No comments about Yamaha NS BP4500 - Home theater speaker system.

1 comments about Philips 2.1 DVD Home Theater System HTS6600/37 (Four Piece Set).

1. I have had this unit for about 2 months now. It works good and looks real sleek. The sound is good with movies although not as good as true 5.1 surround sound. You don't get the sounding travelling over your head.
   
   But I did not want the wires going around my house and so a 2.1 system worked fine for me. This is pretty similar to the Boss, but a third of the price.
   
   It is easy to make multi-regional. I just googled "region hack hts-6600" and found an easy code to type in on the remote. I did that and now can enjoy DVD's from any region in the world.
   
   The only problem was that I found on a couple of occasions the remote did not work on the main DVD menu. After trying different stuff I realized that the center wheel button was pressed down and caught on the side of the plastic. Once I released this, I worked just fine.

2 comments about Harman/kardon HKTS 11 - Home theater speaker system.

1. these speakers look very stylish and match perfectly w/ my ps3 & samsung tv. i love the sound and power of the subwoofer. i plan on adding 2 surround speakers so that i can fully enjoy my receiver's hd settings. i truly recommend these speakers to anyone who wants to save money and yet have good quality. don't over spend money on speakers that are overrated.



2. The HKTS-11's are almost identical to the newer and more expensive hkts-18's in every way. Why pay more for the same thing? If you are looking to spend under 600 bucks on a surround sound system including the reviver, then you have two options. One, buy a pre-packaged HTIB (home theatre in the box. Two, buy a separate receiver and then add your own speakers. I chose to do the second. For the same price, I bought a real component receiver and then added these speakers and sub woofer to it. Result? Twice the flexibility, power, and quality for the same price as the nicest HTIB out there from Best Buy or any big box store. The speakers are handsome and clear. The sub woofer is thumping! I highly suggest this package!!! Amozon and JandR equaled the same quick shipping!
   
   BTW, the speakers came with wall mounting brackets and speaker cable. The speakers are black even though the box pictures silver.

3 comments about Panasonic SC-HT40 Home Theater Speaker System.

1. This machine sounds great, but it's a real pain to switch between audio inputs. Panasonic gave several inputs, but there's no way to cycle through all of them. You have to narrow all your inputs to two custom settings, really: by setting either the DVR/DVDp or TV to one input at a time. That means that when you push the input selection, you can only cycle though FM, AM, DVR, TV, the front mini audio in, and back mini audio (which is completely useless without the wireless system you have to purchase separately.) Would it have been SO hard to let us cycle through OPT1, OPT2, Analog 1, 2, and Coaxial? (Big Big Pain - just wait till you have to go though the menu system.) But...Panasonic makes Great products, so it's not a big deal unless you have several different things to connect to your receiver.



2. I purchased 12/2006 for my boyfriend, so far we like it very much. I give it 4 stars b/c the quality/product for the price I paid was worth the cost (I am not comparing other similar products but comparing price to product ratio: value).
   
   I purchased from a retail store (C.C.) for $169.99 on sale and I did buy a 3yr full warranty for $39.99 (total $209.98 + TX sales tax of $17.32 = $227.30). They also offered a 5yr warranty for $75.99+tax. These warranties are concurrent w/ the incl 1yr manufacturer's warranty. I purchased the warranty b/c people mentioned the unit overloading, blowing speakers, etc. after 1 month to 1 yr. I called Panasonic b/c they offer a similar warranty that starts after the 1yr incl man war: 2yr=$84.95, 3yr=$119.95 (if you call fast you get an "early bird discount" of 10%). With 10% off: 3yr(1yr+2yr)=$76.45, 4yr(1yr+3yr)=$107.95.
   
   Here are a few pros and cons for you if you are looking at this model (everything I could think of)!
   
