5 comments about Sony HT-DDW990 Component Home Theater System with Digital Media Port.

1. Not a bad deal considering that it is SONY. I expected the sound to be a bit louder, there's no coax TV input. Otherwise it is a decent piece of equipment for $300 with shipment. If you need better - pay more.



2. I purchased this home theater system about a month ago and I love it! You can't find this great of a product for the price anywhere else. I have my Directv hooked up via HDMI and optical digital audio and both my Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 hooked up via component and there are still more inputs/outputs than I know what to do with. Setup was a snap and the auto configuration was a great tool. The ability to name each input was something I didn't expect but it's really cool to see the exact names of what's on each input instead of Video 1, Video 2...etc. The room I have all this in is very long but narrow and the sound is solid and nothing to complain about. I would highly recommend this home theater system to anybody who wants a good quality system for a great price and doesn't want to break the bank on a more expensive system.



3. I researched at length for a home theater system that I could plug all my components into. There are few complete systems that have many inputs and building with seperate pieces gets expensive! Then I came across this sweet system. I took the chance, this one was so cheap in comparison, and I am so glad I did! It works awesome and sounds incredible! I made the rear wireless with a RocketFish adapter and they work great together. I am so happy with my system.



4. It works perfectly with my xbox 360, DVR, dvd player. Easy setup. Bass hits are awesome. I LOVE it.



5. Bought this for my apartment, and was impressed with the quality. Received has plenty of connections available, including two HDMI devices (although you have to run a separate audio cable such as fiber optic or coax in order to get sound from the home theater when using HDMI). Everything went together smoothly, and the auto-calibration feature with the included mic made the system sound great. Robust bass, clear highs. Definitely worth every penny and more. Only downside is that the cables included for the speakers tend to run a bit short, but they aren't pre-attached, so you can just buy your own speaker wire and be all set.

1 comments about Sony BRAVIA Theater System (DAVHDX576WF) - Black.

1. I have owned this system for about a month now, and did a fair amount of research before settling on this. I am very happy so far with the quality and features and think this is probably the best you can do in this price range. The picture quality is great, the sound quality is even better. I have used it with CD's and my iPod quite extensively, and you can tinker with the various sound modes to find one that works well for you. The iPod dock works great. The surround sound for movies is very good and very powerful - the system has more power than we need for our house which has a pretty large and vaulted living room. Unlike our prior wireless surround system, the wireless speakers on this seem to get a very clear signal and don't have any delay or sound loss.
   
   There are only two differences between this model and the next price down, which is I believe the 279 model. This one comes with the S-Air unit, and on this you get speaker stands for two of the speakers. The S-Air units are $120 on their own, and the speaker stands are at least $60 or so, so I think for another $100 this is a better system. Note that while the instructions say the speaker stands are for the front speakers, you can actually use the speaker stands as your surround speakers in the rear - both the front and rear speakers are identical in terms of wattage and impedance, they are just different shapes, and we wanted the speaker stands to be used for the wireless rear speakers and stand in the corners of the room. The S-Air unit is great too - it's like another speaker, and we have it in our kitchen, and it's wireless too, so you can listen to the music or the news and have it on in another room too. Also, you can control the music from the S-Air - including controlling the iPod attached to the dock, and skip songs and control the volume, etc. We like it so much we're going to buy another S-Air unit for another room. Otherwise, the two systems have the exact same unit and speakers.
   
   We are very happy - it was easy to set up, it has been easy to use, the quality is good. We have our cable receiver hooked up to it, and there is no delay when you want to turn on the surround sound while watching a TV broadcast, which happened on our old Samsung system. Highly recommended so far.

5 comments about Philips HTS3555 Home Theater System with iPod Connectivity (Black).

1. The first one I got was defective and would not recognize discs. However, Amazon was great and sent a new one within a few days. But it's not a very high quality system. The disc drive is very cheaply made and feels like its about to break every time you put a disc in. The speakers are OK, but again pretty cheaply made. The people who wrote that it sounds as good as more expensive systems have obviously never heard good systems. But for the price, it is pretty good.
   
   On the plus side it has some great features. I can use my iPod and iPhone in the dock, which most of the more expensive systems don't feature. It also has a USB port, and works great with a flash drive. I really wanted the iPod dock, but if your looking for quality, and don't care about that, spend the extra hundred bucks and get a real system.



2. The is a real good product for such a very cheap price. It really fills the room, even outside with sound. The bass doesn't crunk boom but it does it job and give a really clear sound and heavy bass. Looking for a nice theater system, go and grab this product now!!!



3. After researching a few systems for my first home audio purchase, I decided on this model. Other reviews adequately cover the quality of the product. Instead, I would like to expound upon the return processes for the patience impaired people like me.
   
