Entered CNET Catalog: 11/15/2001
SKU: HTS-L5
Manufacturer: Onkyo USA
Manufacturer description
Onkyo has introduced a complete home theater system that is as easy to use as an all-in-one unit, but provides the performance and capabilities of a high-end component system. Available as individual components, or as a complete package, this attractive audio/video system consists of a 5.1-channel surround receiver, DVD/CD player, and a six-component speaker bundle. The heart of the new HTS-L5 system, the TX-L5 receiver, provides DTS, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro-Logic II sound in a sleek, low-profile housing. The matching DV-L5 DVD/CD player plays DVDs and five different types of compact disc, including MP3-encoded CDs. The SKS-105 speaker bundle has a complement of two tower speakers, two surround monitors, a center speaker and a 60-watt powered subwoofer. The performance, sleek design and wide range of capabilities will appeal to those who want cutting-edge quality without undue clutter. The Onkyo TX-L5 features DTS and Dolby Digital decoding, Dolby Pro-Logic II processing, a total of nine DSP soundfields, and two-mode acoustic control. It also has Onkyo's WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) to provide superior high fidelity amplification, and 96-kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) on all channels for high-quality reproduction of digital sources. The receiver offers one coaxial and two optical digital inputs, three S-Video inputs and two S-Video outputs for a full spectrum of source choices. It also features a high-sensitivity AM/FM tuner with 30 presets and FM auto-scan tuning as well as tape/MD and video dubbing capabilities. The matching DV-L5 DVD/CD player plays DVDs, audio and MP3 CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and video CD's. It features 192-kHz/24-bit audio DACs for superb audio reproduction, and has direct digital path and selectable 48-kHz/96-kHz digital out for maximum compatibility with the TX-L5 receiver. The unit has component video, S-video and composite A/V outputs, as well as both optical and coaxial digital outputs for DTS, Dolby Digital, and PCM signals. Maintaining the series' balance of design and performance, the SKS-105 speaker package features a pair of D-105F slim towers, two D-105M surround speakers, and one D-105C center speaker. These speakers all use 3.5-inch OMF (Onkyo Microfiber) woofers, and a high-efficiency one-inch soft-dome tweeter with a Neodymium magnet. The D-105Fs and D-105C have dual woofers. The front, center and surround speakers are magnetically shielded, and have extensively braced MDF cabinets. The package is completed with an SKW-50 bass reflex powered subwoofer. The subwoofer's built-in 60-watt amplifier delivers high output and low distortion, has front-panel controls for frequency and output level, and has a frequency response of 30-200 Hz. Product summary
The good: Excellent sound quality; full-sized front speakers; feature-packed separate components.
The bad: Large speakers; single-disc player.
The bottom line: This system represents a keenly balanced mix of features with superb build and sound quality.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: Yes
- Reviewed on: 11/21/2001
Onkyo's amazing HTS-L5 looks and sounds like a component system, and it operates like a set of matched components, but it's a home theater in a box (HTIB). This kit is, in fact, a package of full-featured Onkyo components and speakers. And what speakers they are! Most HTIB speakers are little, plastic things, but this system is packing wood-finished left and right towers that are nearly 35 inches tall. Onkyo's amazing HTS-L5 looks and sounds like a component system, and it operates like a set of matched components, but it's a home theater in a box (HTIB). This kit is, in fact, a package of full-featured Onkyo components and speakers. And what speakers they are! Most HTIB speakers are little, plastic things, but this system is packing wood-finished left and right towers that are nearly 35 inches tall.
Home theater in a big box
Most of the HTS-L5's combined shipping weight of 132 pounds is due to the solidly constructed, multidriver speaker package. The left, center, and right speakers feature dual 3.5-inch Onkyo Microfiber woofers, and all of the speakers use a sweet-sounding 1-inch soft-dome tweeter. The 60-watt sub employs an 8-inch woofer and has front-mounted variable-crossover and level controls.
