Entered CNET Catalog: 12/06/2001
SKU: 0044642324810
Manufacturer: Zenith Electronics Corporation
Manufacturer description
Zenith DA3520 is a complete home theater sound system provided with a DVD player and a digital receiver combo including a built in AM/FM tuner. It plays DVDs CDs, CD-R and CD-RWs as well as CDs filled with hours of MP3 files downloaded from your home PC. Digital surround sound provides a theater-like atmosphere with six separate audio channels and six 30-Watt speakers (five satellite speakers and one subwoofer) provide 180 Watts of ultra-clear, dynamic sound. Add to this an enhanced graphic user interface designed to optimize your home theater configuration. CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 12/11/2001
Zenith's DA3520 home theater in a box (HTIB) won't win any industrial design awards or belt out rock-concert volume levels, but it exudes a confidence that's rare in budget products. This nifty $399 kit has a bona fide 5.1-speaker package and A/V receiver/DVD player; no obvious corners were cut. Zenith's DA3520 home theater in a box (HTIB) won't win any industrial design awards or belt out rock-concert volume levels, but it exudes a confidence that's rare in budget products. This nifty $399 kit has a bona fide 5.1-speaker package and A/V receiver/DVD player; no obvious corners were cut.
Simple pleasures
The setup chores are unusually straightforward: without even cracking open the manual, we had the DA3520 up and playing DVDs in less than 20 minutes. Zenith isn't stingy with the features, either; the system has DTS and Dolby Digital surround sound and plays DVDs, CDs, CD-R/RWs, and MP3 files. The 6X 30-watt A/V receiver/DVD player is smaller than most, and the full-sized remote's ergonomics are excellent.
Connectivity choices cover just the basics. You get two A/V inputs and one A/V output set--no digital audio ins or outs. Video output connections to your TV are limited to one composite and one S-Video. That's all she wrote.
The five-inch-tall plastic satellite speakers are generic-looking, but the matching fiberboard subwoofer definitely rises above the beer-budget HTIB ranks. That subwoofer runs off the receiver's power amp, but since the receiver is also outfitted with a line-level subwoofer output jack, upgrading to a powered sub later on is a possibility. That sort of flexibility is refreshing in a $399 HTIB.
Like most HTIBs, this Zenith system is optimized for home-theater duty, and we slightly preferred the kit's sound with DVDs over that of CDs. However, Tony Bennett's swinging new disc, Bennett Sings the Blues, sounded really nice. Thanks to the DA3520's smooth sub/satellite balance, acoustic basses on our jazz CDs had real weight and presence. MP3 CDs play just fine as well, but we far prefer the sound of store-bought CDs.
Loud enough for you?
The sound quality of DVDs is more than respectable. The DA3520 coaxed surprisingly realistic rain and watery atmospheric effects from the Seven DVD. The dialogue was clear and full bodied, but if you're looking to shake things up with a steady diet of action or sci-fi DVDs, the Zenith will disappoint. Even with the volume control pegged to the max, Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear was only medium-loud. The Zenith was significantly softer (maybe 5dB, but that's only a guess) than other HTIBs we've tested. The cop stakeout scene that erupts in gunfire on the Traffic DVD was muted. Bombastic war films such as Saving Private Ryan audibly distort; the DA3520 just can't muster enough juice to convey home-theater dynamic impact. Still, the sound quality, if not quantity, equals that of Pioneer's , which sells for twice as much. If you want to rock out, you need to move up to a much bigger HTIB or separate components. The Zenith's DVD picture quality won't disappoint those with smaller (32-inch or less) TVs, but this system obviously isn't a good match for high-end sets.
The DA3250 is at its best playing low-key music and films in cozy bedrooms or dens, where it can serve with distinction. For the money, this kit absolutely delivers. However, enthusiasts may find that its a little too tame. Pioneer's is a good choice if you're looking for a little more volume and low-end rumble.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 User Rating: 
8/10
Pure Digital Chain - Sweet Sound!by - January 6, 2004
Pros: The First of a new wave of pure digital chain of source thru amplification. Beautiful tonality - Tons of stuff for the money.
Cons: Plastic Sub Looks inexpensive.
Review:
User Rating: 
2/10
Low endby - November 7, 2003
Pros: Price
Cons: Remote designed for looks, not function. My previous Zenith VCR had more features and worked better.
