Onkyo HTS590 5.1 Channel Component Home Theater Audio System Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this system based on reviews I read at a major retailer's website and here at Amazon. I wanted a home theater system without a DVD player which would offer flexibility. This system certainly offers performance and flexibility for the price. Many features and easy setup.
There are some easy and economical things we did to improve the sound. First, because this system allows you to upgrade the speaker wire, we bought 16 gauge speaker wire from a major discount chain for the center, front and rear channel speakers. We got 14 gauge speaker wire for the subwoofer (thicker wire passes more current to the sub and has improved the performance of the 8-inch woofer). We spent $14 for a coaxial cable at another discount store which carries the digital signal from the DVD player to the Onkyo receiver--this improved EVERYTHING--movies and music. We found speaker stands at a major discount chain for $78--speakers sound much better when they have a strong/rigid support. This may sound like stuff an audiophile would do to a $5000 audio system, but it all is cheap, easy and effective. Sound improved by about 45%.
We were surprised at the tuner in the Onkyo receiver--we're using a small Terk powered FM antenna and getting very good FM stereo reception in our hilly river community. All in all, for the small cost of this system, we're enjoying home theater greatly. We might spend a little to get a new sub at some time, but for now we're really happy.

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Onkyo 6 Channel HTIB HTS590

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Denon DHT-488BA Home Theater System with 5.1 Channel Speaker Review

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(More customer reviews)I originally was going to buy a different Denon system but decided on this one with the Boston Acoustics speakers. It arrived on schedule and took me a couple days to read through the manual (just do it) and play with the various settings before the setup was close to what I wanted. A few minor tweeks after that and this thing rocks. I watched the Super Bowl in HiDef surround and was glad I didn't spend the money for the tickets. It was like being there. When you hear people behind you yelling "Defense" or cheering as Eli threw the winning touchdown pass, it makes watching the game more fun. There are enough settings on the tuner to satisfy anyone. Whether it's watching a DVD, listening to the stero or playing XBox, this system can make the experience more fun. Well worth the money. Read the manual. The set up is not for the faint of heart. I'd recommend this to anyone.

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Yamaha RX-V1800BL 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was forced to upgrade to the Yamaha RXV 1800 earlier than planned as my older Yamaha model gave up the ghost. I was very pleased with the previous model which I had for over 10 years. This past November I had acquired the Samsung 52 LNTF and the Toshiba HD A35 player, with plans to upgrade the amplifier sometime this year. These are all HDMI 1.3a enabled devices, supporting true 1080p
First the amplifier is impressive in size. It is not your father's amp. It is feature rich and is intimidating for those who are technically challenged.
Since most of my components are HDMI enabled, it was good to run less cables from these to the unit. (My wife was very pleased with, this.) This is the beauty of HDMI cables, one cable carries the stereo audio and the three primary colors. This is the first gain to be realized from the system, the reduction of wires needed. The unit has 4 HDMI inputs already pre-programmed. By this, I mean each input has been configured for a particular device. There is one for 1080p DVD players (Blu Ray or Toshiba HD), one for regular DVD players, one for cable box/satellite set top box etc. Meaning you cannot criss cross the inputs with the devices and expect it to work. I discovered this the hard way.
Connecting the wires is less intimidating than originally thought. I used screw in banana plugs that made connection to the speakers a breeze. It does require one to have enough free wire to allow for slack when the unit is positioned.
There is a cool feature "YAPAO" that is used to set the sound levels for the speaker based on the listening position. The test showed me that one of my main left front speaker was out of phase (that is the rec wire from the speaker was connected to the black input port on the unit.) The trick is to be able to locate the supplied microphone in the right location to conduct the test.
The entire wiring with assistance from my wife took about an hour. Plan everything ahead and read the set up instructions. You cannot afford to short circuit such a monster of a unit.
I am still struggling with the multi-room zone controls. They are not simple. All I really want to do is to share the audio from the main zone to my bedroom which is zone 2. My previous model had an A/B switch that was easy enough to use. Just turn in on and the sound was distributed to my bedroom. I am still researching the multi-zone set up.
The remote control is not user-friendly either. It is overloaded and lacks in ease of use or human-tech friendliness. Others have recommended using the Harmony to control all other units. I struggled with the set up and was able to get it to control the TV, the DVD player and the CD player. For the life of me I cannot figure out how to get it to control the Cable set-top box.
The sound settings and offerings are too numerous to mention. Most of this you will only master over time.
Once I had it connected, I listened to some cds, watched a HD sourced movie, and HD sourced TV. I use Comcast and it have some nice HD on Demand features, especially the Gallery Player photos. The sound is awesome. It really makes a huge difference to the entertainment experience. It is hard to imagine how much you miss when you do not know what you are missing. I thought my previous sound experience was very good, the unit moved it up about two more levels.
Setting up the physical connections is not a challenge, less wires to deal with, but the programming and use of the remote will set you back many hours just trying to figure it out.
Am I pleased with my investment, very much so. So if you plan on purchasing this unit, realize it is no walk in the park, you do pay for what you get.

