Sherwood RD6513 100 Watt 5.1 Dolby Digital Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was a little leery of purchasing a Sherwood product, since I'd never owned one, and You don't see their product on a lot of store shelves.
This unit is top notch. If I had actually seen this in a store, I wouldn't have flinched at a price double what I paid for it.
It's got features I'll probably never use, but to sum it up, You can probably route every bit of your Entertainment center through it, and at least to some degree control all of it (on off, volume, station selection, Play, ff, rewind, etc. . .) It has automatic and manual Surround speaker balancing, and the mic for balancing is included.
I would buy it again, and if You're warranty minded, Beach offers their own warranty, which you can purchase within 30 days of original purchase for under $25.

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Yamaha HTR-6140BL 525 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)Since the time of my review, there are only two reviews, a 5 star and a 2 star, the 2 star being based on a supposed bad remote and manual. I thought I had to set things straight. I've owned many other brand receivers and both Yamahas I've owned are great. The sound quality is excellent and the only problem I might see with someone not liking the manual is that Yamaha has so many features and options it might scare away the type of person that likes to use it out of the box without barely any set up. As for the remote I see no problem with it... it's attractive, functional, all features on it work so I don't understand what's not to like. Sound quality and construction of the unit are also superior. After having other receivers in the past that burnt due to overheating and had a dry, radio like sound, I think I'll stick with Yamaha from now on. Their "music enhancement" setting makes all sound including voice sound so incredibly warm and rich that I use this setting for everything and prefer it to any other setting. Yamaha receivers are also extremely low distortion. You will be very plesantly surprised with this receiver as long as you can follow instrucions and read a manual, even if you don't like doing this, the pay-off is worth the initial effort.

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The Yamaha HTR-6140BL 5.1-channel digital home theater receiver offers a wealth of entertainment features that will enrich your audio and video experience. This high-performance home theater receiver boasts 1080p-compatible HDMI, and it's ready for XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. The Yamaha HTR-6140BL is also iPod and Bluetooth compatible. Other innovative features include CINEMA DSP for full surround sound, YPAO sound optimization and speaker setup, and 4 SCENE buttons for quick setup of audio sources.

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Pyle P1002AI 1000 Watts Hybrid Receiver and Pre-Amplifier with AM-FM Tuner/iPod Docking Station Review

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(More customer reviews)Just received this on Friday and hooked it up to our new Bose environmental outdoor speakers 251 putting out 200 watts per channel. Hooked up Itouch ipod to it, was working great at first, but then unit started going haywire until it ultimately FROZE and none of the operations worked properly. Called their support office today and was informed that this unit is NOT compatible with Itouch ipod models and it will short out the unit if you try to dock it in the included dock on the top. The dock on the top is made for older generation ipod models. However, you can purchase a universal ipod doc that hooks up to the back of the unit via RCA outputs if you want to use this unit with Itouch ipod. Doing this will charge the Itouch, but then in order to hear your songs you may also have to hook up the Itouch via the Ipod/Mp3 jack on the front of the unit. Once this is hooked up properly, the sounds is AMAZING for the Bose speakers that we have! It's reallly incredible and sounds like an outdoor concert. I only gave it three stars because the manual has no directions in it and no way of knowing that if you try to connect Itouch into the ipod dock that it will short out the unit. Had we known that from the beginning in the item description or the manual it would have saved us a lot of headaches trying to figure out what the problem was! Also, another FYI, the technical support agent suggested purchasing their lower end model P1001AT that DOES NOT have the ipod dock at the top if you are going to strictly use an ITOUCH ipod with it. Again, you would just have to purchase a separate universal ipod doc.

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Samsung HT-DB390TH Wireless Home Theater System Review

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(More customer reviews)I was skeptic when I bought DB390 because wireless rear speakers is a new technology implementation using bluetooth. I was pleasantly surprised when it took me little effort to set it up following the manual and the wireless receiver works well.
My main concern was that I have 802.11b/g router that uses 2.4Ghz also, and I have a wireless bluetooth headset, but so far everything works great! I haven't had any issue when using all my devices (wireless network, DB390, and headset) at the same time!

