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Home Theater Reviews, HTiB Review

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In this review:
  1. Cheap Home Theater, Best Cheap Home Theaters
  2. Home Theater Reviews, HTiB Review
  3. Discount Home Theater Features Comparison Table
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Home Theater Performance

Home theater systems reviews by experts and users generally agree that a cheap HTiB is no match for a pricey home theater that's assembled one piece at a time, or for a high-end HTiB with a price tag greater than $1,000. On the other hand, our reading of home theater reviews indicates that cheap HTiBs do have some points in their favor.

First is price. You can buy a good home theater package for less than $500 and in some cases, significantly less. If you were to buy all the components separately, the final cost would be far higher. Secondly, inexpensive home theater systems are convenient. You get just about every item you need (except for the TV) to set up a home theater in one trip to the store, all wrapped up in one box. Moreover, home theater reviews by experts and users note that HTiB setup is, for the most part, pretty easy. And finally, with the better low-cost home theaters, including the best home theaters and good home theaters on our list, you get value for your money; that is, sound quality that should satisfy all but the most discerning audiophiles.

HTiB Setup/Ease of Use.

Setting up a random collection of home theater components can be daunting for the uninitiated. Staring at the back of a receiver sporting a couple dozen inputs and outputs while trying to figure out which cable goes where can try anyone's patience. But the ability to quickly (often times in less than an hour) and easily set up a discount HTiB is one feature that most impresses experts and users, according to the home theaters reviews that we found. Even consumers who are not self-proclaimed geeks comment in home theaters reviews on Amazon and Newegg about the simple setup for the Sony HT-SS360; the instructions are easy to follow and the color-coded plugs, three HDMI ports, and auto-calibration for the volume come in for particular praise. Indeed, one way manufacturers make HTiB setup easier is to include a device that automatically calibrates the speakers to the proper sound levels. Like the Sony HT-SS360, the Panasonic SC-BT200 and Yamaha YHT-591 also feature automatic speaker calibration; the LG LH535 does not, however, and its absence disappoints CNET. The two-piece design of the Polk Audio SurroundBar 360, with its speaker bar and DVD console, and need for only three wires (speaker and video cables, and power cord) makes setup a no-brainer, say home theater reviews on CNET and this site.

Although the physical setup of budget home theaters is fairly straightforward, we found several home theater reviews that gripe about minor usability issues. The LCDs on the front of many discount HTiBs take some knocks, with home theater reviews by experts at CNET saying the displays on the Sony HT-SS360 and SamsungHT-AS730ST are difficult to read. Another home theaters review on CNET chides the Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 for the confusing controls on the DVD, which the reviewer likens to a piano keyboard. Users posting home theaters reviews on CNET about the Samsung HT-BD1250 grumble about the slow transition from one menu to the next and warn users about problems with a firmware update released in 2009.

Review continues below

HTiB Audio

. Many people who buy discount HTiBs do so for the high-def video experience, but high-quality audio is just as essential to the home theater experience -- never mind that you'll likely use your HTiB to listen to audio CDs and the radio, and enhance the PS3 or other game console experience. With all due deference to the technical limitations imposed by cheap prices, our research turned up several packages that home theaters reviews consider stars in the audio universe.

An expert writing a home theaters review on Bigpicturebigsound.com is impressed with the audio performance of the Panasonic SC-BT200 during movie and music playback. For movie watching, the expert review notes the seven speakers and one subwoofer do a fine job delivering battle scene noises and "virtually" placing the viewer in the midst of the mayhem. When it comes to music listening, the home theaters review credits the Panasonic SC-BT200 for its full and nuanced sound, even when the source is an iPod. Home theater reviews of the Samsung HT-BD1250 are equally laudatory. Crutchfield experts note that the wraparound sound is crisp and clear, is well-matched to whatever video is playing, and the system mercifully holds back when commercials tend to boost volume; CNET says its sound is "best in class" for the budget price range. Consumers also like what they hear with the Samsung HT-BD1250, noting in home theater reviews on Amazon that the sound quality handily bests other inexpensive HTiBs. Another sonic winner is the Onkyo HT-S3200. A home theaters review on Newegg simply states that the HT-S3200 is "a joy" to listen to, while CNET describes the audio as "glorious," with room-filling sound that's superior to the typical low-cost HTiB.

Consumer assessments of the sound emanating from the Sony HT-SS360 are mostly favorable. Many HTiB reviews on Newegg and Amazon applaud the stellar sound, especially for the price; a few grumble about low volume and a tinny center speaker, although several say this entry-level package is perfect for an apartment. And in a home theaters review of the Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 on Bigpicturebigsound.com, an expert expresses surprise at how well this Polk model delivers deep bass despite the lack of a subwoofer.

