Home Theater Systems: Reviews

You won't find many bells and whistles in this inexpensive system, but you'll be hard pressed to find a better all-in-one solution -- complete with a Blu-ray player -- at anywhere near its price. Reports say that the… expandPhilips HTS3251B/F7 provides excellent video quality, whether you're watching Blu-ray discs or DVDs. Support is built-in for Blu-ray's BD-Live profile, which gets extra content for discs from the Internet, but Wi-Fi is not, and you'll need to have a wired Ethernet connection nearby. You can also stream movies and TV shows from Netflix, though no other content providers are supported. Though users are largely satisfied, audio quality from this 1,000-watt, 5.1-channel system isn't the best. Still, most say that it's fine for watching movies -- and certainly better than the sound from your TV's speakers. collapse

Though you sacrifice a little in the way of convenience compared to home theater systems that include an integrated Blu-ray Disc player, the 5.1-channel Yamaha YHT-395BL delivers terrific value and excellent performance.… expandThe included receiver looks and acts the part of a serious piece of home-theater electronics, including enough HDMI 1.4a inputs (four, all told) to accommodate reasonably complex setups. The use of standard speaker connectors makes set-up a little less foolproof than some home theater systems, but it makes the YHT-395BL easier to upgrade as your budget and needs change. Professional reviews say the sound is not quite perfect, but it's still very good -- and consumers across the board report being thrilled with the audio quality. Value is hard to beat because few standalone receiver/speaker combinations will sound as good for as low a cost, but the system lacks video processing or networking capabilities. collapse

Experts say that Panasonic's lineup of Blu-ray HTIBs is strong across the board, but the SC-BTT370 offers the best balance of performance and value. Although the Viera Cast app portal isn't as diverse as those available… expandfrom other makers, most of the major content providers and types are well represented. Video performance is widely regarded as stellar -- among the best of any mainstream Blu-ray deck. The system has 3D capabilities, including the ability to transform 2D material into 3D, albeit with limited success. Though expectations need to reflect the reality of an all-in-one system priced this low, sound quality is surprisingly fulfilling, with excellent attention to detail and clarity, especially in the high frequencies. Connectivity is better than most all-in-ones, including two HDMI inputs for things like cable boxes and gaming consoles. There are a few black marks against the SC-BTT370, however, including the lack of DLNA certification for streaming content from your own computer and an automatic speaker set-up feature. collapse

Reports say that when you want the best HTIB available, and you don't mind spending a bit of money to get it, the 7.1-channel Onkyo HT-S94000THX can't be beat. It is packed with a bevy of features, connectivity options… expand(including four HDMI inputs) and decoding formats that you flat-out can't find in cheaper HTIBs. Video performance is superb, largely because of the high-end Qdeo video processor buried deep inside the receiver, while the THX I/S certification helps the HT-S9400THX deliver the same audio experience you would get in a properly set up movie theater. Color-coded connectors and the Audyssey 2EQ automatic configuration program make setup a breeze. Not everything is rosy with the system, though. Although DLNA certification and Internet radio support are included, the system doesn't offer as many streaming Internet apps as other HTIBs. Also, as with other home theater systems, users say the included speaker wire is too thin. collapse