Home Theater Systems Best Price!

   

Panasonic SC-PT960 Deluxe 5 DVD Home Theater System
From Panasonic

Panasonic home theater system with 5-disc DVD/CD player, 1250 watts, and 6 speakers.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31 in Home Theater
• Color: Black
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: SC-PT960
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 17.00" w x 16.70" l, 11.00 pounds

Good HTiB for price
Yes, this is a pretty decent home theater in a box solution to getting the home theater experience, in fact it's one of the BETTER "instant" home theater systems available. Especially at this price. The optical connection is a step up from the older models (PT750), it's a much better connection than even HDMI to get better sound with less distortion and interference out of your speakers. Setup is very easy, there are plenty of options with the speakers (for instance, you can use the base to make the front speakers tall-boy type or not use the base and keep them shorter, same with the surrounds), and there's enough power to put out the sound 95% of users are looking for. I had considered the PT760 since it also has the digital optical port, but I wanted the extra wattage of the PT960 and the tall-boy speakers. If you're considering the PT760, be aware that the front speakers on the 760 serve as the surround speakers on the 960, there's that much difference.

Anyone who's done even basic research knows that any HTiB is going to give up something in the way of power and flexibility compared to putting your own system together from components. And anyone who wants ease of use and setup, good performance, good sound and a system that meshes seamlessly with and looks as good as their new flat-panel tv is probably going to be very happy with the Panasonic PT960. The DVD player upconverts DVD's very well. I added this system to my Panasonic 46" plasma, and with the Panasonic Vierra-Link feature I can use one remote to control the tv and the sound system components. Pre-programmed codes are installed in the 960's receiver to allow this function with a host of other brands, so you don't HAVE to be using it with a Panasonic tv. My entire cabling "mess" consists of the cable coax connected to my tv, an HDMI cable from the 960's main unit to the tv, and a digital optical cable from the tv out to the main unit. That's it. Those with cable or satellite boxes will have other cables, but it's still a clean setup.

Overall it's hard to go wrong with this system. Pure audiophiles will have complaints, but if you compare it to other HTiB's and not component systems you'll be impressed with the features, looks and performance of the PT960.

A good entry level system
i own a 67inch samsung tv. my family refers to it as our imax. so i decided it was time for us to get our first home theater system. i did a little reserch and landed on this one. it was a definite upgrade from the tv speakers. it made watching movies way more fun... BUT i'm pretty into sound, and i was a little dissapointed with the limited tweeking the system gives you esp with eq. i was also suprised that the systems volume limit isnt higher. they told me at the store it would get louder with better speaker wire. there is also limited inputs... so for these reasons i took it back. for me its worth spending potentiall another 500 to 1000 to get a more... but for the money if your on a budget, i think its a good system. especially if this is your first, or you havent had one. the bass is good and you get good sound. the rear wireless speakers is a plus to me. when you upgrade to better systems you lose that feature.

so i liked it, but didn't love it.

Good overall value
As others have pointed out, this is not the best system around, but for ~$400 it is a good value. The sound is good enough for most people in most places. Volume levels for all speakers are good, including the rear wireless, and no hissing. The wireless does not interfere with my home wireless 802.11g network. I also have the SH-FX85 extra room speaker kit whose sound is very good.

My biggest complaints are the setup menu and the remote.

The setup menu cannot be accessed unless your input source is DVD/CD. That means if you are listening to anything else (iPod, Digital-in, Radio, Aux), you must first select DVD/CD, and wait for a disk to load (a slow process). This is very annoying.

The remote cannot be programmed to control your TV (on/off, input source, etc.) unless you have a Panasonic brand TV. That is horrible, and panasonic should be providing basic universal remote functions.

Other points:

Although there is an iPod port, there is not a generic MP3 player port/input. There is an unamplified Aux port that can be used with adapters. But c'mon Panasonic - iPod has the marketing power but other brands have better quality and value.

I have my HD-TiVo connected into the optical Digital-in port. The sound from digital & HD recordings is very good.

   

Bose Lifestyle 28 Series III - Home theater system - 5.1 channel - white
From BOSE

Introducing the Bose Lifestyle 28 Series III DVD home entertainment system. Get ready to experience more of the emotional impact of your movies, music and sports. With innovative Bose technology that customizes the systems sound to your room, this is no ordinary home theater experience. A new sleek center channel speaker integrates with the latest flat-panel televisions. And a new, smaller hideaway Acoustimass module produces the deep, powerful low notes that bring action scenes to life. The Lifestyle 28 system even lets you enjoy more music throughout your home. And our wireless room-to-room expansion makes it easy. Only Bose technology delivers performance like this. And only Lifestyle systems do it all with such elegance. Experience it for yourself, and find out why Bose is the most respected name in sound.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45239 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: white or Black
• Brand: Bose
• Model: 28 Series III
• Dimensions: 31.00" h x 39.00" w x 18.00" l, 67.00 pounds

Mr.
Ad stated that this unit was HDMI uplink to TV. It is not and has been a hassle getting it hooked up correctly. Contacted the supplier who has been no help.

   

SLS Q-Line Gold 650w 5.1 Surround Sound Home Theater System
From SLS Audio

The Q Line Gold Home Theater Surround Sound System features 4 bookshelf satellite speakers and one center channel speaker, all utilizing SLS International's PRD100 Planar Ribbon Drivers and woven Kevlar midrange drivers. To meet today's demanding low frequency requirements, SLS has included a high excursion, self-powered subwoofer delivering accurate and controlled bass. A multi channel Dolby Digital/DTS surround sound receiver powers the system with 110 watts per channel featuring a built-in room balancing algorithm, component video throughput with video up scaling, on screen display, and a universal remote control. This unit DOES NOT INCLUDE A DVD PLAYER.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15662 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: SLS Audio
• Model: SLS-HTIB-5.1
• Dimensions: 23.00" h x 25.00" w x 39.00" l, 130.00 pounds

You Won't Believe It....
..... cause I didn't believe it either.

