Onkyo HTS894 5.1 Channel Complete Home Theater System w/ Single Disc DVD Review

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(More customer reviews)I just received my HT-S894 a couple of days ago and have spent quite a bit of time setting it up and reading through the manuals that came with it. The system looks good, sounds great, and comes at a nice price, especially if you shop around (I wish I'd known that refurbished models were available about a week ago... Their price is quite surprising).
Now for the stuff I wish someone had told me... Not that the info would have necessarily stopped me from buying the HT-S894, but I think others will find these details important. If you connect the receiver to your TV with component cables, then anything connected to the receiver through HDMI will not display any picture. This is verified in the manual. Stranger yet, if you hook the receiver to your TV with HDMI, then anything connected through component cables will not show a picture on the TV. On top of that, the receiver's on-screen menu will not display on your TV through the HDMI output. Very irritating, considering HDMI was one of the selling points that convinced me to choose this system. I can't even use it now, because I want to be able to use the setup menu and have more devices that use component outputs than HDMI outputs. It's really a shame that I have to choose between using HDMI or component connections. Some may want to note that the receiver uses HDMI v1.1.
Movies sound great out of the box, and music sounds just as nice with some tweaking. I prefer to turn down most of the channels by about "3" or "4" and crank the LFE (subwoofer) up by "8" to get the punchy sound that I like. With default settings, the sub seemed almost ignored. I've yet to figure out how to save the adjusted channel settings. They keep getting reset when I turn off the unit.
One very pleasant surprise was that the included DVD player handles DivX files. I've tested out quite a few files that all played fine, except for some high-definition movie rips that are over 2GB, meaning they're burned with the UDF file system (if I remember correctly), which is not supported by the player. Otherwise, TV shows and standard-definition rips work nicely.
While it sounds like I'm not extremely happy with this system, I really do like it enough to hold on to it and just ordered two pairs of Sanus EF-SATB speaker stands for the front & rear speakers [...]

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Onkyo 5.1 HDMI HTIB w/ Single Disc Dvd HTS894

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Samsung HT-TX75 DVD Home Theater System Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a wonderful home theater system. I have played a few movies since I got this a couple of days ago and have been more than happy. The system came well packaged and there were no signs of wear and tear when I accepted delivery. The player and the speakers are in an attractive matte finish, although the speaker casing seems light and made of plastic (but then it is only $440, so can't expect anything more)- nonetheless it looks good. Unlike my other home theater system, the Sony DAV FX900W, which took a long time to assemble, I was able to assemble all the four speakers in 15 minutes. The speaker unit consists of three parts- the base, middle section and the speaker (the top half). The middle section clicks into the base unit and is secured by three screws. Then the speaker clicks into the middle section (which is affixed to the base unit) and is secured by one screw- simple as that. The speaker wires (not very good quality) are sufficiently long to reach the DVD player from their respective positions. Upon connection, I entered setup and selected 1080i for the picture and increased the level for the center and rear channels. On playing a DVD, the picture quality was very good for a system of this price as was the audio. The radio and the ipod connection work fine, although I think i will stick with using the aux in jack for my ipod and not the USB- the problem arises when the ipod is not fully charged as then one cannot access the ipod library for a bit while the ipod charges via the USB (just like it is when you connect a partially charged ipod to your computer via USB). Sound quality playing the ipod and CDs is great. The remote is not backlit which is a bummer. I don't understand why these companies cannot provide this basic and essential feature on remotes. The remote feels good though and should be liked by most people (I use a logitech universal remote). BTW the system does NOT come with batteries for the remote- so you need to buy them yourself (two AAA batteries).
Now for the icing on the cake. I was able to find a code on the internet to make this player region free. The code was meant for another Samsung player but worked with this one too- so I am now able to watch DVDs I purchased in Hong Kong and the UK- Sweet!!!
To make your player region free (and I think any other Samsung DVD player region free) follow the instructions below (you need to follow the instructions exactly, else it won't work).
1. Remove disc from tray.
2. Switch off player and unplug from mains.
3. Wait 30 seconds, then reconnect mains.
4. Turn on player with remote. Wait for player to finish loading and display 'no disc'.
5. Press enter on remote. (There will be no on-screen response.)
6. Press 8, 4, 2, 6, 9 on the remote. (There will be no on-screen response.)
7. Press enter on the remote. Player will automatically shut off.
8. Turn player on.
9. Turn off.
10. Turn player on then off again.
11. Player is now region-free.
All in all I am really happy with this purchase. Good video and audio quality, HDMI Out/ In, Tallboy speakers, $440 value and Region free capability, make this system a good buy.
I hope this review has been helpful in making your choice. I don't think you can go wrong with this player (for the price)


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Samsung's elegant HT-TX75 Home Theater Audio System offers industry leading power.Imagine 1200 watts of audio power, enhanced by Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic decoders--that's what the HT-TX75 has in store for you.You'll be delighted with the superior non-interlaced images you get from the latest digital television receivers.Smooth progressive scan imaging eliminates even the slightest hint of blur or distortion.Load up the 5-disc DVD tray and Watch your fill of movies and videos without having to change discs.With USB Host Play, you can plug a portable digital device into the USB port for instant entertainment.Additionally, with the ability to go wireless you can expand your system to achieve the ultimate surround sound experience without the need to figure out how to hide those unsightly wires.

