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Denon DHT-1513BA Home Theater System Preview
Tom Andry — last modified May 03, 2012 21:07

What is key with the Denon DHT-1513BA is that you are getting a full fledged receiver (the Denon AVR-1513) along with a set of speakers from Boston Acoustics. If this sounds more like a package deal than a HTiB, you are right. The AVR-1513 is on sale, separately, for $250. While the speaker system hasn't changed from previous DHT-1312BA, neither has the price. At $600, the DHT-1513BA has a lot going for it. While it is a bare-bones receiver, it has discrete amplification (75watts x 5), 3D pass-through, and multiple HDMI inputs. That's more than you could expect from a lot of HTiB solutions.

Onkyo HT-S5500 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker Package Preview
Tom Andry — last modified March 12, 2012 06:50

One thing we've always liked about Onkyo's HTiB offerings is their perchance to include full receivers. No funny proprietary connections, no funky speaker wires that can't be changed or lengthened, just a simple receiver connected to inexpensive speakers that a user can, later on down the line, swap out for something better. This is the perfect solution for the newbie and we often recommend Onkyo HTiBs to our friends that won't listen to reason. Onkyo has some very high end HTiBs and some that are very budget. The new HT-S5500 is a middle of the pack offering (as far as price) with a lot of very attractive features.

Onkyo HT-S9400THX Networked HTiB First Look
Tom Andry — last modified May 04, 2011 06:13

While actual details and pictures of the components of the Onkyo HT-S9400THX Networked HTiB are sketchy, the message is clear - this is a product that defies its price point. At $1099 MSRP (sure to find this on sale somewhere), you're getting a full featured receiver and THX certified speakers. While it is only really rated (and therefore designed for) a small home theater or dorm room, we're sure to see them in rooms much larger. With the streaming included and support for some of the latest technology (some of which doesn't really exist yet), the Onkyo HT-S9400THX is sure to turn heads when it starts shipping in May.

Denon DHT-1312BA HTiB First Look
Tom Andry — last modified May 02, 2011 06:44

We almost feel guilty putting the Denon DHT-1312BA in the Home Theater in a Box category. The Denon AVR-1312 is a 75 watt per channel receiver with five channels of discrete amplification (the 110 watt spec you may be seeing is into 6 ohms), a new GUI with HDMI overlay, 24 bit, 96 kHz DACs, support and decoding for all the latest HD audio codecs, and four HDMI 1.4a inputs (3D and ARC supported). The Boston Acoustics MCS 160 speaker system sports four matching satellite speakers with 3" mid-bass drivers and 1/2" dome tweeters and a sub with a 100 watt subwoofer and an 8" long throw woofer. All this for $600? With the technology of one of Denon's newest receivers paired with the sound quality of Boston Acoustics, the DHT-1312BA is sure to be a big seller.

Harman Kardon BDS 800 HTiB System First Look
Tom Andry — last modified April 11, 2011 06:15

So who should buy a Harman Kardon BDS 800 Home Theater System? Someone looking for a Blu-ray player and speakers. If you are planning on adding anything else to the mix, you're going to have to work around the limitations. This makes this a great solution for a second system where you ONLY want to watch movies or don't mind a little creative wiring. For $1500, we'd think they could have included an HDMI input or two. It certainly would have made this an easier recommendation. Still, the unit system looks nice and it certainly has enough of the features that we like to see. Without the ability to splash 3D all over the box like every other manufacturer is doing, we'll have to see how well it does.

Yamaha YHT-494 Home Theater in a Box First Look
Tom Andry — last modified September 23, 2010 23:29

As a HTiB solution, the Yamaha YHT-494 has a lot going for it. The slim LCR front speaker and cubed back speakers look to be easy to place. While most manufacturers would be trying to entice consumers with promises of "wireless" rear speakers and wall mounting, Yamaha seems to know that most people will be placing their speakers on a surface and running wires. The small size of the speakers and the LCR placement in front of the display is sure to hook some buyers. With the HTR-3063, you've got a receiver you can grow with rather than a box with proprietary hookups that will force you to toss it away when you decide to upgrade.

Onkyo HT-S9100THX Home Theater System First Look
Clint DeBoer — last modified February 28, 2010 20:26

You want home theater? Full functionality doesn't get much cheaper than the Onkyo HT-S7200. This is 7.1-channel system with nearly all the trimmings - all packed into a nice, convenient box you can give to somebody... or, yourself. This home-theater-in-a-box includes a full A/V receiver and complete 7.1 speaker package. The very reasonable $899 retail price of the HT-S7200 makes it a compelling buy for those looking to move their way firmly into the surround sound experience. The package includes the dedicated A/V receiver, a 10-inch powered subwoofer, Front tower (floorstanding) speakers, a Center channel, and two pairs of Surround and Surround Back speakers. It's a highly upgradable system, and one that will meet the needs for almost anyone looking to break into the home theater experience.

Onkyo HT-S6200 Home Theater System First Look
Clint DeBoer — last modified February 21, 2010 19:51

You want home theater? Full functionality doesn't get much cheaper than the Onkyo HT-S6200. This is 7.1-channel system with nearly all the trimmings - all packed into a nice, convenient box you can give to somebody... or, yourself. This home-theater-in-a-box includes a full A/V receiver and complete 7.1 speaker package. The very reasonable $699 retail price of the HT-S6200 makes it a compelling buy for those looking to move their way firmly into the surround sound experience. The package includes the dedicated A/V receiver, a 10-inch powered subwoofer, Front speakers, a Center channel, and two pairs of Surround and Surround Back speakers. It's a highly upgradable system, though there are some things you'll want to watch out for, and we indicate those below.

Onkyo HT-S5200 Home Theater System First Look
Clint DeBoer — last modified February 11, 2010 09:00

Prices for home theater systems have absolutely plummeted over the past decade. The Onkyo HT-S5200 7.1-channel system is just one example of affordable surround sound. This home-theater-in-a-box includes a full A/V receiver and complete 7.1 speaker package. While clearly marketed as an entry level package, the price of the HT-S5200 makes it a compelling buy for those looking to move their way into the surround sound experience. The package includes the dedicated A/V receiver, a 10-inch powered subwoofer, Front speakers, a Center channel, and two pairs of smaller Surround and Surround Back speakers. It's a highly upgradable system, though there are some things you'll want to watch out for, and we indicate those below.

First Look : Onkyo HT-S3200 Home Theater System First Look Clint DeBoer — last modified February 11, 2010 09:03

First Look : Yamaha NeoHD YMC-500, YMC-700, YMC-S21 Media Controller First Look Gene DellaSala — last modified February 08, 2010 06:05

First Look : Onkyo Home Theater Systems with ProLogic IIz Tom Andry — last modified August 16, 2009 20:01

First Look : Yamaha DVX-700 DVD Home Theater System First Look Tom Andry — last modified September 28, 2009 12:33

First Look : Sharp Blu-ray Home Theater in a Box Tom Andry — last modified January 08, 2009 20:20

First Look : Samsung HT-X810 Home Theater Sound Bar Tom Andry — last modified January 14, 2008 19:33

First Look : B&W Liberty Integrated Wireless Entertainment System Tom Andry — last modified January 08, 2008 11:35

First Look : Samsung HT-TX72T Home Theater System Jim Robbins — last modified January 04, 2008 15:59

First Look : Sony HT-SS2000 Home Theater System Jim Robbins — last modified January 04, 2008 15:51

First Look : Yamaha YHT-585BL Home Theater System Jim Robbins — last modified January 02, 2008 10:26

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