   I placed my order on March 19, 2008. I'm not sure which company actually fulfilled the order, but the unit did not arrive until April 21 or 22, 2008. Arrived within one or two days of actually being picked up for delivery, but zero tracking for the first 5 weeks after order submission. Strike 1.
   
   The original unit had an identical problem as another reviewer. The disc drive would not recognize any discs. A call to Philips instantly issued an RMA and the next unit was here about April 28. Strike 2 for the defective new product, but kudos to the fast replacement.
   
   The replacement unit is not new product but from some repair refurb factory. Strike 3.
   
   The replacement unit had frequent digital sound dropouts for a few seconds every so often. Another call to tech support suggested I reboot all of my equipment and secondly perform a firmware update. As I was currently recording a program, I opted for the firmware update, which did fix the problem. Strike 4 for the faulty refurb unit.
   
   If you do not return the original unit within 20 days you are charged for the unit. I call Fedex to pick up the unit and am informed that the return label supplied to me is only good for the shipment, not the pick up. Strike 5 for the wrong label.
   
   I call Philips to get another label issued this evening (May 1, 2008). The returns department is only available 9-6 EST and they are closed, call back tomorrow. Strike 6.
   
   While I'm on a roll, my TiVo remote will not control this unit. I'm not sure if this is TiVo's fault, DirecTV's, and/or Philips'. But Strike 7 for one of them since I'm not particularly interested in purchasing a universal remote.
   
   I give 2 stars instead of 1 because for the relatively low price of this unit, it does sound much better than the stock sound from my new plasma TV.



4. I received this home theater system for my birthday last September, and let me say, it is the best present that I have ever dropped a hint for. I had an iHome that died and I wanted something else to play my iPod on and listen to the radio with. An exact replacement iHome was $100, but I got lucky and I stumbled upon this. This thing puts out amazing power, I can use it as an iPod player, as a radio, and so much more. The DVD player makes standard definition DVDs look a little better than my old dvd player as well. As others have mentioned, it is hard to upgrade or change the length of the wires, but that is the only downside to it. For the price, you can't beat it.



5. It was fairly easy to install. The price is right. The sound is great. I did have to buy an extra cord. I forgot what that cord is called but it's the one with red, white, and yellow connectors on each end. Anyway I mainly use it to watch DVDs and haven't tried the Ipod feature but to watch DVDs & to listen to music it's great. It's kind of annoying switching from radio to disc w/o a remote (it was a lot easier to switch back & forth on my old boombox) but w a remote you are fine. I recommend buying this.

5 comments about Onkyo HT-SR700 5.1 Home Theater Entertainment System.

1. I did a lot of research of budget HTIB and this seemed like the best choice for my budget. I was blown away with how well they perform. Out of the box these sounded a lot better than my friends Panasonic HTIB that includes the DVD changer and the wireless back speakers. (I do not recommend wireless back speakers for 2 reasons. 1. The speakers hiss and once in a while do not produce sound. 2. Wireless speakers broadcast over the same wavelength as wireless internet, often causing my computer to go off line.)
   
   After I got the Onkyo I did what a lot of other people have said to do, I upgraded the speaker wire. I bought some Belkin 16-Gauge Speaker Cable from Amazon. Once I hooked up this cable the sound system came to life. Do not stick with the standard cable that comes with the system.
   
   I hooked up my XBOX 360, and the attached HDDVD player, with a digital optical cable and the sound that comes out is chillingly realistic.



2. Onkyo is one of the best Home Theater systems available in the market for the price. Denon & Bose systems are almost triple/quadruple priced to Onkyo. Setup was very simple. They have colored wires and same color coded speaker connections. The system can be calibrated in multiple different ways for different kinda movies. The subwoofer is good. the volume should be really high to feel the subwoofers vibrations on your seat



3. Maybe like you, I was considering all the what seems like an endless line up of sound options. While originally intending to purchase a Sony system to go with my PS3 & Sony Projector, I ended up going with the HT-SR700 system and have not been disappointed. Here's why...
   - Powered Sub. The comparably priced systems from Sony and the other guys all seem to have passive subs, and the review reflected the need for a powered sub.
   - Component Switching. Yes, if you're running HDMI, this is not the system for you. If you're running component video (arguably just as good as HDMI), this system eliminates the need for an external switch, unless you have more than 3 HD periphials. Note there is only 2 optical audio inputs and 1 digital Coax. There are plenty of RCA (red & white) audio inputs for other stuff.
   - Price & Reviews. These two speak for themselves.
   
   A few more notes.
   Speaker Wire:: I do agree that the speaker wire appear a little skimpy, but I have not replaced mine yet. Not complaining.
   
   Speaker Mounts:: Go ahead and order the Premier Speaker Mounts pn PSPK-5B (available on Amazon). These are the most cost effective and easy to install mounts. They come with the appropriate size screw to fit the mounting hole and are simply to install.
   
