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Entered CNET Catalog: 06/08/2006
SKU: HT-TQ85
Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufacturer description
Imagine the allure of 1000 watts of audio power. Samsung's elegant HT-TQ85 Home Theater Audio System offers industry-leading power through four sleek tower speakers and a center speaker, enhanced by Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic decoders. The HT-TQ85 offers the convenience of a 5 disc changer, as well as improved USB host play which lets you plug and play your portable digital devices without loading software.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 10/11/2006
The five-disc DVD changer/receiver is 3 inches tall and 17 inches wide and deep, so it might be too deep to fit inside your cabinet or entertainment center. The changer mechanism is unusually smooth and quiet as it goes about its business. The skinny remote is pretty good overall. We never had to fumble to find the centrally located light gray volume up/down buttons--they're much larger than the other tiny black buttons on the black remote--but the close proximity of the Play and Stop buttons led to frequent mistakes.
While the five black, plastic speakers make no pretense that they're made from anything but black plastic, the black cloth grilles add some refinement to the overall look. Assembling the tallboy tower speakers--each one comes in three parts--is simple enough, requiring 15 or so minutes to get all four done. Once they're assembled, they stand 41.1 inches tall, and the center speaker is a mere 11.8 inches wide. Don't have the floor space? All five speakers have keyhole slots for easy-does-it wall mounting. The matching, medium-density fiberboard subwoofer feels a little more substantial, and it's 15.7 inches tall.
We were surprised to note that the HT-TQ85 doesn't have a speaker autosetup/calibration feature. That wouldn't be a big deal if the factory's default speaker settings were acceptable, but they're not. The center speaker's volume is too low so dialogue is hard to hear clearly, and the surround speakers' volume is also too low. You can correct those deficiencies by exploring the HT-TQ85's manual speaker setup, which isn't the most logical or easy to use. While you're in setup mode, you might also want to try to set the speakers' delay settings, which are unfortunately complicated by Samsung's awkward system that asks the user to calculate millisecond delays for the center and surround speakers; on most systems, you enter the actual distances between each speaker and the prime listening position. That said, getting the delay settings right isn't nearly as important as setting the speakers' volume levels correctly. Straight out of the box, the subwoofer's volume was set to the Flat (0 dB) setting, and the sound was much too bassy for our tastes when listening to music. Using the Sound Edit button on the remote, we turned the subwoofer volume down, and that did the trick. For the other onscreen setup details, such as setting TV aspect ratio, the onscreen display navigation was straightforward.
The Samsung HT-TQ85's power amplifiers are rated at 140 watts for each of the five satellite channels and 160 watts for the subwoofer channel. The five-disc carousel style changer plays DVD, DVD-Audio, DVD-R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, and DivX discs, as well as MP3, WMA, and JPEG photo files. Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II, and DTS surround processing are included.Video connectivity covers HDMI (with Faroujda DCDI upscaling up to 1080i), component, S-Video, and composite video outputs; and one HDMI input. The HT-TQ85 is the first HTIB we've tested with an HDMI input, so you could hook up, say, an HDMI-equipped HD cable box to the HT-TQ85. On the downside, there are no other video inputs, so you won't have any of the video-switching capability offered on even entry-level standalone A/V receivers, but this is par for the course for HTIBs. The one curious thing we noticed was that in order to hear audio over the system's tallboy speakers when using HDMI, the HT-TQ85's HDMI Audio On/Off selector must be set to Off. The On setting routes the audio through your TV's speakers. Luckily, the factory default setting is Off, but the labeling makes no sense to us--why not call it HDMI Pass-Through instead?
Audio connections include two analog stereo inputs and one optical digital input. It's XM-Ready, which means you can just add an XM Connect-and-Play or Mini-Tuner antenna, sign up for an XM subscription, and you're set for XM reception. The HT-TQ85 has seven pairs of spring-clip speaker connectors to hook up just five speakers and a subwoofer. The extra pair of connectors feeds the center speaker's second input--Samsung doesn't provide any explanation of the unusual wiring scheme. The HT-TQ85 is also compatible with the company's optional wireless amplifier system, the Samsung SWA-3000, for the rear-channel tower speakers, but keep in mind that this will cost you another $150. The front panel's USB port supports MPEG video playback, MP3, WMA, and JPEG. iPod users can plug into one of the rear panel's stereo audio inputs with a stereo-miniplug-to-RCA adapter cable (not included).
