LTB HSMT-UD True 5.1 USB Headphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)On first glance uppon opening this package, I was alarmed by how small they really were. Unlike lots of headphones, these seat on the ear rather than around. They do have three speakers per side. However, due to how close the drivers are to one another being that they're so small, the 3D sound feild leaves more to be desired as far as gaming is concerned. Good sound quality at low volume, and great frequency response. Bass, as you can expect, suffers at elevated volume but is good otherwise. Having volume control on your keyboard is a blessing with these. They are durable, have a hideously long chord, and are too easy to instal. The part that rests on the top of your head however, is just semi-stiff plastic. I'll probably figure out some way to pad them better, but they can be worn for long durations out of the box.
Bottom line, yes they're 3D. Yes they're cheap. They're definitly worth the money, but if your're willing to spend an extra few bucks, I'd recomend the Z-mans Theater6's, being that their front and rear speakers are way further appart. From what I hear about those, they "require" an amp to work to their full potential.

Click Here to see more reviews about: LTB HSMT-UD True 5.1 USB Headphone

LTB HSMT-UD True 5.1 USB Headphone. LTB Mentor Series True 5.1 Surround Sound USB Deluxe headphones provide a durable, true spatial clarity from any digital media including DVD movies, Games and Music. The patented 6 /I.S.C/ Independent Sound Chamber design is unmatched for it is attention to ergonomic and acoustic functionality. Safebass, LTBs patented convergence technology adds protection by limiting excessive Decibel ranges that might irritate sensitive ears.

Get 56% OFF

Click here for more information about LTB HSMT-UD True 5.1 USB Headphone

Yamaha HTR-5550 Audio/Video Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews).... I too have had problems with my Sony receivers, Sony makes great TVs, computers, etc., but stay away from their non-ES audio products.
The HTR-5550 has a high current amplifier (high current amplifiers will play louder and sound better than non high current amplifiers of the same or higher power rating). The quality of the product is excellent, no loose knobs, cheep buttons, etc. Yamaha's DSP processors are second to none.
Component video switching works well and has enough bandwidth for HDTV signals. The remote is logical, as is the receiver for the most part except for the radio presets, it's a little tedious to use, but at least it can scan and automatically program in radio stations. It also has assignable inputs.
The sound quality is outstanding, good definition, no signal clipping.
There is a lot more to it, but it is really best to just try it. Reviews help, but you need to actually use it to fully understand the overall quality of the product. I compared to Marantz, Harman/Kardon, Onkyo, Denon, and you definitely get more for less with the Yamaha. If you are in the market for a receiver in this price range, I highly recommend the HTR-5550. Also if you are looking at the $200-300 receivers, trust me it is much better to spend more to get this. I have tried the cheep receivers and you get what you pay for.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha HTR-5550 Audio/Video Receiver