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Offering the elusive attributes of simplicity and convenience to anyone seeking quality home entertainment, Samsung's shining HT-DB390 delivers DVD and music playback in dynamic surround sound--without the need to drape speaker wires across your living room for the surround speakers. That's right: the HT-DB390 comes with a special high-bandwidth 2.4 GHz digital wireless transmitter that beams the data for the system's left and right surround speakers right to them, so you can enjoy enveloping multichannel surround sound without the fuss of drilling holes or hiding speaker cables.The front left, right, and center speakers all use cables, of course (supplied), but--being closer to the system's unified DVD player/surround receiver--they'll be relatively unobtrusive. The HT-DB390 spins DVD-Video, high-resolution DVD-Audio, DVD-R/-RW, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) CD, as well as JPEG image CD--great for living-room slide shows of your digital photos.The amplifier delivers 60 watts per channel to each of the system's 5 compact satellite speakers, while the stand-alone subwoofer packs a hefty 100 watts for wall-whopping bass. A built-in AM/FM tuner comes with 30 station presets for easy tuning to your favorite stations.All major movie and music surround signals are decoded and routed to their appropriate speakers: multichannel DVD-Audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II (which generates 5.1 surround from any stereo source, whether movie or music), and DTS 5.1-channel surround sound. The system includes an AM/FM radio tuner with 30 preset memory settings, and a headphone jack for private or late-night listening.DVD-Audio discs offer super high-fidelity sound, providing 192 kHz/24-bit multichannel and/or stereo sound (depending on the disc), high storage capacity, and unique bonus materials not available on regular audio CDs. These discs often have compressed Dolby Digital soundtracks for listening on standard DVD players, but true DVD-A decoding such as this system provides is required for full sonic appreciation.The system's progressive-scan component-video output prepares you for the future, with the ability to use the system in conjunction with a high-definition or HD-ready television. Smooth progressive-scan images are free from even the slightest hint of blurring or distortion, bringing new realism to DVD movies and other selections.The HT-DB390 also performs 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal. DVD mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; reverse 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.Auxiliary audio/video inputs let you connect additional components like your VCR to the system.What's in the Box DVD player/integrated surround amplifier, 4 satellite speakers, a center speaker, a powered subwoofer, AM/FM antennas, a wireless transmitter, a remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, all requisite cabling.

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Yamaha YHT-391BL Home Theater in a Box (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This was my first surround sound purchase so the review is based on the basics. So far I've had this system for a couple of months and have no real complaints. The sound is a definite upgrade to my TV speaker and it is relatively easy to use.
Since this was my first setup I was a little worried about the complexity seeing as I had a DVD player (component), blu-ray player (HDMI), cable/DVR box (component) and a Wii (composite) and I wasn't sure how that would all work. It was fairly easy to get set up, it took a few hours to get the speaker wire cut, trimmed and plugged in and the components wired up. When I turned it on there was no sound so I had to go back and check connections and such, after doing that I had sound. Kind of. The Blu-ray ws hooked up via the HDMI pass through and an toslink cable and I could not get any picture or sound no matter what I tried. Eventually I gave up and hooked up the player directly to the TV. When I did that I have sound and picture so all is well. I had the same problem with the Wii. Hooked it up on the front of the receiver as the instructions said but no picture or sound. Since the TV speaker is fine for the Wii games I have I hooked it directly into the TV.
Once I had everything working I was a bit confused about why when using the DVD and cable box I didn't have the full range of sound selections, just pro logic or 2 channel. What I didn't realize was that I needed optical cables to get the full range. After I connected them up with coaxial and toslink cables all was good. I really can't complain about the sound. It's a hige step up from the TV speaker, the sub sounds great and doesn't need to be turned up that high and generally I'm pleased. I'm not so pleased with the component switching though. When run though the receiver the picture from the cable box was awful. The colors were off, there was a lot of noise in the picture and generally made watching the TV an unpleasant experience. I thought it was the cable from the receiver to the TV because it was a cheap one but I didn't have the same problem with the DVD player which was also going through the same cable. Once again I unhooked the box from the receiver and hooked it directly to the TV.
Since I got the system for sound rather than convenience or video processing I'm not really going to mark the system down too much for the issues I had but if those are things that are essential to you then maybe think twice about this system. I like the fact that it's essentially a home theater in a box but is really just a pre-packaged component system. So when I need to and can afford to I can swap out individual pieces of the system rather than having to ditch the whole thing. I would say if you are looking for an inexpensive, entry level, component based sound system then give this a look.

