Senior Director of Software at HEOS discusses the platform’s origins, evolution, and future
Question:
Can you give us a brief run-down of the history of HEOS?
Anders:
The origins of HEOS go back to a company called Avega Systems, which was founded in Sydney, Australia. Avega was acquired by Altec Lansing at the end of 2010, and then D&M acquired the Sydney team at the end of 2012.
The HEOS brand itself launched in June 2014. The first HEOS products were three wireless speakers: HEOS 3, HEOS 5, and HEOS 7. They all carried the HEOS brand as the primary logo, with a “by Denon” sub-branding.
The industrial design of the HEOS 7 came from Altec Lansing—D&M, the holding company of Denon and Marantz at the time, acquired not just the platform but also some existing speaker design plans. Those early HEOS speakers had a distinctive teardrop/oval industrial design, which helped them stand out.
Shortly after, we launched HEOS 1, a smaller portable speaker with a battery. Then we moved into components:
HEOS Link
HEOS Amp
The HEOS Amp was essentially the 2014 equivalent of what is now the Marantz MODEL M1—you could think of it as the forebear of that product. We also brought out the HEOS Drive, which was the predecessor to the Marantz M4, and a number of soundbars, including home cinema products and even a lifestyle AVR.
From about 2014–2016, we built out that first wave of dedicated HEOS-branded hardware.
Question:
When did HEOS move into AVRs, and how did that change the direction of the brand?
Anders:
The big step came in 2016, when we decided the time was right to bring the HEOS platform into AVRs. HEOS was our opportunity to differentiate our AVRs and offer something much better than the competition—especially in terms of ease of use and multi-room capabilities. We did a big engineering push to integrate HEOS into AVRs and launched at the end of 2016 with multiple models for Marantz.
That point also marks a shift in brand strategy. Up to then, we had been launching HEOS-branded products. After HEOS entered AVRs, we gradually stopped launching new HEOS-branded hardware and instead positioned HEOS as an ingredient brand—what we now call “Powered by HEOS”.
Question:
Can you explain in very simple terms what HEOS is and what its primary benefit is to a user?
Anders:
At its core, HEOS is a multi-room audio platform.
From the very beginning—right back in the Avega startup days—the technology was about how to synchronize audio across multiple devices so they could play in perfect sync around the home. Technically, that involved things like using Wi‑Fi beacons and various timing mechanisms, but the user-facing idea was simple: music in every room, playing together or independently, with minimal friction.
Back in the mid-2000s, people were starting to rip CDs to digital formats—often low-bitrate MP3s—then playing them from PCs. We saw an opportunity to build audio equipment that could play that digital content in multiple rooms easily.
As streaming services appeared, they became a huge part of the value proposition. So today, the user benefit is really:
Easy access to streaming content and services; the ability to control and distribute audio around the home, and a unified app and platform experience across multiple products and rooms.
Over time, especially given the brands we support—Marantz and Denon—we’ve deliberately moved from lower quality, compressed audio as the norm to high-quality streaming audio. We want to be at the high end of the spectrum: maintaining the convenience of streaming and multi-room, but with audio quality that matches the expectations of premium hi-fi brands.
Question:
How do you think HEOS helps differentiate Marantz products in an increasingly crowded market? How does it help Marantz stand out?
Anders:
People buy Marantz for many reasons—its sound signature, its hi‑fi heritage, and these days, its industrial design as well. Those elements remain the core drivers for choosing Marantz. But to compete seriously today, even a heritage hi‑fi brand needs a compelling set of features and functionality—streaming, multi-room, app control, integration, etc.
That’s where HEOS comes in.
It ensures Marantz stays competitive in the modern musical world. It offers a high-quality, modern streaming and multi-room experience without relying on the generic, licensed platforms that many brands use.
Originally, D&M’s move to HEOS was a conscious step away from an older, less user-friendly licensed platform that other brands were also using. HEOS allowed Denon and Marantz to stand apart, rather than just being one more vendor using a slightly tweaked version of the same software.
Because Marantz has such a strong reputation for sound quality, HEOS has to match that standard. The platform is built and tuned to support high-quality streaming audio, not just tick-box connectivity.
So, HEOS helps Marantz stay true to its hi‑fi heritage while still delivering the type of connected, feature-rich experience that modern customers expect.
Question:
HEOS has seen a lot of updates recently—like U31, U37, and U37.1. What does your development process look like? How do you decide what to change or add?
Anders:
We gather feedback from a lot of different sources and feed it into a structured backlog process.
Key inputs include:
Regional dealers and sales representatives:
They’re close to the market and hear directly from customers and retailers about what’s needed, what’s missing, and what’s working well.
Customer Support teams:
I personally spend a lot of time talking with our support teams. They’re on the front line when it comes to customer pain points, recurring issues, and frustrations. Often, what shows up as a “pain point” is actually the absence of a feature or a limitation in how something works.
User feedback channels:
We look at app store reviews, online forums (like Reddit), and other public feedback. These often surface specific requests—such as longer playlists, changes to the Now Playing experience, or other usability improvements.
We try to collect this input across all major regions—what’s important in Europe might be less critical in North America, and Asia can be quite different again in terms of services and use cases.
All of this funnels into our backlog, and every two weeks, we hold an internal session with the main stakeholders. From there, we decide what goes into upcoming releases, balancing platform-wide improvements, product-specific support and short-term fixes vs. longer-term strategic features.
It’s an iterative process, but it’s grounded strongly in real-world feedback from users, dealers, and support.
Question:
In our last chat you mentioned how often priorities change. Can you explain a bit more about how you manage features across different releases?
Anders:
We work in a very agile way. Priorities and focus can change quite easily, and that’s by design. Even if we say, “This feature will go into this specific release,” we keep reassessing as we get closer. Sometimes that means shifting a feature back a release and bringing something else forward. It’s an ongoing process of assessing priorities and mapping them to upcoming releases.
Question:
Looking at recent versions—what would you pick out as the biggest innovations for users?
Anders:
There isn’t just one standout feature, to be honest. About two years ago, we did a major overhaul of the app, which was a big milestone, and since then, we’ve been polishing it. We’ve done a lot of performance improvements and further tweaks based on customer feedback from that redesign, especially around the home screen and its customization options. So, it’s been a cycle of “big overhaul, then lots of incremental refinements.”
Question:
You recently added Qobuz support. That’s been requested for a while—how did that unfold?
Anders:
Qobuz has been highly requested from the field for many years. It was always on the roadmap but kept ending up a bit lower in priority while we covered other major items. Eventually, we reached the point where it was right for us. At the same time, Qobuz announced Qobuz Connect. So, we decided to support both approaches, Connect and HEOS in-app.
Qobuz, and HEOS, launched Connect in May last year, and then our in‑app version followed about two months later. Supporting it both via Connect and in‑app gives users options.
Entry-Level Excellence
Starting with the MODEL M1, this sleek, compact amplifier is a modern solution for lifestyle listeners who want serious sound in a small footprint. With HEOS streaming built-in, it’s perfectly suited for music lovers who prioritise convenience without sacrificing audio performance. It’s easy to place, easy to use, and delivers sound with a clarity that belies its size.
Next is the STEREO 70s, a uniquely versatile entry point that redefines what a two-channel amplifier can do. With multiple HDMI inputs and ARC/eARC support, it’s not just a step up from soundbars or older AV receivers—it’s a genuine alternative to full AV systems for those who don’t need surround sound. Designed for film, TV and music, it delivers clean, detailed audio with all the connectivity you’d expect from a modern hub, but in a simpler, more elegant form.
Then there’s the MODEL 60n—a more traditional stereo amplifier that blends classic Hi-Fi design with modern flexibility. It features a dedicated phono stage for vinyl playback, while HEOS streaming ensures it is equally capable with digital sources. It’s a great amplifier for those who enjoy the tactile pleasure of records and the convenience of wireless streaming in one elegant unit.
Designed for the Purist
At the top of our integrated amplifier range is the MODEL 30. This amplifier is a statement of intent—designed for purity, precision, and immersive musicality. Built to pair perfectly with our SACD 30, it delivers power and grace in equal measure. The internal circuitry has been refined even further, with premium components and a superior HDAM design that delivers a soundstage of exceptional depth. For the listener who wants to experience music in its most authentic form, the MODEL 30 is the answer.
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