Click here for more information about Yamaha HTR-5550 Audio/Video Receiver

Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System--2.1 Speakers Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System--2.1 Speakers
Logitech's Z Cinema Advanced speaker system is an incredibly designed high performance product. I own several Logitech speaker products, as well as others by Creative Creative GigaWorks T20 2.0 Speakers, Altec Lansing Altec Lansing FX5051 5.1 powered speaker system with USB connection, Klipsch Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System (Black), Harmon Kardon Harmon Kardon SoundStick II 3 Piece Speaker System, and others. I can honestly say, this is a very impressive unit that is well designed for its task. If you have a media center PC setup, this set will make you very happy. Not only is the speaker system ridiculously powerful, the included software is a huge improvement over previous Logitech entries. The included remote rounds out the system and puts virtually all your audio and video applications at your fingertips.
This speaker system will fill a key market niche. The integrated satellite speaker and subwoofer design has more components than meet the eye. Each one-piece satellite speaker has an integrated mid-woofer and tweeter. So these are much more than traditional 2.1 bookshelf speakers. And when you position the speakers as directed and turn on the software surround sound, the sound quality coming out of these approach that of 5.1 systems.
Pros
+ Control your media center PC with a great all-in-one solution and awesome remote
+ Great performing speakers with a ridiculous 35 watts of RMS power per channel, 180 total RMS output
+ Beautiful black and silver speaker and body design
+ Two tweeters and mid-woofers deliver surprisingly crisp sound with or without surround
+ 110 watt subwoofer is simply monstrous and easily fills large rooms with good acoustics
+ Awesome included remote with media center controls and great features
+ Nice integrated support for apps like iTunes, WinAMP, RealPlayer, Yahoo Jukebox, Pandora and Picasa
+ Remote can be configured to work with any multimedia app or to launch a different media player
+ Very sturdy cables and housing are designed to last a long time
+ Power converter integrated into subwoofer so you can connect with a regular power cable
+ Good looking orange back-lit volume and surround indicators on the right speaker
+ Very nice price point for fully integrated media center speaker system and controls
+ USB cable connection is clean and easy - requires on-board port connection
+ Included standard ports for headphones and auxiliary connections (3.5 mm)
+ Simple instructions and plug and play performance for basic use
+ Very modest hardware, hard-drive space and memory requirements for Logitech software
+ True 24 bit digital audio
+ hardware warranty
Cons
- Perhaps overly sleek minimal design could have been improved with physical power and volume controls
- Very heavy system requires extreme caution and should be installed with care and help if needed
- No simple volume controls on the remote, instead included in adjustment wheel
- Would have been ideal to include a few more ports, such as HDMI and S-Video, on the subwoofer
- Satellite speaker cables, while very thick, could have been longer for more configuration options
- No real expandability of the system is apparent; no obvious ports for other satellites or devices
- Many people still demand RF remote capability, this one is only IR
- Those who don't need the remote for Media Center PCs may opt for 5.1 systems at this price
Installation
Installing this guy is simple based upon the included quick start guide. What's cool is that even before the Logitech software is installed, once you make your connections and turn it on it's automatically recognized as a regular speaker system. You don't need Windows Media Center for this to work as a speaker system. This is awesome, and amazingly a lot of the Media Center buttons still work too.
But just note that in order to really take advantage of this guy you will want a Media Center capable PC, with either XP MCE Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2B for System Builders, Vista Premium Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 or Vista Ultimate Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 installed.
Installing the Logitech software allows you to have desktop control of the speaker settings, including enabling surround sound. It also allows you to see the options to toggle between the different media applications, including iTunes and WMP among others. You can change settings and really get some control over your MC PC.
Physically installing this guy can be a challenge. First of all, this is a very heavy unit, mainly because of so many integrated components built into the subwoofer body. This is probably a sign of good construction, but handle with care.
The satellite speaker cables are long but could have been longer. The included diagrams give you the impression this was really well thought out for desktop or workstation installs. However, if you have a component center or cabinet for your stuff, you need to be patient and creative to get this set up.
The speaker cables could have definitely been longer to accommodate more setup possibilities. However, in terms of durability and shielding, these are some of the thickest strongest cables I've had come with a speaker system.
The subwoofer body has a silver rimmed front-piece that is not flush with the body housing. It's not a huge deal, but you have to kind of set it up either with the front piece hanging off your component shelf or rested up at an angle. Perhaps this was intentional based upon the lower configuration location noted in the included diagrams.
Sound
The power level output of these speakers is sick, to say the least. Some will be hung up on the "simulated" surround sound feature, a gimmick that has been tried before. Still, even though I was initially unsatisfied, I learned that if you set these up in the right acoustical setting it does perform well. There are two possible setups. For the basic workstation setup where you are literally seated at your media center PC, it works awesome. For those, who like me, want to set this up at an entertainment center, you have to center the system in a somewhat square room with unobstructed walls. Then you can get the surround sound feature to properly bounce in your room.
The total RMS power of 180 watts includes a 110 watts RMS Subwoofer with each satellite speaker producing 35 watts of RMS output via the mid-woofer and tweeter pair. That means your total power output is something like 400 watts, which is really in AV power range.
But the sound is clean. The built in amplifier is well tuned for multimedia sound applications, including gaming. If you have a good on-board sound processor, you should be fine. If you experience any sound effects, definitely take a closer look at your hardware and setup.
Some may feel that you can only get surround sound out of 5.1 Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 505-Watt 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System or 7.1 Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 Surround Sound Speaker System systems. Still, I prefer 2.1 system with high quality components over 5.1 systems with small and disappointing satellites. There's a lot of nice 5.1 systems out there, don't get me wrong. I own several. Still, this system sounds better than a lot of those. Definitely have to test drive it to hear the difference.
Features
The power adapter is nicely integrated into the subwoofer, so you power up via a standard plug, no power bricks so many people hate. The speakers have right and left noted on the bottom. The right speaker comes to life when you turn it on with the remote. It has a nice orange read out that shows when it's on, the volume level and surround sound setting. The right speaker also includes jacks for headphones and auxiliary connections.
I really wished they would have also added physical volume and power control buttons and knobs. That way, when I want to hook up one of my MP3 players, I wouldn't need the remote to turn it on.
The Logitech software is actually vastly improved for them. I've not always liked some of the integrated software in the past, but this one was a huge improvement. The only minor negative I can give it is that it is automatically included in the startup folder even if you install the software with the option of not turning on at startup. So you have to manually remove it from your startup if you don't want it on all the time, a minor inconvenience.
The remote is the nicest part of this set functionally. For those with Universal remotes, you may wonder why you need this. This remote allows you to access your multimedia apps seamlessly. You can set up 4 presets, though it's less than intuitive.
You've also got some basic navigational buttons that allow you to go back to your previous app. There are included buttons for shuffle and repeat plays, and...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System--2.1 Speakers