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Mitsubishi Diamond Series LT-55265 55-Inch 1080p 240 Hz LED Edge-lit LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)Much has been said about the sound from the TV, but the picture is spectacular as well. Just wasn't ready for 3D yet. Plus I think i got a pretty good deal, $2295 plus a Definitive Audio 8" powered sub-woofer. I guess my only knock is the remote. It feels kinda cheep.

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Creating an entertainment environment that captures your imagination with vivid imagery and enveloping audio, the 55-inch Mitsubishi Diamond LT-55265 1080p HDTV provides concert quality sound in your home without the clutter of separate home theater components. Mitsubishi's innovative Immersive Sound Technology features 18 speakers built into the bottom of the front bezel directs perfectly balanced audio waves to reproduce 5.1 surround sound.
This LCD HDTV features an Edge-Lit LED backlighting for a sharper brighter image and its True240Hz anti-blur technology doubles the standard LCD frame rate to produce a more fluid, natural motion--making it a great choice for watching sports and fast action movies. And with the PerfectColor and PerfectTint features, you can adjust independently six colors and tints to dial in an optimized picture.

With the integrated wireless Internet (802.11b/g/n), you'll enjoy seamless connectivity to your wireless home network, enabling easy access to Mitsubishi's StreamTV Internet Media (with access to the VUDU HD movie rental site and more). You can also control this Diamond HDTV from your iPhone or iPod touch using Mitsubishi's iPhone Remote Control App. Other features include new thin design with blue light accent, Bluetooth audio streaming, four HDMI inputs, and a USB port for viewing photos and listening to music.



Key Features
55-inch LCD panel with Edge Lit LED backlighting bends and diffuses light for a sharper, brighter image. An added bonus: The arrangement of the LEDs along the edge of the screen makes an ultra-thin profile possible. LED-lit TVs are also more energy efficient than conventional CCFL backlit LCD TVs.
1080p Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels)
StreamTV Internet Media access provides instant access to an extensive library of high-quality entertainment and social media content. Grab your remote and choose from over 100 different streaming applications, including VUDU HD movie rentals, Pandora, Flickr, Picasa, Facebook, Twitter, Associated Press, The New York Times and more. VUDU Movies features the world's largest catalog of HD movies with more than 3,000 movies, and its HDX video format is the only streaming 1080p HD video with high resolution 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus surround sound available directly on Internet-connected televisions.
Plush1080p 5G 18-Bit video processing converts lower-resolution signals to 1080p to eliminate jagged pixelated imagery.
True240Hz more fluid, natural motion from fast-moving video such as sports, action movies, and more.
DeepField imager constantly adjusts panel brightness and contrast to optimize the picture.
EdgeEnhance technology enhances horizontal and vertical edges for a more precise picture with minimum distortion.
PerfectColor and PerfectTint functionality gives you far more control over your on-screen picture with six independent color and tint adjustments to help you dial in the perfect picture.
ISFccc advanced video adjustments contain the detailed standards necessary for professional calibration of brightness, contrast, tint, sharpness, color levels and much more to meet local lighting conditions for both day and nighttime viewing.
iSP calibration microphone