Quincy Jones + Studio Level speaker mfgr = quality I didn't expect at a value I could never get through normal channels. I'm not an audiophile, but these create a better sound space than my local movie theater. I didn't plan to add surround sound to my flat-screen till I found these, but now I actually look forward to sitting down to the sound as much as the picture with my new flat screen. For the first few weeks, we turned around on several occassions thinking someone might be in the house, when we heard a particularly clear back noise. It was eerie.

On the older silver line set that I own, lab analysis shows a nice, even sound across all bandwidths except for a narrow drop off just below the voice range. When I first bought these I thought I could hear that difference playing the same song back and forth with my home audio system. Now I don't hear it, but I think I've just gotten used to it. Of course my home audio system can't touch the clean simplicity of the highs on ribbon technology speakers.

As a point of comparison, when I sit in the comfy leather chair at Best-Buy to watch their top of the line set up, the sound is a little bit richer and beefier than this set up will deliver. Still, these aren't toys themselves. At 110 pounds there's a lot of mass in speaker magnets. When I come home to this I'm very satisfied with this sound. It's way beyond the cheese-factor of a typical home theater in a box, conveys movie sound tracks and football games well enough to entrance (too well - I've gained 20 pounds) and the sense of things moving in space is believable and real. For me it's clear enough that I've saved hundreds on movies I now watch at home instead of in the theater.

I think the way they can do this so cheaply is by not chasing the most recent audio format/standard on the receiver. You'll notice Dolby doesn't say "Dolby-HD." Note too that there's no built disc player, etc. Just sound stuff: a tuner and an amplifier. To my ears the quality of these speakers contributes a lot more than anything in the latest DTS or Dolby standard and, with good speakers, I can't tell the difference. If your ears can tell the difference delivered by the most recent standards you may want to upgrade the receiver at some point and keep the speakers, or you may be able to hear things I can't and need to be shopping in the 3-5k range. I love mine just as it is. They clearly have found an affordable way to harness ribbon technology too. I remember in the 80's giant ribbon tech speakers were ultra high-end.

Note too that there is no HDMI pass-through connection on the back. That may be a deal breaker for some, it works fine for me. I just connect the optical port out of my TV to the optical in on this receiver. So, for blu-ray discs my BD player connects directly to the TV with HDMI and the TV connects to this receiver via optical. Works for me. The lack of HDMI pass through is probably another way they managed to kept the cost this low.

I had trouble believing you could get sound this good at this cost. If I hadn't found the audio response data, I would have assumed the positive reviewers just didn't know sound. I took a risk and was well rewarded. I'm no audiophile myself but my sense is I could get this quality, more connections, and maybe a little more volume if I were willing to spend about $2k on something else.

Hope that helps.

great home theater system
This is a great system and I couldn't believe the price. And free shipping too! I bought this for my husband because his buddy bought it from best buy for a lot more, like $900, and he has always drooled this surround sound system. I have to admit that I think it sounds really good myself. You can't hear that normal static noise with these speakers. I found this video on YouTube that describes the system pretty well.
[...]

I would definitely recommend this system to anyone who wants a home theater system. I can't wait for my husband to open it up for Christmas.

Awesome sound quality- very impressed !
I have been shopping for a long time for a home theater system. I have auditioned a lot of systems between $500 and $1500. Hands down this systems sound quality and performance easily outperformed even the $1500 systems I listened to including Bose,Sony and Klipsch. The clarity of the ribbon tweeters is especially impressive. I hooked this system up to my Panasonic blu ray player and watched Batman the Dark Night, and all I can say was wow! Ladies and gentleman you definitely get your money's worth with this system ! I was also really suprised that this was free freight, the system comes in three boxes that weight over 110 pounds ! The Bose system I was looking at weighed only 30 pounds. The freight alone must of cost a bundle. Could not be happier, would buy again.

   

HOME THEATER SYSTEM
From DURABRAND

80 WATT SURROND SOUND SPEAKER SYSTEM 5 SATELLITE SPEAKERS PLUS SUBWOOFER AND REMOTE CONTROL(BATTERIES INCLUDED) EASY COLOR CODED SPEAKER SETUP FRONT AUDIO INPUT(AUDIO CABLE INCLUDED)

• Amazon Sales Rank: #115878 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Durabrand
• Dimensions: 10.00 pounds

Durabrand STS98RW Home Theater System
With Dolby digital and Dolby Pro Logic, this DVD/CD home theater system is a great unit for the money. 5 Satelite speakers and a sub woofer. Comes with remote. A great buy!

   

Panasonic SC-HT56 Blu-Ray Home Theater Receiver (Blu-Ray Player Sold Separately)
From Panasonic

A Home Theater in a Box will improve your movie experience on any TV. It's no wonder why Home Theaters have become so popular. The Panasonic SCH-T56 5.1 Home Theater in a Box includes VIERA Link HDAVI Control, HDMI connection, and Wireless speakers(adapter sold seperately). Panasonic offers top of the line sound quality which sounds professional and crisp; you feel as if you?re sitting in an actual movie theater. Surround sound, using multi-channel audio, encompasses a range of techniques for enriching (expanding and deepening) the sound reproduction quality, of an audio source, with additional audio channels reproduced via additional, discrete speakers. The three-dimensional (3D) sphere of human hearing can be virtually achieved with audio channels above and below the listener. The descriptions of surround sound specifications below distinguish between the number of discrete channels encoded in the original signal and the number of channels reproduced for playback. The number of channels reproduced for playback can be changed by using matrix decoding. A distinction is also made between the number of channels reproduced for playback and the number of speakers used to reproduce (each channel may refer to a group of speakers). The graphics to the right of each specification description represent the number of channels, not the number of speakers. This notation, e.g. "5.1", reflects the number of full range channels; including a ".1" to reflect the limited range of the LFE channel.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37265 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: SC-HT56
• Dimensions: 4.10" h x 16.90" w x 15.60" l, 8.80 pounds