Click here for more information about Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System--2.1 Speakers

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

Average Reviews:

(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 [...]

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo HTS894 5.1 Channel Complete Home Theater System w/ Single Disc DVD

Onkyo 5.1 HDMI HTIB w/ Single Disc Dvd HTS894

Click here for more information about Onkyo HTS894 5.1 Channel Complete Home Theater System w/ Single Disc DVD

Mirage Prestige S8 - Subwoofer - 200 Watt Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Mirage makes one of the best speakers for home theater and this subwoofer is not the exception, and with the recent reduce price ($249.88), it's a must buy.
It has 200 watts of continuous power and 800 watts of dynamic peak power, this subwoofer is made for larger rooms so for small or midsize rooms it will shake your house. If you look at others subwoofers with the same specs you will find that they cost over $500, so this subwoofer at this price it's a bargain.
If you want a great subwoofer for the best price, buy this one, you won't regret it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mirage Prestige S8 - Subwoofer - 200 Watt

The elegantly crafted Mirage Prestige S8 subwoofer manages to bring powerful and undistorted bass response to your music and movies by utilizing advanced technologies that are typically found in more expensive designs. Engineered to be a great bottom-end complement to our OMNISAT v2 and NANOSAT Prestige home theater systems as well as select speakers within our OM Design series, the S8 is a bass-reflex design with a single rear-firing port. The S8 employs a robust 8-inch front-firing fiberglass composite driver with patented Ribbed Elliptical Surround(TM). This proprietary design eliminates any surround dimpling, enabling the subwoofer to play lower with greater output and fidelity. A high-performance BASH(R) amplifier allows this hard-hitter to generate 200 watts of continuous power and 800 watts of dynamic peak power. It also features low level and stereo high level inputs and has an 18dB/octave variable low-pass filter that is continuously adjustable from 40Hz to 120Hz. A fully variable phase control from -180 to +180 facilitates the ideal acoustical integration of the S8 subwoofer with other speakers in a Mirage home theater system. Available in a high gloss black lacquer finish with a black cloth grille, the S8 offers a clean, modern design that easily integrates into any living environment. Acoustically decoupling spike feet and rubber bumpers are included with each model to provide stability and minimize resonance on any floor surface.

Get 55% OFF

Click here for more information about Mirage Prestige S8 - Subwoofer - 200 Watt

Sony STR-DE835 Surround Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Down to the cut and chase. This is a great Reciever. I am constantly looking, reviewing and comparing electronic equipment and would say that I have a good knowledge of the market. I give this product a Five Star rating because of the features it carries at the price it gives. If you want a Reciever that can do multiple S-video, digital, analog inputs/outputs for each component,(such as a DSS satalite,VCR,DVD,CD,MD,LD,Ect.)this may not be the Reciever for you. Sure the Reciever can recieve all of these components, just not in S-video & Digital. For support of all these functions you need a bigger (and more expensive, I might add!) Reciever. But if your looking for a Reciever that can handle three Digital/S-video,+ multiple analog inputs/outputs this is the reciever for you! It has plenty of power which is clean and very clear. I love the fact you can adjust individual Bass/Mid/Treble levels and frequencies, the distance and height of the speakers and Type of speakers. These funtions gives the listening point that sweet spot. It also has full Dolby digital/DTS decoding along with 27 soundfeilds that compliment the sound even further. This Reciever has allot of the functions and abilities of the higher end Recievers without the big bucks. Plus, it's from a reliable and reputable company. Sure this Reciever doesn't have it all, but that ALL includes the price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony STR-DE835 Surround Receiver