The separate A/V receiver has all the usual trimmings, such as 96kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters, Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro-Logic II surround decoding. Pro-Logic II works its magic on old videotapes and stereo CDs. The matching single-disc player handles DVDs, CDs, CD-R/RWs, MP3-encoded CDs, and VideoCDs. The video outputs include composite, S-Video, and a set of component connectors. Thanks to its softly illuminated, orange controls, you can operate this DVD player in the dark. The receiver and DVD player each come with easy-to-use remote controls, and, happily, either remote can control both components.
The receiver's rear panel is filled with three A/V inputs and one A/V output, plentiful S-Video connections, and three digital audio inputs. Beefy speaker-binding posts are limited to the left and right channels; the center and surround channels are relegated to the less secure spring-loaded connectors. However, you won't find Super Audio CD (SACD)/DVD-Audio ready 5.1 and phono inputs on this receiver.
A most musical system
Most HTIB systems are optimized for home-theater duty, but the HTS-L5 sounds equally wonderful on DVDs and CDs. Even difficult-to-reproduce classical and acoustic-jazz CDs raptly held our attention. True, we were initially a little concerned about the receiver's lightweight power spec--just 22 watts per channel--but we went ahead and pummeled our eardrums with special-effect-driven DVDs, along with hard rock and dance music CDs, and the HTS-L5 never lost its cool. We credit the carefully matched speakers for extracting stellar performance from such modest power reserves. Just don't expect this or any HTIB to fill a large space (400-plus square feet) with high-volume sound.
We checked out the Men in Black and The Thin Red Line DVDs and quickly discovered that the HTS-L5's picture quality and sonics equaled those of far more expensive rigs assembled from individual components. The video looks as good as you would expect from DVD. The sound never "stuck" to the speakers; it was always wide open, highly transparent, dynamic, and just plain fun. The bass authority was excellent but lacked the deep bass prowess of .
We loved pretty much everything about the $1,300 HTS-L5, but there's one catch: it may hog too much of your precious living space. In that case, we recommend checking out the JBL ProPack 600, or if you're looking for something less expensive, try Pioneer's HTZ-55DV.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 User Rating: 
8/10
i love onkyoby - January 12, 2005
Pros: speakers are great. the sound will blow you away. i have the 797 receiver with this speaker package an it's great
Cons: need two sub's or one 12 inch
Review:
User Rating: 
10/10
lol, do u guys actually think SONY is better than onkyo?by - February 4, 2003
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Review: onkyo is like a noble brand, not a cheap brand guys. dun judge becoz u guys havnt heard it before btw. it sounds superb
User Rating: 8/10
I'm satisfied for the moneyby - November 2, 2002
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Review: I bought it from a major appliance company in the Chicago area, have had great success, great sound, although not advertised I could have sworn that on one of the menus that there was pro logic formated on this system
User Rating: 
5/10
Why doesn't anyone sell it?by - March 25, 2002
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Review: Doesn't any STORE sell Onkyo products? I question anything that has to be purchased direct from mfg
User Rating: 
7/10
This is a beautiful system.by - March 5, 2002
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Review: -First off, let me tell you how I came by mine: Last November my house was hit by lightning and it fried my system(top of the line Toshiba DVD, Sherwood decoder, Onkyo speakers).TV and everything included it was about $8,000 in damage. Instead of going through the headache of piecing components together through trial and error, I picked up the HTS and a sweet HDTV set. -This system exceeds the one I had before and only cost fractions of it!(I do admit that my previous system had more 'punch', but I prefer clarity.) -Anyone who would disagree I chllenge to find another HTIB that comes close to this( or any theater system for this price). -nice job Onkyo!
User Rating: 
9/10
this system rocks!by - January 21, 2002
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Review: i just set up this system and am WELL pleased! set-up was simplified with onkyo's manual. the sound is incredible in ALL formats. if this system is in your price range, get it now! you wont be disappointed. the video is first rate on my sony wega 36".