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Denon AVR-3808CI 7.1-Channel Multizone Home Theater Receiver with Networking Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been waiting a while for "the perfect receiver". However, I have come to the conclusion that this is as close to perfect as I am going to find for my needs right now. I am using all 4 HDMI inputs (PS3, Oppo 980H, Directv HR20, and a Sony Vaio computer). The Denon has worked flawlessly with SACD, DVD-A, and lossless audio sources from my BluRay movies.
For sound quality, it is important to get the speakers setup properly. Denon's auto setup with the included mic makes this a very simple setup. I have heard that it helps to take measurements from all over the room, so I setup 5 listening locations. The sound quality is fantastic. I do have an spl meter, but I have not had it out to fine tune the setup just yet. It already sounds fantastic. The Oppo has the ability to send out a DSD multi-channel signal for its SACD and these sound fantastic on the Denon.
I am not really using the video upscaler very much since most of the signals I am inputting are already HD. In other words, the Denon mainly sends out the signals untouched, so it is hard to complain.
The ability to update the firmware over the internet connection is what I believe sets this receiver apart from the competition. For me, this was the deciding factor. With all of the new tech in these receivers, I do not want to have to carry the thing into a service location every time it needs an update.
I should mention that I played some music coming from my computer using the network interface and it worked okay. It did take a few seconds to retrieve license information for Yahoo Music DRM files, but I bet they improve on that in the future.
The downsides are small, but should be mentioned. The remote is okay for setting up the system, but it is going into a drawer with my other remotes now that I have my Harmony 880 universal programmed for all of the general functions that I need. Also, the GUI takes some getting used to. I like the ability to rename the inputs and choose what video inputs go with the audio inputs. However, it was not something that I picked up and setup in a few minutes. It is better than my old Denon AVR-3300, so at least they are going in the right direction!


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Denon AVR-3808CI A/V Multi-Source/Zone with Network Streaming Receiver

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Denon AVR-4308CI Multizone Home Theater Receiver with Network Streaming and Wi-Fi Review

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(More customer reviews)Denon 4308CI Receiver

Strengths: Great quality picture and sound, excellent build quality, nice display, GUI interface, easy to assign/rename imputs, HD radio, 4 HDMI, 140 Watt multizone output, good value for price point.
Weaknesses: Complicated user manual, Useless remote, Faroudja vs. Silicon Optix processor
Price paid: $1,780 (2/08)from a reputable retail store. (Please do not ask which one as I was given an insider price)
Summary: After considerable research I purchased the Denon 4308CI to upgrade a prexisting Sony STRDA555ES receiver. My main desire in upgrading was to obtain HDMI connection capability and take advantage updated sound processing and 1080P upscaling. I ruled out various other comparable recievers for a variety of reasons, including heat generation as my components are enclosed in a audio rack partially recessed into a closed media room.
As a longtime Sony fan and owner of three ES AV recievers, it came down to a choice between the STRDA 5300ES and the Denon 4308CI.
I opted for the Denon over the Sony for a few reasons. The display on the Denon is much larger. It might sound silly but I like to see the information displayed on the receiver from where I'm listing to music. The Sony display was rather small. I also liked the fact that the Denon has internet streaming capability and HD Radio reception. The Sony has more HDMI hookups and a longer warranty (5 years vs. 2 for the Denon) but the Denon has increased power handling and full 1080P upscaling. Pricewise the Denon was a few hundred dollars more then the Sony but I felt that it had a more "modern" feature set.
So far after 4 months of use I have been very pleased with the Denon. Sound is fantastic and the GUI was intuitive. I disagree with some of the other reviews that I have read regarding the ease of setup. It took a little longer then I anticipated to set up but as I previously noted the GUI was fairly intuitive. I really like the fact that you can rename the inputs so when you select them from the function selection dial it will display whatever name you decide on. I prefer optical connections so I had to reassign some of the optical connections. Rear connections seem pretty sturdy. The unit gets warm but not hot after a few hours of use. Still havent taken advantage of the 1080P upscaling as of yet. HD radio signal reception is pretty strong and so far no interference despite living in a New York City Apartment building.
Harmony 880 Universal Remote works better then supplied remotes.
Video processing is excellent. I have however occasionally noted video artifacts. This reciver uses a Faroudja DCDi FLI2310 processor which is simply not as highly regarded by professional reviewers as the Silicon Optix Realta HQV processor used by Denon's flagship 3800BDCI Blu-ray player or the Silicon Optix Reon chipset used by receivers such as the Onkyo TX-NR905 and Integra DTR 8.8. However, overall picture quality on standard 1080i and 720p cable source material is excellent.
3808CI vs.4308CI? The 4308CI appeared to have a slightly more "attractive" build quality and appearance. In comparing the two models side by side before purchasing, the 4308CI simply looked better. However, HD radio, increased power handling and WiFi capability were the primary reasons I opted to spend more to purchase the 4308CI.
4308CI and 3800BDCI blu-ray combo. Have had the 4308CI and the 3800BDCI paired for the last three weeks. The Blu-ray picture is simply amazing. Will never purchase another standard DVD again if available in Blu-ray format.
Conclusion: I've been very happy with the 4308CI. It offers great sound and picture features at an attractive price point. However,if you are interested in better video processing you may want to check out the Onkyo TX-NR905 and Integra DTR 8.8 as well.

Review system components: (used in review)
Panasonic TH-50PZ750U 1080P (limited Ed)
Artcoustic DF-65's
Artcoustic DF-Multi (center)
Denon 3800BDCI (DVD)(used three weeks)
Sony ES 5 Disc changer
Sony SACD player
Monster HPS7000 Signature Series
Monster AVS2000 Signature series
Polk XM Radio Tuner


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Denon AVR-4308CI Next Generation A/V Multi-Source/Zone with Network Streaming Receiver

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Altec Lansing PT7031 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel Review