Sony's STR-DE835 A/V Receiver employs Dolby Digital and DTS decoding for incredible theater like surround sound in your home. Sony's Digital Cinema Sound system also provides the adjustments necessary to customize sound to your own listening environment. This home theater powerhouse provides 100 watts to each of its five channels which means you won't be asking for more power anytime soon. Discrete output transistors provide for low distortion for less background noise during those quiet movie moments. 5.1-Channel inputs, S-Video inputs/outputs, four digital inputs and a pre-programmed remote control complement the back panel.

Click here for more information about Sony STR-DE835 Surround Receiver

Sony MDR DS6000 - Headphones ( ear-cup ) - wireless - radio - black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been looking for a wirelss headset that I can use for HDTV watching at night. Previously I had tried the Sony 900MHz wireless headphones and the results were poor; hissing and popping and dropped sound. They just weren't worth the money.
I can't speak for the quality of an analog connection, as I am using these with the supplied optical digital connecting cable. With that I have excellent sound and the headphones worked right out of the box. I can walk several rooms away with no loss of signal or sound quality.
I would buy these again.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony MDR DS6000 - Headphones ( ear-cup ) - wireless - radio - black

Sony MDR-DS6000 Wireless Surround Digital 2.4GHZ RF Headphone w/ 3 Year Extended Warranty - Sony AMDRDS6000K1

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Sony MDR DS6000 - Headphones ( ear-cup ) - wireless - radio - black

Altec Lansing VS3251 5.1 Gaming & Music Surround Speaker System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Edit/just wanted to add: This item is somehow not eligible for Amazon Prime, even though it's direct from Amazon! Since the option for 1-Day via 1-click was available, I clicked it... Shipping cost way more than the speakers did! Not sure why it's excluded, since I've bought an over-the-range Microwave and a Lawn mower from Amazon, and have gotten them overnighted for just $3.99 each...These speakers are great! I had an Altec Lansing m604 dock/speaker thing for my Zune and, while it sounds ok, I was looking for "fuller" sound. I tried, for a few days, the Bose Sounddock - the $399 version, since that's the only one with an aux input - and it truly disappointed.
Then I saw this set... I bought this along with a Zune Dock, and it sounds great, is super easy to use, and the remote, in my opinion, is both easy to use and full featured. I especially like that I can adjust the bass, center, surround, and everything else with the remote, that way, I can hide the main unit and forget about it! The batteries the remote came with were junk, which could be why the other reviewer had no range with his remote. I especially like that the "eye" for the remote is detached from the subwoofer/main unit...so that way I can put each component in an optimum location.
Obviously, the sound quality isn't going to rival a $1,000+ setup, but for passive type listening (i.e. when you're not sitting there waiting to hear every breath the artist takes and every time his/her shoelace drags across the floor), gaming, and movies, it's not bad! Do take note that for surround sound with movies/games, your computer will have to have discrete outputs for the rear, front, center, and subwoofer. With an MP3 player plugged into the aux jack, I'm really happy with how well it "assigns" sound to the front and rear speakers.
What I ended up doing was putting one speaker on each wall of my bedroom, and the center speaker directly above the middle of my bed. It's amazing how much easier it is to relax and fall asleep with music all around you! So...in conclusion, GET THIS! Cheapest price out of anywhere I've seen...by far. Also, it blows the socks off of the Bose Sounddock, for 1/8th of the price! I could literally buy a plane ticket out to the Altec Lansing HQ, pick up my VS3251, and fly back, for less than the cost of a Bose Sounddock!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Altec Lansing VS3251 5.1 Gaming & Music Surround Speaker System

6 piece music and gaming speaker system - Surround Sound with wireless remote

Click here for more information about Altec Lansing VS3251 5.1 Gaming & Music Surround Speaker System

Altec Lansing PT7031 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel Review

Average Reviews:

(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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Altec Lansing PT7031 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel

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.