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The Yamaha RX-V1800 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver offers excellent levels of sound and video quality for total home theater enjoyment.It provides 910 Watts of total power, pushing 130 Watts to each of its 7 channels.With features including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders, the latest HDMI 1.3a specification support, video upscaling to 1080p, iPod compatibility, YPAO Auto Setup with Quick Start and multi-zone custom installation support, it will become the cornerstone of your home theater experience.

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Onkyo TX-SR805 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Guess which company managed to get True HD and DTS HD into their next lineup of high end receivers. Onkyo of course!! Cutting edge technology filling your room with beautiful sound.
I received my Onkyo TX-SR805 in the mail yesterday and I couldn't be any more thrilled! The behemoth weighs in at 61 lbs. and you can tell it means business. Daunting as it may look, the setup is a breeze due to the fact that everything you plug into the receiver's many inputs, can be output to the TV through one simple HDMI cable. It upconverts any analog connection you can throw at it whether it's S-video, Component, or simple RCA. If you still have a Hi-Fi VCR or other Standard Definition electronics, I'd suggest investing in at least an S-Video cable for that, or if it does have an RGB Component Cable use that because even though it upconverts RCA it can only do so much for the picture quality. That being said it does upconvert all of these analog signals into 720p, 1080i. It DOESN'T UPCONVERT Composite connections to 1080p. The difference in the upconversion wouldn't be noticeable.
The integrated Faroudja DCDi technology is wonderful! If you thought that your 480p signal was decent before, wait till you see how well this deinterlacing works! Edges have much less noise and things in SD are cleaned up very well through the receiver.
Setup was easy as far as speaker configuration, the Audyssey MultEQ XT auto calibration system runs a speaker measurement set up for up to 8 listening positions in your room! so if you want it to take into account your entire living room seating arrangement, just move the little wired speaker microphone to each listening position and it does all the work.
Unlike some receivers like my recently sold Sony DG800, the receiver's setup menu can be output onto your TV screen. So instead of squinting at the receivers display from across the room, you can see everything right up on the TV screen. However, if you do like to tweak settings while watching TV you can choose not to have it output onto the TV.
If you're actually considering spending around $1000 on a receiver, THIS is the only thing you should be looking at! At the moment, the higher end Denon AVR4306 does just about everything that this Onkyo can do but the Onkyo Receivers are the FIRST receivers to truly decode DTS HD signals, and Dolby True HD! It's absolutely insane all the details that can come out of High Definition Surround Sound! I Recently acquired a Playstation 3 and although I don't plan on converting my DVD collection (500 dvds) to Blu Ray or HD-DVD I did purchase Speed on Blu Ray and I can tell you from what I heard, the future of High Definition Audio is here in this Onkyo TX-SR805! Every detail that they mixed into the movie's original track is encoded into DTS HD. It's literally translated from the original format without any loss of quality. It's ridiculous how amazing it sounds.
You may not hear a huge difference, but when movies start being encoded with this HD Audio, eventually you'll go back to an old DVD and cringe at the sound difference (or at least notice the lack of detail in the audio). If you don't have a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player don't fret, there's still a vast array of audio settings between Dolby Digital, and DTS there's also THX Ultra2 certified settings that blow you away! I currently have my DVD player setup to THX Cinema and watching the Pod Race in Star Wars Episode One: Phantom Menace is something you should check out A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
All the features can be overwhelming and the remote isn't the most intuitive, but when you spend a little time getting used to the buttons you need to push to make things work in harmony, you'll be happy with what you've got. Not to mention the beefy remote that comes with it can learn button functions which I love. For example when I coded in my HD Dishnetwork Box I couldn't get to the On screen TV Guide or my Recorded TV Menu, so I assigned the buttons manually and now the universal remote does everything my Cable DVR Remote does! If only I could code it to my Windows Media Center Remote oh well.
My one and only tiny complaint about this receiver is that it doesn't have HD Radio. It supports XM and Sirius radio but not HD FM Signals (not sure how to explain it but it's CD quality Free Local Radio Stations). The radio itself sounds fine and I don't listen to the radio very often anyways so it's not a big deal to me, but being as future proof as this receiver is, it should have HD radio. (Since I don't have XM, Sirius, or an Ipod I can't comment on the Docking capabilities or the Satellite Radio quality)
Last but not least make sure you have a big heavy duty surge protector, this thing is a power monster, you'll want a surge protector to make sure the receiver is getting a regulated amount of power, when I was setting it up I had all my components on at once and someone decided to turn on the hair dryer and a few fans, and there went the power. So be forewarned if you like 4 components on at once you might blow a fuse. also for $30 a 3 year protection plan is highly recommended just in case something shorts out in the receiver (knock on wood) you can service it for free, and get a replacement if necessary.
These aren't available in the store(ordered mine online at CC) and the sales people don't have much info on the receiver itself since it came out in May(about a month from prior to today) but it's comparable to the TX-SR804 if you want more similar opinions :)