Good value for a blu-ray compatible system
I had been using a 4.5 year old Sony HT-DDW660 Home Theater System which has worked excellently, in my 13'x13' TV room, to give me 5.1 surround sound with my DVD player and HDTV. However, I am planning to buy a blu-ray player soon and I realized that the SONY lacks an HDMI or component analog inputs which would allow me to hear the new lossless sound formats that are available on blu-ray discs. So I looked for an HDMI system that would be an easy replacement for my current HTIB. One that decodes the new audio formats is not necessary since the new BD players do that and send the resulting PCM to the audio receiver via HDMI. Well, I was in luck that 6th Ave Electronics had a special that let me get the Panasonic SC-HT56 delivered for about $200, total.

I had no trouble setting up the Panasonic. The subwoofer fits into the lower shelf of a bookcase, just where I had the SONY's. The 2 surround speakers had the same screw holes on their backs as the SONY's so I could attach them to already existing ceiling brackets. There was already wire to those brackets. The wire supplied with both the SONY and Panasonic systems seems to be the same gauge so I just used the existing wire to complete the connections between the speakers and receiver. Thankfully, the SC-HT56 doesn't use proprietary wire connectors like some other HTIBs.

The Panasonic had a microphone for audio setup. After setup, I found that the subwoofer was at the maximum which was far too much for me so, using controls on the remote, I cut the level down considerably to something easier on my ears. The Panasonic has a larger center speaker (2 cones instead of 1) than the SONY so dialog seems to come through clearer, but even here I had to cut down the level by -3dB. Sound now seems to be at least as good as on my old system.

While physical setup was easy, I found it quite difficult to understand the manual on how to actually operate the HTIB. Here is an important tip. On the back of the main unit there are 2 HDMI, 2 optical audio, 1 digital coax audio, 3 pairs of analog audio inputs, FM and AM antenna inputs. Except for the antennas, each is given one of three meaningless labels: TV, BD/DVR, DVD-P. You have three buttons on the remote labeled, TUNER--BAND, TV, BD/DVR--DVD-P. If you press TUNER--BAND once you get FM radio; if you press it again and hold for a few seconds, you get AM. It you press BD/DVR--DVD-P you get an input that is connected to one of the 3 BD/DVR terminals on the back of the receiver; if you press it again and hold for a few seconds, you get an input that is connected to one of the 3 DVD-P terminals. If you press TV, you get an input connected to one of the two TV terminals. There probably is a priority order that is used to decide which input is chosen if more than one input to identically labeled terminals is turned on. It would have saved me a couple of frustrating hours if somebody had explained all that to me.

But I am happy with the system performance and all set for getting the BD player.

A Decent Little System
I just received this a couple of days ago and installed it within two hours without too much trouble. Almost everything is painfully obvious, though it would be nice if the speaker connections in the back of the receiver were better labeled. As it is, they are only labeled with numbers which correspond to a slightly vague manual, but a little patience and anybody can work it out. Of course, this doesn't factor in the time to mount the speakers on the walls or to run the speaker wires behind the drywall, but that's hardly neccessary if you're not too picky about things.

The automated speaker setup was a breeze, though it'd be nice if the wire on the setup microphone were a bit longer. As it is, it's only about 10ft and that's just not enough to make it to the back of a moderate sized living room let alone a large one. Two HDMI inputs mean you can hook up two hi-def sources the way they were meant to, which is a definate plus. In addition, there are a number of other inputs (digital optical, stereo RCA component, etc.) for other sources if you have them.

The speakers themselves are quite small and unobtrusive, except for the subwoofer which, by neccessity, is large. It, however, can be placed just about anywhere in the room behind a couch or behind the entertainment system and still do its job well.

Once it's all set up and you get your first movie playing, it's amazing that such good sound will come out of those tiny little speakers. It's mroe than adequate for most home needs, though true audiophiles I'm sure will quibble about this and that. For the true home user with a moderate to small living room, this is the system to get. It's easy setup and very easy function make it ideal, plus the adjustment levels of individual speaker channels is so easy a child could figure it out.

Pro's:
*Easy setup
*Big sound, little speakers
*Plenty of wire unless you're expecting 30 foot wire runs
*Multiple Hi-Def inputs
*No integrated players (this was actually a big issue for me as I'm sure it is for a few others)
*Small price tag compared to the big time systems

Con's:
*The adjustment ranges for the speakers is rather small (+-6DB for the center channel) but mostly adequate unless you're looking to bother the neighbors
*HDMI has no passive pass through (if that's what it's called). You cannot, if your blu-ray is plugged into this thing, watch a movie without the surround sound system turned on without running yet more cables. For those of us with dozens of cables behind their televisions already, this is a pain in the neck.


Personal Comment: My biggest complain is that this system did not solve the problem which I bought it to address, namely that while watching blu-ray movies, the dialogue is inaudible without being utterly deafened by the music and special effects. This happens with just about every Blu-Ray disc I've put in the player before and after installing the sound system. I was told by those in the know that the reason for this was because 5.1 surround sound on the disc was trying to push dialogue to a center channel that simply didn't exist on my Aquos television. That's a reasonable enough explanation. Except the problem persists and is exacerbated by the speakers, but is absent entirely from standard DVD's with 5.1 surround sound (Iron Man for instance). The only conclusion I can reach is that the people making Blu-Ray discs are purposefully muting the dialogue channel somehow since "everybody really wants to listen to the special effects anyway."