Click here for more information about Altec Lansing PT7031 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel

Zalman ZM-RS6F 5.1 surround sound headphones Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not bad. No subwoofer but I don't even like subs that much. When 1st plugged into sound card (creative SB AUD2 NX) the sound was muddled. But if you tweak with the graphic equilizer on the sound card and the tone control utility. you could make it sound clear. Im doing that now as I write, haven't found the perfect combination yet, so that's one of the hassle for it (ie. it doesn't have a tone adjustment knob on the headset, you need to tweak the equilizer). Another bad thing is it doesn't have a volume control knob either, but you could solve that easily by tweaking the master volume on sound card. That's why I'm giving it a 4, the hassles of finding the perfect combination of tone and volume, detracts from its enjoyment (but once you get it right, its awesome).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Zalman ZM-RS6F 5.1 surround sound headphones

5.1 Channel Equivalent 6 speaker real surround sound headphones.Electro Dynamic Round Type Micro Speaker. Frequency Response - 50Hz 20KHz (Extension Effective).

Get 29% OFF

Click here for more information about Zalman ZM-RS6F 5.1 surround sound headphones

Panasonic SC-HT740 5 DVD Home Theater System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just purchased it yesterday, this is our first HT experience. We are thrilled by the surround sound so far, I am in the process of testing all options, will update the review as well as star rating as I see more.
So far, the Pros are:
1) excellent surround sound
2) special Hbass for additional bass is awesome
3) plays dvds,cds,mp3s very well
4) interfaced quickly to my Philips TV, so can use the same remote for tv too. Now can watch TV shows/movies on home theater!
5) set-up with manual was quick and easy
6) aesthetically my wife loves the tower-front speakers
7) 5-disc changer is such that you can put CDs/DVDs in the unoccupied trays without interruption current CD/DVD play.
So far, the Cons are:
1) does not play mpegs
2) does not play vcds burnt with divx
3) remote has a gazillion options, will take time to master it!
4) Speaker wires which come with the HT are not great, will definitely need replacement down the line.
New addition:
Pros
1) Plays jpegs very well, it scans through your data disc and displays all jpeg files as a slideshow. Files not recognised are skipped. Using "playlist" on the remote, is like using windows explorer on the TV screen for selecting specific files.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic SC-HT740 5 DVD Home Theater System

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

Click here for more information about Panasonic SC-HT740 5 DVD Home Theater System

Panasonic SC-PT760 Deluxe 5 DVD Home Theater System Review

Average Reviews:

(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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic SC-PT760 Deluxe 5 DVD Home Theater System

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

Click here for more information about Panasonic SC-PT760 Deluxe 5 DVD Home Theater System

ZVOX 430 High-Performance Single-Cabinet "Sound Bar" Surround Sound System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)OK, WOW!!! I got my 430 today and it rocks! Previously owned a Bose 3-2-1- and the ZVOX single speaker puts it to shame. Big full sound, EASY EASY to set up. Simple. Just like they advertise. I'll be getting one for every room and in the house. Who needs a TV...I can stream i-tunes to it and pop one in every room of the house without crazy wiring. The speaker is solid and you can feel the quality right off. While it's a little large, it's rectangular size makes it easy to hide into most low profile media furniture. No dials and knobs or logos...just a sleek looking low profile speaker with kicking sound.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ZVOX 430 High-Performance Single-Cabinet "Sound Bar" Surround Sound System

In a world filled with flashy plastic sound bars, the ZVOX 430 system stands out. Handcrafted from wood (MDF), with hand-lacquered end-panels, the 430\'s compact design encloses three high-performance speakers, a powerful amplifier and a powered subwoofer. Like all ZVOX systems, the 430 delivers realistic, lifelike sound. Movies come alive. Music sounds like music – rich and alive. Inside its slim cabinet (30.4-Inch w x 5.7-Inch h x 5-Inch d) are three 3.25-Inch main speakers, a 4-Inch subwoofer with a flared port, an amplifier and our acclaimed PhaseCue virtual surround sound system. There are no external speakers, external subwoofer or speaker wires. Just connect one cord to your TV and you\'ve created a great-sounding, easy-to-use home theater system. Sound & Vision magazine calls ZVOX systems "remarkably ingenious." Home Entertainment magazine calls ZVOX home theaters "shockingly good."