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Denon AVR-2808CI 7.1-Channel Multizone Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I've owned a few receivers in the past (mostly Sony ES models), but none of them compare to this one. Denon specializes in audio, and it shows! Don't get me wrong, I love and own alot of Sony's products (two TVs, PS3, Vaio computer, DVD player, etc.), but after picking up this Denon and pairing it with a Polk speaker/sub setup, I've never been happier, and the upgrade from the Sony ES it replaced is substantial in many ways.
Denon AVR-2808ci Pros:
-Sound quality is absolutely incredible! Even compressed music from iPod is great ("Restorer" feature really helps!). Highs, mids and lows are all accurately reproduced, and there are tons of custom EQ options!
-Audyssey Auto-Calibration is accurate and thorough.
-Includes decoding of all current and future sound-fields (DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD, as well as Uncompressed PCM and everything else you can imagine, all via HDMI version 1.3a)!
-Display is large and includes alot of necessary info-this thing tells you what it's doing.
-Solid build quality and nice looking!
-Connectivity options (HDMI, toslink, digital coax, component video, s-video, etc.)
-Video upconversion via HDMI using built-in Faroudja DCDi processor, or just passthrough and use as a convenient HDMI switcher (assignable inputs).
-Excellent sound processors, both for movies and music, complement a solid, beefy amplifier.
-Customizable as all heck: 4-stage dimmer, "Quick Select" feature for three sources, learning lcd remote, volume level options, mute level options, default settings per-source, massive amount of EQ/channel level/crossover settings, and more!
-Main remote works great, learns and controls just about all of your gear.
This receiver is truly great for anybody who is serious about their Home Audio/Home Theater. The only drawbacks are that it is very complex, which is fine except that Denon doesn't make it any simpler to understand in the manual. It definitely takes some time to set this thing up and learn its interface. The Sony's I've owned in the past were far more user-friendly from the initial set-up/calibration onward. However, they never delivered results that were even close to this unit, and once you learn it, it does make sense and is relatively user-friendly after setup.
Cons:
-Complex manual and interface takes time to learn.
-On Screen Menu lags a little and blacks out picture rather than a nice overlay. Also, it's not the better looking, more user friendly GUI that more expensive models have (as well as all Sony's).
-Smaller secondary remote only works for other Zones (not a big deal really, but still...)
-Main remote takes forever to program/set up for universal usage. complicated.
-Only two HDMI inputs (could've used at least one more at this price range).
-No HD radio or Sirius support (does have XM).
Overall, minor gripes aside (nothing's ever perfect), I'm incredibly pleased and excited to own this unit and have it as the central hub to my Home Theater. I have Blu-ray now (PS3) and the advantages and options both now and in the future are vast. I'm confident that the Denon AVR-2808ci will allow me to take full advantage of that and other things for years to come. Mostly, though, it just cranks out amazingly good audio from any source, and that is ultimately what receivers are for. Highly recommended!

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Bose LS12IIBLK Lifestyle 12 Series II Home Theater System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)When I walked into the Bose store and heard this system playing, I was overwhelmed. The crispness of the sound, frequency range, sound distribution, powerful bass... I immediately asked for a personal demo, and I was even more perplexed when they gave me the regular Bose designed demo where they show you the wonders that this system can do. The surround sound is magnificent, and even if you have a mono or stereo recording it will simulate the surround sound in the greatest way I could have imagined. I couldn't believe that I was listening to a 50's mono record in full surround sound at one point, and it sounded excellent! The demo of how the bass seems to come from the little speakers instead of the subwoofer is also very impressive. You hear the powerful and rich bass coming from this tiny speakers, but when they cover the woofer on the subwoofer you notice the bass is gone, even though it seemed to be coming from the little speakers! Pretty cool stuff. Not to mention these tiny speakers produce a sound that's better than regular speakers that are 10 times the size. Bose really hit a home run with this technology, and if you are considering it you definitely should go for it. I had never listened to music like I do now. It's a totally new experience.
As for the new systems with 6 CD Changer or DVD player, it's your choice. I bought this unit because I just wanted the speakers and a receiver to connect my DVD player/mp3 player/computer to (although it does have a CD player), and this system was great for that, at the best price for a Lifetime system. If you don't have your own DVD player and you want to use it for that you may want to consider the others.
Also, there are newer models of the Lifestyle system that come with some new speakers (jewel) that are even smaller (and more expensive). I tried these new systems and I noticed the small speakers could not produce a sound as crisp and rich as the lifestyle 12 speakers. The sound was much more metallic, like a cymbal, instead of being rich and velvety. If you're trying to decide, don't let this factor influence you in your decision. Just go for the one that's right for your price range and needs. And above all, go visit a Bose store and ask for a demo and listen for yourself!