Immersive Sound Technology with 18 intelligent speakers (producing 52 total watts of power) that direct perfectly balanced audio waves beside and behind the user to reproduce 5.1 surround sound and create an unparalleled entertainment experience. Through the use of an advanced algorithm, the sound technology delays the sound beams and projects them independently from the 18 speakers at varying intervals, to create fully immersive surround sound.
Dolby Digital 5.1 sound processing
Video modes: Brilliant, Bright, Natural, Game
Integrated HDTV tuner receives both over-the-air HDTV broadcasts (received via an antenna) and non-scrambled digital cable broadcasts, including non-scrambled HDTV cable programming.
HDMI Control (CEC): HDMI devices with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) capabilities may be compatible with the TV's HDMI Control feature. Compatible devices can receive control signals through the HDMI connection, allowing the TV's remote control to operate some functions of these devices.
Easy Connect function automatically recognizes when you plug in a device and prompts you to assign a name to it. The TV ignores any unused inputs, so the result is an uncluttered menu where you can easily find and select connected devices by name.
Two USB ports enable you to play MP3 music and JPEG photo slideshows on this HDTV (one port provides accessory power only).
Built-in wireless Internet connectivity (802.11b/g/n) enables you to stream your favorite movies and music from the internet to your Unisen HDTV.
Wired networking via Ethernet port
Bluetooth audio streaming lets you wirelessly stream audio from any Bluetooth A2DP device (such as an iTouch/iPhone or Blackberry) to your Unisen TV.
iPhone Remote Control App for using your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control.
Wired IR input
Energy Star 4.0 qualified



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Yamaha YHT-790BL Home Theater in a Box (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you want HD audio and own a blu-ray player that decodes the HD audio codec's (ps3 does) this is the best home theater in a box system you can get. The speakers are a beautiful gloss black that really impressed me with the quality and connectors. This system comes with the Yamaha 6140 receiver that does accept PCM (HD audio) via HDMI. This is not a pass through system it accepts audio via HDMI unlike most home theater in a box systems. The only thing that could have made this a perfect set up would have been if it came with a larger sub but for the size of this one it does sound good but if your going for huge rumble you may want to upgrade the sub but other than that is a very nice set up. Btw you can usually find this for $650(shipped) or under if you look around.

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Yamaha YHT-893BL 7.1 Channel 630 Watt HTiB System (Each, Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This was my first surround sound ever (that i've owned/bought) and I could not be happier. My headphones (Sennheiser HD280 Pro's) sound got 3x better with the receiver's amp and DAC (Digital Audio Converter). Along with my audio coming from my Mac Pro via optical or from my PS3 vi HDMI, it is stunning how much better my headphone's quality got. Not to mention the CinemaDSP settings that to my surprise are actually good! Most of those settings on most devices blow. Thats just the headphones!
The speakers work great. Though i confess i'm not a speaker guru by any stretch, and i know these are *far* from top of the line, they do a great job when playing really loud music (i listen to mostly dark electro, EBM, aggrotech, or industrial) and i always get the feeling of immersion. Also the CinemaDSP settings are fantastic with music and movies alike. Usually i like to keep it on "Direct" mode (pure original signal with 0 post-processing whatsoever) but sometimes if the movies audio is hideous (fire the sound mixer) than i whip out the CinemaDSP. Although, i just watched the "new" Star Wars and the audio actually lacked punch, despite being THX certified (makes you wonder...) so i put on the "Sci-Fi" and viola, it sounded perfect.
The iPod dock connector works like a charm and i especially love the fact you can use the OSD (on screen display) to navigate your media with your remote OR you can use your remote without the OSD so you dont need your TV on. Of course if you have the OSD off you can manually (fingers on the iPod i mean) find music you want to which is perfect for parties if you don't have a computer or media device plugged in.
The accessories are very useful. Velcro stickers for you remote(s) to put on the wall or something, and rubber feet for the receiver as well as speakers. Plenty of speaker wire too. Instructions are easy, if you have basic electronics skills.
I don't have a 3D TV yet so i haven't seen how the receiver does with that, but i'm sure it's fine.
My one and only complaint is that the receiver can't have stereo subs. Ironically the subwoofer that comes with it has the ability to do stereo, but the receiver does not, which is a small hinderance when it comes to upgrading in the future. Such a detail is not worthy of docking a star soooooo there you have it. Buy it!!