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about ZVOX 430 High-Performance Single-Cabinet "Sound Bar" Surround Sound System

Sony DAV-C900 DVD Dream System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had this machine for a little over six months. The sound is excellent, looks great. Great feature set for the money.
Lately, however, most dvds stop playing part way into the movie (CDs work fine). Only brand new discs play. I cleaned the player using a special dvd cleaner disc and this did not help.
Now I'm back to a $99 combination dvd/vhs player I bought last year which seems to play any dvd no matter how scratched or beat up.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony DAV-C900 DVD Dream System

Sony's DAV-C900 DVD Dream System consists of six speakers and a 5-disc DVD/CD/SACD changer with 10-bit video digital-to-analog converter for a host of entertainment at your fingertips. It comes with a 2-way center speaker with dual 2-3/8-inch woofers, 3-way surround speakers with dual 2-3/8-inch woofers, and a subwoofer with an 8-inch driver. Listen to the difference our Digital Cinema Sound System makes as you immerse yourself in the magic of Sony DVD.
The DAV-C900 has 450 watts total system power, and offers built-in Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic decoding. The Digital Cinema Sound system recreates the acoustics of Hollywood dubbing stages, and you'll be amazed by the Headphone Theater mode. The DAV-C900 also offers an AM/FM receiver with 30 presets (20 FM, 10 AM).
Tech Talk
Dolby Digital: This sound format for movie theaters is more advanced than Dolby Pro Logic Surround. In this format, the rear speakers output stereo sound with an expanded frequency range, and a subwoofer channel for deep bass is independently provided. This format is also called "5.1" because the subwoofer channel is counted as 0.1 channel (since it functions only when a deep bass effect is needed). All six channels in this format are recorded separately to realize superior channel separation. Furthermore, since all the signals are processed digitally, less signal degradation occurs.
Dolby Pro Logic Surround: As one method of decoding Dolby Surround, Dolby Pro Logic Surround produces four channels from two-channel sound. Compared with the former Dolby Surround system, Dolby Pro Logic Surround reproduces left-to-right panning more naturally and localizes sounds more precisely. To take full advantage of Dolby Pro Logic, you should have one pair of rear speakers and a center speaker. The rear speakers' put out monaural sound.
DTS: Digital audio compression technology that Digital Theater Systems developed. This technology conforms to 5.1-channel surround. The rear channel is stereo and there is discrete subwoofer channel in this format. DTS provides the same 5.1 discrete channels on high quality digital audio. The good channel separation is realized because the all-channel data is recorded discrete and processed in digital.
SACD: Super Audio CD (SACD) is a high-resolution digital audio format that promises vast sonic improvements over the current audio CD format. Super Audio CD discs can be played back on dedicated Super Audio CD players or combination SACD/DVD-Video players. Certain SACD discs feature a conventional audio CD layer (hybrid SACDs) which can be played back by any CD player or computer with a CD-ROM drive.
What's in the Box DAV-C900 home theater receiver/DVD player, 5 speakers (2 front, 2 rear, and 1 center), 1 subwoofer, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, speaker cords, video cord, remote control (RM-SS900), 2 AA batteries, and printed installation instructions.

Click here for more information about Sony DAV-C900 DVD Dream System

Sony STR-DG500 6.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This 6.1 reciever offers 110 w/channel with subwoofer output. Sony has clearly worked to make the receiver smarter to provide the best audio experience with minimal intervention from the user: a microphone input (mic provided) automatically locates each speaker attached and balances all outputs.
If you're interested in simply having great home theater experience, without excessive tweaking, this is the reciever for you.
Pros - multiple a/v inputs, with support for component video and and optical connections for dvd audio.
Cons - no upsampling video sources (component output from component input only), no optical connection for cd players.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony STR-DG500 6.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver

The STR-DG500 Home A/V Receiver delivers the digital world to your living room and beyond. Designed as Sony's entry level surround sound receiver performance and simplicity are the key. With 110 Watts X 6 this receiver is truly a powerhouse and coupled with Digital Cinema Auto Calibration setup is a simple as connecting the supplied microphone and pressing a button.