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Onkyo TX-NR906 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Simply amazing! I must say, this has to be one of the most sophisticated pieces of electronic equipment that I've ever owned. I don't even know where to begin. Did I mention this thing is amazing?
I was running a Bose Lifestyle 48 prior to this, but when I finally decided to make the most of HDMI connections, I shelved the Bose and stepped up to the ONKYO. What a breath of fresh air! There are so many features of the TX-NR906 that I like. Starting with the remote control--I'm sure it's common practice nowadays for receiver remotes to be fairly smart, but this guy is really bright. I've managed to teach it all the commands from my three main remote controls (TV, BD & CD Players), more or less, just by pointing the controllers at each other and clicking. I'm referring to commands that aren't usually part of a universal controller's arsenal. The large number of connection choices are really coming in handy, as well. I'm maxing out the HDMI inputs and have one of the two outputs connected to my TV. There's a ton of digital audio options as well. The front panel offers a number of connection choices, including a USB port for playing MP3s.
Another aspect of this receiver that I really like is the fact that this system not only sounds phenomenal when playing movies, but sounds equally as incredible playing CDs or listening to music from my PC. With previous systems it always seemed like one was better than the other, but with the TX-NR906, I really feels like I'm getting audiophile quality sound from all components. Oh yeah, did I mention? HD FM radio sounds phenomenal! I don't have XM or Sirius yet, but that's on the short list of near term upgrades. There's an antennae connection for both.
This receiver is the hub of my home theater. Putting things in perspective, my setup includes a Samsung LN46A750 46-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color, Panasonic DMP-BD30K 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player, a Sony 5-Disc Carousel CD Player, Dell XPS Pentium D 3.0 GHz/3.0 GB RAM/VisionTek Radeon HD4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express Graphics Card, Playstation 3 80GB, Motorola digital cable box/DVR , and Aperion Audio's Intimus 5T Hybrid HD speaker system. All this, combined with the TX-NR906, really sounds and looks incredible. I'm utilizing HDMI for video on all components. I'm also supplementing the digital cable box's audio with a coaxial cable. Similarly, I'm augmenting the BD Player's audio by connecting audio cables via the multichannel jacks.
I bought the TX-NR906 in October 2008 and so far, I haven't found anything I dislike. The only minor thing I will point out is with the remote control. When you are teaching it commands from your other remotes, you might have to try it a couple of times. At first, I thought that some of the commands weren't going to be able to be taught, but I stuck with it and eventually was able to teach it all commands. No big deal, just don't give up if it doesn't work right away.
Whether you're watching HD TV, listening to your favorite music, watching the latest release on Blu-Ray, or playing the hottest shooter on your PC or PS3--if you have the money, this receiver is the perfect addition to any home theater.

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Multi-dimensional, superbly crafted, and loaded with impressive specs, the TX-NR906 A/V home network receiver is a true champion for the age.With seemingly endless abilities-including HQV Reon-VX video processing, dual high-def HDMI outputs,Audyssey room correction technologies, and multi-room audio and video distribution-the TX-NR906 leaves no base uncovered. Built around an isolated power block and pre-processing unit, this network receiver reveals the full potential of virtually any media.This includes any internet- or computer-based sources accessed via its network apparatus (which incorporates a new vTuner interface and Certified for Windows Vista® status). It's also equipped with CD-quality HD Radio, Satellite and Internet Radio, and XM HD Surround sound capability.The TX-NR906 is the first receiver of its kind to include ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) video calibration, further enhancing its groundbreaking pedigree.

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Denon AVR4810CI 9.3-Channel Multi-Zone Home Theater Receiver with Networking Capability and 1080p HDMI Connectivity Review

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(More customer reviews)Initially, I went through the struggle of choosing separates (pre-amplifier and amplifiers) versus a receiver (where the pre-amp and amplifier functionality is built-in to one unit). I liked the flexibility of having separate components in case I decide to make changes in the future, but simply did not have the space in my audio area to accommodate multiple pieces, hence my choice to look at receivers. There were many receivers to choose from and I found the Denon to be at my sweet spot for value, function, performance, aesthetics and simplicity.
This beast of a receiver is one step below Denon's flagship AVR-5308ci. The AVR-4810ci delivers 9 amazingly clean channels of amplification without breaking a sweat. The GUI-driven menu takes a little getting used to, but after 4 or 5 uses, the menu becomes second nature. There's a plethora of inputs and outputs, and the capability to handle 3 subwoofers coupled with 9 channels for front, front height and/or width, surround, surround back and center channels allows for enormous flexibility with room for future expansion. There are 6 HDMI inputs (with one in the front panel behind the flip down door). Built-in WiFi allows for integration of other networkable sources in your home with no mess or fuss. Having Napster and Rhapsody online access built-in is extremely convenient and very easy to use. Satellite radio (XM and Sirius) can be handled by this beauty as can HD radio. With the USB input, you can playback photos or audio. Freely assignable amplifiers allows for bi-amping, bi-wiring and multiple zones (up to 4) throughout your home. This receiver can even control your iPod on-screen via the USB digital direct connection.
The initial setup process is quick and simple, thanks the Audyssey MultEQ XT Room Equalizer that allows the receiver to setup all of your speakers' time and frequency response, for up to eight positions which is very handy if you have more than one person frequenting your listening area.
The Advanced AL24 Processing Multi Channel features improved dynamics, so my sources sound phenomenal. The 1080p HDMI output via Anchor Bay's advanced VRS processing (using the ABT-2010 chip) and excellent scaling capability makes all of your sources look simply superb! Even your analog sources can be unconverted and scaled to 1080p!!
As usual, Denon's Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit (D.D.S.C-HD) provides for amazing sonic detail and extended range, with Burr-Brown 24-bit/192-kHz digital-to-audio converters for all channels, rather than just the front two. Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders ensure amazing reproduction of your favorite Blu-Ray discs. As a bonus, you get dual HDMI outputs if you want to output to other rooms or to handle situations where you might have both a video projector and an HDTV flat panel in your theater.
The "ci" designation means that the receiver supports custom integration features if you choose to do some advanced setup or are having the receiver professionally installed/integrated into your home.
If there's one thing about this unit that I didn't like, it's the EL remote. I found the remote a bit clumsy to use and don't really use it much for controlling the receiver once initial settings are accomplished (as I use my Harmony universal remote instead). I also think the User Manual could use some tweaking to make the instruction flows easier to understand.
I heartily recommend this receiver and have not regretted my purchase for even a second! Good luck with your choices and no matter what, ENJOY!

