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Featured Home Theater in-a-Box Reviews
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Yamaha RX-V663 A/V Receiver Overview
This new A/V receiver from Yamaha comes armed with all of the latest in HDMI connectivity, and HD decoding at bargain basement pricing. Just about all the features of the higher end models at almost half the price makes this receiver one of the hottest tickets of the year. If you are on the market for a new A/V receiver, take a close look at the RX-V663.
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Axiom Audio Epic Midi 400 Speakers Review
Axiom Audio's Epic Midi system is a great "home theater-in-a-box killer" that starts at just $1338 and is built around the small M2 (v2) speakers. To get the most out of it, however, you'd want to opt for the much more sophisticated and powerful EP400 subwoofer - a $600+ premium that lands the system among stiff competition in the ~$2000 5.1 home theater speaker market. While expensive, the EP400 was the most impressive part of this system and stole the show as it certainly outperformed the expectations we had for what an 8-inch subwoofer could do.
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Recently Reviewed Home Theaters in-a-Box
Joining the Sharp suite of AQUOS-brand products, including the LCD TVs, and most recently, Blu-ray players, the new AQUOS BD-MPC40 and BD-MPC30 include the main unit, housing a Blu-ray player and amplifier, as well as five speakers and a subwoofer. A high-gloss piano-black finish on the main unit matches the styling of AQUOS TVs, accompanied by black wooden cabinet speakers with the BD-MPC40, and black synthetic finish speakers with BD-MPC30.
Samsung Electronics is making high-definition video more accessible than ever to consumers with its HT-X810 Home Theater Sound Bar. Now usually we look down our noses at surround bars but with an integrated upconverting DVD player, Bluetooth connectivity AND a wireless sub, we couldn't help but be intrigued.
Want to talk about quality Home Theater in a Box? Let's talk about B&W's new Liberty system, a new integrated 5.1 system featuring wireless, cable-free speakers. The Liberty range comprises four speaker models and one combined digital radio and disc player with a wireless transmitter.
First time home theater users may appreciate the simplicity provided by a Home Theater in a Box, and the Samsung HT-TX72T is a great starting point. With a low profile 5 disc changer, included speakers, and excellent remote control, this system is a breeze to install and configure. Since the Samsung HT-TX72 can typically be found on sale, it's a good value for a system with this many features. For well under $400 this system seems like a good match for those looking to "accessorize" their new flat panel television with a fully-featured surround audio setup.
Let's say you've just walked into your local electronics retail store and are planning to buy a 1080p 52" Sony television and a Sony Blu-ray player. Along with a pile of free Blu-ray movies, you should consider purchasing an audio system to match. Sony hopes to have you covered with the HT-SS2000 home theater system. There are two schools of thought on audio, however. One, buy something cheap because you are after a good image and any surround sound will do. Two, spend as much or more on audio than you do on video. Here at Audioholics.com, you'll find that most of us are in the second school of thought.
The new Yamaha YHT-585BL is a great starter package that not only includes a standalone receiver, but also 2 tower speakers for the front, a center channel, surround speakers, and pretty decent 8-inch powered subwoofer. The included receiver, the Yamaha HTR-6050, has a few more inputs and outputs than the average HTiB in this price class, but it's also a little more complex to hook up as a result. To ease first-time home theater consumer confusion, Yamaha included its YPAO setup and auto-calibration system to ease the setup process. (See our RX-V659 review for more in-depth information on this setup system) Included are the standard remote control, some speaker wire, and the small setup microphone.
Yet another Panasonic HTiB? That's right, here we have the SC-PT950. It is identical in functionality to its little brother, the PT750. For an extra $100, you'll get tower speakers, a slightly larger woofer, and just a little more amplifier power. This is a great home theater system with lots of "creature-features." A 5-disc DVD changer and easy-to use remote are solid features any homeowner will appreciate. Add in an automatic setup system with included mic and an included iPod dock and now you've got something that your mother-in-law could set up and enjoy.
Sony is typically known for their higher end consumer electronics, at least that's what the big box salesman will tell you as he shows you the price. This is certainly true sometimes, but let it be known that Sony can make entry level products with prices to match. Enter the HT-DDW790, a very low cost 5.1 home theater system. This unit is very basic and comes with a full size receiver that has only a few inputs, 6 speakers with wire, and a remote control.
To complement their line of small flat panel TVs, Samsung Electronics produced the HT-X50 home theater system. Not only does it have a cool name, I mean who wouldn't want to own an X50, but it has a good look, as well. The low cost package includes a 5-disc DVD/CD changer, 5 speakers, a small subwoofer, remote control, and various cables for connecting it all together. Its features are pretty standard as far as home theater systems go, but it does have better than average sound. The speakers are more clear at higher volumes than the equally-priced competition. The passive subwoofer unit is just OK on the mid-bass and seemed a bit boomy overall.
Yamaha has done something pretty cool with its entry-level YHT-380 system. They included several standalone products all in one big, heavy box. That's right, a full Yamaha receiver, 5-speaker package, and subwoofer are part of this home theater system. It might even make you say "Yama-HEY!" Well, that is, if you listen to Tom or Dina over at AVRant. If you can only spend a few hundred dollars, but want a system that allows for future upgrades, then make sure to check out the Yamaha YHT-380 - it will certainly do the trick!
Home Theater in-a-Box
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