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(More customer reviews)If you can have one for the price I paid I believe it's a worthy replacement to stock flat panel speakers, and an acceptable alternative to true surround sound. I actually bought this at an online outlet site for a little over one bill $. I had not read any reviews online and this speaker system is pretty much non-existent for sale online so I was a little nervous after I had bought this. There are a few quirks that would put off most people from buying, such as a lack of HDMI, and the standard definition on screen setup required to see any changes of audio settings. The sound bar is very large, almost as wide as my 50 inch plasma, so that might be something to consider as well. The remote is a little confusing and attempts to integrate itself as a universal remote but fails as such. I believe the only thing Altec Lansing got right with this rather large sound bar is the cool modern design and the theatre-like sound. I think a lot of people would be interested to know that for movies and regular tv watching it actually outperforms my 5.1 surround HTIB that I paid nearly three times as much. I find myself struggling to hear dialogue with my surround sound, so this is the shining point of the PT7031; it has a perfect balance for dialogue and music so you don't have to constantly turn the volume up and down. It does also have an option for an external subwoofer, and I have not attempted to utilize this because it already has pretty good low end reproduction. This is by no means a replacement for any high end 5.1 surround systems, but it is a good compromise for the type of people who do not want to bother with messy wiring. So bottom line, if you want good sound and don't mind switching back and forth with an on screen audio setup this might be for you, but I would not spend more than what I paid for this.

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Nothing could be simpler. Or more impressive. The PT7031 replaces a traditional A/V receiver and separate speakers with one, beautiful cabinet that sits on any flat surface or mounts directly to the wall beneath your flat-screen TV. But don't let the simplicity fool you. This is true Dolby and DTS multichannel surround sound?made possible by NXT Digital flat-panel technology that reflects sound from your side walls to the back of the room to completely immerse you in the theater experience. Video output for on-screen display (OSD) used in set-up and operation. Subwoofer output for enhanced bass using an optional powered subwooferControl your speaker system and most of your components from a single remote. Strong, durable, and discreet.Included wall-mounting brackets make installation a cinch.

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Onkyo HT-S990THX 7.1 THX Home Theater Entertainment System Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this product about 3 weeks ago, and have now come to fully experience what it can do. It is a wonderful piece of equipment that is worth the money.
Pros:
The system is cost effective. For the money, you get a very good system. Sure, it's not as good as one that costs several thousand dollars, but it's much better than the standard HTIB you can find at a retail store. Remember, you always get what you pay for. If you want a cheap system that will need to be replaced often, this system is not for you. However, if you are like me and are just looking for a good system that's not going to break the bank, consider this as one of your options.
The system is also easy to set up. It comes with color coded wires and connections. The back of the receiver has all speaker connections color coded, and the colors match the wires and speaker terminals. Also, unlike most HTIB systems, the surround wires are long enough to support the room size this system was designed for. Remember, this is not a THX Select or Ultra system. It's not designed to play in large spaces (Select is for 2000 cubic feet, a 250 square foot room with an 8 foot ceiling; Ultra is for 3000+ cubic feet, about a 375 square foot room with an 8 foot ceiling). This system is designed for a smaller room (such as an apartment or small home). My living room is about 170 square feet (I live in an apartment).
The system is also easy to use. Just a glance at the user's manual will let you navigate through the configuration menu with no problems. Unlike other HTIB systems I have seen, the speaker distance is fully configurable, in standard or metric units. Other systems I have seen do not understand that your front speakers might be closer than your rear speakers. Instead, they would assume that this could not be possible, so if your application called for a front speaker distance of 7 feet, and a rear speaker distance of 10 feet, the receiver could not configure it. Therefore, the system did not sound correct unless you rearranged the room, or knock down walls. This system allows you to input any variation of measurements, but it's always in feet or meters. For once, I would like to see a system that had precise control of the delay, to the inch. 6 inches difference is about 0.5 milliseconds. Even though it's a small number, it seems as if the front soundstage is drastically different with differences as small as an inch between the FL/FR and center channels.
Cons:
Receiver does not support HDMI. This is both a pro and a con. First, I priced a Monster HDMI cable. There was one cable at Best Buy for $80. The good stuff started at $120. I didn't even look for anything THX certified. On the other hand, you can get a THX certified Component Video set for about $40, and a THX certified optical audio cable for about $38. From other reviews I have read, there is no noticeable difference between using HDMI and component connections.
Another con is that THX specifications call for a dipole side surround speaker, where as this system comes with a monopole side surround speaker. The side surrounds appear to be the exact same as the back surrounds. THX calls for monopole back surrounds and dipole side surrounds. This can make a difference in how enveloping the surround information is. Even though this system has monopole side surrounds, the surround effect is enveloping, but I've seen $10,000 setups that sounded much better. And this system doesn't cost $10,000 does it?
Yet another con has to do with the crossover point of the system. Ideally, you want all frequencies to blend together properly. In my setup, when using the THX demo disk, I notice a slight dip in bass output when transitioning from the main speakers to the subwoofer, then the subwoofer picks up the volume to normal as the frequency decreases. Now I'm sure I could compensate for this by spending thousands of dollars treating my room structures, purchasing equalizers, and moving the subwoofer around...but I don't want to do that...and probably neither do you. The system does not give perfectly flat response, but is withing 6 dB all the way through the transition. Also, the subwoofer is not the best suited for music. I cannot tell what class box is used (I don't want to take it apart), but it lacks the impact of a sealed box, and acts more like a vented or bandpass box. It delivers a rumbling impact when watching movies, but lacks accuracy for music reproduction. It seems as if there is a very sharp curve as the frequency gets lower, similar to a bandpass box. Listen for yourself and see what you think. Be sure to use music that has various bass frequencies.
Overall, I say this is a 4 out of 5. For those of you that want a dedicated movie theater in your house, this system is probably too small for you. For the rest of us, this is a great solution. It's an entry level high end home theater system, and the best HTIB on the market today. If you are considering going with something cheaper, consider this: This system comes with everything you need to play every audio format widely used today. It does both Dolby Digital and DTS, and adds THX to both standards (you can also listen in the native format being broadcast, with no THX). You can play this system in 2.1, 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 configurations, and comes with everything necessary to matrix stereo signals into all configurations, as well as matrix 5.1 signals into 6.1 or 7.1. Basically, it's a one-stop-shop. It's one system, in one box, that plays everything. I think that's why it was designed. Maybe more consumers buy HTIB systems rather than seperate components. As far as value, I'm sure if you shop around, you might find a better seperate component system for the same money, or close to it. But what does the average consumer want? Simplicity. This one word best describes this system. Given proper speaker and seating arangements, the system does exactly what it was designed to do, yet it's simple. And what was it designed to do? Bring the movie theater experience to your living room. It does that, without any problems.