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The AVR-4810CI, a next-generation 9.3 channel multi-zone A/V receiver offers high-quality distribution of audio and video throughout the home. The nine built-in amplifier channels, each rated at a robust 140 watts, can be configured for unprecedented flexibility and support for high-definition audio and video performance from all digital sources. The multi-mono block amp construction ensures top audio fidelity, and the Free Assign amp configuration function allows maximum system configuration flexibility. The amplifiers can be assigned for 9.3 channel surround sound, or a 7.1 channel system in the 'main" room and power a pair of speakers in a second 'zone". Ethernet connectivity opens up your AV system to host of exciting capabilities like audio and jpeg photo streaming and Internet radio. Additionally, subscription music services like Rhapsody and Napster are supported. For video connectivity, it is equipped with 1080p compatible HDMI 1.3a Repeating technology. This HDMI connectivity supports the latest generation surround sound formats available on Blu-ray disc. DSX (Dynamic Surround Expansion adds front height and/or width channels to expand the soundstage. Audyssey Dynamic Volume is an automatic volume-leveling system that tracks audio dynamics to eliminate the irritating volume swings between TV shows and commercials. Video conversion is accomplished using a premium Anchor Bay Technologies 2010 chip set featuring 10-bit multi-cadence processing. It also features component video switching, seven analog inputs, and multi-zone (3)/multi-source (3) capability. In addition to conventional inputs, the it has front and rear USB. The USB input also provides direct iPod connectivity and control. Also included is Denon Link4 featuring HDMI Flow Control that essentially eliminates digital clock jitter. Front-panel audio/video inputs, including an HDMI input allows quick and easy connection of camcorders and game systems. The built in HD Radio tuner is multicast compatible

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Bose SL2 wireless surround link - Wireless audio delivery system for rear speakers Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently moved to a new house, and didn't want to drill holes in the walls or floor to get the wires to the back of the room. I was somewhat skeptical about this product and concerned with sound quality. However, I'm happy to say there is absolutely no difference between using the SL2 and hard wiring the rear speakers!
a) The system is made up of two receivers. They are both very small, and are easily concealable.
b) The front receiver plugs into the base module with 2 wires (left & right speaker wires)
c) The rear speakers plug into the rear receiver.
d) Installation complete!
This is an excellent product and I highly recommend it to all.


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Sony HT7100DH Component Home Theater System with HDMI Review

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(More customer reviews)Just purchased this system to go along with my 52" Sharp HDTV. I have been looking for several months to find a suitable system. I even brought a Bose system home only to find out it does not have an HDMI interface. This system has that and more. I am a non-audiophile who just wants good sound when watching TV and movies. This system certainly provides that. The connections are reasonably staight forward and use standard cabling unlike some system that have custom cabling that is often too short for proper installation. The only negative is the fine print on the receiver and DVD player. I need to have a flashlight to read it. Otherwise I am extremely happy.

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Denon AVR-4308CI Multizone Home Theater Receiver with Network Streaming and Wi-Fi Review

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(More customer reviews)Denon 4308CI Receiver