The lip-sync delay can be used to synchronize the Samsung's audio with video displays that lag behind audio signals.
Samsung doesn't provide specifics about driver sizes of the speakers or subwoofer, and since the cloth grilles aren't removable, we had no way of determining the sizes or even how many drivers are in each speaker.
It's worth noting that the HT-TQ85's features set far exceeds the last top-of-the-line Samsung HTIB we tested in 2005, the HT-DS1000, which had a suggested retail price of more than double the new model's--it was $1,199. We credit the Samsung HT-TQ85's subwoofer and speakers' seamless blend for its big-hearted sound. We cranked up The Black Keys' Magic Potion CD nice and loud and couldn't believe what we heard. Most HTIBs lack the muscle to put over the Keys' fierce blues guitar attack and heavy-duty drums, but the Samsung didn't seem to mind. It's good but still lacks the oomph you'd get from a separates-based A/V receiver driving a decent-quality speaker and subwoofer package. The stand-up bass on John Coltrane's Giant Steps CD had just the right amount of definition, and Coltrane's saxophone was natural sounding. Few competing HTIBs sound as accomplished when playing music.
The War of the Worlds DVD sound was very clear--dialogue intelligibility was above par for a midpriced HTIB, and the special effects didn't overtax the HT-TQ85. The subwoofer's bass was again a powerful presence, though its definition went south when we played the system loud. Even when pushed hard, the receiver/DVD changer never got never got more than slightly warm.
Scaling back to The Machinist, a moody, psychological thriller DVD, the HT-TQ85 impressed us with its refined sound. The film's subtle, but very effective music score seemed to come from behind the plane of the front speakers.
The vast majority of HTIBs that play DVD-Audio discs aren't fit for the job of demonstrating the high-resolution audio format's sonic appeal, but the HT-TQ85 was up to the challenge. The Grateful Dead's Workingman's Dead DVD-A sounded wonderful, the disc's surround mix, with the vocals and guitars spread front and rear, was simply gorgeous.
We'd be hard-pressed to think of another HTIB that could match the HT-TQ85's exceptional features set and stellar sound for Samsung's very reasonable $500 MSRP.
User opinions
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User Rating: 
8/10
Great sound for cheap price
Pros: Great sound for cheap price, HDMI in and out, sleek modern look
Cons: not enough inputs, hard to find
I haven't tried the USB b/c I have a Samsung Tv with that option. I don't subscribe to XM. Haven't tried the FM tuner yet. I don't have the wireless box. That's $150 xtra.
Overall Cnet's review is right on target.
User Rating: 
7/10
Quality pictures, great sound
Pros: Video upconvertion to 1080i/720p, sound quality, talboy speakers
Cons: player doesnt play user burn DVDs often, normal DVDs sometime wont play
Overall it is a good value system for under $400.
User Rating: 
10/10
Great product and a great price
Pros: Hdmi input, Hdmi output, wireless speaker option, Sounds great
Cons: This home theater in a box has none!
User Rating: 8/10
FOR A $400. SYSTEM CAN'T BE BEAT!! THIS SYSTEM WILL BEAT MANY BOSE SYSTEM AND $1,000. SYSTEM
Pros: FOR A OUT OF BOX 80% PLUS; VERY GOOD OVERALL SOUNDS AND POWER.
Cons: LACKS TREBLE/BASS ADJUSTMENT; WEAK BACK SPEAKERS; DON'T HAVE THE VERY HIGH FREQUENCY OF CUBE SPREAKERS
OUT OF THE BOX, I JUST CHANGED THE SPEAKER WIRE TO #16/2 SPEAKER WIRE. DON'T KNOW IF CHANGE IF WIRE MADE MUCH DIFFERENCES. MAIN THING IS PLAY WITH THIS SYSTEM AND KNOW YOUR ADJUSTMENT FEATURES, ESPECIALLY AUDIO SPEAKER ADJUST AND THE PRO LOGIC MODE (MUSIC, CINAMA, PROLOGIC, ETC). WHEN TESTING THE SOUND AND SYSTEM. WHEN PLAYING A "CONCERT MUSIC DVD", SETTTING THE MODE TO "MUSIC" AND MAKING YOUR SURROUND SPEAKER LEVEL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AS WELL AS PLAYING A ACTION PACK DVD AND SET MODE TO "CINEMA" AND ADJUST SOUND LEVELS AGAIN.