   Hope this is of help.



4. I purchased this unit as a replacement for a JBL speaker & Kenwood Receiver system. The hook-up was very easy, partly because of the replacement. I used my existing wiring rather than the included since I had bought it from a local Audio store & is much heavier than the shipped product. Am very pleased with the sound, much better than the previous product. Price was very satisfactory & system was received very quickly from Amazon. My one complaint probably is not a fault with the product, but may be my wiring configuration. I have a static situation in speakers when there is a heavy bass sound from TV programs. I have rerouted the speaker wires thru' a seperate opening in the back of my stand and to each speaker, but still have the static occasionally. I was hoping that I might read about a similiar situation in all your reviews, which are very positive as is mine. Perhaps someone reading this will respond with a "fix" to my situation. Hope so. Vince.



5. If you have heard Bose in a showroom and are expecting
   that kind of music/clarity i have two words for you..."price tag" -
   at 299 bucks its totally worth it as an entry level-not an audiophile-I live in a rented apartment-kind of a situation.
   Just 2 small issues No HDMI - I knew it did not have that going into it but its worth repeating for eveyone once again.
   2nd Do not expect "all" the cables as a first time buyer I was expecting everything to come in the box, uhh ohh I was in a surprise...so here's the list of cables you can order from monoprice.
   these should cover connections from your dvd-to-onkyo receiver -to digital cable box and of course the TV..
   1. 6FT Optical Toslink Cable x 1(if your cable box has a digital input)
   2. PREMIUM 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable x 2
   3. 6ft Coaxial Audio/Video RCA Cable M/M RG59U 75ohm x 4
   Get a power strip surge suppressor if you dont have one and a 2 way Splitter F type Screw for splitting your cable and internet from the wall (comcast for sure needs it - I do not know abt the other guys)
   
   The instructions for the connections are fairly intutive and easy to understand and I got it all connected and running the first time i turned the system on....
   One crazy annoyng feature - it took me 10-15 minutes to figure it out
   there's a A and B option on the receiver... even when you have it on A sometimes all the 5 speakers wont work that should be a cue for you to change the "listening mode"
   
   Ohh btw i know the review is to buy or not to buy a system if you have not got my opinion by now.... BUY IT!! for 300 bucks its pretty cool.... but I wonder if the sony hdx500 would have been better will wait till the time comes to buy a new one ;)
   
   hope this helps

5 comments about JVC THD60 Integrated DVD Home Theater System with iPod Dock.

1. This is not an audiophile system but produces quite good surround sound with a decent subwoofer on which you can set the cross-over range. You also can adjust volume and delays for the speaker positions to balance out the room and your position in it. It really enhances your movie and sports HD viewing experience.
   
   Although I'm familiar with wiring and programming in most systems, this was difficult to figure out due to what is perhaps the most abstruse owner's manual ever produced. The folks at the customer service number were helpful--although sometimes they, too, seemed a little confused. The manual does contain all the information you need and it's amusing to figure out--if you like cross-word puzzles. One of its cute tricks is to refer you to multiple, sequential set-up pages for every thing you wish to accomplish.
   
   If you don't mind a moderate amount of set-up frustration, the system is a very good one-box solution.



2. I have this unit and i hooked up my external 40 gb hd. At first it read the drive and showed the files but said the files were not supported.
   
   I called JVC and the said to try a different file type. Now I have tried different file types, a different hard drive and even a flash drive and nothing works. They are all formated fat32, even reformated fat32, no luck.
   
   I have called jvc 3 times and they are completely useless. The last technician told me that the unit was only tested with a 2gb flash drive and they did not say it could work with a hard drive. However, if you go to thier web site it says
   
   "* Note: Compatible Devices
   1) USB Mass Storage Class devices such as a USB flash memory device, HDD,
   multimedia card reader, digital camera, etc.
   2) Depending on the manufacturer, some USB devices may not be supported."
   
   Don't count on any help from JVC if you can't figure it out. You definately have to read the manual and the fine print to get it to do many of the features that they claim.
   
   I would not recomend this to anyone.



3. excellent product for the money paid....certain setup functions were confusing @ first, but after sometime it's all second nature. i love the ipod docking station, especially since you can use the remote to control playback features.



4. I purchased the system as an upgrade from an ancient unit that i was operating with. I did a lot of reasearch on comparable units and for the money it is an excellent system for the average joe. It did take some support from JVC to complete the setup but I do rate them an A+ in their effort to satisfy my ridiculously novice questions. Sound quality, value, and ease of use are high on my list of reasons to choose this model.



