Sound Quality
Contents
We immediately hear the pure character of this speaker. This creates a sense of calm, something you don’t often find in this price range. A second element, a direct result of the first, is the high intelligibility. Lyrics are very easy to follow without any effort. The Denton 1S is a fast, rhythmic speaker and a true all-rounder that handles all genres well. To achieve a more complete sound in the lower frequencies, we do recommend a subwoofer.
Listening
We’ll start with “Hit of the Highlife” by Kurt Vile from his Classic Love EP. It’s a slow, atmospheric track. The instrumental intro is nicely recessed. When the vocals kick in, we notice depth in the soundstage. The vocals are effortless to follow, which makes you listen more closely to the lyrics. The cymbals sound a bit softer than we’re used to—less “zingy,” so to speak—and the stereo image isn’t particularly wide, but thanks to that depth, it’s a pleasure to listen to.
“Best Friends” by Kids With Buns is the new single from this Belgian band’s upcoming album. It’s a delightful pop/rock track featuring Marie van Uytvanck’s distinctive voice. Together with Amber Piddington, they create uncomplicated, catchy music that always puts you in weekend mode. This is where the speed and rhythm of the Denton 1S really come into their own. The drum section and the beautiful guitar playing come through crisply, and before long we’re turning the volume up a notch.
With Bedouine, the Syrian-American singer, it’s the vocals that steal the show. The recorder at the beginning of “One Thing Right” sounds crystal clear, but we do miss a bit of punch in the drum section here. The tweeter sounds neutral and open and does absolutely nothing wrong. The driver sounds open and smooth. The better the recording, the happier the Denton gets.
We up the tempo with “Read My Lips” by Jesse Ware. The smacking sound of her lips is very clearly audible. Rhythmically, everything is spot on. Low frequencies sound controlled, tight, and never boomy, though a subwoofer would work wonders here. The combination of the Denton 1S’s open sound with a sub could be nothing short of magical.
In recent weeks, we’ve been listening regularly to *Gratitude* by the Søren Bebe Trio. Soothing piano music that calms the mind. And that’s exactly what the Denton 1S does. It does its job quietly and with restraint. The piano takes center stage and is subtly supported by the drums and bass.