Review:
User Rating: 
10/10
It's so good for price!by - March 26, 2002
Pros:
Cons:
Review: It is so easy to use. You can't buy anything this quality system at such a price!!
User Rating: 10/10
It's the best system for the money! and it plays MP3's too!by - January 5, 2002
Pros:
Cons:
Review: Setup was easy. Its has all the adjustments of higher end systems, (eash speaker (including subwoofer) has its own level adjustment to compensate for room placement, and all speakers have delay adjustments too). It play MP3 beautifully and it has ZOOM, angle view for DVD's too. Only complaint, wish it has more power, but there is a line out for sub. Also wish you could adjust bass and treble, but sound quality is excellent (natural). Really love this system. Was gonna get the SONY DAV-S300, but for must less $$ I got this one and it has more features, plays MP3 and has sub line out for future upgrade! Highly Recommended for the money and value!
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Zenith DA3520 specifications
- General
- Product Type Home theater system
- Dimensions (WxDxH) / Weight Speaker system : Satellite speaker : 6.3 in x 15.3 in x 13.8 in / 1.5 lbs , Speaker system : Subwoofer : 14.2 in x 4.2 in x 4.9 in / 10.6 lbs , DVD player / AV receiver : 3.5 in x 12.8 in x 3.2 in / 10.1 lbs
- Enclosure Color Silver
- Localization English
- Audio System
- Components Speaker system , DVD player / AV receiver
- Sound Output Mode Surround Sound
- Built-in Decoders Dolby Pro Logic , DTS decoder , Dolby Digital
- Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Yes
- DSP Preset Qty 3.0
- DSP Presets Theater , Hall
- Signal-To-Noise Ratio 90.0 dB
- Output Power / Total 180.0 Watt
- Amplifier Output Details 30.0 Watt - 8.0 Ohm - THD 1.0 % - 2.0 channel(s) ( Rear ) , 30.0 Watt - 8.0 Ohm - THD 1.0 % - 2.0 channel(s) ( Center ) , 30.0 Watt - 8.0 Ohm - THD 1.0 % - 1.0 channel(s) ( Front ) , 30.0 Watt - 8.0 Ohm - THD 1.0 % - 1.0 channel(s) ( Subwoofer )
- Timer Sleep
- Built-in Display Fluorescent
- Additional Features Magnetic shield
- Connectors
- Headphone Jack Yes
- Speaker System
- Speaker(s) 5.0 x Subwoofer - External - 30.0 Watt - -965.0 Hz - 8.0 Ohm - Wired , 1.0 x Satellite speaker - External - 30.0 Watt - -19880.0 Hz - 8.0 Ohm - Wired
- Driver Details Satellite speaker : 1.0 x Full-range driver - 6.5 in , Subwoofer : 1.0 x Subwoofer driver - 3.0 in
- Radio
- Type Radio tuner - AM/FM - Digital
- Tuning Display Fluorescent display
- Preset Station Qty 30.0
- Antenna Form Factor Loop AM / wire FM
- DVD
- Type DVD player
- Media Format CD , CD-RW , DVD , CD-R
- Search Speed Up to 100x
- Slow Motion Speed 1/16
- DVD Repeat Modes Chapter , Title , A-B repeat
- CD Playback Modes A-B repeat , All tracks repeat , Program play , Random play / shuffle , One track repeat
- Additional Features Parental lock
- Remote Control
- Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
- Connections
- Connector Type 2.0 x Monitor output ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ) - Rear , 2.0 x Composite video/audio output ( Click-fit x 2 ) - Rear , 1.0 x Center speaker output ( Click-fit x 2 ) - Rear , 1.0 x S-Video output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear , 1.0 x Subwoofer output ( RCA phono ) - Rear , 1.0 x Rear speakers output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear , 1.0 x Composite video/audio input ( Click-fit x 2 ) - Rear , 2.0 x Front speakers output ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Front , 1.0 x Headphones ( RCA phono ) - Rear , 1.0 x Subwoofer output ( Click-fit x 2 ) - Rear
- Power
- Power Device Power supply - Integrated
- Compliant Standards UL , cUL
- Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories AM antenna , FM antenna
- Cables Included Speaker cable kit , Video cable , Audio cable
- Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Labor - 1 year , Limited warranty - Parts - 90 days
- Dimensions & Weight (Shipping)
- Width (Shipping) 22.2 in
- Depth (Shipping) 18.6 in
- Height (Shipping) 19.4 in
- Weight (Shipping) 33.3 lbs
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