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The HT-S990THX is the first system to meet the parameters set by THX for overall system performance as opposed to separate loudspeaker and amplifier performance. In effect, the HT-S990THX represents a high-performance, powerful multichannel solution that combines the convenience of all-in-one systems with the performance of much higher priced separate components. With full THX processing capabilities-- THX ASA-derived playback modes (THX Cinema2, THX Music Mode, THX Games Mode)--you can be assured that this system brings out the full potential of surround sound for all entertainment options. Equally as important, Onkyo's Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WRAT) gives the system a perfect base for stellar amplifier performance. Also, the HT-S990THX's compatibility with XM Satellite Radio and the iPod offers a completeness to this home entertainment system that has rarely been seen before.

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Sony STR-DN1000 7.1-Channel Audio Video Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought the STR-DN1000 as an upgrade to my old Yamaha receiver that didn't have audio decoding through HDMI which I really needed since I've recently added a couple additional HDMI components to my set-up and needed HDMI switching. I bought it based on reviews of sound quality (anyone saying this amp has anything less than great sound doesn't know what they're talking about or doesn't have their amp set up correctly!), price, and features (4X HDMI being the most important). I am relatively pleased with my new receiver. Sound and video processing are both excellent, and aside from a few issues, this is a great receiver. Before I go into more detail, here is my home theater set-up:
1) 5.1 surround sound consisting of: Polk Audio TSi200 L + R speakers, a Polk CS20 Center Channel Speaker, and a Yamaha subwoofer and two Yamahah back channel L & R speakers.
4) A Sony DVP-NS700H/B DVD player
5) Toshiba 42" Regaza LCD
6) Comcast Digital Cable box
7) WD TV Live HD Media Player
All devices connected using Version 1.3 Category 2 HDMI Cables.
Setting things up:
Set-up is a breeze. Everything is laid out well enough, and the included wire-map which gives a blown-up overview of the connections makes things even easier. The wire screws for connecting the speakers are made of plastic and are not as easy to turn as I might have liked, but this was a minor issue at best. They do support Banana jacks if that's your thing. I had all my speaker wires and HDMI cables connected in about 10 minutes (all of them were already in place so it might take significantly longer if you are running new wire). Just a note for reciever set-ups: give yourself an extra 3-4 feet of wire for each speaker so you can connect your amp OUTSIDE your AV cabinet/rack. This will make things much easier because you can work on the amp with it's back facing you!
GUI (Graphic User Interface), Programing, and Auto Calibration:
The DN1000 comes with a built in GUI for adjusting settings. It is a rudimentary text based interface in black, white and blue, but it is easy to navigate and use even if it isn't pretty. I was easily able to program in radio pre-sets, assign inputs *More on that to come*, and run the Auto Calibration. Auto Calibration involves connecting a provided mic and placing it in the correct location and then letting the amp put out some test tones to each speaker and the amp. The whole thing takes about 30-40 seconds. The manual states that this will involve "very loud" sounds, so I was a bit worried what that would be like. Thankfully it wasn't loud at all, so don't get freaked out when the manual warns you to watch out for small children, dogs, and angry neighbors. The GUI could be a bit more intuitive; you are frequently required to git an 'option' button that is on the remote itself. It would have been much simpler to just have that button in the layout of the GUI itself.
Programing custom inputs and renaming inputs was my biggest complaint with this amp. First, you CANNOT re-map the TV, Satelite, DVD, etc., buttons to be linked with the HDMI inputs. Each time you re-map an input it asks for both an audio and video input. I wanted to re-map the DVD button on the remote to work with my HDMI DVD player. I was able to choose the correct HDMI in, but because the amp also requires an audio input, you are FORCED to choose from coaxial, analog LR channel or digital. Choosing any of these overrides the HDMI's sound, and gives you video but no sound! This is incredibly frustrating and very stupid on Sony's part since the amp supports HDMI sound processing natively and all they would need to do is tweak the GUI to allow the user to select either HDMI or 'None' for sound input! I called Sony tech support to verify this is the case and they said they have no plans to issue a firmware update to correct this issue. I was able to re-name the HDMI inputs to DVD, WD LIVE, and COMCAST so that the amp displays the correct input when one of the HDMI buttons is pushed, but that isn't ideal considering the layout of the remote:
The Remote:
On first glance, the remote appears to be well laid out and to have excellent built quality (no squeeks when you hit the buttons, feels nice and solid in your hand, responsive buttons, etc). It is solidly made, but functionally it has some major flaws:
1) Because there are nice big, well labeled "DVD, TV, Satelite, etc." buttons on the top third of the remote, it will be highly confusing to have to explain to non-tech savvy people "when you want to watch a DVD you hit HDMI 3, not DVD" or something similar due to the inability of the receiver to re-map those buttons! Basically the usefulness of having 'quick launch' buttons on the remote is destroyed by not being able to map them correctly!
2) The mute button location is horrible. It is at the bottom lower third of the remote on the left side. It is also the smallest button on the remote and a real pain to hit with your thumb since it requires balancing the very end of the remote in your hand or using two hands. In my opinion, the button you're most likely going to use more than any other should be easily accessible!
Sound Quality:
I put the amp through its paces with the following:
1) Comcast TV (College Football) with Dolby Digital Surround
2) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (DVD) & The Matrix (DVD)
3) Various lossless audio files streamed over my WD media streamer
4) Battlestar Galactica HD streamed over my WD media streamer
Surround sounds is just about perfect. Crystal clear highs, nice punch with the bass (although my sub really isn't anything to write home about) and excellent, authentic reproduction of even complex sound files like Feist and Metallica playing from a FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) file. I ran through a few excellent (in my opinion) surround sound movies and all sounded fantastic. Orcs screaming from behind me, thunderous sounds of war, the steely tones of Mr. Smith threatening Neo, all sounded lovely.
Video Quality:
HDMI video pass through was great. Suffice it to say that I didn't use this receiver to decoded low-res video files (something it does, but according to other reviews not that well). The video decoder in my WD media streamer does that job. I can confirm that the receiver did not affect inherent video quality to either good or ill.
Aesthetics:
This is a slick receiver and looks great on my AV rack. It matches my DVD player which I guess is a good thing, and even (sort of) matches my Toshiba TV. The LED screen is adequate if not amazing. It is easy to read from across the room (about 12 feet in my smallish living room). Text is clear and crisp which is all I really need.
Heat:
This unit does produce more heat than my old Yamaha, but much less than my friend's Onkyo (you could fry an egg on that thing!). In a well ventilated AV rack or cabinet it should never be an issue.
Conclusions:
For the price (sub $300 range) there isn't a better option out there as of this review. You could spend a hundred more and get a Pioneer (which does come with an ipod connect wire included in the price) but you're not gaining anything other than a few more connection options. Sound quality wise, this receiver is very, very good. If you can live with the crap remote and a few problems with the GUI, it's well worth the price. I'll probably just get a Harmony remote to make things simple for my family and friends.
4/5 Stars.
Thanks for reading my review. Feel free to ask questions and I'll do my best to answer them in the comments section.


