The Article
CEOL N11 DAB Network Music System From Denon
16th July 2020
The CEOL N11 DAB adds DAB+/DAB radio to the included Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control, as well as HEOS Built-In technology for multi-room streaming
The CEOL N11 DAB is capable of streaming via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth and USB.
In addition to Internet radio or music streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon Music HD and Tidal, listeners can also tap into the sounds of DAB+/DAB digital radio stations or analogue FM/AM radio.
There’s also a built-in CD player.
A Digital Processing Amplifier incorporates on-board digital EQ processing, tuned to optimise the sound from the Denon SC-N10 speakers.
Each speaker houses a 12cm mid/bass unit and a 3cm tweeter.
An illuminated touch-sensitive control panel adorns the top of the unit, while an OLED display offers playback information.
The CEOL N11 DAB is available in grey as well as white and black. Price is £529, available in from August 2020.
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Does this replace the DM-41 mini-system? Too bad if it does, because this uses only Class D amplification, not the Class AB of the DM-41. Many audiophiles still consider Class D inferior sonically, though it has cost and heat benefits.
I have heard some lovely Class D amps of late Joel – I think it’s a tech that is maturing fast. But to answer your question, Denon didn’t tell me that. They only issued a narrow ‘here it is, here’s what it does’ statement.
No, it doesn’t replace the DM41 at all Рwhich is a non-networked device, Bluetooth apart.
The Ceol N11 in fact complements the still relatively recent Ceol N10 which I have. These are fully networked devices which can play from NAS or connect to Spotify etc. The only apparent difference between the two is the addition of DAB to the 11.
I only purchased my CEOL N10 back in April, when the new model was not even announced yet. I checked the specs (power, THD etc….) of the N11 and are the identical as the former. The differences are the obvious DAB/DAB radio and Bluetooth version 4. They could have simply named it ‘N10 dab’. Furthermore, i found out the main amplifier components have been the same since the release of the CEOL N7. I honestly don’t feel the need to upgrade for something I don’t even use, such as DAB radio. Internet radio is way better quality/bit-rate (up to 320kb) and offers more choice.
Thanks for the insight Diego – appreciate it.