User Rating: 10/10
excelent quality and affordableby - January 15, 2002
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Review: I´ve tried with many onkyo products trough the time and I just can say that I never been wrong with this brand they put excelent audio quality in your hands without to expend big amounts of money
User Rating: 7/10
Onkyo have a proven track recordby - January 13, 2002
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Review: They have been making great quality home theatre products for along time now. It's only a pity it doesn't feature Dolby Digital EX or pro-logic II
User Rating: 
2/10
htib's are always crapby - December 7, 2001
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Review: These packages are always horrible...how can a company get many totally different components right when most can`t even build one thing properly? This is by no means extraordinary stuff, but if you don`t want to look around, I suppose it will do. Or not. Look for audiophile products, it`s not an arm and a leg (it can be more "value" than these kits) and it won`t disappoint.
User Rating: 7/10
I like it a lot.by - December 7, 2001
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Review: This is a great product (but I don't own one). Everyone should go out and buy this. (but not me).
User Rating: 7/10
Over Rated Productby - December 6, 2001
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Cons:
Review: Have any of you guys seen or even heard this product perform? I own one, and it's on its way back. Why? It's too expensive. Don't get me wrong. The quality of this kit is superb! Well built, vented, (THX certifications, (not on this unit)but built with certain standards. The only thing I don't like about this home theater setup is Onkyos WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology. They say it delivers HIGH FIDELITY.. Well I disagree with that to a point. The correct view for a high fidelity system is AMPS specificly made to a frequency range. Meaning, one amp for lows, mids, highs, ETc. True sonic separation. Most home theaters amps are already WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology), it doesn't make it special in any way. The speakers are well built, to my knowledge they should put the THX logo on them, but I guess it's a matter of money. The surround sound speakers, are small, but they deliver a punch. The subwoofer is only 60Watts, not so powerfull for a 20sq/ft room. But it will do the job in a smaller area, just don't expect to feel the vibrations in stomach. The reciever, excellent quality, DTS, 5.1, Dolby Digital. The DVD player is about the only thing in the setup that is trully impressive. It's a single player, but it has a high sampling rate 192k/bit! MP3, CDR's Etc. The reciever is $400, not worth it, the DVD/CD is $400, the speaker package is $600. The theater package is $1300.00.. what a savings.. like I said, too high priced, so little power, and not even 6.1 capable. PLEASE NOTE: The reciever DAC is 96-kHz/24-bit. THE DV-L5 DVD player will scale down to 48-kHz/96-kHz digital out for maximum compatibility with the TX-L5 receiver. Say goodbye to true high fidelity.. what were they thinking? That's why this unit doesn't have the THX certification. It's like putting a Ferrari enigne on a 3 speed transmittion.
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Onkyo HTS-L5 specifications
- General
- Product Type Home theater system
- Dimensions (WxDxH) / Weight Speaker system : Right/left channel speaker : 9.1 in x 13.2 in x 8.5 in / 8.2 lbs , Speaker system : Active subwoofer : 17.1 in x 6.3 in x 3.2 in / 4.2 lbs , AV receiver : Right/left rear channel speaker : 4.3 in x 7.0 in x 34.3 in / 28.7 lbs , Speaker system : Center channel speaker : 17.1 in x 10.2 in x 3.2 in / 6.6 lbs , Speaker system : 7.6 in x 14.8 in x 4.8 in / 15.7 lbs , DVD player : 13.1 in x 14.1 in x 20.3 in / 13.4 lbs
- Audio System
- Components Speaker system , DVD player , AV receiver
- Sound Output Mode Surround Sound
- Built-in Decoders Dolby Pro Logic II , DTS decoder , Dolby Digital
- Audio D/A Converter 24bit / 96kHz
- Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Yes
- DSP Presets Studio-Mix , TV Logic , All Ch Stereo , Unplugged , Orchestra
- Surround System Class 5.1 channel