Strengths: Great quality picture and sound, excellent build quality, nice display, GUI interface, easy to assign/rename imputs, HD radio, 4 HDMI, 140 Watt multizone output, good value for price point.
Weaknesses: Complicated user manual, Useless remote, Faroudja vs. Silicon Optix processor
Price paid: $1,780 (2/08)from a reputable retail store. (Please do not ask which one as I was given an insider price)
Summary: After considerable research I purchased the Denon 4308CI to upgrade a prexisting Sony STRDA555ES receiver. My main desire in upgrading was to obtain HDMI connection capability and take advantage updated sound processing and 1080P upscaling. I ruled out various other comparable recievers for a variety of reasons, including heat generation as my components are enclosed in a audio rack partially recessed into a closed media room.
As a longtime Sony fan and owner of three ES AV recievers, it came down to a choice between the STRDA 5300ES and the Denon 4308CI.
I opted for the Denon over the Sony for a few reasons. The display on the Denon is much larger. It might sound silly but I like to see the information displayed on the receiver from where I'm listing to music. The Sony display was rather small. I also liked the fact that the Denon has internet streaming capability and HD Radio reception. The Sony has more HDMI hookups and a longer warranty (5 years vs. 2 for the Denon) but the Denon has increased power handling and full 1080P upscaling. Pricewise the Denon was a few hundred dollars more then the Sony but I felt that it had a more "modern" feature set.
So far after 4 months of use I have been very pleased with the Denon. Sound is fantastic and the GUI was intuitive. I disagree with some of the other reviews that I have read regarding the ease of setup. It took a little longer then I anticipated to set up but as I previously noted the GUI was fairly intuitive. I really like the fact that you can rename the inputs so when you select them from the function selection dial it will display whatever name you decide on. I prefer optical connections so I had to reassign some of the optical connections. Rear connections seem pretty sturdy. The unit gets warm but not hot after a few hours of use. Still havent taken advantage of the 1080P upscaling as of yet. HD radio signal reception is pretty strong and so far no interference despite living in a New York City Apartment building.
Harmony 880 Universal Remote works better then supplied remotes.
Video processing is excellent. I have however occasionally noted video artifacts. This reciver uses a Faroudja DCDi FLI2310 processor which is simply not as highly regarded by professional reviewers as the Silicon Optix Realta HQV processor used by Denon's flagship 3800BDCI Blu-ray player or the Silicon Optix Reon chipset used by receivers such as the Onkyo TX-NR905 and Integra DTR 8.8. However, overall picture quality on standard 1080i and 720p cable source material is excellent.
3808CI vs.4308CI? The 4308CI appeared to have a slightly more "attractive" build quality and appearance. In comparing the two models side by side before purchasing, the 4308CI simply looked better. However, HD radio, increased power handling and WiFi capability were the primary reasons I opted to spend more to purchase the 4308CI.
4308CI and 3800BDCI blu-ray combo. Have had the 4308CI and the 3800BDCI paired for the last three weeks. The Blu-ray picture is simply amazing. Will never purchase another standard DVD again if available in Blu-ray format.
Conclusion: I've been very happy with the 4308CI. It offers great sound and picture features at an attractive price point. However,if you are interested in better video processing you may want to check out the Onkyo TX-NR905 and Integra DTR 8.8 as well.

Review system components: (used in review)
Panasonic TH-50PZ750U 1080P (limited Ed)
Artcoustic DF-65's
Artcoustic DF-Multi (center)
Denon 3800BDCI (DVD)(used three weeks)
Sony ES 5 Disc changer
Sony SACD player
Monster HPS7000 Signature Series
Monster AVS2000 Signature series
Polk XM Radio Tuner


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Denon AVR-4308CI Next Generation A/V Multi-Source/Zone with Network Streaming Receiver

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Logitech X-540 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System with Subwoofer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am very happy with these speakers.
I replaced a cheap 2.1 set of speakers, and this sub-woofer is much better sounding than what I had before. Of course you could get even better sound by spending a lot more money, but I believe these are a very good value.
Remember you might need to reconfigure Windows and/or your BIOS and/or your Sound Card for a 5.1 speaker setup. When you are properly setup, you do NOT need to turn on the "Matrix" feature. That is only needed when you connect it to a simple stereo source like a video game console. Your computer will "upgrade" your stereo music to a 5.1 signal when configured correctly, so like I said, you can leave the Matrix button turned off when connected to your computer.
The only negative, as others have shared, is the CABLES ARE SHORT. Add $15 to the price to include a trip to Radio Shack for some RCA extension cables.
I am stilling giving this a 5-start rating, since I knew about the cable length issue before I bought it.

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Intensify your gaming with a uniform soundfield that surrounds you. Get full, rich audio even from 2-channel sources for a 5.1 surround sound experience.