   Pros:
   1) Great sound for my size room (about 14 ft front to back & 15 feet wide) and good quality output/input: example Dolby Digital/DTS, etc. (read the specs for more details).
   2) Everything included, nothing else needed (except maybe speaker stands if you like, but not really needed). Speaker wire is nice white, high quality 22 gauge copper wire.
   3) MANY input options: 1 COAX digital, 2 optical digital and 2 RCA stereo (Red/White) analog sets and they can all be programmed in any order (ex. 1 coax digital w/ 1 RCA, 2 optical, 1 optical w/ 1 RCA, etc). There is one output option for the DVR/DVD player input that is a RCA stereo (Red/White) analog set for recording (I have never used it, but it says you could take the DVD player sound back to the TV, etc).
   4) Good color display screen
   5) Easy setup and programming (just read the manual and then you can do it months later--that easy to remember and only took me 5 minutes to program everything).
   6) AWESOME subwoofer: slim, strong, shielded well, wood, speaker protected.
   7) Panasonic is very honest about the power (wattage) output and low power consumption (even says when powered off it will use 1W).
   8) Direct FM/AM tuning: enter the exact station number w/ remote (no need for scrolling up/down by .1, though you can do that too).
   9) 30 FM/AM presets programmable in any combination of AM/FM (easy to program).
   10) Great look, durable, nicely made and buttons seem strong (I don't think this model will break easily--that is as far as the physical structure).
   11) Multiple wireless options: rear speakers w/ rear music port AND/OR 2nd room speaker w/ music port. You can purchase the SH-FX60 to have rear speakers and a rear music port that sends audio from the port back to the unit (could be used for say computer output, etc.). You can also purchase the SH-FX80 to have a single speaker in the rear middle OR in a second room (also has a music port but does not send back to the unit, from what I have read). If you purchase both, they will both work, so you can have dual rear wireless speakers (SH-FX60) and also branch to a 2nd room (SH-FX80).
   
   Cons:
   1) The speakers come w/ cables attached! This is really annoying b/c if you need longer speaker wire you have to splice&solder on more to the existing/attached cable which could lower quality. They fit my size room (barely, but I have the cable run around the outside perimeter/edges of the walls--not straight back), so if you have a room about 14x15ft then you are okay or if you want to run them straight back (diagonally) such as under the carpet or a rug, etc.
   Speaker wire is white, high quality 22 gauge copper wire--nice quality.
   
   I couldn't find the speaker wire lengths documented, so I measured and here are mine (probably at most 1 ft from average):
   1 Center: SB-PC40: 6.5 ft
   1 Subwoofer: SB-W40: 13 ft
   2 R/L Front: SB-PF40: 13.5 ft
   2 R/L Rear/Surround: SB-PS40: 26.5 ft
   
