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CNET editors' review
-
CNET editors' rating:
stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 10/30/2009
- Released on: 08/01/2009
Onkyo is known for having speaker expertise, even though it's not primarily a speaker company. That's because of Onkyo's success selling home-theater-in-a-box systems (HTIBs), which combine a speaker system and an AV receiver in a single box, taking some of the confusion out of putting together your own system. The Onkyo SKS-HT870 is a 7.1 speaker system that is sold as part of the Onkyo HT-S7200 HTIB, but it's also offered separately. While the speakers packaged with most HTIBs wouldn't be worth buying separately, the SKS-HT870 is an exception, with excellent sound quality given its low price. Our only complaint about the SKS-HT870 is that it's boxy and a little unrefined, especially compared with a similar system like the Energy Take Classic. However, if you're looking to maximize your audio performance on a budget--and don't mind the SKS-HT870's look--the SKS-HT870 is a top choice.
Design and features
The SKS-HT870 features a pair of slender tower speakers, a dedicated center channel speaker, four surround channel speakers, and a powered subwoofer. It's a budget-priced system, but as with previous generations of Onkyo speaker systems, the SKS-HT870 is an incredible value.
All eight pieces feature medium-density fiberboard cabinets, nicely finished in wood-grain black, and the speakers have nonremovable black cloth grilles. The towers and center speaker's come with gloss black panels fitted to their tops and sides (respectively). The towers' circular metal bases are packed separately; you attach them with four screws each, and while you're assembling the speakers, take a peek inside the rear-mounted, bass-enhancing port. You'll see Onkyo's engineers used the speakers' full internal volume to maximize their bass producing potential (few HTIB towers do the same).
The towers' bases are 10.3 inches in diameter and the speaker is 41.3 inches high; the center speaker is 16.9 by 4.5 by 4.75 inches; and the surround speakers are 4.5 by 9.1 by 3.75 inches each. The towers and center speaker are two-way designs outfitted with twin 3.25-inch woofers and a 1-inch dome tweeter. The surround speakers each have one 3.25-inch woofer, but no tweeters.
Where to buy
Onkyo SKS-HT870:
$346.00 - $399.00
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
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Amazon.com Marketplace
|
$399.00 | Yes |
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$399.00 | Yes |
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6th Ave.
|
$346.00 | Yes |
|