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The STR-DN1000 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver delivers the Full HD 1080 experience to a home theater system. It features 7 HD inputs including 4 HDMI inputs with "Active Intelligence". In addition, the STR-DH700 is compatible with 24p True Cinema technology video signals and decodes uncompressed audio (LPCM via HDMI) making it compatible with Blu-ray Disc Player, the PlayStation 3 technology and other HD sources. Speaking of an enhanced experience, how about listening to music in a different room? Now share your favorite songs wirelessly throughout your home with ease. Simply plug in the optional S-Air transmitter and turn on the AirStation client (sold separately).

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Sony DAV-FR1 5-Disc Progressive Scan DVD Dream System Review

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(More customer reviews)I was pretty skeptical about a home-theater-in-a-box until I got this new Sony system home and tried it out. I already had a really good component-based home theater, but this system was a promotional purchase along with my new Sony HDTV, and the price was too good to pass up. Set-up took about 45 minutes, but the resulting sound is awesome! The bass is wonderful - when the Norah Jones CD is playing, my living room sounds like a jazz club!
I had recently purchased the Sony NS-575P single-disc DVD player and was stunned by its video performance and slick operation. It looks as though the changer in the FR1 uses similar software, or atleast, the same user interface and it is great! I like how it displays the disc's artwork as a screen background. The reasons why I'm happy with this Sony changer are similar to why I am also so happy with the stand-alone player I had to move to the den - it decodes virtually EVERYTHING you can throw at it... mp3, SACD (!), and DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD with JPEGS, etc.
And, the all-in-one package means a minimum of wires. Quite frankly, I'm really impressed with this "dream system"... it delivers big sound and convenience for much less money than I expected to have to pay! Thanks, Sony!
Update: Just listened to/watched the Star Wars trilogy on DVD and the sound (and video) is very impressive. In particular, the dialogue was always audible, even when the music and other sound effects were active.
Also: There is one thing that bugs me about this player - this is my first carousel CD or DVD changer (I've had a magazine changer forever), so I don't know if this is par for the course or not, but it takes a fairly long amount of time to load a disc into an empty slot... you can hear lots of stuff going on inside the box, but it's never clear WHEN it's OK to go ahead and load the disc. But maybe this is true of all carousel-style changers.
Just FYI: No color/saturation problems can be detected with my system. I use component video outputs with an HDTV widescreen monitor (see my other reviews) and I stand by the stunning images I see - my DVD collection, as I stated above, is BRAND NEW again!

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DVD Dream System with 750 Total System Power- 110 x 5(F,C,R) + 100W x 2 Subwoofer

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Panasonic SC-PT760 Deluxe 5 DVD Home Theater System Review

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(More customer reviews)I received this HTIB system last week and it's been awesome. Before I go into detail, let me first say that I'm not an audiophile. But I do disdain buzzing of any kind, inaudible dialogue, and low bass. Also, my setup with this system is a Samsung LCD flat panel, cable HD, an Oppo DVD player, and Wii.
First the Cons: Has barely any inputs. Before this system, I had everything connected to my TV. The cable box, DVD player, and Wii were all connected to my TV. Because this system only has a few audio inputs and I wanted to use my superior Oppo DVD player over the Panasonic receiver's, I kept everything the same and used the Digital Optical connection to connect the receiver to my Oppo DVD player. I knew that I only wanted to use the system for DVD's, so it means that I can't listen to my cable shows or Wii games in surround sound. And I haven't tested out the DVD player. If I wasn't lazy, I could change it up a bit, but I'll leave it the way it is for now. So the bad thing about this system is that this unit is lacking a bunch of inputs. It only has audio inputs and no visual inputs. So if you use component cables, you will have to lead the video wire to the TV and two audio wires to the receiver. Perhaps I'll do that later.
The second Con is that the two back "wireless" speakers aren't entirely wireless. Like some other wireless systems, the back speakers are wireless between the speakers and receiver, but the two speakers need to be wired and powered to a wireless receiver that needs to be powered by an outlet. I half expected this since I know other systems have this feature and with my setup, I don't mind the wires.
Third Con: The bass only has four levels of volume: off, and levels 1-3. I live in a NYC apartment and I'm sure my downstairs neighbors aren't appreciating this new purchase.
Pros: This thing comes at an excellent price! Yes, it's extremely bare bones, but man...you can't beat the price with everything you get here. I did months of research and had settled on purchasing the Onkyo 605 with Polk speakers which may have cost over $600. But I saved a ton of money by getting this system. Yes, this system is not future proof with new sound technology coming out every year, but man it was worth it.
It took me less than an hour to put everything together (the stands and wiring). The speakers are relatively thin (the bass is huge, but it doesn't bother me).
Lastly, the system sounds great! It's really powerful and there's no delay in the wireless back speakers. I tested the system by watching Armageddon, Batman Begins, and Transformers. Having asteroids and giant robots fly in from behind was simple bliss. Yes, I'm pretty sure there are much better systems out there. This system has limited options, inputs, and adjustments...but it still is a really good value for your buck. If you're on a low budget for a surround sound system, I really recommend this unit. And the ipod deck is simple. You just pull out the front panel and push in your ipod and you're connected. The bad thing is that you can't control your ipod once it's connected. I think the ipod has to be playing the playlist that you want before you connect it.
I can't stress this enough...it's not the best system out there, but it's cheap and the quality is good stuff.