   2) Speakers have a cloth cover (no plastic mesh/checkerboard shield to protect the speaker). So if you drop, puncture, etc. the cloth you go straight into the speaker (I like the mesh so if a speaker is ever hit, dropped, etc. the mesh can protect the important part--the speaker). THERE IS ONE EXPECTION: the subwoofer is VERY well shielded and is MUCH better than most designs that use the side output w/ just cloth. The subwoofer has a plastic cover on the front (a front facing speaker cone) that protects the cone and the only access to the actual speaker surface are slits on front (both sides) that are about 6-7in tall and at the widest point is 1in wide (see picture for better understanding of my measurements here).
   3) The speakers appear to be cased/caged/held/mounted/shielded using ONLY plastic (w/ exception of the front where there is just cloth...read above). The plastic is very solid and appears to be very hard (so I believe it to be very durable and will hold up). I would have preferred wood (to enhance quality) but that doesn't always add THAT much to the smaller speakers. Again THERE IS ONE EXPECTION: the subwoofer case/cage is solid wood on every side but the front (just painted silver to match other speakers); the front is thick/heavy duty plastic.
   4) The system only allows you to select 2 inputs from the 5 possible rear inputs (1 COAX digital, 2 optical digital and 2 RCA stereo (Red/White) analog sets). Select options "menu" automatically include Tuner AM, Tuner FM, Rear Music Port (used for the digital transceiver's digital audio port IF you purchase and install/setup Panasonic SH-FX60), Front Music Port (for the audio port on the front of the unit--works great), TV and DVR/DVD-P. The TV and DVR/DVD-P options can be set to ONE of any of the 5 possible rear inputs. So for example, TV could be 1 of the RCA stereo (Red/White) analog set inputs and DVR/DVD-P could be 1 of the 2 optical digital inputs or the COAX digital input. This is a pain, BUT it only took me 10 seconds (at the unit) to change the option using its very easy menus.
   5) Remote can only select between TV, DVR/DVD-P, and Tuner AM/FM. It cannot select the Front or Rear Music Port options. The remote also ONLY works w/ Panasonic devices. So, for example, if you had a Panasonic TV, you could turn it on/off, do TV/VIDEO selections and volume (possibly channel w/ the numeric inputs, but I am not sure); or if you had a Panasonic DVR/DVD Player you would have more options too. BUT if you do not have any other Panasonic devices the remote ONLY works for the Home Theater Audio System (SC-HT40) receiver. This is not that big a deal, but would have been nice if it could have been programmed to my Sony TV and Sony DVD Player.
   6) FM/AM antenna wire lengths are short (but are normal lengths when compared to other systems...not any shorter). The unit does not seem to get the best FM/AM reception/signal quality either (or at least for my setup and location--DFW metroplex).
   7) The unit seems to get hot after a while, but this is probably normal, and I know many other units put off the same amount of heat.



3. It was hard to find a 5.1 system in this price range that had optical digital input needed for the Xbox 360, so I was pleased with this. I was disappointed with the unpowered subwoofer & cardboard-like speaker enclosures. But it sounds fine for its use and it's good for its price. And my fault for assuming the subwoofer was powered.

4 comments about Curtis HTIB1000 Home Theater Surround Sound Speaker System.

1. This product is ok... I have one for only a couple of month then it overheated and died on me... Not good for long use... Once it overheated, it is over...



2. previous review complained about over-heating. Xbox recently had issue over-heating made by microsoft. Electronics do generate heat and if you over use it it will over heat no matter how much and what brand it is. In case of this Curtis HT1B1000 Theater Surrond Sound System, the sound is commensurate to its price. Can't expect great if you expect it to perform like Pioneer or Sony while the price is only over 30 bucks. Good for PC, DVD player and a small audio or theater system. You get what its worth and it wont over heat if you don't overdo it. The Bad: it didn't cost too much to manufacture this and thus it has limited features. The Good: It does create a cinematic and theater like sound (5.1 dolby-effect). Ok for a small room like a dorm or a master's bedroom. The remote control has separate buttons for each set of speakers i.e. center, subwoofer and the surround effect plus has a master volume control. Good for its price range.



3. Please do not waste your time or money with this system. Right out of the box after an hour of normal use the sub woofer started to make some horrible sounds. It was nice to have surround sound before that, but the quality was not very good at all. The speakers are so small the sound distorts at even low volume. Hopefully the store will take this back. It is not worth the $60 or time to just send it back for over heating and not being usable. There are 2 stereo inputs on the back and one input for 5.1 channels, sub woofer, center, FR, RL, RR, RL. Comes with 3 stereo cables. Spend the extra money and get some Creative, Klipsch, Logitech, or even Sony speakers. You will be happy you spent that extra 10 or 20 bucks. I couldn't remember the brand name of these speakers so I just did a google search for "over heated home theater 5.1 " Found it right away... Curtis is a name to forget.



4. Bought this item from the store for 60 bucks. The remote worked...when it wanted to. There was nothing in the manual about how to program the presets on the remote either. The buzzing started in one speaker, then to another, thenm would stop.
   
   Over time, it started to buzz and humm loudly and I would have to unplug it.
   
   I never used it much so I don't know why it would have over heated. The only "real" off switch is on the rear of the sub so it gets to be a pain, plus you have to reset the levels after you turn it back on.
   
