms across 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 0.05 percent THD, all channels driven, and the amplifier can drive 4-ohm loads for speakers that dip below nominal impedance. One or two stereo pairs can be bridged to deliver 130 watts to a single channel where a zone needs more power. It was designed by custom integration specialists for installation work, so the emphasis is on matrix switching, control system compatibility and reliable rack operation.

Key features

• Zones: 4 independent HEOS zones in one 2U chassis
• Amplification: 8 channels Class D, 60W per channel into 8 ohms
• Bridge mode: 130W per channel when pairs are bridged
• Matrix inputs: 2 optical, 2 coaxial and 4 analogue stereo inputs assignable to any zone
• Zone outputs: stereo preamp output per zone, stereo or mono configuration
• DSP: high-pass and low-pass filtering with full-range, satellite and subwoofer modes
• Control: HEOS app plus third-party control compatibility, 4 x 12V trigger outputs

Four zones, independently controlled

Each of the four zones behaves as its own HEOS player. Different rooms can play different music at different volumes, or zones can be grouped for synchronised playback through the house, all from the HEOS app on iOS or Android. Every zone has a dedicated USB port for a local music library on a USB drive, and each zone provides a stereo pair of preamp outputs so an external power amplifier can be added where a room needs more than the internal channels provide. Zones can be configured for stereo or mixed mono output, which is useful for spaces with a single ceiling speaker or an odd speaker layout.

Sources and high resolution audio

The switching matrix accepts two optical digital, two coaxial digital and four analogue stereo inputs, and any input can be routed to any zone, so a television, a CD player or a turntable system in one room can be heard in another. Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital plus signals are decoded and downmixed to stereo for distribution. Network streaming through HEOS covers subscription services, internet radio and music stored on the home network, with format support including FLAC and WAV up to 24-bit 192 kHz, ALAC up to 24-bit 96 kHz and DSD at 2.8 and 5.6 MHz.

Installation details

Speaker outputs use four-way binding posts compatible with banana plugs, and built-in DSP provides high-pass and low-pass filtering with adjustable crossover points so in-ceiling satellites can be protected from deep bass or a subwoofer feed can be shaped correctly. Four 12V trigger outputs switch external equipment with each zone. Two RJ45 Ethernet ports connect the unit to the network and pass a connection onward to another device; network connection is wired only, which suits a rack installation. Quiet fan cooling protects the amplifier in a closed rack, and rack ears are supplied with removable feet for shelf placement.

The HS2 measures approximately 434 x 88 x 396 mm without rack ears and weighs about 7.2 kg. For a house being wired for in-ceiling or in-wall speakers in several rooms, it replaces four separate streaming amplifiers with one chassis, one network connection point and one control app, which simplifies both the original installation and later servicing.