5. I've installed several of these systems, and they deliver a stlye and performance that cannot be beat! Very clean looking...a bit limited on connections, so don't plan on hooking up a rack of gear to this system, but for a nice receiver, ipod dock, and cd/dvd play back, it delivers!
   Radio mode has limted sound choices, but not a big deal....
   Overall, a winner!

5 comments about Onkyo HT-SR800S 7.1 Home Theater Entertainment System (Silver).

1. After doing some research (online searching for reviews, Consumer Reports, looking in stores), we chose this brand. After looking for the best prices, this company offered the lowest price by a large margin, and offered free shipping to boot!!!
   It arrived within a week of ordering it by UPS (the UPS delivery guy even commented that he has the same system and loves it!). It set up easily, and we were able to program the remote to handle our other systems (TV,DVD). There are many different choices of sound types (theatre, concert, etc). Personally, I think it is too tough to figure out which you like better, but techno-geeks will love that!
   I have 2 complaints however. One is the size of the speakers (they provide GREAT sound, but wow are they big!), and secondly the HDMI jacks are video pass-through only--they support as high as 1080p resolution, but they won't carry the audio signals from your disc player, game system, or set-top box. We had to buy a cable to use HD (it was like $12 at Big Lots, but we knew it was coming because of reading another review on this system).
   I would have loved wireless speakers and a smaller looking system that provided the same sound, but I wasn't willing to spend as much money as our last car! All in all, we are very happy, and this is a great system for the price range.



2. Good value, great sound, easy hookup, HDMI pass thru not a problem. Do use 12-14 gauge speaker cable.



3. After much research, I decided on the ONKYO HT-SR800 to augment my new Panasonic Plasma, DVD and HD/Digital DirecTV set up. I also have Sirius Satellite radio so with this unit being Sirius-ready, and Consumer Reports giving this system their top rating, my decision was a no brainer. Got mine for $379 out the door and delivered in about a week.
   
   Unlike others who reviewed this product, I wasn't discouraged by the pass through HDMI which requires a separate audio connection. I preferred to use the fiber optic and coaxial digital inputs independently to connect to my DVD player/recorder, DirecTV receiver and external CD player. I just left my 2 HDMI cables connected directly between the TV and the DirecTV/DVD units so I can watch TV without using the ONKYO receiver if I want to. I can also listen to the XM music channels on DirecTV without turning on the TV.
   
   There are so many outputs on this receiver that you have plenty of options. But utilizing Digital Audio makes all the difference in the world. The outputs/inputs were a major part of my criteria, regardless of which receiver I settled on.
   
   As for the sound...in a word...WOW!!!
   
   I tested this system out with a couple of movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars Episode III, Superman Returns, among others. The subwoofer makes a huge difference and you can feel every rumble, laser blast and explosion roar through your body (even at lower volumes.) And the audio/dialogue remain clear and easy to understand, even when the sound is up.
   
   Many of the programs in 5.1 audio on DirecTV also sound absolutely amazing! The receiver automatically selects the right audio format for the program, too. You can override this easily if you prefer a different setting.
   
   As for listening to CDs - I hooked up the fiber optic digital audio to my CD player and put in some Pink Floyd. I was hearing sounds/effects on the CDs that I had never heard before, and I've listened to them A LOT! Of course all my other music and Sirius sound great, too.
   
   Lastly, when I placed my order I was prepared to replace the 24 gauge speaker wire with something more robust. But once I plugged it in and listened to the awesome sound, I realized I didn't need to. This system is truly ready to go right out of the box. And set up is relatively painless. I haven't even played with the Audissey microphone yet...haven't needed to!
   
   The swindler at the local home audio shop told me I'd have to spend about $2000-$3000 to have a decent, bare bones system. WRONG! He also tried to make me feel small for even asking about an HTIB system and he literally walked away from me when I asked about the ONKYO HT-SR800 system. If I ever decide to drop that kind of money on a system, it won't be at his store.



4. After moving into my new house, I immediately wanted to update my surround sound system. A friend of mine had this particular system and had nothing but great things to say about it. He was right! This system is great. It sounds fantastic and I love the upgrade to the 7.1. There is plenty of power and the receiver has ample inputs. I highly recommend this system to anyone that is looking for great sound at a resonable price.



5. I'm new to home theater and haven't bought a receiver in over 10 years, so I spent a few hours on the Internet researching home theater systems (what everybody calls HTIBs, "home theater in a box"). What convinced me to buy it was the cnet.com editors' video review, but the impression I got from reading about 50 reviews were:
   
   1. Skimpy wires (true, but may not matter)
   2. Auto-calibration makes setup easy (true, and is a must-do)
   3. More inputs than you need (true)
   4. HDMI issues (true, but by design)
   5. Awesome sound (true)
   6. Unit gets hot (false)
   
   I got my unit from Vann's for $420 (no tax nor shipping), and it arrived in Texas from Montana in about 5 days in the manufacturer's box. I read in one review that the box was the size of a refrigerator, so I expected a monster package, but it turned out to be more the size of dorm refrigerator. However, it was still too bulky and heavy for me to carry by myself or fit in a mid-size car. The box was also crumpled, torn up, and taped back together, but with 2-3 inches of styrofoam on the inside, none of the contents were damaged.
   