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Yamaha's YHT-893BL 7.1-Channel HTiB System is the easy way to enjoy the cinema experience at home. Featuring 630 watts of power, the latest HDMI specifications, and popular Yamaha technologies like SCENE and CINEMA DSP, you'll be sure to get the most out of your high-definition movies and music.

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Yamaha RX-V567BL 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Each, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When my old TV died I replaced it with a new HD LCD. One of the things that bothered me was audio sync with the picture. I started checking into the problem and found that the sound being sent to my faithful old Technics receiver was being decoded faster than the video sent to the TV was. After some research and listening at local retailers I decided on the Yamaha RX-V567.
Here is why:
-HDMI 1.3 compatible. Syncs audio and video for high definition sources.
-Passive HDMI switching. Switches sources even when the receiver is off.
-Scene settings. Allows you to set an input, sound field program, initial volume level, etc for each of 4 scene buttons.
-YPAO. Makes setup of speaker levels a snap. Not so great for setting equalizer settings though - but that's just an opinion.
-Sound delay. Up to 320 ms sound delay that can be set manually.
-Direct Sound Processing Mode. Shuts off all unused portions of the receiver and processes surround stream using only the DAC and amplifier.
-Customizable Input labels. Set a custom label for any input.
-Tons of customizable options from setting speaker impedance, to allowing the use of multiple remotes, to an 8 band parametric equalizer that can be set differently for each input. As a matter of fact there are so many options that after a month of owning the receiver I don't think I have seen them all. Don't feel intimidated by this though, the receiver is configured so you won't need to mess with a whole lot of this stuff if you don't want to.
-Yamaha amplifiers. Awesome sound and plenty of volume.
-DAC processes a ton of digital standards up to and including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD and switches automatically or can be set for each source.
Things I didn't like:
-The only thing I didn't like was the fact the manual came on CD.
-The remote has lots of smallish buttons and no back light. A bit disappointing as it is expected to be used as a universal remote.
Also Available:
-Optional IPod dock and Bluetooth receiver. These are available but I myself don't own either. I have a Logitech Squeezebox for playing digital music as I don't care for compressed music sources.
-Sound Field processing. Again something I don't use but its there.
I am very pleased with the receiver so far. It has surpassed my expectations in many ways not the least of which is the ability to customize just about everything about every input on the thing. Sound quality is excellent and setup is quick and simple - it took longer to straiten out the YPAO cable than it did to set it up, and the sound field setup is excellent.
This is the first Yamaha electronics device I have ever owned and I am very impressed with it so far.


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The Yamaha RX-V567BL 7.1 Channel AV Receiver is a powerful receiver to help take your home theater experience to the next level. It features the latest HDMI specifications (4 inputs/1 output) with Audio Return Channel and 3D-readiness (with firmware upgrade), 1080p HDMI compatibility, an onscreen display, and renowned Yamaha technologies like SCENE and CINEMA DSP. Expand your options even further with optional docks (sold separately) to add your iPod, iPhone, or Bluetooth sources.

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Yamaha RX-V765BL 665 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I had been looking at several of the Yamaha models through the spring of 2009, as well as its competitor's (Sony, Onkyo, Denon), for an upgrade of my ancient Sony receiver (one of the first Pro-logic receivers). I just installed a set of Definitive Technology Mythos speakers ordered through Amazon.com, including a power-hungry Mythos Three center channel. I wanted this receiver to be the core of my Home Theater as it's primarily use for improving my Sony Blu-ray and TiVo Series3 HD DVR experience.
Sports, such a baseball is vivid with the upscale feature from 1080i to 1080p (although it has not yet improved the performance of my Seattle Mariners). 1080i broadcast shows such as Chuck, both sound and look great.
The optional YDS-11SL iPod dock works well with both a 4th generation Nano and an 80G iPod Classic, including the videos.
What is worth the wait is the clean layout on the back, the heft of the discrete amp, and the Blu-ray friendly support with both the scene button and the Decoders for HD audio formats: Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Yes they do make a difference in your home theater experience.
The audio calibration microphone works as advertised. Silent Cinema (headphone mode) is also a nice feature.
What could be improved - You need to keep the manual next to you for the first week to figure out some of the controls such as accessing all of the iPod controls with the dock. I was also sorry to see HD Radio(tm) missing from this "top of the mid-range" Yamaha's. The older RX-V863 has it, but this one doesn't. Also the four scene buttons are not programmable. I wanted to program the TV scene button for my TiVo (HDMI #2), no luck.
In the end, if you are looking for a quality receiver that performs well on both movies and music, and can drive your amp hungry speakers to their potential, look no farther that this RX-V765. It really was worth the wait.