THE SOUNDS ARE VERY "DECENT!!". WERE THE SOUND LACKS IS THE "RICHNESS LEVELS". THE VERY HIGH OF HIGHS LIKE: CHIMES IF A "MUSICAL TRIANGLE" "GUN CASING DISCHARGING AND DROPPING ON THE GROUND". ALSO LACKS THE RICH BASS OF A "BASS DRUM" OR SHAKING OF THE GROUND OF AN "EXPLOSION". DON'T GET ME WRONG THE SUBWOOFER ISN'T BAD, IT'S "DESCENT". REMEMBER THIS SYSTEM HAS A LOT OF POWER. 140-WATT PER SPEAKER. AS I INCREASE THE SOUND LEVEL, SOUND GETS BETTER. FROM MAX.POWER OF 60-BARS, I NORMALLY PLAY AROUND 22-28 BARS. I THINK OVER 35-BARS, YOUR NEIGHBORS WILL BE POUNDING ON YOUR DOOR. I THINK TO IMPROVE THE BOTH END OF THE SOUND FREQUENCY OUTPUT, SPEAKERS MUST BE ADDED OR CHANGE. MAYBE ADD SOME "CUBE" SPREAKER OR JUST CHANGE THE SPEAKER TO A "POLK OR INFINITY". FOR $400., THIS "HTIB SYSTEM" IS "MORE THAN DECENT!!" I JUST WISH SAMSUNG WILL READ THIS AND IMPROVE ON THIS WITH A BIT BETTER SREAKERS AND TREBBLE/BASS ADJUSTMENTS.
I RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT. GO TO MENU, THEN AUDIO SECTION, SOUND EDIT: ADJUST TO FOLLOWING: CENTER LEVEL +4dB; REAR LEVEL +6dB; SW LEVEL +6dB. PRESS MENU AND GET BACK IN BY PRESSING MENU AGAIN: ADJUST "DRC" TO 7/8; THEN PRESS MENU. MAKE SURE YOUR PLAYING "MODE" IS SET TO "MUSIC".
PLAY YOUR FAVORITE MUSICAL DVD AND SEE.
User Rating: 10/10
I know I bought the right sound system now!
Pros: The ease of operation and the power available is stunning. I wish I had more house to really put it to the test! I bought the SWA-3000 for the wireless rear speakers and the XM radio tuner and dock
Cons: None as yet!
User Rating: 7/10
Front speakers and Subwoofer work but rear doesn't...
Pros: Nice looking
Cons: Can't get the rear and center speakers to work yet.
User Rating: 8/10
Great sounding system, excellent DVD picture
Pros: great sound, great picture, connections
Cons: audio set-up not the easiest
User Rating: 8/10
Excellent home theater option for a great price. Best Value for the money.
Pros: Excellent price. Does have HDMI input and output , XM radio capability, and external inputs (mp3 players etc). Not difficult to put together when following included instructions.
Cons: Does not have the full variety of Video inputs. Requires additional module for wireless capability for rear speakers.
User Rating: 8/10
great HTIB, setup easy, samsung quality!
Pros: easy to setup, great sound, good looking
Cons: no s-video output, menu only available watching dvd
the home theatre for my needs, I needed 4 tall-boy speakers, as my wife refused to let me hang speakers on the wall, and after looking at prices and quality of speaker stands, this could not be beat for the price.I do not have a hdtv, just a 7 year old sanyo tv. But wanted to have the ability to upgrade to HDMI which this offers.Watching old movies on this unit,
I hear things that I haven't before.