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Home Theater System with 5 DISC DVD/CD Player, 1000 Watts, 6 Speakers

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Bose Lifestyle 28 Home Entertainment System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)While the sound quality is good, this $3k system is definitely not up to the hype due to poor UI and Usability designs by Bose. I would not have bothered if I was buying even $1500 system but for 3k it is not really worth. While everyone talks about how great this system is, let me talk about some major drawbacks of this system that no one talks about:
1) It does not display Track/album info for CDs (for e.g. the ones you ripped off from online music stores) and MP3 CDs! Yes, thats true! How can anyone browse through 100+ songs from an MP3 CD and select the song that they want without seeing any track/album display on the TV Screen? I am extreamly upset with Bose lacking "common sense" here! Come on Bose, even my old $100 cheap DVD system can display this info on the screen! If you let the users play mp3 CDs didn't it occur to you that they would perhaps would like to choose the song they want to listen to?
2) It does not let you store MP3 CDs.
3) It does not let you transfer music from your PC.
4) It does not import the Title/Album info for the custom CDs that you burn with music that you have downloaded. It just names all the tracks and album info for the this type of CD with '-No Label-' title! You have to spend days to Edit (BTW editing is horrible too) all this info to make it right (if you have patience at all). If you end up storing more then one custom CDs, they all look the same when you browse through music library! So, there is no way to distinguish between them and hence you are really screwed! If you were to edit the title of a song/album, there is no way to listen to the song (to make sure it is the right song) while editing it! While listening, you can't edit the title! How stupid!
5) Browsing through music library is a pain. If you have 200 CDs, there is no way to skip to a particular CD in a second. for e.g if you want to go to 100th CD, you have to cick 100 times to get to it in the list! Same thing goes for Artist, Album and track selection.
6) The playlist feature is not really good. You are stuck with UMusic and a very basic playlist option.
7) Editing feature is not really intutive. There is no way you can key in letters using the Remote controls number pad (such as the ones you have with Cellphones. Each number will have 3 letters assigned to it etc...) There is no way to play and doublecheck the song while editing the title for a song/album. So, imagine yourself editing a bunch of songs with no preview!
Well the bottomline is that this pricy system is lacking so many basic features showing how Bose did not do a good job of focussing on usability. It is not just about the sound, the system should be functional too! I hope Bose realizes this soon! In any case Bose just lost their image as far as I am concerned!


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The exciting new Bose® Lifestyle® 38 features a unique uMusic™ intelligent playback system. Hundreds of your favorite CDs can be stored in the elegant music center. As you listen, the uMusic system "learns" which songs you like and which you don't, then intuitively selects what music you may want to hear next.

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Onkyo TX-SR506 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This receiver is pretty impressive on paper and visually by oogling at all the ports on the back. The biggest thing to note, I believe, is that the 3 HDMI inputs are "pass-through" and do not extract audio and play it through the speakers connected to the receiver! (the audio will only go to the TV!)
You NEED a secondary cable for audio (for each HDMI input!) and then you must configure the receiver to pair the corresponding HDMI input with the audio source. For example, if I have my Xbox 360 connected via HDMI, it is total FAIL because the optical audio connector for Xbox only exists on the component out... so I must use the component output for the Xbox instead, and pair it with a TOSLINK optical cable setup on the receiver.
While being an excellent receiver for the price, this single ridiculous gotcha makes the technology of HDMI near totally moot and could lead to some annoying workarounds as I have done for my home theater.

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In the case of Onkyo A/V receivers,” entry level” means a whole lot more than just affordability and standard functionality. You won’t find a better example than the TX-SR506, which also offers high-definition media capability and advanced sound correction technologies. With an HDMI platform handling 1080p video from three sources, the TX-SR506 brings polish and peak performance to high-definition displays and sources. Legendary Onkyo amplification drive and power set the foundation for delivering bass crunch and vocal clarity. And, thanks to the latest Audyssey technologies, you get to enjoy a sweeping soundstage even at low volumes. Easily holding its own among higher-priced A/V receivers, the TX-SR506 adds serious impetus to entry-level home theater.

