CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 09/24/2002
- Updated on: 11/07/2009
The numeric rating for this product has been changed since the review's original publication. The reason for this is simply the general improvement of technology over time. In order to keep our ratings fair and accurate, it's sometimes necessary to downgrade the ratings of older products relative to those of newer products.
Sizing up the SKS-HT500
While most entry-level packages are built around tiny sats and laughably small subwoofers, the HT500 sports rather formidable components. The speakers have a simple if bulky look, with an attractive, black-oak, vinyl-veneer finish and contoured grilles that add a touch of class. The main left/right speakers stand 16.5 inches tall and have dual 5.25-inch woofers and a 1-inch dome tweeter. The more average-sized center speaker comes in at 15.25 inches wide and features a woofer/tweeter/woofer array (two 4-inch woofers and a 1-inch tweeter). The surround speakers, which use a pair of the same drivers found in the center speaker, are the smallest of the bunch at just 8.5 inches high.
Though the center and surround speakers have keyhole mounts, wall-mounting them will restrict airflow from the rear ports; these speakers will sound best with a little breathing room behind them. Rated at an easy-to-drive, 8-ohm impedance, the mighty HT500 ensemble won't tax low-powered receivers.
The subwoofer weighs an impressive 29 pounds and incorporates a downward-firing, 8-inch woofer and a 150-watt amplifier. Connectivity options are limited to just one line-level input. Therefore, this Onkyo must be coupled with a receiver that has a line-level subwoofer output (most A/V receivers are so equipped).
Better than good
Things immediately got interesting when we fired up our first test disc. To our pleasant surprise, the Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense DVD sounded huge, and Tina Weymouth's meaty bass lines were easily delineated from Chris Frantz's pounding drum kit. The HT500's sub/sat blend, midbass definition, and punch are very, very good--right up there with those of systems that go for more than double the price. The sub's low-frequency prowess is excellent, but it doesn't go as deep as most of the $400 subs that we've auditioned. That's fine with us; we'd rather give up some power to get a pitch-accurate bottom end.
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