John P. Falcone,
Senior Editor
April 6, 2009
You don't have to empty your bank account to bring the home theater experience into your living room. At $300 or less, these home-theater-in-a-box packages put a surround-sound-capable living room within the reach of budget-minded buyers. Not only are they fairly cheap, but their small size and all-in-one simplicity make them an attractive option for anyone who doesn't like the look of looming tower speakers or long runs of speaker cable. Plus, all of these HTIBs include a built-in DVD player, so all you need to add is a TV and you're good to go. We're not saying they'll provide the same experience as a more expensive separates-based system, but for many people it's exactly the compromise they're looking for.
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| Price | Check Prices | Check Prices | Check Prices | $129.97 to $427.49 | Check Prices |
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| Review date | October 11, 2006 | June 08, 2006 | June 08, 2006 | July 20, 2006 | June 26, 2006 |
| The Bottom Line | If the Samsung HT-TQ85's best-in-class feature set doesn't clinch the sale, its superlative sound on DVDs and CDs will. | The keenly balanced Panasonic SC-HT940 home-theater system boasts an affordable price tag, a generous and truly useful feature set, and decent all-around performance. | Though it doesn't sound great on music, JVC's seriously affordable and compact home theater in a box scores with ample features and solid performance. | The unremarkable sound quality of the Philips HTS6500 is outweighed by its winning combination of slick aesthetics, impressive features, and affordable pricing. | A unique wireless rear speaker makes the Panasonic SC-HT640W an impressive value for anyone in the market for a sub-$300 home-theater system. |
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| Features | |||||
| DVD type | Info unavailable | DVD changer | DVD changer | DVD player | DVD changer |
| Surround System Class | 5.1 channel | 5.1 channel | 5.1 channel | Info unavailable | 5.1 channel |
| CD System | None | None | None | None | None |
| Cassette System | None | None | None | None | None |
| Radio | Radio tuner - FM - 30 preset stations | Radio tuner - AM/FM - 30 preset stations | Radio tuner - AM/FM | Radio tuner - AM/FM - 40 preset stations | Radio tuner - AM/FM |
| Components | Speaker system DVD changer / AV receiver | Speaker system DVD changer / AV receiver | Speaker system DVD changer / AV receiver | DVD player Speaker system | Speaker system DVD changer / AV receiver |
| Built-in Decoders | DTS decoder Dolby Digital Dolby Pro Logic II | DTS decoder Dolby Digital Dolby Pro Logic II | DTS decoder Dolby Digital Dolby Pro Logic II | DTS decoder Dolby Digital Dolby Pro Logic II | DTS decoder Dolby Digital Dolby Pro Logic II |
| DVD | DVD changer - 5 | DVD changer - 5 | DVD changer - 5 | DVD player - PAL - NTSC | DVD changer - 5 |
| Sound Output Mode | Surround Sound | Surround Sound | Surround Sound | Stereo | Surround Sound |
| Product Description | Samsung HT TQ85 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel | Panasonic SC HT940 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel | JVC TH C30 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel | Philips HTS6500 - Home theater system | Panasonic SC HT640W - Home theater system - 5.1 channel |
| Remote Control | Universal remote control - Infrared | Universal remote control - Infrared | Universal remote control - Infrared | Remote control - Infrared | Universal remote control - Infrared |
| Components | Info unavailable | Speaker system DVD changer / AV receiver | Speaker system DVD changer / AV receiver | DVD player Speaker system | Speaker system DVD changer / AV receiver |
| Output Power | 1000 Watt | 1200 Watt | 1000 Watt | 500 Watt | 300 Watt |
| Product Type | Home theater system | Home theater system | Home theater system | Home theater system | Home theater system |
| Speaker(s) | 2 x Right/left channel speaker - External - 140 Watt - 145 - 20000 Hz 1 x Center channel speaker - External - 140 Watt - 145 - 20000 Hz 2 x Right/left rear channel speaker - External - 140 Watt - 145 - 20000 Hz 1 x Subwoofer - External - 160 Watt | 2 x Right/left channel speaker - External - 190 Watt - 104 - 25000 Hz 1 x Center channel speaker - External - 320 Watt - 120 - 25000 Hz 2 x Right/left rear channel speaker - External - 90 Watt - 96 - 22000 Hz 1 x Subwoofer - External - 320 Watt - 34 - 135 Hz | 1 x Center channel speaker - External - 170 Watt 2 x Right/left channel speaker - External - 170 Watt 2 x Right/left rear channel speaker - External - 170 Watt 1 x Active subwoofer - External - 170 Watt - 30 - 200 Hz | 2 x Right/left channel speaker - External - 120 - 20000 Hz 1 x Subwoofer - External - 30 - 120 Hz | 2 x Right/left channel speaker - External 1 x Center channel speaker - External 1 x Right channel speaker - External 1 x Subwoofer - External |
| MD System | None | None | None | None | None |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
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