Modern, connected, Micro Hi Fi : Fade to grey – DENON CEOL-N11

Modern, connected, Micro Hi Fi : Fade to grey – DENON CEOL-N11

It’s the final part of my three part ‘Mini’ Series where I look at a random selection of Mini/Micro Hi-Fi through the years. We’ve reached the modern era with a brand new Denon CEOL N11. But is there still a demand for something like this?

Previous Episodes
1) Aiwa 1979: https://youtu.be/TMtqWGsvLaU
2) Aiwa 2003: https://youtu.be/gZO5ftu1CPk

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00:00 Beginning Bit
02:01 Stats & unbox
04:51 Inspection
08:20 Power on
10:28 Operation
16:36 Sound quality
18:46 Going through features
26:34 Remember Stereo?
28:51 Even more features
34:37 Non-disassembly
36:07 No exit
37:07 It’s a record
38:19 Why is he still talking?
42:05 Patreon credits

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OUTRO MUSIC
Over Time – Vibe Tracks https://youtu.be/VSSswVZSgJw

OUTRO SOUND EFFECT
ThatSFXGuy – https://youtu.be/5M3-ZV5-QDM

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50 Comments

  1. @pattygraham830 on July 29, 2025 at 8:13 pm

    Try a pack of Tunes mate

  2. @MrFreshthinking on July 29, 2025 at 8:15 pm

    19:45 you could clearly hear the difference with the .wav

  3. @Michel-r6m on July 29, 2025 at 8:15 pm

    Got the N12 with phono pre-amp but did not go for the standard speakers. Sounds alright to me got plenty records as cd’s. Really fun little unit.

  4. @derekporter7658 on July 29, 2025 at 8:15 pm

    Shame Denon didn’t think about rca outputs. I’d have stuck with Denon and connected it up to my separates system. Instead I ordered a fairly similar module by Auna and it was sent directly from Germany.

  5. @azazeldeath on July 29, 2025 at 8:18 pm

    I’m glad I purchased my surround sound unit, Yamaha YHT-1840. Sure it doesn’t have all the features. But has FM, lots of inputs. Sadly no DAB or DAB+ that I saw.

    Sure it is a different range than this, but it is nice. Speakers could be better, but far from bad or even average. I think the biggest issue is the main speakers are slightly too small for what it is. That said it is honestly too loud, I normally use it at -25 to -35db. Rarely above negative 30 tbh. With the sub on need to drop it by a further 5db.

  6. @51im on July 29, 2025 at 8:18 pm

    Isn’t the lack of access to the Walkman SD contents a limit of the Sony hardware.

  7. @Paul-cw5hn on July 29, 2025 at 8:21 pm

    " Its good , but not me"….perfectly put Matt 😅….youre speaking for me and probably alot of people here.😊

  8. @disrealnow9664 on July 29, 2025 at 8:22 pm

    Compared to the earlier ones, this is a dull, grey and soulless box.

  9. @ChrisLynch1313 on July 29, 2025 at 8:22 pm

    I’m with you that thing bums me out.

  10. @kkduds3119 on July 29, 2025 at 8:22 pm

    i wish these hifi systems had ways to disable the built in amplifier

  11. @siobhank.m.8332 on July 29, 2025 at 8:25 pm

    It looks like a printer

  12. @nmDst on July 29, 2025 at 8:27 pm

    No volume knob and no cd text is crazy

  13. @gabedestellano on July 29, 2025 at 8:28 pm

    Surprised there’s no DVD/blue ray player

  14. @murenorocha on July 29, 2025 at 8:29 pm

    I’ve got one in black. I’d like some physical buttons but I appreciate the unit very much for what it offers -good sound quality, a decent cd player and the very welcome modern features..

