
Budget 7.1 home theater speakers
- Good sound quality
- Good value
- Powerful
- 7.1-channel system
- Large speaker size
- Sound quality not as good as more expensive systems
- So-so bass
Experts and users are impressed by the sound quality and construction quality of the 7.1-channel Onkyo SKS-HT540, but are blown away by the value. Professional reviews say that it outperforms some speaker systems costing twice as much. Most home-theater speaker systems in this price range can't produce the power needed to give high-action films their full visceral feel, but that's not the case with the SKS-HT540, which can fill even a large room with sound. Compared to more expensive subwoofers, the quality of the bass doesn't quite measure up, but it's still pretty good and certainly better than what most home-theater speakers this low priced can produce. Cabinets are solid and attractive, but very large.
If you have a little more to spend and need a speaker system that blends more easily with the aesthetics of a room, the Energy RC-Micro 5.1 (*Est. $600) has satellites that are just a fraction of the size of the ones in the SKS-HT540, yet it sounds terrific with movies and music.
Though the 7.1-channel Onkyo SKS-HT540 hasn't been widely reviewed by professionals, we found a good testing-based report at CNET. Owners have also had their say, and the most user-written reviews are available at Amazon.com. A smaller selection can also be read at JR.com and Vanns.com.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
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| In Stock. New | $269.99 | See It | ||
| In Stock. New | $349.98 | See It | ||
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Our Sources
1. CNET
Steve Guttenberg sums up his opinion of the Onkyo SKS-HT540 by saying simply that it is "the best-sounding surround-sound speaker package you can get for less than $300." Sound quality and construction quality are said to be better than many more-expensive home-theater speakers. The large speaker enclosures are the only significant negative cited, though bass is no match for that from better -- and significantly more expensive -- subwoofers. A handful of user reviews here give the system even higher grades.
Review: Onkyo SKS-HT540, Steve Guttenberg, July 21, 2006
2. Amazon.com
More than 40 almost universally pleased owners -- only three rate it less than four stars at last look -- provide comments that largely mirror those at CNET. Sound quality is called good with movies and music, and many say they are impressed with the build quality. Value, however, is the biggest plus. Many note that the speakers are very large.
Review: Onkyo SKS-HT540, Contributors to Amazon.com
3. Vanns.com
Though there are fewer than half as many reviews here as at Amazon.com, the pattern of satisfaction is even higher with an overall score of 4.8 out of five stars. Again, sound is well complimented, but value is raved about.
Review: Onkyo SKS-HT540, Contributors to Vanns.com
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