Denon Heos 7 HS2: The Week reviews Sonos's rival

Network speakers are becoming increasing appealing for those looking to fit their homes with sound systems that can be controlled using a smartphone.

They are significantly more convenient than a conventional music dock and often cheaper to buy than a dedicated surround-sound system.

Renowned hi-fi manufacturer Denon's range of Heos speakers, which entered the market in 2014, were praised by critics for their sound quality and stylish design.

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However, early models didn't feature the likes of high-definition audio and Bluetooth support while rival offerings did.

As a result, Denon has revisited its line-up to compete - and Portfolio had the opportunity to trial its range-topping Heos 7 HS2 to see how it compares with the Sonos Play 5.

On the surface, the Heos 7 HS2 has a great build quality and design, featuring high-standard plastics while the front is covered in soft material. Its triangular-styling is arguably more appealing than the Play 5's rectangular design, although it may not be to everyone's taste.

It doesn't matter what type of music you're listening to, the Heos 7 HS2 will deliver it in a way that stays true to the original recording, especially with high-definition audio support. Low frequencies are punchy, while the mid-range provides enough warmth without muddying the sound.

Some critics say the bass can be overpowering, but that doesn't appear to be the case on the speaker we tested. The sub frequencies are strong, but they provide a solid grounding to all types of music without the rumbling effect seen on cheaper systems.

High-frequencies are clear and although there's the smallest hint of hissing on some electronic tracks, it's barely noticeable at low to mid-level volumes.

However, it does become more apparent when the volume is turned up to the max - but most listeners won't get anywhere near that because it is incredibly loud. Only the first two notches on the volume scale are needed to fill a room, while higher levels can easily project songs across a large hall.

It has the capability to stream music using a smartphone companion app, which is just as slick and intuitive as the software offered by Sonos, or listen to songs through Bluetooth.

A companion app will let you pair the Heos 7 HS2 with another system, such as a Heos 5, allowing you to listen to the same song on several speakers for a larger sound or have different tracks playing in certain rooms of your home.

Denon's Heos 7 HS2 has the sound quality and features to compete with the popular Sonos Play 5 at a lower price scale - at around £369, it's nearly £100 less.

It looks good, sounds great and undercuts its competitor's price considerably, making the Heos 7 HS2 one of the best network speakers available.