Click here for more information about Sony STR-DG500 6.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver

Panasonic SC-BT200 1000W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It's a crying shame that many people who plunk down their hard earned cash on a flat panel HDTV never bother to add a high quality sound system, or even attach a true high definition 1080i or 1080p source. Some are put off by the added expense, some by the complexity of setting it all up. Panasonic's SC-BT200 Blu-ray Home Theater system addresses all of these issues: it's inexpensive, easy to set up and offers full 1080p high definition Blu-ray playback with matching high definition surround sound. And I didn't even mention the integrated iPod dock or IPTV features! (OK, I did now).
This year's crop of Blu-ray HTiB (home theater in a box) systems from Panasonic, the SC-BT200 and its big brother the SC-BT300 have made big improvements over last year's more basic models, while lowering the cost of admission. The SC-BT200 under review here supports BD-Live (BD-ROM Profile 2.0), and offers excellent DVD upconversion as well as sweet sweet 1080p Blu-ray playback. If you like to get your content online, the built-in VIERA Cast feature allows you to view streaming videos from YouTube or Amazon, online photo albums from Picasa, stock quotes and local weather info. Also, almost unheard of at this price point, the BT200 and BT300 include on-board decoding of all the latest "HD" surround sound codecs, including multi-channel PCM, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio.

And unlike similar systems from Samsung and others, the BT200 and BT300 come with 7.1 channels right out of the box for the most immersive surround experience. We were surprised how good these little speakers and their matching subwoofer sounded, considering how small they are. And in case set-up and calibration seems like too daunting a task, both systems come with color-coded speaker wires of varying length (10 feet for the fronts, 26 feet for the sides, 40 feet for the rears) to make it as easy as possible to connect all the speakers. and once they are all plugged in, you can use the included microphone and auto-calibration software to set all the speaker levels and delays automatically (it's like having a geeky friend come over with his sound meter, but without having to share your beer and pizza with him as payment).
As far as connections go, this really isn't an "A/V receiver," in fact the unit's receiver doesn't have any video inputs other than the integrated iPod dock. But if you have a Wii, PS3, XBox or HD cable or satellite box you can connect the video outputs of these to your TV directly and use one of the BT200's two analog or digital inputs for the sound. This means you can get true 5.1 or 7.1 channel surround sound from your cable, satellite or over the air HD tuners, in addition to the built in CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc player.
If you like to carry your music and iTunes videos around with you on an iPod, you'll love the integrated iPod dock which pops right out of the center of the BT200 or BT300's faceplate. While you're listening to your iTunes or watching iTunes videos on your big screen (and controlling all the action with the BT200's remote), your iPod is replenishing its internal battery with the built-in charger. As far as iPod compatibility, the BT200 will work with pretty much any iPod other than the shuffle with its non-standard pin outs. The iPhone is not officially certified, but if you put it in "airplane" mode, it will work fine with the BT200.
The system does have some limitations: there's only so loud and so deep you can get with a sub-$500 system, and some of the video processing (including noise reduction) is weaker than in Panasonic's standalone Blu-ray players. But for its price, the BT200 offers an impressive mix of performance, features and convenience. Highly recommended!
BTW, if you want something with a little more power, the SC-BT300 offers slightly higher power output, and larger, more powerful speakers for the front left, right and center channels.
A complete review of the SC-BT200 is available on Big Picture Big Sound (dot com).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic SC-BT200 1000W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System

HDTV is easy. Home-Theater sound systems used to be hard but Panasonic has made it easier than pie (ready-made pie). Blu-ray extends beyond HDTV in sound. HDTV has 5.1-channel ability but Blu-Ray offers 7.1 channels. The SC-BT200 boasts seven speakers to envelop viewers in a remarkably true-to-life surround sound experience. The front and center channel speakers are made with a bamboo diaphragm which provides a tightly intertwined fiber to deliver greater rigidity and accuracy, resulting in clear reproduction of sounds over a wide frequency range, from massive explosions to metallic clangs. The subwoofer features a Kelton system with a dual diameter structure to deliver a deep powerful bass. The Smart Set-up guide uses the help of GUI navigation to allow users to set up their SC-BT200 home-theater system for optimum performance. The result is being able to stay at home while enjoying a thrilling, incredibly lifelike audio performance that rivals a movie theater. The appeal of Panasonic Blu-ray products goes beyond the breathtaking pictures and sound; the networking functions open the door to new kinds of entertainment fun. The SC-BT200 can connect to the Internet for downloading bonus content available with Blu-ray Discs and for playing Internet games via BD-Live. This connectivity is further enhanced with the addition of VIERA-Cast. VIERA-Cast integrates the Amazon Video-on-Demand (VOD) online movie rental service. The Amazon VOD service joins other content options already available on VIERA-Cast, including videos from You Tube, access to online photos via Picasa Web Albums, financial information from Bloomberg News, as well as local weather updates. The possibilities are virtually endless. It comes with a Universal Dock for iPod, making it easy for iPod users to play their favorite music or video downloads. This system is also Green-friendly. It has a power-save mode to protect the green.

