All Home Theater Systems

The Bottom Line: The sound quality of the Onkyo HT-S990THX is among the best you'll get from a home-theater-in-a-box system, but the lack of HDMI video is a disappointment.

Specs: Home theater system, AV receiver, Speaker system, None, Surround Sound, 230 Watt, 130 Watt, Remote control (Infrared)

The Bottom Line: Considering its bargain-basement price, Panasonic's SC-HT40 home theater in a box is an outstanding value.

Specs: Home theater system, AV receiver, Speaker system, Surround Sound, 800 Watt, Universal remote control (Infrared)

The Bottom Line: The Sony DAV-FX900W Dream System maxes out on style and features--such as HDMI output and wireless rear speakers--but its sound quality is disappointing relative to the price.

Specs: Home theater system, Speaker system, DVD changer / AV receiver, DVD changer, CD, DVD, CD-R, SACD, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R DL, Video CD, Surround Sound, 143 Watt, 285 Watt, 1280 Watt

The Bottom Line: The most expensive home-theater package in Harman Kardon's 2006 line, the CP 35 combines a DVD player, a 7.1-speaker package, the company's well-apportioned AVR 335 A/V receiver, and a matching remote control in one package.

Specs: Home theater system, DVD player, AV receiver, Speaker system, DVD player, CD, DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, Video CD, Remote control (Infrared)

Editors' Take: CNET previews the Sony DAV-DX375, the entry-level DVD Dream System home theater in a box in the company's 2006 line, due to be released in April.

Specs: Home theater system, Speaker system, DVD changer / AV receiver, DVD changer, CD, DVD, CD-R, SACD, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R DL, Video CD, Surround Sound, 1000 Watt, Remote control (Infrared)

Editors' Take: CNET previews the Sony DAV-FX500, an XM-ready DVD Dream System home theater in a box with a five-disc CD/DVD changer that's due to be released in May 2006.

Specs: Home theater system, Speaker system, DVD changer / AV receiver, DVD changer, CD, DVD, CD-R, SACD, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, Video CD, Surround Sound, 1000 Watt, Remote control

The Bottom Line: Onkyo's affordable, full-featured CS-V720 is a great do-it-all option for bedrooms and dens that are too small for full-size home-theater systems.

Specs: Micro system, DVD player, Silver, Stereo, 70 Watt, Remote control (Infrared)

The Bottom Line: The Bose 3-2-1 Series II DVD system does a surprisingly good surround-sound imitation with just two satellites, but it's overpriced.

Specs: DVD surround system, Speaker system, DVD player / AV receiver, DVD player, CD, DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, Video CD, Graphite gray, Stereo, Universal remote control (Infrared)

The Bottom Line: Sony's DAV-X1 virtual-surround Dream System can unleash a full, enveloping sound from DVDs, but it's less satisfying with CDs.

Specs: Home theater system, DVD player, Speaker system, DVD player, CD, DVD, CD-R, SACD, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, Video CD, Surround Sound, Remote control (Infrared)

The Bottom Line: Boston's lifestyle-friendly Avidea 610 delivers home-theater thrills and still sounds sweet on CDs.

Specs: Home theater system, Speaker system, AV receiver with DVD player, DVD player, CD, DVD, CD-R, SACD, SVCD, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, Kodak Picture CD, Surround Sound, 200 Watt, Universal remote control (Infrared)