   Like a kid that can't wait to try out his new toy, I wanted to set it up without reading any instructions and turn it on as quickly as possible. The speaker wires that come with the unit are pretty skinny, but are nicely color-coded to the inputs on the back of the receiver and on the back of the speakers. This made it easy to keep track of the 15 speaker wires I rushed to hook up to speakers I placed side-by-side.
   
   By the way, for some reason, it didn't occur to me that the unit has a built-in AM/FM tuner, because all the reviews kept mentioning that it doesn't come with a DVD player and is strictly an amplifier. That was a nice surprise.
   
   When I turned it on the first time, no sound came out. After a few seconds of panic, I read from the instructions that you have to push a button to turn on the "A" speaker outputs. (Incidentally, there are also "B" speaker outputs for some different Onkyo product that uses the same receiver. Do not turn on the "B" speakers.) After turning on only the "A" speakers, still no sound. It turned out there are AM and FM antenna wires (included) that you have to plug in. The unit will mute the sound instead of playing radio static. Whew, I finally heard sound, however, it didn't sound so spectacular like everyone said.
   
   Thinking radio quality isn't too good a source, I quickly plugged in my DVD player to the HDMI-in and my muted TV to the HDMI-out. Got a picture, but no sound again. Small panic once more before remembering a review that mentioned the unit only passes HDMI in to out, which I now understand to mean that it doesn't play sound from the HDMI input. I plugged in audio cables from the DVD and was relieved to hear the soundtrack from the receiver. The sound was pretty good, but not spectacular.
   
   There's a setup microphone that you plug into the front of the unit, which automatically activates the auto-measuring. The first time I tried this, the unit displayed an error. My fault once more, because I placed all the speakers side-by-side to "test them out". After positioning them around the listening area, the auto-calibration completed successfully. Note this takes about 10 minutes, because it sends test sounds to each of the 8 speakers 3 times. After this, the sound improved immensely to what I consider awesome, but not spectacular yet.
   
   I proceeded to hook up my HD cable box and DVR with component cables to get video pass through (mine don't have HDMI connections). This time, I get audio, but no video. A little more reading through the manual, and I learned that if you use component inputs, then the video only goes to the component output, not the HDMI output. So it turns out that the HDMI issues aren't really problems with the units being defective, but rather that it's kinda poorly designed for the HDMI connections.
   
   At this point, I've got a jumble of wires and cables coming out the wazoo to get cable, DVD, and DVR sound. After a few minutes of thinking, the solution dawned on me. Unplug all the cables, and just connect the TV audio output to receiver. That way, no matter which source (DVD, DVR, or cable box) is playing on the TV, I only need one set of audio cables to the receiver. This took care of the wire jumble issue, but still not spectacular sound.
   
   A little more reading of the manual, and I discovered that you have to use digital audio optical cables (Toslink) in order to get the most advanced surround sounds for all 7 speakers. Fortunately, I ordered a pair of those cables through Amazon, and now finally the sound is SPECTACULAR!
   
   All in all, if you're new to home theater like I am, save yourself some time and read the setup instructions and operations manual before you start plugging stuff up. You'll save yourself some panic, frustration, and temporary disappointment. I have not noticed any heating issues. My 52" LCD puts out more heat than the receiver. Unless all your components have HDMI connections, the HDMI pass through will not save you any cables to your TV.

5 comments about Sony HTD-DW790 Component Home Theater System.

1. I have a large and powerful component sound system that I use with my 120-inch home projector system. However, I needed something small and convenient for use with my 50-inch plasma TV. The reasons that the Sony HT-DDW790 meets my need perfectly are listed below:
   
   1. LOW PRICE: I paid less than $100.00 for it at a Best Buy closeout special.
   
   2. EASE OF USE: The HT-DDW790 is a breeze to set up and use. Not much to it.
   
   3. SOUND QUALITY: I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to sound quality. My main system boasts speakers costing well over $15,000.00. When it comes to sound, I know what I'm talking about. The HT-DDW790 has above average sound quality when compared to systems in a comparable price ranges. I listened to it in the store sitting side-by-side with other home theaters (Panasonic, Onkyo, Philips, and Yamaha) costing upwards of $400.00, and the HT-DDW790 sounded every bit as good as any of them and better than some costing over $350.00.
   