Click here for more information about Panasonic SC-BT200 1000W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System

ZVOX 550HSD Low-Profile Single-Cabinet Surround Sound System with Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Before purchasing this speaker/amplifier system, I read every review I could find. However, no matter how well a speaker review is written, the proof is in the actual listening. After some careful measurements of the space where I intended to put this speaker, I decided to go ahead and spring (also known as "putting a dent" in the credit card) for the system. Quick background - I've been using a Yamaha 5.1 channel surround receiver with Bose AM-3 speakers and an OPPO BDP-83 Blu-Ray player. One of my biggest gripes about compact systems has been high levels of total harmonic distortion. But the simple convenience of fewer remotes and easy adjustments does have its charms.
I received the system about 3 days after placing the order and I set it up the day after I got it. Did I say setup? This marvelous audio soundbar/box sets up faster than an egg on hot asphalt. I ran a set of RCA cables from the TV's analog output to the ZVOX analog RCA inputs. Everything else, video and audio-wise, is plugged into the back of the TV. An optical digital cable from the Blu-Ray player to the optical input on the ZVOX takes care of the DVD audio. Even my PC's audio goes through the ZVOX unit.
The unit itself is wonderfully "invisible" in that it sits under the LCD TV base and does not call attention to itself. The sound? With a little noodling on the included remote (which is larger and easier to use than the chiclet size remote provided with the standard 550 model), I was quite impressed. I played my Blu-Ray copy of AVATAR and with the PHASE CUE setting near maximum, the BASS on maximum, treble on about three-quarters of the allowed adjustment range, I began my listening test. After several minutes, I was struck by the fact that the sound was so full and clear that I got lost in the movie. The speakers just "disappeared".
Several observations: The bass output doesn't have quite enough "oomph" for my taste, so I purchased an inexpensive Yamaha YST-50 subwoofer that worked out just nice. It's compact, provides a nice punch to the bass, and fits almost anywhere. As for the surround effect - the system broadens the soundfield more than adding weird surround effects. Truthfully, I like its overall balanced sound much better than some of the other soundbar manufacturers attempts at faux surround.
In summary, if the complexities of today's audio/video receivers and multi-channel rat's nest of connecting cables is driving you to distraction, try the ZVOX 550 HSD system for small spaces (I'm using it in a third bedroom space which is quite small), or the ZVOX 575 HSD system in larger living room spaces. Simple is best!

Click Here to see more reviews about: ZVOX 550HSD Low-Profile Single-Cabinet Surround Sound System with Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs

The Z-Base 550HSD is the only surround sound system designed to act as a base platform for most 26" - 50" flat-panel TVs. Only three inches thick, the Z-Base virtually disappears when placed beneath a flat panel TV. But don\'t let is low profile fool you -- the 550HSD sounds absolutely terrific-reproducing music and movie soundtracks with lifelike accuracy. The entire system-speakers, amplifier, virtual surround technology and powered subwoofer-fits into the super-slim cabinet. There are no external speakers, no external subwoofers and no speaker wires.The Z-Base 550HSD complements the design of modern TVs by incorporating beautiful hand-lacquered high-gloss black end panels. The top of the Z-Base 550HSD is finished in rugged, scratch-resistant black vinyl that is less likely to be marred by objects such as the TV placed on its surface. Set-up of the Z-Base 550HSD requires very few steps: Simply place the unit on a stable shelf, table or cabinet. Place your stand-mounted flat-panel TV on top of it.Plug in AC power, one connecting cord to the TV. Sit back and enjoy big, realistic sound including thunderous bass from the builtin powered subwoofer. The Z-Base 550HSD uses the ZVOX PhaseCue virtual surround system to create wide, three-dimensional sound, as if you are listening to speakers eight feet apart from each other, with movie sound effects that literally surround you. You get a room full of sound without a roomful of speakers and wires! TV base should not exceed 27" in width or 13" in depth. TV should not exceed 90 pounds in weight. Safety instructions in Z-Base 550HSD Operating Instructions and in TV's Operating Instructions should be closely examined and followed.

Get 11% OFF

Click here for more information about ZVOX 550HSD Low-Profile Single-Cabinet Surround Sound System with Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs