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 Buyer's Guide: Home Theater in a Box
| What to Buy: HTIB Entry Level Picks |
Sony DAV-HDX500 BRAVIA Theater System
$499
(Replaced with DAV-HDX576WF HTIB, $430)
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Why We Like It:
The DAV-HDX500 gets pretty high marks relative to its competitors at its price. It's a fun system to use (except for that blasted remote), and the auto calibration makes getting the best sound possible out of the system as brainless as possible. We wish the speakers sounded a bit better, but that's a common knock against HTiBs. All in all, it's a strong value in a one-box system. |
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Specs/Features:
Five speakers plus 285-Watt powered sub
Integrated receiver and Upconverting DVD changer w/HDMI output
143-Watts x 5 into 8 ohms
Decodes DD, Dolby ProLogicII, DTS-ES Discrete Matrix Neo:6, DTS 24/96, Neural Surround, Digital Cinema Sound
Nifty auto setup with included microphone
Dual digital media ports
Add-ons for Walkman, Bluetooth, iPod or Wi-Fi
XM Ready
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Onkyo HT-SR800
$599
(Replaced with HT-S5100, $599)
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Why We Like It:
So, $599 only buys a 7.1-channel receiver and the associated speakers? Is it really a Home Theater in a Box if it doesn't include a DVD player? Add on $150 or less for a decent entry-level DVD player and you're still looking at - and listening to - one of the best HTiBs we've experienced for the money. If you are into performance and would like to have the possibility of upgrading, this Onkyo comes highly recommended. |
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Specs/Features:
7.1-channel system with 230-Watt powered sub
Separate 7.1-channel AVR
110-Watts x 7 into 8 ohms
Decodes DD, Dolby ProLogicII, DD-EX, DTS, DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix/Neo:6, DTS 24/96, Neural Surround
HDMI video switching for two sources
XM, Sirius and iPod Ready
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| What to Buy: HTIB Midrange Picks |
Panasonic SC-BT100 Blu-ray
$1,000
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Why We Like It:
The Panasonic SC-BT100 puts together a highly desirable feature package for $1,000, including Blu-ray playback, iPod compatibility, wireless surround-channel transmission, digital amplification, and speakers with bamboo drivers. This is one of the best in-a-box systems we've heard. It arguably makes the other disc-drive-inclusive models on my short list obsolete, since they only do standard-def DVD. |
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Specs/Features:
5.1-channel system with 250-Watt powered sub
Blu-ray player included
Decodes Dolby TrueHD, DD, Dolby ProLogicII, DD-EX, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS, DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix/Neo:6, DTS 24/96, Neural Surround
iPod Ready
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Onkyo HT-S9100THX Integrated System
$1,099
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Why We Like It:
Onkyo excels at making this kind of system, with or without THX certification. The use of THX Integrated System Plus only makes a good thing better. Although this product won't win any awards for fancy aesthetics, you can close your eyes and imagine that you're listening to something more powerful and better balanced than the price tag indicates. The Onkyo HT-S9100THX will make a lot of budget-conscious listeners happy. |
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Specs/Features:
7.1-channel system with 290-Watt powered sub
Separate 7.1-channel AVR
130-Watts x 1 into 8 ohms
Integrated System Plus THX certified
Decodes Dolby TrueHD, DD, Dolby ProLogicIIx, DD-EX, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS, DTS-ES
THX Loudness Plus, Audyssey Dynamic EQ
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| What To Buy: Tips For Choosing |
| In addition to getting the right amount of power for your room and the features you need, there are a variety of Home Theater in a Box configurations to choose from.
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| How to Buy: Shopping Tips & Strategies |
| Even if you know which features are the best fit for you, the salesroom floor can be unforgiving terrain. We'll help you become a smart shopper.
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| How to Use: Connections & Calibration |
| Now that you've unboxed your new HTIB, how do you hook it up and get all the performance you've paid for? Want to know how to dial in your speaker placement for the best sound? Start Here.
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