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Yamaha RX-V765BL 665 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

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Yamaha YHT-390BL Home Theater in a Box (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I spent months picking a stereo system; reading reviews, listening to different systems at big box stores, and ultimately settled on this one.
The reason is simple: this 5.1 system sounded better than any other I tested, even those that cost twice as much! The sound quality of this system is simply amazing at this price. You could drop 3x as much on a Bose system and be less satisfied.
Pros:
2 HDMI inputs with full 1080p pass through. Have a lot of devices? No worries. You can connect a game console, a cable box, and a DVD player, all with zero loss of resolution and picture quality. There are more expensive systems that lack this feature. However, the audio pass through from HDMI cable goes directly to your tv, meaning you have to run a separate digital sound cable from your DVD player or CableBox. Not that big a deal as optical and digital cables are cheap these days, but it does mean one more cable to worry about. Here is a very reasonable Optical Digital Audio Cable and here is a Digital Audio Cable - both of which would be perfect.
Amazing sound quality. This system has a powered sub woofer, which is a MUST for high quality, deep bass. Other systems in this price range lack this feature. The speakers are solid wood construction. Although not glamorous, they feel so much better than plastic, and will still be around when cheaply made plastic bodied speakers are in a land fill.
The speaker themselves produce accurate, high quality sound, from the highest highs to deep bass. I put them through their paces with both DVDs and music CDs, and everything I threw at them sounded wonderful. (My test included "Hero," "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi," to test the surround sound processing. For music quality, I tested "The Killers: Sam's Town," "Copeland's Clarinet Concerto," and "Metallica: S&M."). Surround sound processing was great in entertain: surround mode. This system has made watching movies and TV a new experience!
High quality build from the amp to the speakers. Some other systems I considered ran VERY hot (Like the Onkyo HT-SR800). You could feel the heat coming off the amp without even touching it. This system runs a lot cooler, and makes me less worried about it burning out. It also helps the other devices in my audio cabinet stay cool and happy.
Many pre-sets, and a reasonably well designed remote. The remote is functional but not exceptional. One of my few frustrations with the system is it's limited ability to change the speaker pre-sets. You can only switch between a few of them with the remote. I frequently have to change them by hand using the buttons on the front of the amp. I've adjusted to this my making use of the four presets for "DVD watching, TV Watching CD Listening, and Radio Listening" each of which you can assign your own audio presets. Now, depending on what I want to watch, I can hit 1 button and I'm done. My wife loves this feature as she can get a DVD going in about five seconds without headaches!
Cons:
The speaker wire that comes with the set is thin. Spend the cash to get some good 16 gauge wire (and by good, I don't mean overpriced Monster brand wiring!). Any solid 16 gauge wire will work. This speaker wire would be a reasonably priced option.
This system has exceeded my expectations. I have some quibbles with the remote design, but presets take care of the majority of them. If you want amazing sound from a 5.1 system for under $400, you can't do better. You can even spend twice as much and get less for your money than you do with the Yamaha YHT-390BL.


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Yamaha YHT-495BL Complete 5.1-Channel Home Theater System Review

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(More customer reviews)Overall I'm pleased with the YHT-495. The receiver and sub make the cost justified and are nice units however as with most HTIB systems something has to be lacking to achieve the reasonable price and in this case its the speakers. While they do an pretty adequate job the claim of them being 100w thus matching the receiver's max output per channel is false as the box they come in clearly says 80w.
The center channel speaker could be a bit improved perhaps with settings but initially I would say that the front speakers and even surround/rears overpower the voice.
The sub-woofer does put out some nice bass and coupled with the receivers abilities make this a good buy when compared to other systems.
I can see a speaker (at least rear) upgrade in the future but overall this does offer an immersive sound for movie, music and TV in general when 5.1 is offered.