- Signal-To-Noise Ratio 100.0 dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion 0.6 %
- Amplifier Output Details 22.0 Watt - 6.0 Ohm - THD 0.6 % - 5.0 channel(s) ( Surround )
- Built-in Clock Sleep timer
- Display Dimmer Yes
- Additional Features Midnight Mode
- Digital Storage Media None
- Connectors
- Headphone Jack Yes
- Coaxial Digital Input Yes
- Coaxial Digital Output Yes
- Optical Digital Input Yes
- Optical Digital Output Yes
- Speaker System
- Speaker(s) 1.0 x Center channel speaker - 2-way - External - 150.0 Watt - -34950.0 Hz - 6.0 Ohm - Wired , 2.0 x Right/left channel speaker - 2-way - External - 70.0 Watt - -34930.0 Hz - 6.0 Ohm - Wired , 1.0 x Right/left rear channel speaker - 2-way - External - 50.0 Watt - -170.0 Hz - 6.0 Ohm - Wired , 2.0 x Active subwoofer - External - 70.0 Watt - -34920.0 Hz - Wired
- Driver Details Center channel speaker : 1.0 x Subwoofer driver - 1.0 in - Onkyo Micro Fiber (OMF) - Soft Dome , Center channel speaker : 1.0 x Tweeter driver - 1.0 in - Onkyo Micro Fiber (OMF) - Soft Dome , Right/left rear channel speaker : 1.0 x Woofer driver - 8.0 in - Onkyo Micro Fiber (OMF) - Soft Dome , Right/left channel speaker : 2.0 x Woofer driver - 3.5 in , Active subwoofer : 1.0 x Woofer driver - 3.5 in , Right/left rear channel speaker : 2.0 x Tweeter driver - 1.0 in , Right/left channel speaker : 1.0 x Tweeter driver - 3.5 in
- Detachable Grilles Yes
- Radio
- Type Radio tuner - AM/FM - Digital
- Tuner Frequency Range AM: 530 - 1710 kHz , FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz
- Preset Station Qty 30.0
- Antenna Form Factor Loop AM / wire FM
- Response Bandwidth -14970.0 Hz
- Signal-To-Noise Ratio 76.0 dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion Mono: 0.2%, stereo: 0.3%
- Auto Preset Memory Yes
- Turntable
- Type None
- CD System
- CD system type None
- DVD
- Type DVD player
- Media Format Video CD , CD-RW , CD-R , DVD , CD
- Video D/A Converter 10bit / 27MHz
- Audio D/A Converter 24bit / 192kHz
- DVD Repeat Modes Title , A-B repeat , Program , Chapter
- CD Playback Modes All tracks repeat , Program play , A-B repeat , Random play / shuffle , One track repeat
- Supported Digital Audio Standards MP3
- Additional Features Parental lock , Slow motion mode , Still picture display
- Cassette System
- Cassette system type None
- Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
- MD System
- MD system type None
- Headphones
- Headphones Type None
- Microphone
- Type None
- Remote Control
- Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
- Remote Control (2nd)
- Type Remote control
- Technology Infrared
- Connections
- Connector Type AV receiver : 1.0 x AM antenna ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear , AV receiver : 3.0 x Headphones ( Mini-phone 3.5 mm ) - Rear , AV receiver : 1.0 x SPDIF output ( RCA phono ) - Rear , AV receiver : 3.0 x S-Video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Front , DVD player : 1.0 x Component video output ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Rear , DVD player : 1.0 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono ) - Rear , AV receiver : 1.0 x SPDIF output ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Rear , DVD player : 1.0 x Monitor output ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear , DVD player : 1.0 x SPDIF input ( Mini-phone 3.5 mm ) - Rear , DVD player : 1.0 x S-Video output ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Rear , AV receiver : 1.0 x Composite video/audio input ( F connector ) - Rear , AV receiver : 1.0 x Monitor output ( Click-fit x 2 ) - Rear , DVD player : 1.0 x Composite video output ( RCA phono ) - Rear , AV receiver : 2.0 x S-Video output ( RCA phono ) - Rear , DVD player : 2.0 x FM antenna ( Phone stereo 6.25 mm ) - Rear , DVD player : 1.0 x Audio line-out ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Rear , AV receiver : 1.0 x Remote control ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear , AV receiver : 1.0 x Remote control ( RCA phono ) - Rear , AV receiver : 1.0 x Subwoofer output ( RCA phono ) - Rear , AV receiver : 1.0 x Composite video/audio output - Rear , AV receiver : 1.0 x SPDIF input - Rear
- Miscellaneous
- AV Furniture None
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