   This thing is junk. Less than a month and it doesn't work anymore.

1 comments about KEF KHT2005.2 Black 5.1-Channel Home Theater System.

1. This is a great buy. Most small speakers like this are missing a lot of midrange sound, but these suprised me. When you pick one of them up, you'll know you're dealing with quality because they're heavy as hell. They mount easily to the walls or sit great on shelves too. The sub is plenty to fill even a large living room. It sounds better than any Bose system I've heard (I've always thought Bose is overrated anyway) and is much cheaper. I paired it with the SR-605 Onkyo receiver. Great receiver by they way. HDMI 1.3 compatible, 7.1 output, 90W per ch, a plethora of inputs all go to one HDMI out. Great buy!

1 comments about Infinity Primus Theater Pack II 5-channel Home Theater Speaker System.

1. I bought these to replace the very large speakers for my 5 channel pro-logic system, and still ended up using the large speakers in speaker B parallel port to handle low mids and bass. Luckily I was able to conceal the large speakers behind my large TV. The rear and center speakers are superior to my previous set, but these five speakers are not very good by themselves. If you have a 5.1 channel system, then do yourself a favor and buy this set, along with the sub-woofer of your choice. You'll be a lot happier, and you won't have to hook up 7 speakers in order to get quality 5 channel surround.

No comments about Dayton HTS-1200B Home Theater Speaker Set Black.

1 comments about Polk Audio SurroundBar 50 Surround System (Single Speaker) - Titanium.

1. I got the SurroundBar 50 last week after a few days of research. If you're researching for single speaker surround sound solutions that means you cannot run wires in your room thanks to the landlord or your wife (welcome to my world hehe).
   
   You have couple of options when you're looking for a single speaker solution for your home theater project, and I was down to Yamaha and Polk Audio. Between the two I chose Polk Audio over Yamaha because (A) Yamaha requires a perfect 4 wall room so that sound can bounce back off the walls and create the surround sound effect, which I don't have (cathedral ceiling, staircase in the middle of the house so no back wall and side walls are far apart.) and (B) Yamaha costs way more. Don't get me wrong, Yamaha is awesome from what I read on Amazon and on other sites, but SurroundBar/SurroundBar 50 plus a decent subwoofer cost less than a Yamaha (which has an integrated subwoofer).
   
   To pair with my SurroundBar 50, I bought a Velodyne Minivee 10 subwoofer. It was a bit of an overkill in my situation. But I wanted to spend a bit more and get a great sounding sub in case I wanted to build a better home theater one day. You can pair SurroundBar 50 with any Polk Audio sub out there. PSW111 is a good one for example. I have an Onkyo A/V Receiver and an Onkyo DVD player. The setup was fairly easy. SurroundBar 50 comes with the audio cables ready to be hooked up between the bar and your receiver. Everything is color coded so you can't really go wrong here. I hooked up an RCA audio cable between my receiver and my sub's line level inputs. Total setup = 1 hour or less.
   
   After configuring my receiver to use the new bar and sub, I tested the surround sound with Matrix, Gladiator and Pitch Black DVDs. SurroundBar 50 produces the "enveloping sound" as promised. I still need some adjustments to do later but so far I'm pretty impressed with what I have. The SDA technology Polk Audio offers does a great job. This product will NOT give you a true 5.1 surround sound experience, so if you're an audiophile this is not for you. This product performs really well in creating the 5.1 effect. In Pitch Black you really hear those flying creatures moving around and in Matrix it's a pleasure hearing bullets flying by and ricocheting.
   
   Overall I'm very impressed. I'm just happy I was able to setup a surround sound system under an hour and without running wires going through walls and furniture and carpet etc. Your experience may vary from mine so go to your local electronics store and give this a test. If your wife is like mine who is against speakers and wires around the room then SurroundBar might be the solution for you too. :)

No comments about Xbox Spherex 5.1 System w/o Amplifier.