That's really a shame since now I've decided not to purchase anymore Blu-Ray movies at all and have all but determined to box up the sound system and ship it back to amazon for what refund I can get since I don't really need or want a super duper sound system blasting noise at me when all I really want is to listen to what's being said on screen.

All that said, I still recommend this system to people looking for an inexpensive but nicely performing surround system for their home. It's not high-end by any real measure, but in terms of bang for your buck, this is the system to go with.

Best Budget HDMI switching HTIB!
PROS:
- Crisp sound with movies and music. Bass is strong but not muddy. Surround sound creates accurate 3D environment.
- HDMI switching!
- Both video and audio passes through the receiver when it is off to the TV which means that you can use the TV speakers instead if needed.
- Conventional speaker connectors which allows you to upgrade your equipment. (not proprietary like many other HTIBs)
- Supplied Speaker wires are adequate in length.
- Video/Audio Inputs are as follows: 2 HDMI In, 2 Optical In, 1 Coax In, 3 Analog In.
- $200 HTIB bought on 6Ave site! Why would anyone buy computer speakers?

CONS:
- Supplied speaker wires are 22 AWG.
- Subwoofer's speaker wire is permanently attached so it cannot be upgraded but you can buy a Powered Subwoofer to replace it. (This subwoofer is passive but I think its adequate for a mid size or smaller living room space.)
- Setup Microphone length is only about 10 feet long.
- Remote control functions are a little weird which takes time to get used to.

CONCLUSION:
- This HTIB is definitely the best bang for your money that can rival others which cost $500+. I am totally happy with the $200 that I have spent here. Worth every penny!

   

Polk Audio RM75 5-Channel Home Theater System (Set of Five, Black)
From Polk Audio

Sound this big from speakers this small just has to be heard to be believed. The Polk Audio RM75 is a great complement to modern furniture and flat panel TVs without taking up too much space. The new RM75 Home Theater System is a five-piece speaker package that presents a sleek, minimalist design while delivering impressively big sound. Heavy-duty, non-resonant composite enclosures feature an elegant, high-gloss finish that creates the ideal décor accent. Polk speaker technology ensures superior system performance, delivering rich, full-bodied, big speaker sound. Mount the speakers on shelves, or next to your plasma or flat-screen television using their flexible wall-mount brackets. An included cradle supports the center channel. Just add a powered subwoofer, hook it to your surround sound receiver and you're ready to go! The RM75 may be upgraded to 6.1 and 7.1 configurations by adding additional RM7 or RM8 satellites.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37594 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Polk Audio
• Model: AM7555-A
• Number of items: 5
• Dimensions: 16.00" h x 20.00" w x 12.00" l, 13.00 pounds

Polk Audio RM75
These speakers are a great find, i was going to get a system which was an all enclusive one but i was able to search amazon and put one together. these have a great range of sound form low to high. i would highly recomend them to replace any existing speakers you have. they can handle high power so be sure to get (or to have) a good reciever.

Great!
Ok the speakers are great, I got mine in a package deal through Amazon. Though I would have pieced them together if I had needed to. The sound is perfect, they have good range of sound, and if paired with a good sub you will have a great movie experience.
The only cons about them are the following: They come with speaker well the one I get did, I did not even know I was getting them so I had ordered some others from Amazon. The mounts are fine is you only need to turn your speakers left/right. They are not a ball joint style mount, they just did not work for my room. The other is the connection point with the wires, they are not bad or anything they position can just be a little tricky if you hands are not that small.
All and all: Don't turn away from these based on those two cons, they are very minor and I still gave them a 5 star review. Well worth every penny.

   

Yamaha YHT-390BL Home Theater in a Box (Black)
From YAMAHA

The YHT-390BL home theater system has full 5.1-channel surround sound with top class features such as HDMI switching with 1080p video pass through, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility, CINEMA DSP, compressed music enhancer for richer sound with compressed music formats like MP3 and WMA, and 4 SCENE buttons, making switching between listening profiles and sources easier than ever with 13 preset SCENE templates. 2 volume-setting functions are included for additional convenience. The YHT-390BL receiver is capable of delivering large amounts of reserve power for accurate reproduction of the high-energy peaks that are especially prevalent in digital audio sources. This system features dual HDMI inputs and 1 output that can handle all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and 1080p so you can connect 2 HDMI sources, such as a DVD player and an HD set-top box, and enjoy the highest possible quality with an HD display. You have a choice of 8 unique Yamaha CINEMA DSP surround programs to bring out the full audio potential of your entertainment sources.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18955 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: Yamaha
• Model: YHT-390BL
• Dimensions: 23.44" h x 21.63" w x 24.50" l, 56.30 pounds

Awesome 5.1 system with two HDMI inputs
I spent months picking a stereo system; reading reviews, listening to different systems at big box stores, and ultimately settled on this one.

The reason is simple: this 5.1 system sounded better than any other I tested, even those that cost twice as much! The sound quality of this system is simply amazing at this price. You could drop 3x as much on a Bose system and be less satisfied.

Pros:

2 HDMI inputs with full 1080p pass through. Have a lot of devices? No worries. You can connect a game console, a cable box, and a DVD player, all with zero loss of resolution and picture quality. There are more expensive systems that lack this feature. However, the audio pass through from HDMI cable goes directly to your tv, meaning you have to run a separate digital sound cable from your DVD player or CableBox. Not that big a deal as optical and digital cables are cheap these days, but it does mean one more cable to worry about. Here is a very reasonable Optical Digital Audio Cable and here is a Digital Audio Cable - both of which would be perfect.

Amazing sound quality. This system has a powered sub woofer, which is a MUST for high quality, deep bass. Other systems in this price range lack this feature. The speakers are solid wood construction. Although not glamorous, they feel so much better than plastic, and will still be around when cheaply made plastic bodied speakers are in a land fill.