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Sony BDV-E570 Blu-ray Player Home Entertainment System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Where to start...
Nerd's notes:
First of all, for those that get the Sony BDV-E570 that was manufactured earlier in the year, it may have been before they fixed the issues with the software upgrade. I believe I received such a model. Being the overly concerned nerd that I am, I read the manual. It is not very specific, but does tell you to plug in the network cable to perform the upgrade. Read into this and you must assume to NOT PERFORM THE UPGRADE OVER WIFI. Well, you can take that a step further, (which of course I did), and you can download the update directly from Sony, place the files on a blank CD-R, then place the disk in the player and perform the update that way (it auto detects that the disk contains update files very nicely). This worked perfectly. No issues like the horror stories I have been hearing about this model (earlier this year), and the next model up the BDV-E770W. Due to the age of the model I received, there were two updates to perform, which I did, using two separate disks for each update. They take a while, so don't start one if you have somewhere to be. You do have to perform both, and the latter update is the more important one that enables the features that make this platform what most people are looking for, a 3D capable Blu-Ray HTIB with DLNA Features (both of these are why I got this model).
Now on to the good stuff.
Wiring: The room I placed it in is wired for 7.1, so connecting the rear speakers was not an issue. The speakers themselves have standard pinch connectors, so insert the wire and you are all set. At the reciever end, there is a custom connector, so you will have to splice it to your jack wires if you don't use the wire they provide (which looks a bit short for a larger room).
Network: Ok, I did manage to get this onto my dual band Wireless N network, although all of the settings had to be set manually, it did not seem to like the WPS (Wifi Protected Setup), which configures the wireless settings automatically. After the updates, all the network features work fine, Netflicks, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and so on.
Sound: Have a vaulted cieling in the room it is set up in, and it fills the room with plenty of sound. I am not cranking it and it is more than enough sound to provide a enjoyable home movie experience.
Video: Not much to say here other than....WOW. The upscaling is very good. BD is awsome.
Connections: If you are looking for a simple HTIB with a lot of features, this is the system for you. If you are looking for the HTIB to double as a receiver, look elsewhere, or make sure your TV has plenty of inputs/outputs. It does take audio inputs from digital coax from your settop box/satellite reciever, and optical audio from your TV (which is good if you have game systems, etc. plugged into your TV. NO HDMI IN. Bravia Sync works great. The TV and Player can be off, insert a disk, and it fires up the TV, kills the TV speakers, selects the correct input for the player, and you are off and running without having to monkey with the TV remote to select the correct input. The wife appreciates this feature more than anything else. USB works great, plays music on a usb thumb drive with no issues at all.
System Menu: Since we do have a Sony LCD, I became addicted to the XMB menu interface (Cross Media Bar), the same interface on the PS3. It looks great and is easy to navigate. This system has the same menu interface, and makes finding the extra internet content very easy.
Cons: There are not many, but aside from the lack of video inputs (does not affect me, but could be a serious issues for others), there are only a few things I would mention. First being a network feature that I selected this model/line for: DLNA. For some reason, it cannot see the DLNA server that I have setup on the network. I am looking into the reasons, and will repost if I find a solution. Speakers, while 1/2 the weight of my previous HTIB, they seem flimsy. The Sub is a passive sub, while that may disappoint others, it does not seem to punch any less than my last system that had a powered sub. The exterior of the system is a very plain shiny black (kid fingerprint magnet) on the front, although with a lack of knobs, and visible buttons, there is little in the way to attract their attention to twist/press etc.
Overall, this is an ideal system for those that are looking for an 'all-in-one' solution that also has all the internet content. It is powerful enough for a midsized room, and is simple to operate. It has a low profile receiver, and those that are space constrained will certainly appreciate that. The cost is very good (under 400), and for a system I don't see replacing for at least 3 years, it has all the features and functions I see myself wanting for some time.
Amazon: WOW. I ordered this system at 3:30AM on Wednesday with free supersaver shipping. The system was delivered THE NEXT DAY (Thursday).
UPDATE 7/25/10: Got DLNA working, my server just showed up one day, it was probably due to a reboot I did on the DLNA server. Streams music flawlessly across the network, Pictures as well. Still trying to figure out what digital HD file format it will play for movies, it will probably do DIVX files, but have to move those files to the server to see how they work. Very nice feature! Makes it very convenient when you want to play your digital library and dont want to plug in your iPod/iPhone or change CD's constantly.
Still very pleased with this system! I find myself watching more online movies and content from it than from my own collection or rentals.
I did some research, and this system looks identical to the BDV-770W, with the exception of the wireless S-Air rear speakers, which adds almost $200 to the price I paid.

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Bring your movies to life with this 3D Blu-ray Disc home theater system, which features pristine 5.1-channel surround sound and wireless streaming capabilities.Experience full HD 1080p and powerful 5.1-channel HD surround sound, and enjoy expanded entertainment options as you wirelessly stream Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Slacker, YouTube and more.

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Onkyo HT-SR800 7.1 Home Theater Entertainment System (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As you can see from a quick search this is almost always reviewed highly and is also highly rated by Consumer Reports. I recently got my own and I wasn't disappointed. The system was easy to set up and a quick browse through the instructions gave me all the info I needed. I have listed the 3 most common complaints about the system below.
1. The HDMI is just a pass through you have to connect the sound to the unit separately (not really that big a deal).
2. The included wire is too thin: this is true you can replace it cheaply with wire bought on Amazon, so its not devastating. I recommend the METRA Ltd S14-100 MTA 14 Gauge Clear Speaker Wire which you can get here for $21.53 and will really improve things.
3. Onkyo doesn't make speaker stands for this system and the speakers only have keyhole style brackets on the back for mounting which can make buying wall brackets difficult.
I'm not positive how to resolve this, B-tech makes some screw in mounts you can put in if you dont mind putting some wholes in the speakers B-TECH BT1 Universal Speaker Bracket for Small Speakers (Pair per box). They also make a wall mount that clamps the side of the speakers if youd prefer not putting holes in your new speakers B-Tech BT77 Speaker brackets Black.
But both of those solutions are kinda expensive (30 per pair for screw in, 70 per pair for the clamps).
I recently bought some universal mounts (Premier Mounts PSPK-5B Universal Speaker Mount for Walls and Ceilings with 2.5-Inch Extensions (Black)) that supposedly work with keyholes so we'll see.
UPDATE: the speakers are great, make sure to use the microphone to calibrate, this is part of the value of the system and makes a big difference in the sound quality.
About the mounts:
The cheap universal mounts, were ok.
They worked fine on the Satellite speakers but there were some design flaws and they don't have the strength to hold up the big front speakers. One of the pieces broke during assembly but as I had 5 and couldn't hang the front speakers with them anyways that wasn't too big of a problem.
I used the 29.99 B-Tech mounts mentioned above (the ones that have to be screwed in) for the front speakers and they worked perfectly. Enjoy!

