Samsung HT-X710T

Reviewed by

Jeff Bakalar

on 10/06/2008

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If you plan to use an iPod with the HT-X710T, just be aware that the dock included with the system only supports fourth-generation iPods and higher; this includes the iPod Touch and iPhone. Navigating and controlling your iPod is easy with the system's remote and uses the same onscreen graphic interface as with media files. We were a bit disappointed, however, to find that the unit couldn't play any videos off an iPod.

We were happy to see that the X710T is compatible with any device that can transmit audio via a Bluetooth connection. In our testing, we were able to pair a cell phone with the X710 and play our MP3 files directly on the unit. However, Bluetooth audio quality wasn't on par with the hardwired sources we tested--our result was more on par with the system's FM radio tuner.

In our sound quality testing, we were curious to see if the 2.1 system could conjure a facsimile of surround sound. We popped on the Sin City DVD and the film's neo-noir-jazz score emerged full-blown, not at all cramped between the two speakers. Mickey Rourke's gravel-toned voice-over had plenty of heft, and every blood-splattering punch and gun blast packed a significant wallop. The subwoofer was able to make its presence felt, easily powerful enough to fill a moderately sized room with its bass.

Switching between the HT-X710's stereo and V-Sound (Virtual Surround) settings via the remote didn't make for much of a difference. The V-Sound mode enlarged the sound field somewhat, but we found the normal stereo setting to be just as pleasingly spacious as well.

As for music, John Mellencamp's CD, Life, Death, Love and Freedom rocked pretty hard, though the bass felt a little overblown. Nevertheless, Mellencamp's vocal and guitars came across vivid and clear. Throughout our testing, we found the X710T was just as enjoyable with music as it was for movies.

The HT-X710T's $500 price is expensive compared with competing 5.1 models (such as Samsung's HT-TZ512T). However, 2.1 systems generally charge a premium, often costing as much as $800 to $1,200. Among the more reasonably priced competition, there's the Samsung HT-A100T (less expensive, smaller speakers) and the JVC TH-F3 (the sound quality of which didn't particularly impress us). If you want even fewer components--a single speaker bar with built-in DVD player and a wireless subwoofer--check out the Samsung HT-X810T.

Overall, the HT-X710T is another solid effort from Samsung in the home-theater-in-a-box department. While it doesn't offer surround sound--or even a solid surround-sound emulation--we were impressed with the sonic experience it was able to produce. If you're looking for a good 2.1 home theater system and don't mind the offbeat styling and the dearth of video inputs, the Samsung HT-X710T is a worthwhile choice.

Steve Guttenberg contributed to this review.