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The Yamaha YHT-495 5.1-channel home theater system is a quality entry-level HTiB system with a 100-watt, 5-channel A/V receiver, 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility, 4 SCENE buttons, and a powerful 100-watt subwoofer. Supports the latest high-definition audio formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. Add your iPod or iPhone by connecting optional compatible Yamaha docks like the YDS-12 or Yamaha Bluetooth Wireless Audio Receiver (sold separately).

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Yamaha YHT-393BL 5.1 Channel 500 Watt HTiB System (Each, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When I saw this receiver in the store, and then looked at the price (when compared to other "comparable" systems), I assumed it was going to sound like a tin-can. I'm so glad I was wrong...!
The receiver itself has a wealth of features, bells, and whistles. If you will be listening to your iPod through the system, go ahead and spend the money on the dock. The sound quality is excellent and you can control the iPod via Yamaha's excellent remote. One of my favorite features (being a classical musician/pianist) is that you can choose a sound mode that makes your music sound as if it's being heard in two of the best concert halls in Europe (Munich/ der Musikverein in Vienna), and some famous/typical American venues (The Roxy Theatre, The Bottom Line, Chamber, Cellar Club, etc...). It's really a neat effect!
I like that I can run all the HDMI signals from my DVD player, TV box, etc... through the receiver, so I never have to switch inputs on my TV, or run 10 different cords up behind the wall! The receiver does all the work of switching inputs-- you can even select a different audio input to pair with your HDMI signal just in case (like with a DVI to HDMI cable from your computer) there is a separate audio source.
If I had to brag on just ONE thing about the system, It would be: The subwoofer. The speakers that come with the system give a clear upper range, but if you were relying on them for the bass frequencies, you'd return the whole system the same day you bought it. Enter: the subwoofer... This speaker can punch out the lowest lows, even at the lowest volumes. Don't let the size fool you, either! It will fill your whole room with great, booming, clear bass!
To conclude this glowing review: If I were adding another TV in my den, I would buy another one of these systems to complete that home theatre as well!If you're looking for a great quality product that works and sounds even better than you'd expect, just hit the "Add to Cart" button now...

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Yamaha's YHT-393BL 5.1-Channel HTiB System is the easy way to enjoy the cinema experience at home. Featuring 500 watts of power (100Wx5), the latest HDMI specifications, and popular Yamaha technologies like SCENE and CINEMA DSP, you'll be sure to get the most out of your high-definition movies and music.

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Yamaha YHT-395BL Complete 5.1-Channel Home Theater System Review

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(More customer reviews)If you're looking for a great home theater system at an affordable price this is it. I have had no problems passing through all of my 3D content to my TV from this home theater system. There is a ton of control for the audio and even offers automatic and manual lip syncing. If you're an audio/video nut and you notice lips being off from audio by only the slightest bit then this is the home theater system for you. The active subwoofer is outstanding for its size. Overall, the whole home theater system is a great value and everything you'd expect. Everything you see on the amazon page for this home theater is true as far as specifications.

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The Yamaha YHT-395 5.1-channel home theater system is a quality entry-level HTiB system with a 100-watt, 5-channel A/V receiver, 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility, 4 SCENE buttons, and a powerful 100-watt subwoofer. Supports the latest high-definition audio formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. Add your iPod or iPhone by connecting optional compatible Yamaha docks like the YDS-12 or Yamaha Bluetooth Wireless Audio Receiver (sold separately).