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Denon DHT-FS3 Home Theater in a Box Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased the DHT-FS3 hoping not so much for a 5.1 sound-alike experience but simply hoping for a good "TV speaker replacement" system. Unfortunately, while the Denon is the best sounding system of its type, it simply wasn't to be for my application.
First, the size of the unit is a bit larger in some ways that one would expect and smaller than others. Denon obviously designed the unit to fit in front of a flat screen TV, as they thoughtfully provided feet that are widely spaced (about 20") so that the unit can straddle the front of most TV manufacturer's flat screen pedestals. But it's also wider than one might expect - it's wider than a 16:9 32" TV, but a bit narrower than a 37".
The sound is GOOD, but not great. At no time will you think you're in front of not only a 5.1 surround system but even a decent stereo system using bookshelf loudspeakers; however it does sound better than any built-in TV speakers could, and it outdoes most "mini" systems as well, likely including offerings such as Denon's own S-101 HTIB system. Like most such systems, the bass is a bit "thumpy" - the sub just doesn't integrate well with the satellites and crosses over fairly high - around 125-150 Hz - so you never lose sight of the fact that most of your sound is coming from "up there" but the bass notes are coming from "down there."
The unit has multiple inputs - two sets of RCAs for analog, including one set that can be used with one of Denon's iPod docks, two optical digital and one coaxial digital. The setup has many nice features, including distance to the listener, bass/treble (unlike Bose systems, but here the adjustments are in fairly large 2dB increments) and a nice universal remote to control your TV, DVD player and the speaker unit. It can play in straight stereo, "wide" surround, Dolby Digital or even DTS, and all sound reasonably good for this application.
The design flaw? While not Denon's fault, most every flat panel TV manufacturer puts the sensor for their remote control along the bottom of the TV, meaning if the Denon's sitting in front of the TV, I can just about guarantee it will be blocking the TV's remote sensor unless you're using it with a larger set (40" or more) and the sensor's in the corner, or your TV somewhat more intelligently placed the sensor along the TV's sides or top frame.
I don't mean to come across as overly harsh, but I really had high hopes for a product like this from Denon, and sound-wise it really didn't sound as good as I thought it would. That's not really their fault; you can only do so much with smaller drivers in a rather small enclosure. But on the other hand, it does do a better job of producing a virtual surround effect than any TV's built-in surround effect (e.g. "SRS") or the similar Yamaha Sound Projectors.
So in short, it's worth a try if you're looking for a product like this, but the fact that it would block my TV's IR sensor immediately made it a non-starter for me as soon as I removed it from its box. Perhaps in a future model Denon can thoughtfully provide an "IR blaster" on the back of the unit to automatically repeat IR signals it sees to any TV sensors that may be located behind it.
It's truly a beautiful LOOKING unit, the piano black finish blending nicely with the similar finish used on most flat panels that don't use a silvery frame. It's certainly a reasonable value for the price, given what it would cost to build a similar quality system for components or find as high quality a HTIB ("Home Theatre in a Box") system.
However, for the sole reason that it blocks my TV's remote sensor, I've no alternate place to place it, and it neither has an IR blaster nor provision to drive one, it's back in its shipping box just about three hours after first opening it.

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Home Theater in a Box

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MartinLogan Helos10 In-Ceiling Speaker with Paintable Frame and Grill Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased four Martin Logan Helos 10 speakers from Amazon in November 2009. I am using them for for background listening in a kitchen, and for surround sound in a home theater room.
The speakers themselves produce impressively clear sound, are well constructed, meticulously packaged, and easy to install. The aimable tweeter provides the ability to produce the best stereo image possible when installation location choices are limited.
Whereas I like the product, Amazon has not stood by it as seller. One of the speakers came with dents in the cone and the tweeter detached. It had obviously been abused, returned, and put right back into stock. I returned it requesting a replacement, which is a standard option on Amazon's returns page. No worries, right? Amazon instead refunded muy purchase price, which has gone up by $50 since my order.
I note that there is no place in my past order list to make contact with or make a claim against the seller when the seller is Amazon. I described the problem hitting the "give packaging feedback" link but so far have gotten no response.
The price of these speakers is tightly controlled by Martin Logan, and will be the same wherever you buy. So unless Amazon turns things around on my order, I've got to advise you to buy the product, but not from Amazon.

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A direct descendant from the Helos100, the Helos10 continues with the MartinLogan tradition of exceptional sound.The Helos10 has the ability compliment any décor with it's paintable grill and frame.The Helos20 is amply equipped with a single 0.75 inch soft dome tweeter with a pivoting stem and a single 6.5 inch woofer, creating crisp accurate sound.Frequency response ranges from 47-20,000 Hz.

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Samsung HT-TWZ412 5.1 5-Disc 1000-Watt 1080p Home Theater System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just had to leave a review on this system, especially if you have a Samsung HDTV for your television, If you want the big theater enjoyment with the big theater sound, you can't go wrong with the purchase of this system. One thing I really enjoy about this system was I was able to up grade to a Blue Ray DVD and connected it to this system with now the pleasure of DVD and Blue ray without compromising the great big theater sound. I love this system and have nothing but good thing to reply about it. Purcahse it for yourself and start enjoying the big theater sound, you will love it even more with a Samsung 52 inch HDTV, and Samsung Blue Ray DVD player. It keeps me from using so many remote controls. Just one controls everything! Let me add something else, with the purchase of the Blue ray DVD player I'm able to obtain NetFlex video's direct through the internet and Pandora music as well through this system. Your rear speaker are connected wireless so you don't need to run addition wire to them. Overall you will enjoy how much enjoyment you will have out of this little great system. I just love it!