This was not the easiest unit to find, especially after cnet gave it good reviews
User Rating: 
9/10
Great HTIB for the price
Pros: 2 HMDI, up converting dvd, divx playback
Cons: Remote is a bit awkward, I got the harmony to get around this though
I added the SWA-3000 and it works like a charm...I would recommend this unit strongly.
User Rating: 9/10
Great product with minimal issues
Pros: Great sound, HDMI, true HTIB for a Samsung HDTV
Cons: Not enough inputs (XBox) unit depth
The unit is very deep. So much that I couldn't place it on my TV stand. But I shelved it above the TV, and it actually works better that way.
User Rating: 
1/10
Abysmal Customer Service
Pros: none whatseever
Cons: Owned unit for 6 days..disc jammed..they require sending unit at your expense to be fixed
User Rating: 9/10
Worked great so far
Pros: Lots of connectivitiy, Good sound
Cons: none yet! But I haven't tried DVD's
The sound is great. I can't turn the volume up because I live in an apartment, but it seems to hold up just fine. I did not get the tower speakers for some reason. I've connected my laptop and my mp3 players through usb. I'm looking forward to seeing how well this system plays dvd's. I'm pretty picky when it comes to good sound and this system meets my expectations. I've had family over and have received compliments on how good it sounds.
User Rating: 9/10
Good Features, Great Value
Pros: HDMI input, sound and picture
Cons: Very hard to find
I promise I will Update my review if any different comes by.
User Rating: 1/10
Bad Quality and No spare parts
Pros: None (I used for only 2 months)
Cons: Several operation problems and the required spare part is not available
It?s incredible that they haven?t available a spare part for a new product, or may be ¿ too many complaints finished them?.?.
I comment my experience with Samsung, and I suggest that ask for the real conditions of the guarantee, and the real availability of spare parts. Think twice before to buy a Samsung?s product and investigate which is the true customer service and the real guarantee terms, because we can?t pay almost US$700 to receive excuses time and time again.
User Rating: 7/10
GODD VALUE FOR THE MONEY
Pros: PRICE , HDMI OUT,SOUND AND PICTURE ON DVD QUITE GOOD
Cons: LARGE CONSOLE, CENTER SPEAKER A LITTLE WEAK, SPEAKER WIRES INADEQUATE
User Rating: 10/10
Best HTIB Out There
Pros: HDMI input, Up Converts, Great Sound
Cons: Sub can be a little loud
User Rating: 
3/10
FRUSTRATING!!!
Pros: Ummmm, I don't know, it's black???
Cons: DOESN'T PLAY BURNT DVDs!!!
User Rating: 1/10
Great specs, sound terrible quality
Pros: HDMI in and out they only one I could find that has HDMI in. this unit has GREAT sound.
Cons: 5 DVD changer is circular making the unit very deep so that it does NOT fit on standard TV stand shelf. The volume knob on the front of the unit is NOT grounded static discharge distroys display.
5 DVD changer is circular (clockwise) making the unit very deep so that it does NOT fit on standard TV stand shelf.
The volume knob on the front of the unit is NOT grounded to the chassis, so any static discharge distroys LED display. Samsung (Koambra) cannot fix the unit. Samsung is very good at giving you the runaround and NOT standing behind warranty of failed unit.
DON'T buy based upon great specifications (HDMI in/out) because the unit will fail within 3 weeks.
A total waste of $450 for DVD Player/Amp that does NOT work.
User Rating: 9/10
Excellent System
Pros: Great sound, not too hard to set up, awesome picture quality
Cons: HDMI passthrough does not work with most cable boxes due to DRM restrictions
User Rating: 8/10
Under $300? Buyer Beware
Pros: HDMI in/out. Good DVD audio playback, wireless rear speaker option.
Cons: Speaker material could be better. Could use another optical/coax input.
This HTIB should not be included with the other products which can be easily found for under $300. That's not to say it was never sold by a reputable dealer for $300 or less.....I just couldn't find one.
User Rating: 
4/10
Do NOT Order refurbished!
Pros: HDMI Input, USB Input, Great Sound (when it works)
Cons: Red pixelation when playing DVD's, HDMI input
User Rating: 7/10
I suppose ugly wasn't a rated area
Pros: sound quality, cost
Cons: butt ugly speakers with limited mounting options