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JBL WEM-1 50-Watt Wireless Amplifier and Expansion Module (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this once it first came out and I've been pleased. It works effectively to expand your listening area wirelessly between zones or even between 5.1 and 7.1 setups.
I use this across my house - a house that is also set up with a wireless network for my computers as well as both cordless and cellular phones. The interference from these units is minimal, if present at all. Surprisingly, I find the most interference from either myself or others walking past it. Wierd. Though, there are 4 channels available to sync the transmitter and receiver seamlessly (or close to it).
The sound is great. It has a built in 50W amplifier and provides crisp sounds. The subwoofer output allows you to make this mini system a sharp 2.1 surround sound system. Note - use a non LFE sub (or just bypass the LFE option on your sub) since the receiver has its own volume input.
Obviously, the best results are for when you connect an outside music source to the receiver via the mini-jack input. If this is your sole reason to use this product, you don't even need to hook up the transmitter at all. Though, to fully enjoy this product, you should.
I have it hooked up to a 7.1 receiver with 2 zone capability. It works fine and I'm very happy with it. The built in amp definitely helps the performance.

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The JBL WEM-1 is a Wireless Expansion Module that allows the user to make any loudspeaker wireless. The kit contains a transmitter that wirelessly transmits a signal up to 70 feet. The WEM-1 includes a receiver/amplifier that receives the wireless signal and drives any pair of loudspeakers with its internal 50 watt amplifier. The transmitter connects to the source using either line or speaker level inputs. The receiver/amplfiier also offers equalization settings for several speakers. A local input allows the user to hook up a portable device or gaming system to the amplifiier.

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LG LSB316 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer Review

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(More customer reviews)We just purchased a new 55" LED TV for our great room and needed a sound system (as is well known, the flat panel tv speakers are horrible). We did research for several days and had finally settled on either the Sony CT150 or the Boston Acoustics TVEEM20. Both had recieved great reviews. The problem with Sony is that the subwoofer is wired and contains all the inputs as well as the sensor for the remote. Thus, the subwoofer must be near the TV and easily visible (given the wall mounted location in our room, its a pain to run 10 foot cables through the wall). The problem with the BA is that it only has the circa 1980 RCA input (which few modern TVs seem to have as an output option). After much research we decided we had to settle for one or the other and went to Best Buy to test them. Once there, we stumbled upon the LG which hadn't even been stocked yet (just saw the box in the corner). After checking out the specs, we were delighted to see that LG had settled the problems! Wireless subwoofer can sit out of sight yet provides great effect. The sound bar has two optical inputs, plus a USB port and is Bluetooth enabled. All ports are on the bar, so you only need a short single optical cable from the TV to the bar.
Set up took about 2 minutes; plug in the bar, the subwoofer and plug in the optical cable. That's it. Be sure to turn off your TV's speakers to avoid any issues with sound bleeding.
Sound is great, assuming you have realistic expectations. This is not a $2000 home theater system so don't expect that. However, for a $300-$350 range soundbar, the sound is outstanding! Other than a tiny bit of static when set on a couple of the pre-installed sound effects (which goes away when we tried a different setting), its great. Plenty of power for our great room which is open on two sides and has 20 foot ceilings open to a loft (basically the worst acoustical set up you can imagine). Yet the LG puts out plenty of power; haven't even turned it up more than half way as even that was blasting. Great range of sound as far as we can tell; seems to hand music, movies, games, etc very well (again, use the different sound settings to get the best effects depending on source and type of content).
The Bluetooth sync is extremely easy. My wife had the Ipod running through the system by the time I was done putting away the box. The LG has a specific sound setting for MP3 files that upscales the frequencies, etc. The sound is really amazing.
If we had to come up with any negatives, we only have 2 very minor ones. My wife doesn't like the look as much as the Sony (the LG speakers are exposed, so it looks a bit more industrial); but even this is relative and very minor. We both agree its stylish and low profile. The only other negative is that it won't sync with our DVR universal remote, so we have to use the sound bar remote for volume control, and the other for everything else. Not really a big deal.
In sum, we stumbled upon this by accident (didn't even know LG made a soundbar, which is ironic given that we had bought a new LG LED tv just a few days earlier) and couldn't be more pleased. If you're looking for a good, low profile sound system for your tv but don't want to go to a full theater system, this is a good option. If you're an audio snob, you probably won't like it, but then again you probably sholdn't be looking at soundbars anyway.

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LG Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer

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