   4. LIMITED EXPANSION: Yes, the Sony HT-DDW790 is limited in inputs, outputs, and doesn't have any HDMI ports at all but that's part of its beauty - making it simple to set up and simple to operate. If you're looking for a system to use as a video switchbox that routes video from all your components to your TV, then this is not the system for you. However, if you simply want good sound, simple set up, and easy operation, (and can route your video directly to your TV or are using a separate video switcher), then this is a dream system (especially when you factor in a price that's about the same as a standard DVD player.
   
   I pulled my Sony HT-DDW790 out of the box and had it set up and running in under 20 minutes. I'm more than satisfied with my purchase.
   
   Incidentally, you can also connect the Sony HT-DDW790 via its digital coax or fiber optic inputs to your computer and use it as a blazing computer gaming sound system should you ever decide to upgrade your home theater sound system. In fact, connect your computer or gaming system to your TV and let the Sony HT-DDW790 handle the sound for some truly great gaming.



2. Had this about a month now and im verry happy with it. i would reccomend this item to anyone looking for a low budget surround sound.



3. second system purchased in one year. system works great and would recommend to family and friends. simple installation with great surround sound.



4. I purchased this system a few weeks ago and it is currently connected to an AppleTV (thru optical digital audio), a Comcast PVR (thru coaxial digital audio) and an Xbox 360 through component. It was simple to setup and it sounds great for the little money I paid for it.
   
   The auto calibration was simple, it only took a minute or two to run it. It is confusing having a bunch of stuff connected to it and trying to see what is connected to which input, but if you use the custom naming feature you can rename these inputs in seconds, so you can hit the inputs blindly until you see the name of the device you want displayed on the screen of the unit. Mine is set to display AppleTV, Comcast or Xbox 360, which explains why my 9-yr old was able to master it in just a couple minutes.
   
   The speaker wires are too short, especially the ones to the front two speakers. Also, the speaker wires are attached permanently, but this is a budget unit so this is expected. The subwoofer is passive, again, this being a budget unit this should not be an issue.
   
   The one real annoyance: only one optical input. This is obviously a cost cutting measure, but it drives me nuts because I can't use the optical outputs in my Xbox 360 and Comcast PVR.
   
   Overall we are so pleased that we will be picking up a second set for my son's room (he has the same gadgets), it's the only way I can get him to stop camping in front of mine.



5. The product performed as advertised, just be advised (as I was in previous reviews) that volume level has to be cranked up approaching max. I found using the TV audio in parallel with this receiver can enhance the audio in some instances. A very decent product for the price.

5 comments about Sony BRAVIA DAV-HDX265 Home Theater System.

1. I bought this to go with my new plasma TV. Bought it for the price, but it sounds fine. Setup was easy and the DVD changer was kind of a bonus. Don't think much of the remote, but for the money, you can't beat it.



2. I ordered this sys. after extensively searching in the begining level home theatre systems. it was shiped with in a week and hooking up with the tv was not a problem at all. all the wires are clearly marked and easy to connect tht a cave man can do it! for real. Both the audio and video quality is amazing! and use the HDMI cables instead of regular AV cables. they will cost u more but teust me its well worth the price!



3. My Sony is everything I had expected and more. easy to hook up, everything is color coded, and the sound is great...I've never had a 5 cd changer before so I am enjoying the freedom of turning it on and enjoying the long period of time with continuous music...It's been great!



4. Sony BRAVIA DAV-HDX265 Home Theater System
   Very good quality for the price range. Would have liked a digital audio input connector. Digital audio outputs usually available from Sony Bravia TV and Satellite systems. Easy setup and speaker calibration using supplied mic.



5. I bought this system to replace my 12 year old ONKYO 5.1 set-up with Infiniti center channel and Polk Audio sub. It performs pretty well compared to the ONKYO. I liked how simple it was to set-up. I was expecting miles of Monster Cable, like my old system, but that was not the case. For the price, this is a great system.

5 comments about Sony DAV-HDX500/i BRAVIA Home Theater System.

1. I've had other home theater systems (less expensive) but this one definitely fits the bill! If you put out money for the Bravia HDTV, you definitely want your sound to match. This will do it nicely. As always, you have the choice of floor stands or wall mounting (the latter is my preference).
   
   Now, if I could just find someone who understands why my Blu-ray player can't seem to recognize the system correctly, even though it sends the sound there. The self test of the speakers for the Panasonic player only seems to recognize the two tall front speakers -- no others. Sigh.



2. I reseached for a while before deciding on this unit for our TV room and I haven't been disappointed. Sound is great and HDMI to TV makes for awesome movie watching in surround sound. Connectivity is a drawback in terms of there not being enough higher end connections if having game systems and such..but worked for me. Only other hurdle was rear speakers which come with special Sony connectors to the back of the unit. I had already installed speaker wire into the wall before buying the system which meant I had to soder/heat shrink to be able to use connectors. Worked out great.