  15. @donthuis on July 29, 2025 at 8:29 pm

    This design reminds me of the era when the NAD amplifiers were still sold, you once needed two of such bland looking units to complement a electrolectrical speaker set
    We also had Braun designed minimal art sculpted amplifiers, receivers etc in the 70’s
    I still am happy to possess cassetteplayers from Tandberg and Revox that look convincing with their buttons and either VU meters or LED arrays, pity the Revox is broken now. And my Denon amplifier & Kenwood tuner fortunately are also built in such a design 🙂

  16. @JestersDead_UK on July 29, 2025 at 8:31 pm

    Denon… always been great tbf

  17. @szatmarimihaly7068 on July 29, 2025 at 8:32 pm

    It is highly disappointing that Denon utilized an outdated amplifier chip, originally introduced in 2004, in a product released as recently as 2023 (N12). Texas Instruments no longer recommends this early-generation Class D chip for new designs, and its use is reflected in the sound quality. The amplifier produces an unpleasantly harsh presence in the high notes, a distorted and unbalanced soundstage, and a notably weak midrange response—all characteristics that highlight the limitations of this legacy technology in modern high-fidelity audio equipment. An analysis of competitors’ products reveals that they employ more modern Class D amplifier chips, which are free from the early developmental issues associated with the initial iterations of Class D technology.

  18. @MrSlipstreem on July 29, 2025 at 8:34 pm

    "Fully digital from input signal to output power stage for crystal clear audio performance"

    That as well as the plethora of features makes me wonder if it’s based on the same technology as their AV amplifiers. If so, I bet this sounds great on a decent pair of speakers or headphones!

  19. @tradingcardboss on July 29, 2025 at 8:34 pm

    Being Boring – The Pet Shop Boys Perhaps they were right about this HiFi

  20. @glenfordburrell2133 on July 29, 2025 at 8:34 pm

    "If it’s heavy, it should be expensive."

    Neitzsche.

  21. @asgertornquist5022 on July 29, 2025 at 8:36 pm

    What do you think of the speakers that come with the system? Are they any good? I don’t have room for larger speakers, but perhaps some other brands make better small speakers? I’m thinking of Kanto Yu, Polk, Argon, Dali…

  22. @Graphixman on July 29, 2025 at 8:39 pm

    I have this same Denon unit in black (not those speakers though) and I like it. Sounds good and nice small footprint that goes relatively unnoticed in the TV unit.

  23. @johnrobinson4445 on July 29, 2025 at 8:39 pm

    Apple went from the colorful iMac to…white. Just…white. Well, I guess it’s better than the old IBM clone beige.
    Gray is simply ‘dark white’. This thing could have been made by Apple.

  24. @vincecolananni9158 on July 29, 2025 at 8:41 pm

    Just got my first Denon product, 12/‘24. A micro system similar to the one reviewed. Have to say I’m disappointed in it. Build quality seems to be good. Sound quality is only fair given the price. The BluTooth connection is poor, to the point I’m considering sending it back.

  25. @DaRush-The_Soviet_Gamer on July 29, 2025 at 8:41 pm

    If it needs an app to run properly I might as well just use my phone as the source over bluetooth.

  26. @pedroquerido2268 on July 29, 2025 at 8:43 pm

    I mean… what will happen when in five years, the app won’t update anymore? with all music services? i’m the market of a phisical thing to get rid of streaming services. Otherwise, i would just spend this money on some nice bt speakers and get done with it

  27. @solarrobot on July 29, 2025 at 8:43 pm

    Love your channel ❤

  28. @user-ln4ye6uf9m on July 29, 2025 at 8:45 pm

    I will keep my denon m41 thanks

  29. @fraserhoggan9723 on July 29, 2025 at 8:45 pm

    ‘Ephemeral’? Have the N9, still going strong 10 years on. The N12 has been out a while better bet than N11

  30. @gerardjurgens2670 on July 29, 2025 at 8:48 pm

    I am currently récording my Tidal playlist from my Phone through a headphonesamp to my svhs video recorder on long play

  31. @horacejames9402 on July 29, 2025 at 8:49 pm

    What a boring unit!