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Put yourself in the action with a Samsung 5-disc home theater system. Surround yourself with 1,000 watts of audio power enhanced by Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic decoders. Auto sound calibration makes sure you're hearing optimal sound by automatically configuring the speakers. Last but not least, the progressive-scan DVD player up-converts to 1080p HD resolution so you get an amazingly clear picture with brilliant color. Hear and feel the difference that a Samsung home theater system makes in your home. The Samsung HT-TWZ412 also has a rear-channel wireless module that does away with cables running between the DVD receiver and rear-channel speakers

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Sony SSF-7000 Floor-Standing 4-way Speaker with 8" Woofer (Pair) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Purchased and Received these speakers just a couple days ago. The free shipping was great considering the weight of the speakers.
They are great! No complaints here. I was upgrading from my original aiwa speakers (made by sony) in my home entertainment system. The difference is amazing. Highs mids and lows are all great. I always recommend a powered sub woofer, I do have one. However, if you get these speakers you can get by without one.
My listening interests are varied. I have listened to Kiss, ELO, The Hollies, Peter Frampton, Supertramp and some classical on these speakers so far. I have also viewed a couple movies using them. All sounded great. "Do You, (Feel Like I Do) sounded GREAT! All the ELO was crisp, clean and clear. The only "booming," as mentioned in the other review, that I heard was while listening to "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" by the Hollies. However, it did appear to be a bass sound that was appropriate with the song, not anything abnormal. But then again, it may just be different taste.
Oh, and the picture shows the speaker as looking more of a grey than black. They are black, not the grey like the picture shows. that is good since my tv and all my entertaiment system units are all black.
My advice is you cannot go wrong with these. If anything changes I will update.

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The ultra-powerful SS-F7000 floor-standing speakers will refresh your appreciation for music. With pristine sound reproduction and high-quality drivers, these speakers bring new life to your music collection. Just as the original composer intended, the sound quality is so rich you feel like you're at a private concert. Lows, mid-ranges and high tones are recreated in high resolution audio, making even the most subtle sounds music to your ears.

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Bose 161 Bookshelf Speaker System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Admittedly I'm a music lover, not a technophile. I'm more interested in Charlie Watts than I am in watts per channel. But my ear is well tuned and I know what sounds good. It would seem that there is some Bose backlash out there; perhaps in response to the Rolls Royce reputation it's carried through the years. I don't know, and frankly I don't care.
I will tell you that I bought my pair not as part of a surround system but as bookshelf speakers for my small home office and I couldn't be happier. They're attractive, have a low profile, and provide total range at all volumes. I tested them in the store with CDs that had lots of challenging highs, sizzling cymbals, that sort of thing. The definition was clear as can be. When you crank them up the sound holds together beautifully, no mud, no distortion. I find that solo piano is another good way to test speaker clarity, I went with The Koln Concert by Keith Jarrett and the results were mesmerizing.
As far as bass response is concerned, good grief, what's the fuss? Even at low volumes I can hear Mingus plucking the strings, when I listen carefully I can even hear him dropping ironic hints. As to the higher register, that's where the clarity of these speakers really shines, Stephanie Mills soars and swoops like an angel.
Then of course there are those irresponsible moments when I simply must blow off a little steam. Out comes the Coltrane, Ayler, Dolphy, Hendrix, Winter, Tower Of Power and up goes the volume. The desk toys start dancing because everything in the room is vibrating. Even then, these unassuming monsters deliver like tomorrow might never come. I've held minority opinions in the past and I'll hold another here, as far as I'm concerned these speakers are fantastic and actually under-priced.

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Enjoy rich, full sound from music or movies with this compact pair of sleek Bose speakers. Whether placed on a desk or bookshelf or mounted on a wall for use as surround speakers, these speakers are designed to deliver balanced, spacious sound with minimal or moderate amplifier power (10 to 100 watts per channel). Automatic protection circuitry keeps the speaker drivers from being overdriven, heightening the speakers' reliability without interfering with your listening.

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Klipsch Synergy Quintet III Home Theater Speaker System (Set of Five, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently upgraded my system with a new receiver and needed some new speakers to complement them. I wanted the Bose Acoustimass speakers forever but couldn't bear dropping a G on them. I also wanted to stay in the "bookshelf" size speaker as it suited my set up better. So I decided to try these for less than half the price of the Bose. I figured I could return them if they didn't thrill me. Short story....they did.
I was floored by the fullness of the sound. They hit the highs, mids, and lows like a champ. I like to use the action bits on Terminator 3 to test out new recievers and speakers and these really impressed me with a huge wall of sound. I knew they were good when I got excited while watching a movie I'd seen so many times before. It was almost like listening to it for the first time. I also popped in some cd's and I swear I heard things in some of my music that I've never heard before.
I'd heard those Bose speakers a dozen times at Comp USA and Best Buy and really do feel these are better for a full sound. The Bose do the highs an mids really well but not the lows. These are designed to be the total package with their horn/tweeter design and they certainly perform as such. They can actually be used without a subwoofer, which is good for people who don't like the booming and rumbling that subs provide. Klipsch suggest their own subs(of course) but I felt the price was a little rich for my blood, so I use a $100 Sony powered sub and it works just fine.
They look and feel like they're made from good quality materials. In fact, I accidently dropped one from 2 1/2 feet onto a wooden floor (oops) and it was completely intact without any marks and still works perfectly. The posts on the back of the speakers make speaker wire attachment a snap. You just unscrew the cap, the wire goes through the middle of the post, then you tighten the cap back down. No problemo. A great feature. They also make placement and mounting easy as you can sit them on a shelf, like in the picture, or flip the stand part back to mount on a wall. They also pivot to point in most any angle you'd want. The center speaker doesn't though.
There are only a couple of slight negatives here. The center speaker sounds a little boxey. It could use some more treble as it leans a little more towards the mid range. Since the majority of dialog comes from the center speaker, I wanted a little more sharpness. This is minor though and doesn't hinder the experience at all. The other is the balancing. Pairing them with my new reciever to find the best sound was a bit tricky. Again, these are very slight negatives and shouldn't deter you from looking into these fabulous speakers. I'm just trying to be as honest as I can here. I never once thought of returning them though.
Klipsch has a great reputation in the audio world and touts these as their best selling compact speaker system. These are a great deal for the price as they sound huge and like they should cost alot more. If you're starting to get serious about your audio for your home theater, there's nothing else out there that's gonna top these at their size and price. Believe me, I looked.

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Synergy Series Quintet III 5-Piece Home Theater Speaker System

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