3. Bought this home theater a few months ago, and this is a great system. When I purchased the system, I wanted the wireless kit for the rear speakers. (So that I didn't have wires running across the living room floor) I was told that any of the wireless systems would work. WRONG! Found out that the Sony system has "proprietary" plugs at the end of the speaker wires and would only fit in the Sony Wireless kit for Rear Speakers. Sure the other systems would work, but you have to snip the plugs off the end of the speaker wires, and this voids your Sony warranty. Just a "heads up" for anyone thinking of buying this home theater.



4. This is a really nice unit except that it lacks some deeper bass. I have a Sonly 46" XBR LCD and it works perfect with the Theatre sync button. You have to turn the unit way up to get a good sound but again if it had more bass it would be a perfect system. I see these units at Sears for $499 so the price is good here. Can't beat it.



5. I love the system. I'm not the best at hooking up systems like this but I got it done in a reasonable amount of time. It sounds great. I don't understand the review about "needs more bass". My wife and I watched "American Gangster" last night and we had to back off on the bass. It was shaking the house. It's not a powered subwoofer like my last system yet the bass is far superior. More importantly, when we watch a film we can really understand the conversations. There is a lot less "what did he say?" Also, no one could touch Amazon's price.

5 comments about Onkyo HT-SR800 7.1 Home Theater Entertainment System (Black).

1. After doing some research (online searching for reviews, Consumer Reports, looking in stores), we chose this brand. After looking for the best prices, this company offered the lowest price by a large margin, and offered free shipping to boot!!!
   It arrived within a week of ordering it by UPS (the UPS delivery guy even commented that he has the same system and loves it!). It set up easily, and we were able to program the remote to handle our other systems (TV,DVD). There are many different choices of sound types (theatre, concert, etc). Personally, I think it is too tough to figure out which you like better, but techno-geeks will love that!
   I have 2 complaints however. One is the size of the speakers (they provide GREAT sound, but wow are they big!), and secondly the HDMI jacks are video pass-through only--they support as high as 1080p resolution, but they won't carry the audio signals from your disc player, game system, or set-top box. We had to buy a cable to use HD (it was like $12 at Big Lots, but we knew it was coming because of reading another review on this system).
   I would have loved wireless speakers and a smaller looking system that provided the same sound, but I wasn't willing to spend as much money as our last car! All in all, we are very happy, and this is a great system for the price range.



2. Good value, great sound, easy hookup, HDMI pass thru not a problem. Do use 12-14 gauge speaker cable.



3. After much research, I decided on the ONKYO HT-SR800 to augment my new Panasonic Plasma, DVD and HD/Digital DirecTV set up. I also have Sirius Satellite radio so with this unit being Sirius-ready, and Consumer Reports giving this system their top rating, my decision was a no brainer. Got mine for $379 out the door and delivered in about a week.
   
   Unlike others who reviewed this product, I wasn't discouraged by the pass through HDMI which requires a separate audio connection. I preferred to use the fiber optic and coaxial digital inputs independently to connect to my DVD player/recorder, DirecTV receiver and external CD player. I just left my 2 HDMI cables connected directly between the TV and the DirecTV/DVD units so I can watch TV without using the ONKYO receiver if I want to. I can also listen to the XM music channels on DirecTV without turning on the TV.
   
   There are so many outputs on this receiver that you have plenty of options. But utilizing Digital Audio makes all the difference in the world. The outputs/inputs were a major part of my criteria, regardless of which receiver I settled on.
   
   As for the sound...in a word...WOW!!!
   
   I tested this system out with a couple of movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars Episode III, Superman Returns, among others. The subwoofer makes a huge difference and you can feel every rumble, laser blast and explosion roar through your body (even at lower volumes.) And the audio/dialogue remain clear and easy to understand, even when the sound is up.
   
   Many of the programs in 5.1 audio on DirecTV also sound absolutely amazing! The receiver automatically selects the right audio format for the program, too. You can override this easily if you prefer a different setting.
   
   As for listening to CDs - I hooked up the fiber optic digital audio to my CD player and put in some Pink Floyd. I was hearing sounds/effects on the CDs that I had never heard before, and I've listened to them A LOT! Of course all my other music and Sirius sound great, too.
   
   Lastly, when I placed my order I was prepared to replace the 24 gauge speaker wire with something more robust. But once I plugged it in and listened to the awesome sound, I realized I didn't need to. This system is truly ready to go right out of the box. And set up is relatively painless. I haven't even played with the Audissey microphone yet...haven't needed to!
   
   The swindler at the local home audio shop told me I'd have to spend about $2000-$3000 to have a decent, bare bones system. WRONG! He also tried to make me feel small for even asking about an HTIB system and he literally walked away from me when I asked about the ONKYO HT-SR800 system. If I ever decide to drop that kind of money on a system, it won't be at his store.