The speaker themselves produce accurate, high quality sound, from the highest highs to deep bass. I put them through their paces with both DVDs and music CDs, and everything I threw at them sounded wonderful. (My test included "Hero," "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi," to test the surround sound processing. For music quality, I tested "The Killers: Sam's Town," "Copeland's Clarinet Concerto," and "Metallica: S&M."). Surround sound processing was great in entertain: surround mode. This system has made watching movies and TV a new experience!

High quality build from the amp to the speakers. Some other systems I considered ran VERY hot (Like the Onkyo HT-SR800). You could feel the heat coming off the amp without even touching it. This system runs a lot cooler, and makes me less worried about it burning out. It also helps the other devices in my audio cabinet stay cool and happy.

Many pre-sets, and a reasonably well designed remote. The remote is functional but not exceptional. One of my few frustrations with the system is it's limited ability to change the speaker pre-sets. You can only switch between a few of them with the remote. I frequently have to change them by hand using the buttons on the front of the amp. I've adjusted to this my making use of the four presets for "DVD watching, TV Watching CD Listening, and Radio Listening" each of which you can assign your own audio presets. Now, depending on what I want to watch, I can hit 1 button and I'm done. My wife loves this feature as she can get a DVD going in about five seconds without headaches!

Cons:

The speaker wire that comes with the set is thin. Spend the cash to get some good 16 gauge wire (and by good, I don't mean overpriced Monster brand wiring!). Any solid 16 gauge wire will work. This speaker wire would be a reasonably priced option.

This system has exceeded my expectations. I have some quibbles with the remote design, but presets take care of the majority of them. If you want amazing sound from a 5.1 system for under $400, you can't do better. You can even spend twice as much and get less for your money than you do with the Yamaha YHT-390BL.

Awesome System for Awesome Price
This is my first surround system, and I was lucky I happened to stumble across it. I was a bit leery about the quality when I first saw the price, but I read others' reviews and know that Yamaha is a reputable brand, so I went with it.

I hooked up my DVD player and XBox 360 via TOSlink, and everything sounds superb! I was amazed when the first movie I watched with this system tricked me into thinking there was lightning outside, when it was coming from the surround speakers! I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking to get a reasonably priced entry level system.

I ordered it with a pair of these Atlantic 77305018 Satellite Speaker Stands (Black) which work fine for holding the front speakers next to the TV.

EDIT: I should mention that I bought this Philips Spooled Speaker Wire - 100ft - 16 gauge with the system because one of the other reviews stated the wire that comes with the system is pretty cheap. I didn't even really look at it, I just used the Philips wire.

EDIT: I just hooked these Polk Audio Atrium 45 All-Weather Speakers (Pair, White) up to the system as my "B" speakers out on my patio, and that sounds great too!

Good value
I'd like to start by saying Amazon.com is about $100 cheaper than a walk-in store. I bought this system and the sound quality is much better than my old Kenwood system. The speakers are decent sounding with typical particle wood construction and a "piano" finish. It has 2 HDMI inputs and 1 output. There isn't audio decoding through HDMI, though if you are like me, I use the toslink for everything (Sat, DVD and Xbox360). Bass from the subwoofer is deep and powerful. The user manual could be written a little better. The price vs. sound quality strikes a perfect balance and I am glad I purchased it.

   

Bose Lifestyle V30 Home Theater System - Black
From BOSE

The Bose® Lifestyle® V30 system changes the face of component home theater. It offers a versatile foundation for all your audio and video sources, including those with HDMI. Add your own Blu-ray DiscTM or HD-DVD player, and enjoy exhilarating surround sound for movies, music, sports and more. This system features tiny Jewel Cube® speaker arrays, each only 4½" high, and a horizontal center-channel speaker that complements flat-panel TVs. A powerful Acoustimass® module reproduces emphatic low notes that add depth to your movies and music. The unique system design lets you hide more equipment. There's no need for a large, complex receiver and a multitude of remotes. All you see and interact with is an elegant display panel. A well-labeled media console simplifies your component connections and tucks neatly away. The entire system is controlled with an intuitive universal remote. So you receive synchronized audio and video at the press of a single source button. And what you see is as crisp as what you hear. The Lifestyle® V30 system features automatic video upscaling so movies and sports always use the highest resolution capability of your displayup to 1080p over HDMI. Now think about the unique qualities of your room. The size, shape, textures and other elements affect the sound you hear. The ADAPTiQ® system was developed to analyze your room and then adjust the Lifestyle® system for a consistent, high-quality performance each time you listen. But the benefits don't end in your main room. Built-in Bose® link technology can distribute the system's audio to other rooms. Add compatible Bose products, and enjoy your music almost anywhere, even outdoors.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8771 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black or White
• Brand: Bose
• Model: 41794
• Dimensions: 19.00" h x 20.00" w x 28.00" l, 71.00 pounds

Pricey but fantastic
Replaced a seven year-old Onkyo system with the Bose V30. The system worked well right out of the box. The jewel cube speakers are outstanding considering their size. Unlike conventional speakers, they are broken into two speakers each (per speaker) and allow you to swivel each speaker in different directions. I am quite aware that I spent alot of money compared to other systems available, but the Bose design blended nicely into my room's decor. You don't even know there is a home theater system in the room. Classical music is amazing on this system. Movies are awesome. I use the system with a Sharp Aquos 42 1080P and a Sony Blu-ray player. Of course, my cable provides 40 or 50 HD channels. One thing I have discovered is that I can use the Bose system 100% of the time, even when watching a TV program. With the Onkyo, I only used it for movies and music because it was overbearingly powerful. The Bose V30 fills the room with rich sound and it is pleasing, even at lower volumes. Sure, I could have spent less on another system, but for the minimalist design and outstanding sound, nothing else compared. I did have a few issues during installation and Bose customer service was personable, patient and effective (and also English-speaking AMERICANS). Bottom line: if it fits your budget, it is a fantastic system!

