Denon’s micro systems are some of the finest in the world and the Denon DM41DAB is its latest iteration of the already successful DM40. The award-winning Denon DM41DAB has included Bluetooth connectivity which is a level up over its predecessor. Based on the accolades that the DM41DAB has garnered, it seems their sonic performance is a tad better as well. The sound quality may have improved but without the right speakers, the Denon DM41DAB micro system won’t be able to sound its very best.
We are planning to share with you the best speakers to match with the Denon DM41DAB but in order to do so, we must first learn more about their merits, limitations, and sound characteristics. Without this knowledge, it will be difficult to find matching speakers. With this useful information, you can also hunt for speakers on your own in the future.
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Sound Characteristics and Important Specifications of Denon DM41DAB
The compact size and stylish look of the Denon DM41DAB make it easier to find a place for them in most homes. With such a small footprint, it will be a fantastic micro system to be part of a desktop sound system. The built-in CD player also comes in handy, helping you to save some money and space since you do not need to invest in an external CD player. There is even a headphone output, allowing you to listen to your music without disturbing others in your home. The newly added Bluetooth connection is very useful as well, as you can stream your music wirelessly. If we were to nitpick, that will be the missing support for playing back high-resolution audio files.
The power output is pretty low which is at 30 Watts (6 Ohms) and pairing the DM41DAB with floor-standing speakers is out of the picture. The frequency response is 20Hz-20kHz which is okay. We will be limited to bookshelf speakers that are quite easy to drive. Fortunately, you can connect to an active sub, as there is a subwoofer pre-out and this will significantly improve the overall sonic performance. The Denon DM41DAB will be suitable for nearfield listening and/or casual listening at moderate volume levels in a small-sized room.
The music delivery is slightly more forward-sounding than your Denon house sound, probably due to the limited power output and this is one way of compensating it. The slight improvement in clarity does help to produce more musical details. There is no harshness detected, the overall music presentation still sounded smooth and easy on the ears. Integrating an active subwoofer into the mix does provide more punch to the already expressive dynamics that the Denon DM41DAB has. The subwoofer provides a fuller sound and helps to ease the load off, allowing the limited power of the DM41DAB to focus on the higher frequencies.
With the support from a powered subwoofer, the soundstage is wider and has more presence which helps to further provide a more enjoyable music listening experience. The speakers also open up and the stereo imaging is a tad more defined. We are quite surprised by how insightful that the Denon DM41DAB is, and when it comes to pacing, they are brilliant as well. The control over the music delivery is certainly top-notch for a micro system in this price range.
Having a built-in CD player is certainly convenient and does make the listening room look neater with less clutter. The sound quality of the Denon DM41DAB exceeded our expectations and does sound better than its predecessor. All in all, the overall music presentation is well-balanced and neutral with a touch of warmth. Having an active subwoofer to supplement the bass performance is recommended especially if you want to play back your music at high volumes. We have the data we needed and now it’s time to share with you the best speakers to match with the Denon DM41DAB micro system.
Denon DM41DAB Specifications
- Power Outputs: 30 Watts into 6 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Inputs: 1 line input, 2 Optical inputs
- Outputs: PreOut Subwoofer output, 1 Headphone output
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 210mm x 308mm x 115mm (8.3″ x 12.1″ x 4.5″)
- Weight: 4.2kg (9.3lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Denon DM41DAB
The Klipsch RP-600M is one of the best speakers to pair with Denon DM41DAB due to its high speaker sensitivity which allows the low-powered DM41DAB to drive them at a higher volume level. The clarity of the Klipsch RP-600M is amazing as well, even if you play your music at moderate volume, through these speakers, musical nuances can still be heard clearly. The clarity of the RP-600M and the insights of Denon DM41DAB complement each other really well. We will suggest integrating an active subwoofer to improve the overall bass performance. It could sound overly bright for some listeners so it is recommended to audition them first.
More Details at Amazon Klipsch RP-600M Reference Premiere Bookshelf Speakers
The Q Acoustics 3010 will be an ideal speaker choice as their minimal impedance is 6 Ohms and doesn’t drop any further which does make it easier for the Denon DM41DAB to drive these compact bookshelf speakers. For moderate volume playbacks and nearfield listening, the 3010 speakers are sufficient for most music genres. If you like to play at high volumes and/or listen to bass-heavy soundtracks, you will definitely need an active subwoofer to supplement the bass. The Q Acoustics 3010 are fantastic speakers for the price, and they have won multiple awards over the years.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3010 Compact Bookshelf Speakers
The Denon SC-M41 are probably the best matching speakers for your Denon DM41DAB as they are specially made to match with this micro system. The sonic personalities between them are similar, delivering a smooth-sounding music presentation with impeccable timing and plenty of details to boot. The overall sound reproduction is balanced and is pleasant to the ears. They are slightly more energetic and with an active subwoofer integrated into the mix, the expressive dynamics become more apparent with a much punchier sonic performance. Dealers usually sell the Denon SC-M41 together with the DM41DAB as a set so is easier to audition them together.
More Details at Amazon – DENON Book Shelf Speaker SC-M41
If your budget is tight but does not want to compromise sound quality, then the Wharfedale Diamond 220 bookshelf speakers will be the best choice for you. It has garnered plenty of accolades and the sonic performances are really exceptional for the price. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 may be affordable but they are definitely worthy to pair up with your Denon DM41DAB. Furthermore, these bookshelf speakers punch above their weight, the bass reproduction is really impressive for their size. The warm personality of the Diamond 220 suits the micro system well and provides a full-bodied sound quality.
More Information at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 220
The KEF Q150 is another bookshelf speaker you should look out for, the amplifier power requirements start from 10 Watts all the way to 100 Watts which the Denon DM41DAB is muscular enough to drive them. The sonic personalities of the Q150 are matching and rather similar to the micro system, delivering a smooth, warm and rich midrange sound quality. The overall music presentation is very detailed and the KEF Q150’s bass performance is good for their size but with the support of a powered subwoofer, it should further help improve the overall clarity as well as the low-frequency production of your sound system.
More Information at Amazon – KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speakers
As mentioned earlier, it is recommended to supplement the overall low-end performance of your sound system by adding an active subwoofer. You can go for a similar brand as the speakers which you are getting, but if this is not crucial, then we will suggest going for either SVS or Rythmik Audio sealed cabinet subwoofers instead. Both subwoofer brands are some of the finest on the market and you will be getting high performance for your investment. Furthermore, they are not even that expensive. For SVS, you might want to check out their SB-1000 Pro and for Rythmik Audio, you should have a look at their L12. These two sealed subwoofers are well within the price range of the Denon DM41DAB. Sealed cabinet subwoofers are suited for music playbacks but if you just want higher SPL and bass outputs, then the ported subwoofers will be more suitable for you.
More Information at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Pro Sealed Subwoofer
To Conclude
The Denon DM41DAB maybe low powered but there are still quite a few matching speakers to choose from and also partly due to the subwoofer output. The active subwoofer helps to offload some weight from the DM41DAB by helping the micro system to produce the wattage demanding bass. The speakers listed here should be auditioned first before making a decision. You can try listening to the speakers without a subwoofer then hear the difference when a sub is connected.