4. After moving into my new house, I immediately wanted to update my surround sound system. A friend of mine had this particular system and had nothing but great things to say about it. He was right! This system is great. It sounds fantastic and I love the upgrade to the 7.1. There is plenty of power and the receiver has ample inputs. I highly recommend this system to anyone that is looking for great sound at a resonable price.



5. I'm new to home theater and haven't bought a receiver in over 10 years, so I spent a few hours on the Internet researching home theater systems (what everybody calls HTIBs, "home theater in a box"). What convinced me to buy it was the cnet.com editors' video review, but the impression I got from reading about 50 reviews were:
   
   1. Skimpy wires (true, but may not matter)
   2. Auto-calibration makes setup easy (true, and is a must-do)
   3. More inputs than you need (true)
   4. HDMI issues (true, but by design)
   5. Awesome sound (true)
   6. Unit gets hot (false)
   
   I got my unit from Vann's for $420 (no tax nor shipping), and it arrived in Texas from Montana in about 5 days in the manufacturer's box. I read in one review that the box was the size of a refrigerator, so I expected a monster package, but it turned out to be more the size of dorm refrigerator. However, it was still too bulky and heavy for me to carry by myself or fit in a mid-size car. The box was also crumpled, torn up, and taped back together, but with 2-3 inches of styrofoam on the inside, none of the contents were damaged.
   
   Like a kid that can't wait to try out his new toy, I wanted to set it up without reading any instructions and turn it on as quickly as possible. The speaker wires that come with the unit are pretty skinny, but are nicely color-coded to the inputs on the back of the receiver and on the back of the speakers. This made it easy to keep track of the 15 speaker wires I rushed to hook up to speakers I placed side-by-side.
   
   By the way, for some reason, it didn't occur to me that the unit has a built-in AM/FM tuner, because all the reviews kept mentioning that it doesn't come with a DVD player and is strictly an amplifier. That was a nice surprise.
   
   When I turned it on the first time, no sound came out. After a few seconds of panic, I read from the instructions that you have to push a button to turn on the "A" speaker outputs. (Incidentally, there are also "B" speaker outputs for some different Onkyo product that uses the same receiver. Do not turn on the "B" speakers.) After turning on only the "A" speakers, still no sound. It turned out there are AM and FM antenna wires (included) that you have to plug in. The unit will mute the sound instead of playing radio static. Whew, I finally heard sound, however, it didn't sound so spectacular like everyone said.
   
   Thinking radio quality isn't too good a source, I quickly plugged in my DVD player to the HDMI-in and my muted TV to the HDMI-out. Got a picture, but no sound again. Small panic once more before remembering a review that mentioned the unit only passes HDMI in to out, which I now understand to mean that it doesn't play sound from the HDMI input. I plugged in audio cables from the DVD and was relieved to hear the soundtrack from the receiver. The sound was pretty good, but not spectacular.
   
   There's a setup microphone that you plug into the front of the unit, which automatically activates the auto-measuring. The first time I tried this, the unit displayed an error. My fault once more, because I placed all the speakers side-by-side to "test them out". After positioning them around the listening area, the auto-calibration completed successfully. Note this takes about 10 minutes, because it sends test sounds to each of the 8 speakers 3 times. After this, the sound improved immensely to what I consider awesome, but not spectacular yet.
   
   I proceeded to hook up my HD cable box and DVR with component cables to get video pass through (mine don't have HDMI connections). This time, I get audio, but no video. A little more reading through the manual, and I learned that if you use component inputs, then the video only goes to the component output, not the HDMI output. So it turns out that the HDMI issues aren't really problems with the units being defective, but rather that it's kinda poorly designed for the HDMI connections.
   
   At this point, I've got a jumble of wires and cables coming out the wazoo to get cable, DVD, and DVR sound. After a few minutes of thinking, the solution dawned on me. Unplug all the cables, and just connect the TV audio output to receiver. That way, no matter which source (DVD, DVR, or cable box) is playing on the TV, I only need one set of audio cables to the receiver. This took care of the wire jumble issue, but still not spectacular sound.
   
   A little more reading of the manual, and I discovered that you have to use digital audio optical cables (Toslink) in order to get the most advanced surround sounds for all 7 speakers. Fortunately, I ordered a pair of those cables through Amazon, and now finally the sound is SPECTACULAR!
   
   All in all, if you're new to home theater like I am, save yourself some time and read the setup instructions and operations manual before you start plugging stuff up. You'll save yourself some panic, frustration, and temporary disappointment. I have not noticed any heating issues. My 52" LCD puts out more heat than the receiver. Unless all your components have HDMI connections, the HDMI pass through will not save you any cables to your TV.