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4.5 stars
"BLOWN AWAY!"
Pros: Inexpensive, but works with most HDTV's decor
Cons: Looks like cheap Computer Sat speakers (But you'd be wrong)
Summary: started researching surround sound speakers to go with my new Samsung 42" HDTV and a Yamaha 7.1 AV receiver, when lo and behold Future Shop advertises a sale on the JBL SCS180.6. From cruising the JBL web site, it appears that this is a newer silver finish version of the older black SCS160SI. Well, my interest was peaked, and I found a review of it on CNET. The review was relatively positive, with just a couple of caveats; the lack of a variable crossover on the subwoofer and keeping sonic expectations inline with the fact it is minisatellite system. The missing variable crossover was not a concern, since my Yamaha has a built in crossover.
On the positive side is the fact that the front and rear satellites are identical to the center channel ie. all speakers have a 12 tweeter and dual 3 woofers. Given that my wife hates big speakers female DNA trait that cannot be breeded out and the sale price was right, I clicked on the Add to Cart button. Setup was very straightforward it took me about 30 minutes to unpackage everything and hookup the satellites and subwoofer. The subwoofer is BIG (VERY), so try your best to integrate it with your decor. As the CNET review said, the satellites do look a bit cheap for home theatre, resembling PC speakers. The package comes complete with hookup wire and wall brackets.
The hookup wire isn't Monster cable quality, but the gauge is heavy enough 16AWG or 18AWGand long enough 40' per satellite, that I think it is fine for it's intended application. However, there is no RCA jack subwoofer cable included, so you will need to buy one for connection to your amp's LFE output. The HDTV setup is in our family room, that measures about 27'x 20'. Not too large or small. To test them out, I sampled LOTR Two Towers, Hitchickers Guide to the Galaxy, Star Wars III. With the volume turned up to an almost painful level, I can happily say that the sound coming from the satellites remained crisp and clear with no real evidence of them breaking up at all.
Imaging is also very good. The great sound trumps the low rent finish. The subwoofer literally shakes the room, but always with a well controlled output again no perceptible distortion or muddiness it is speced as 6db at 30Hz. I am now a convert to the faith that big clean sounds can come out of small packages.As for my concern about not being able to cover the frequency trough between the satellites and subwoofer, I tried out the George Benson, Diana Krall Live in Paris, Judas Priest (Metal Years best of), Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast, and Kiss Destroyer. If there is a crossover trough, it didn't come through watching or listening to these DVDs & CD's. Sound was superb.
I think it would be extremely hard to now go back to a time without HDTV and 6.1 surround sound. I have no regrets with this purchase. If you are looking to complement your HDTV with surround audio, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the SCS180.6 package if you are on a budget, have a small to medium sized room, and are looking for an innocuous silver satellite system.