Upscale performance!
I am amazed at the ease of installation. I had the whole system up and running in less than 1/2 an hour- granted that I used the speaker wires and wall/ceiling mounts from my old BOSE AM 15's. The only added step was installing an adapter on the speaker wires from my Bose AM 15 so I could connect the Jewel cube arrays. (I had to use the old speaker wires because they where already installed in the walls.) The Adapt IQ is really what sets this system apart. We have a really wide living room in which the TV is off center. Balancing my old Bose AM 15 Direct Reflective speaker arrays with the old receiver was a nightmare. AdaptIQ did all the work in minutes. Every speaker is now perfectly balanced. We where a little concerned about spending an extra $1,000 for the V30 opposed to the V20, but the Jewel Cube Speakers are so crisp and clear. Music never sounded better. The surround sound fill the room evenly at all volumes. It's powerful when it's suppose to be, yet the dialogue is clear and coherent. The only adjustment I made was to increase the bass to +2 and Treble to +4. I left everything else on automatic. My old receiver was overbearingly powerful in which the details would get lost. The minimalist design of the Lifestyle systems is superb. The system blends in the room's decor perfectly. One note of caution, IF YOU SEE "PCM 2.0" ON YOUR BOSE DISPLAY-MAKE SURE YOUR DVD SOURCE IS ON THE RIGHT SETTING. Contrary to what the Bose saleman said to me, PCM 2.0 is not the same as Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1. I was getting PCM 2.0 on movies and Dolby Digital 5.1 on cable tv and video games. I have a PS3 in which I had to change the HDMI setting from 'linear' 2.0 to 'bitstream'- Problem solved - I now get 5.1 on all forms of media. In conclusion- If you have the means, I highly recommend this top end Lifestyle system. You will save in the long run. I spent $2,300 in 1999 when I mixed Bose speakers with a Yamaha receiver and was never 100 percent satisfied. I would have been much better off shelling out a few hundred more and getting a Lifestyle system back then.

Great sounds
The system with ADAPTiQ acoustic environmental compensation produces good sound reproduction with DVD's or pure Audio. My only complaint is that the remote cannot be programmed to operate either my five year old Panasonic DVD Player or my General Instruments Cable box so I'm stuck using three remotes.

   

Keystone Style Port Wallplate - White
From SCP Wire & Cable

• Brand: SCP Wire & Cable
• Dimensions: .0" h x 3.00" w x 4.50" l, .10 pounds

   

Sony WAHT-SA1 S-AIR Digital Wireless Speaker Unit (Black)
From Sony

Sony Black S-AIR Wireless Surround Sound Speaker Kit - WAHTSA1. Rear Speakers With S-AIR Transmitter. Easy To Install. Compatible With DAV-HDX275, DAV-HDX277WC. Black Finish

• Color: Black
• Brand: Sony
• Model: WAHTSA1
• Dimensions: 7.00 pounds

Wireless speaker unit does the job!
The Sony WAHT-SA1 S-AIR Wireless Speaker Unit does the job right. It allows positioning the left and right rear speakers from compatible Sony surround sound systems without the need to spend time running speaker wires under carpet or through the ceiling and/or walls in order to place and connect the two rear speakers.

However, it does take a little time to read the directions, connect the wireless transceiver, and the wireless transmitter (to the main surround unit), rewire the rear speakers (in order to plug into the surround unit), set up the main and surround units for correct transmission, and verify the transmission/reception status of the main and surround units. This involves carefully following four pages in the wireless unit's manual. The manual is well written, and there is no "quick set up" card for this device. On the main Sony system (HT-IS100) that I have, it involves some disassembly of the small surround (golf ball sized) speakers in order to attach the new speakers wires which are necessary to plug into the surround unit. You will need a screwdriver and perhaps long nosed pliers/wire cutters to do this. You also must be very careful with the small screws and cover for each speaker, insure that the new wires are tightly attached to the correct terminals, and reassemble the speakers precisely.

After all this is done, the wireless unit, which is smaller that a loaf of bread, must be plugged into AC power, and both the main unit and surround units powered on. If the light on the surround unit turns and stays green, the setup is complete. I had no trouble accomplishing this on the first try.

Even though this is a "wireless" unit, one must realize that considerable lengths of speaker wire may still be necessary to achieve proper spacing/placement of the surround speakers from the surround unit. The supplied speaker wires are about 20 feet in length. For my setup, it involved a short run to the right rear speaker and a longer (15 ft.) wire run (behind a desk & bookcase) to the left rear speaker.

The end result is great surround sound. When I compared the sound produced by connecting the rear speakers directly to the main unit, as opposed to the sound produced by connecting them to the wireless unit, I could tell no difference in sound quality or volume, depending upon which sound field mode was selected on the main unit.

Overall, this is a great product. In my opinion, it does what it is supposed to do. It takes a little time to set up, but avoids the necessity of running and concealing long lengths of speaker wire to the rear speakers.

SA1 wireless speaker unit
Would highly recommend this product. Its small, looks great, and you can hide it anywhere. It enables wireless connection to your back speakers. Meaning no wires from the sub wolfer to the back speakers. But, remember you still have wires from the SA1 to each of the back speakers, so its not completely wireless. But with this product it is very easy to hide those wires, because you can place the SA1 close to your back speakers. I would also recommend the Sony stands for the back speakers, because they look great, and enable you to hide wires completely.