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When it comes to all-in-one home theater, the HT-SR800 has made a clean break from the pack. You're looking at packaged home theater that neatly integrates your high-definition entertainment and your HDTV through an HDMI channel that transports video with a resolution all the way up to 1080p.Ably supported by component video switching; the HT-SR800 will handle most of the A/V components or formats currently available, as well as the spectacular quality of high-definition discs. Also, reinforcing the convenience of matched components, this package is the first to use an Audyssey room-correction technology specifically designed for integrated systems. The options--XM Radio (including 5.1 surround sound radio with Neural Surround decoding), and iPod integration--can really extend your reach, making the HT-SR800 one of the more complete home theater packages available.

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Yamaha RX-V1600 - AV receiver - 7.1 channel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am happy with this receiver and my Home Theater sounds great coupled with my Axiom Epic Grandmaster Speaker setup. I paid $750 for this receiver through amazon in October 2006. Thought about going up to the $1500 price point but realized I didnt need the added functionality. A few complaints, 2 of them rather minor.
1. Volume readout text is too small. WOuld be nice to have larger text so I could actually see what level I use for different listening situations. As it is I cant actually read the number from where I sit.
2. The remote could really use some backlighting. This complaint shouldnt be lessoned by the fact that many remotes suffer this same design oversight. They are all poorer for not incorporating this idea.
3. When running my Xbox360 via component wires to this receiver and then via HDMI to my Samsung LNS4692D HDTV the picture is darkened. When I run the Xbox360 straight to my Samsung LNS4692D HDTV the picture is less dark (preferred). This makes a huge difference in games like Gears of War and Call of Duty 3 where the scenes are already dark. I decided to just leave the Xbox360 connected straight to the HDTV via component and run the digital audio to the receiver. This issue wouldnt allow me to run "just one cable" (the whole idea of HDMI) to my TV. Yamaha needs to look into this issue and figure out why going from component to HDMI darkens the picture.

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Samsung HT-TX72 DVD Home Theater System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently purchased this system when it's price was sub $300 and I'm glad I didn't pay any more for it.
The system kicks out a MAJOR PUNCH in the sound department, with deep bass that will rumble the room thanks to it's HUGE subwoofer. It's as big as a PC tower case and blasts!
Sadly, you have to have it blast if you want to hear anything. There are few controls for the sound levels and trying to listen as low volumes was worse audio quality than listening to the TV with it's built in speakers.
The system is either too quiet to hear anything but voices, or too loud to hear anything other than boom.
Also, when in stereo mode, the back speakers shut off. There is one option that will do stereo with them on (Matrix Mode) but it tries to separate sounds and ends up with the speakers just making some noises sometimes and is a bit disconcerting.
The upconverting DVD player looks pretty poor on a high def television. There also is no difference with upscale from 480p to 1080i, it's just as blocky. If you've not seen a better upscaler (as found in the PS3 for example) then it might look okay, albeit blocky, but if you have seen a better one you won't be able to watch DVD's on your HDTV with this without feeling as if you're missing something.
Lastly... the fan. After a while a fan inside the receiver will kick in. This thing is LOUD. That shouldn't happen on a sound system - having something that makes listening to things worse.
Overall, I'm very dissapointed in this product and suggest you look elsewhere for a home theater system. I'm considering returning this item and wished I'd read a review like this first, so I'd know to stay away.

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Imagine the allure of 1200 watts of audio power.Samsung's elegant HT-X72 Home Theater Audio System offers industry leading power, enhanced by Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic decoders.The full-featured unit offers the convenience of a 5-disc changer, as well as improved USB Host Play, which lets you plug and play your portable digital devices without loading software.You will be delighted with the superior non-interlaced images sent to the latest digital television receivers giving you unparalleled image quality.Additionally, with the ability to go wireless you can expand your system to achieve the ultimate surround sound experience without the need to figure out how to hide those unsightly wires.

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Yamaha YSP-4000SL Digital Sound Projector (Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Yamaha YSP provides great sound and value. Within a few days after ordering I had the Yamaha YSP installed and delivering WOW to the family and guests. HDMI connections and you are ready to go. Although, you can connect most systems old or new. XM or an IPod connects easily as well. No need for hole in walls or running wires to build out your home theater and the sound is amazing. Digital TV / Sound Sports and Movies will never be the same.


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The new YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector offers versatile new features such as 1080p-compatible HDMI, analog video to HDMI digital video up-conversion and component/composite inputs. Other features include iPod and XM HD surround compatibility, built-in FM tuner, RS-232C for custom installation and a wide variety of beam settings. This includes My Surround Beam(TM) for a true multi-channel surround sound experience from a single component. The YSP-4000 applies the Digital Sound Projector technology to precisely control the orientation of the sound by focusing it through multiple beams. The center channel sound is heard directly while sounds from other channels are heard after reflecting off of walls. The result is true multi-channel surround sound that sounds just like a multi-speaker system but without the need for extra speakers. It powers the 40 beam drivers at 2W each and the two woofers at 20W each for a total of 120W of power. DVD movies and other digital sources sound just the way they are supposed to. Dolby Pro Logic II is included so even 2-channel TV sound can be heard in true multi-channel surround sound. Its elegant space-saving design avoids the need for numerous speakers and cables. It can be wall mounted or placed on a shelf or rack. The YSP-4000 has a built in powerful digital amplifier so there is no need for the customer to purchase an additional amplifier.

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