Home Theater Systems: Reviews

Though it's expensive, reports say that this 7.1-channel (seven satellite speakers plus a subwoofer) Onkyo home theater system is the top performer among home theater kits. An automatic speaker setup system makes it much… easier to create a perfect surround-sound field. There are plenty of connections, including four HDMI connections, to handle additional components. Decoders for the latest audio formats used by Blu-ray Discs -- Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA -- are built in for the most cinematic surround sound. The HT-S9100THX carries THX certification, which means it meets a demanding set of standards designed ensure that the listener hears the same sound at home as in a movie theater. The speakers are on the large side for a home theater system, but they match well with the receiver to produce sound quality that's better than anything from any other all-in-one home theater package.

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Although less expensive home theater kits are available, few deliver as good a value as the 5.1-channel (five speakers plus a subwoofer) Sony HT-SS360. Sound quality won't send audiophiles over the moon, especially with… music, but performance with movies is powerful and persuasive, with plenty of visceral kick. Features include an automatic speaker setup program that's helpful, if not perfect. The lack of analog video inputs is an inconvenience, but three HDMI inputs give the system good long-term staying power and the flexibility to accommodate all of the components in most modern audio-video systems, including Blu-ray Disc players. The small speakers do a good job of disappearing in most rooms.

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In terms of value and performance, it's tough to argue with the 7.1-channel Panasonic SC-BT200. The integrated Blu-ray player is the equal of Panasonic's well-regarded DMP-BD60K, with nearly unbeatable video quality with… Blu-ray Discs and DVD playback that is a cut above the norm. Though there's some disagreement among reviewers about sound quality; even the most critical say it's at least very good, while others say it's a whole lot better than that. Extras include the ability to stream some content from the Internet, including Amazon Video on Demand, but not Netflix. Like most current Blu-ray players, the one in this system is BD-Live compliant, but you'll need to add your own memory card to use BD-Live features. The slide-out integrated iPod dock is sleek and works well. Panasonic's SC-BT300 (*Est. $485) is similar, but it has slightly higher power and features "tall boy" front speakers that sound a smidgen better but are also bigger.

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