   

Panasonic SC-PT1050 Deluxe Home Theater System with 5-DVD Changer
From Panasonic

Home Theater System with 5 DISC DVD/CD Player, 1200 Watts, 6 Speakers

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28392 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: SC-PT1050
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 17.00" w x 16.70" l, 11.00 pounds

You've just bought a widescreen TV and are ready to experience HDTV for the first time. Improved visual quality is just one part of the package. HDTV incorporates up to 5.1 channel Dolby-Digital compatible surround sound. Now there's a dilemma. You want this sound performance to be part of the total experience, but how do you configure 6 speakers in your entertainment room? You want the DVDs you watch to take full advantage of the HDTV you invested in, but you don't want to have to string so much cable to connect your rear surrounds and subwoofer. The Panasonic SCPT1050 makes it easy. The surround speakers and subwoofer are all wireless, meaning you can quickly mount them without worrying about running wire. The progressive-scan 5-disc DVD/CD changer up-converts to 1080p, which means you'll get the most out of your HDMI-compatible HDTV with sharp and exceptionally detailed high-resolution images. And unlike ordinary video up-converters that produce images with thicker edges and decreased sharpness, the HD Enhancer keeps edges crisp and clear for outstanding detail. Super Surround puts you in the action with lifelike sound from every angle, and a Four-Step Subwoofer Level Control puts you in command with rich sound effects you can hear and feel. It also comes equipped to deliver exceptional sound quality from portable audio players and other new music sources. Go ahead and listen to music on your iPod by using the included Universal Dock for iPod, or tune into your favorite XM stations with the integrated XM tuner.

Panasonic SC-PT1050
This is a good system. Set up was easy and the quality is overall very good. I had it connected to 58inch Panasonic plasma and an HD DVR via the optical connection and it works great. Very happy with the disk changer, the up conversion is not very noticeable as DVD quality is already very good. The front speakers could be smaller, no need to make them so big any longer and the manual could be a bit bigger and more robust. The auto speaker adjustment is not really serious... I love the wirless sub and rear's!

Watch your cable's - the Ez sync feature will only work on Panasonic HDMI cables, or comparable, so get the good stuff! Overall, solid and not overpriced choice for the quality, so full marks on bang for your buck. This system has many features that I will never use. I am having some real trouble leaving my couch now!

GREAT Home Theater system
I got this to hook up with my Samsung 61" LED DLP TV.
The best feature is that it comes with an optical input so you can connet
the cable DVR/HD receiver to it and get all your TV programs in Digital Dolby surround sound.
Upconversion upto 1080p is nice. we are watching all our DVDs again.
You can't go wrong with this one.
The wireless SW and rear speakers are really good feature.
The sound that comes out of this system is phenomenal. A volume level
30 shakes our home with 21' ceiling to its foundation. who needs the movie theaters when you have this setup in your home

Bad Auto Subwoofer Detection
If your system was unable to detect your wireless subwoofer, follow this steps...

1. Ensure all connections are completed.
2. Turn on your wireless subwoofer.
3. While pressing the SKIP BACKWARD from the main unit, press the number 3
button your remote.
4. While P is displayed press I/D SET. Turn off the wireless subwoofer,
then turn it on again.

Thanks to Panasonic Customer Support but I cannot recommend this Home Theater System to other people. This wireless system can cause radio frequency interference to other wireless appliances (phone, routers, laptop, etc.)

   

JVC TH-G31 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel
From JVC

DVD Digital Theater System

• Brand: JVC
• Model: G31
• Dimensions: 41.60 pounds

Excellent HTIB, source and function buttons are terrible.
I absolutely love this theater system. I bought since I have a JVC 42in LCD and wanted to keep the same theme. Well I have absolutely no con's except for the function and source inputs. I have a logitech remote and I always have problems with the stupid functions input. Example: I'm watching a DVD and want to switch to playing the xbox 360, the sound will not switch automatically AUX OPT which is the optical cable input, i will instead cycle from AUDIO IN which is the first auxiliary input, then AUX, then finally to AUX OPT. I wish JVC would have made individual IR codes for each instead of having to cycle through every single input. Other than that I have no complaints. Everything works flawlessly and the Matrix was incredible on it.

   

Yamaha YHT-690BL Home Theater in a Box (Black)
From YAMAHA

The YHT-690BL home theater system has a high quality DVD player and home theater receiver for great sound with 1080p-Compatible HDMI, XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready, iPod ready with the optional Yamaha universal iPod dock, and Bluetooth compatible with the optional YBA-10WH Bluetooth wireless audio receiver. The system features dual HDMI inputs and 1 output that can handle all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and 1080p so you can connect 2 HDMI sources, such as a DVD player and an HD set-top box, and enjoy the highest possible quality with an HD display. You have a choice of 8 unique Yamaha CINEMA DSP surround sound programs to bring out the full audio potential of your entertainment sources.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #150 in Home Theater
• Color: Black
• Brand: Yamaha
• Model: YHT-690BL
• Dimensions: 22.75" h x 24.00" w x 30.75" l, 94.00 pounds

Good Value
Great product for the price. I did the super saver shipping which took about a week longer that regular shipping but was free so it's worth it if you aren't in a hurry. The set up was very easy compared to other systems I've tried. I'm very happy with the sound. I tried the Phillips 2-channel sound bar prior to buying this and there is no comparison. It took a little time to figure out all the settings and we finally figured out that you have to hit the surround sound enhance button on the remote to get the 5-channel to work with the TV mode and radio mode. The speaker wire that came with the system is worthless. You definitely need to upgrade.

Solid entertainment system
A great sound system having dual hdmi inputs. I was worried about the dvd player being able to play my movie dvd backups which I have recorded on DvD+R media, but they play beautifully. The sound is great. Set up is direct and fairly easy, although due to the many features, figuring out all the ins and outs of the receiver takes a little work but this is true of any system of this nature you would buy. I'm very happy with this selection and recommend it highly. I use the hdmi inputs for the dvd player and my xbox 360 console, the hdmi out put goes to my 37 inch Olevia LCD HDTV. Works great. Still learning the features but what I'm seeing and hearing is fantastic. No more swaping out hdmi cables between my xbox and dvd player. Now with just a push of a button, I go from watching a dvd to blasting the latest alien invaders or zombie horde. What more could you want.