Review continues below

In some cases, users and experts write in home theaters reviews that the small, inexpensive speakers usually included with budget HTiBs just don't deliver the sound quality they had hoped for. Although the Samsung HT-AS730ST earns a thumbs-up in a home theaters review from Bigpicturebigsound.com for its good bass, the expert notes the subwoofer rattles "like an angry robot" if you turn its power beyond the 40 percent mark. A CNET HTiB review describes the Samsung HT-AS730ST's satellite speakers as "lifeless" and complains that they lack good clarity. The super-cheap Coby DVD938 fails to impress users with its sound. One home theaters review on Amazon asserts the speakers are just too quiet for anything but a small room, while home theaters reviews on Best Buy conclude that the DVD938's audio quality is mediocre.

Home Theaters Video.

A home theater without great video isn't much of a home theater, so make sure your discount HTiB includes a good Blu-ray player or a receiver that accommodates a Blu-ray player. There are still a handful of home theater systems that feature a DVD player, such as the Coby DVD938, Coby DVD968, and even the somewhat pricey Polk SurroundBar 360 (to the chagrin of a home theaters review on Bigpicturebigsound.com ), but this technology is fading fast. Several of the cheap home theater packages we researched, including the Samsung HT-AS730ST, the Sony HT-SS360, and Onkyo HT-S3200, do not include either a DVD or Blu-ray player. We really don't consider this a drawback, however, as many people now own a Blu-ray player and are simply looking for a good receiver and speakers to connect it to.

Discount home theaters that do include a built-in Blu-ray player seem to meet or exceed the expectations of most experts and users. CNET is particularly impressed with the Samsung HT-BD1250, according to its home theaters review. The HT-BD1250 aced CNET's video tests and shines brightly when playing Blu-ray video. Bigpicturebigsound.com is generally pleased with the video on the Panasonic SC-BT200, but notes in a home theaters review that the player showed some "noise" during testing.

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Best Cheap Home Theaters

Samsung HT-BD1250
Gold Medal

Samsung HT-BD1250

 Expert reviewers and users alike are quite impressed with the Samsung HT-BD1250 due to its excellent audio and video quality. The Samsung HT-BD1250 also boasts all the features you'd want in a best cheap HTiB, including streaming support for Netflix and Pandora, support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, an FM tuner, even iPod support. Read more »
Home Theater Deals
Onkyo HT-S3200
Gold Medal

Onkyo HT-S3200

 Home users who already have a Blu-ray or DVD player should look no further than Onkyo's cheap HT-S3200 to round out their home theater. Experts and users lavish praise on the HT-S3200 for its excellent music and movie sound quality. The receiver includes three HDMI ports for high-definition devices as well as an AM/FM radio. May be hard to find, but worth your time looking. Read more »
Home Theater Deals

Good Cheap Home Theaters

Sony HT-SS360
Gold Medal

Sony HT-SS360

 The Sony HT-SS360's biggest advantage is its price. For less than $250 you get a home theater receiver with three HDMI inputs, AM/FM radio, and five speakers and one subwoofer. Although some users aren't overly impressed with its ability to play music, the HT-SS360 handles movie audio quite well and is a good entry-level system. Read more »
Home Theater Deals
Panasonic SC-BT200
Gold Medal

Panasonic SC-BT200

 The Panasonic SC-BT200 is loaded with solid features, including seven satellite speakers rather than the usual five, an integrated Blu-ray player with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio support, an integrated iPod dock, auto-calibration for speaker setup, even an SD card slot. On top of all that, the SC-BT200 plays impressive video and audio. It's not the cheapest HTiB, but you get lots for your money. Read more »
Home Theater Deals
 
 
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Don't Bother Cheap Home Theaters

Polk Audio SurroundBar 360

Polk Audio's SurroundBar 360 has some solid features, including a space-saving soundbar design and good audio. However, we would expect that a $400 HTiB would include a Blu-ray player rather than a DVD player, which is yesterday's technology. It's difficult to justify spending so much on a package that doesn't include the latest in player components. Read more »

Coby DVD938

A shockingly low price for the Coby DVD938, but we found too many critical reviews from users to recommend this product. Complaints range from the system's weak volume to poor sound quality to difficulties getting all the audio channels working. A few users say the system is a good value, but most simply don't like the product. Read more »

 
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