  32. @GShockWatchFan. on July 29, 2025 at 8:55 pm

    You need proper expensive speakers not stock one’s. KEF, BOSE, B&O

  33. @Nix_sound on July 29, 2025 at 8:55 pm

    I always find your videos very interesting, even when things don’t go to plan. I enjoyed the other two videos in this series, desipte the inconsistent video titles. This video highlghted how boring modern stuff is. Grey, plastic, unservicable, uninspiring. I sold all my separates and speakers I’d bought throughout the 90’s after uni to make a compact hi-fi, which was a Teac micro system cica 2005, it was a toss up between that and a Denon of the time. It was a close call, because the Denon stuff was actually quite pretty. This modern version is so bland by comparison. Plus, no physical volume control is a no from me. ps I disslike touch buttons. Love your videos, thank you

  34. @tabaconist on July 29, 2025 at 8:55 pm

    Question: For Denon CEOL N12DAB model, it says all over official sites "suitable for small rooms". Can you (or anyone else) define "small room" for this unit (or N11) with decent speakers? Tanks!

  35. @Channel567-7 on July 29, 2025 at 8:55 pm

    It is what it is, and has its limitations. Price is far too high, extortionate may be better. It’s worth no more than £150 tops

  36. @cassipanda255 on July 29, 2025 at 8:55 pm

    Invisible tae Alex Ferguson.

  37. @nevco8774 on July 29, 2025 at 8:56 pm

    For the money in 2024 with an optical media tray included, the unit should have universal capacity to play all optical media: Super Audio CD, DVD Audio, Blue ray audio etc.

  38. @premchanramjit6867 on July 29, 2025 at 8:57 pm

    Excellent comparison. My pick would be the Aiwa from the first video.

  39. @nicksloan7398 on July 29, 2025 at 8:57 pm

    Paul’s Boutique…. Good choice!

  40. @terencehurst8636 on July 29, 2025 at 8:58 pm

    No way.

  41. @steve3231 on July 29, 2025 at 8:58 pm

    so what is you, what would you recommend .

  42. @danielleblanc5923 on July 29, 2025 at 9:00 pm

    When it comes to opening the device it seems like it uses a "drawer like design".
    Unscrew all the screws on the metal plate at the back; the 4 screws on both sides of the underside and the upper plastic case should pull backwards.
    Basically, you pull the whole unit (with front panel) like a drawer. I am not sure about the connections to the sensitive buttons on the top.

    Providing 2*65 watts in such a small sealed casing probably means the device uses class D amplifiers.
    One reason for using a plastic case is for all the antennas (Wifi, Bluetooth etc…), but there might be shielding on the inside.

  43. @johnrobinson4445 on July 29, 2025 at 9:00 pm

    You could always paint it….

  44. @dinkydoo112 on July 29, 2025 at 9:03 pm

    This unit says its Blue tooth enabled but you need an
    BT external adapter so its all extra money
    The next one is the N12 the bluetooth and Heors

  45. @mrcaboosevg6089 on July 29, 2025 at 9:05 pm

    £600 with a plastic chassis, controls on the top so you can’t stack it and no proper buttons, i wouldn’t buy this, there’s much better options

  46. @StephenWhite-vm5jj on July 29, 2025 at 9:05 pm

    Techmoan is the GOAT when it comes to this stuff as a 57 year old male who’s always appreciated hi fi thru the years

  47. @leestimpson1838 on July 29, 2025 at 9:06 pm

    I think I’ would prefer to use a laptop, a cd drive, and some speakers!

  48. @66hats on July 29, 2025 at 9:06 pm

    I’m sorry but bring back the volume knob

  49. @macelius on July 29, 2025 at 9:08 pm

    Interesting, lol.

  50. @patrickdzikowicz3564 on July 29, 2025 at 9:09 pm

    Your ending. I hope it resonates and changes the course. 31 American male and I feel the same way.

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