Great HTIB System
After many months of searching online and in local stores I found this Home Theater In A Box system from Yahama and I really like it. I have it running my sound for my PS3 and my sharp aquos 46" lcd screen. It has 2 hdmi inputs and 1 output which is how i play games/watch movies with my PS3. It is not a passthrough. The receiver is good size and although it does have a bit of a learning curve to it, after a few days of listening and tweaking settings I have a fantastic sounding system. The only gripe I have about this system is the size of the center speaker. Seems a bit small for the overall unit but it does its job. If your looking for a great sounding system for a great price I would highly recommend this system.

   

Bose Acoustic Wave Music System - Graphite Gray
From BOSE

At first glance, you might wonder how much sound could possibly come from a music system about the size of a briefcase. And then you turn it on?The Acoustic Wave music system will thrill you with sound equal to that of a large stereo system. The only differences are its compact size, sleek design, versatility, portability and the innovative Bose technologies that have made this system a popular audio solution for many music lovers.When you hear the concert-like sound and consider the many possibilities this music system offers, you'll understand the reasons for its popularity. Equipped with a CD player and high-performance stereo tuner with 5 AM and 5 FM presets, the Acoustic Wave music system gives you an opportunity to hear your favorite music again for the first time.If you'd like to know how the Acoustic Wave music system produces sound that seemingly defies logic, you don't have to look any further than the name itself. It is all made possible by the patented acoustic waveguide speaker technology, featuring an 80-inch waveguide chamber wrapped inside the enclosure. The chamber amplifies sound just as a flute amplifies a small breath of air, resulting in a stunning audio experience.And whether you choose to raise the volume to window-rattling levels or leave it low for peaceful ambiance, the fine-tuning is done for you. The system's integrated signal processing automatically adjusts tonal balance so you hear natural sound and full bass at any volume.Controlling your Acoustic Wave music system is a snap. The credit card size remote operates most functions of the system so you barely have to lift a finger.External sources such as TVs or VCRs can also be added to the music system, bringing Bose sound to your favorite shows and movies. And if you'd like to take that sound to the park, the beach or most anywhere music is enjoyed, you can convert the system to a portable unit - and even expand its capabilities - with a complete line of accessories.

Perfect, big sound for a small apartment.
I have had this system for a couple of years now and I am not looking back.
I added a Sennheiser DSP 360 processor to give the system virtual digital surround sound for television and DVDs, just to give an extra pop, but it isn't a necessary add on.
Despite that little fix, the system is perfect. The sound is remarkable.
I have several snobby audiofile friends who scoffed when I first mentioned I bought this system. But when watching television (especially digital cable with it's exceptional audio channel) or a DVD, or listening to a CD, either through the DVD player on the included CD player, all of my friends have remarked how great the sound is.

Great sound, but lacking features for the price.
I bought this system for my Mom some years back because I wanted her to have great sound with a no fuss, non-techie interface. It definitely delivered those. As can be expected from Bose, the sound was totally amazing. Especially considering the size of the unit it was coming from. I comes pre-equalized delivering deep bass you can feel and well balanced, spacious treble. My Mom is really into Classical music and every cd we threw in sounded awesome. The ultra-thin, credit card sized remote was also a total crowd pleaser. Very simple and intuitive, even for the technically challenged. I had struggled for years to teach my Mom the wonders of the personal computer but she took to this Bose really quickly and started to appreciate great sound.

The good:
- amazing sound
- super easy interface that delivers great sound everytime with minimal effort
- great handles and light weight make it easy to carry from room to room
- very easy to understand remote

The not so good:
- single cd. Now Bose offers a base attachment that comes with a 5 disc changer. However, at the time the single cd was a huge drawback. Also, the unit could not read MP3 cds. Cutting edge sound, just not a cutting edge cd player. At the time, you also had to purchase a base attachement if you wanted to connect the RCA jacks bringing sound from a VCR, DVD player, or an MP3 player. I couldn't see spending more money for a clunky, external MP3 player, plus the Bose base to be able to connect it. That would defeat the purpose of the easy interface if my Mom had to be fiddling with the MP3 player. Which brings me to my next point...
- the price. These now top out at nearly $1400 with the 5 disc changer, $1100 with just a single cd capacity. Quite a bit to pay but I imagine it caters to the similar demographic as Apple computers once did. A bit of a hefty price tag, but I suppose products that are attractively designed, super easy to use and mostly deliver great quality cost a little extra. It did sting a little thinking what an amazing component stereo system I could put together for $1400 (with Bose speakers, of course) but that would be a bit more complicated to interface with, right? I don't know that anybody who this system would be perfect for would care about what a tech savvy individual would consider "technical limitations". My Mom certainly didn't seem to mind. Which brings me to...

If you can afford one, it is the perfect gift or purchase. It definitely delivers amazing, large sound from a petite, portable unit with a simple, intuitive, no fuss interface.

Big Sound - Small Package
Sound: This system produces some truly remarkable sound. The box is the size of your average boom box but sounds more like your full blown home stereo. The separation and spatial qualities are right up there with home speakers placed feet apart. The sound reproduction is clean with crisp highs and "thumpy" bass. The RCA jacks on the rear of the unit make connecting an i-Pod easy utilizing a $5 cable.

Design: Looks more like a piece of art than a "boom-box". There are no controls on the front to clutter up the look so the unit accents your bookshelf or refrigerator. The ease of use is unbelievable, the control buttons are all on top, clearly labeled and laid out. The operating instructions are almost superfluous!

Interesting Feature: works on 100-220 volts, take it worldwide!