HTB 504
Written: Mar 01 '04 (Updated Aug 11 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: "Thump", Circle Surround, Looks good, You couldn't find anything better at twice the cost
Cons: Sound could be a little thicker
The Bottom Line: A Top Notch Starter Home Theatre System. You will replace the front stage/Surrounds way before the Sub or Receiver.
A great addition to any existing TV.
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| casscarr2002's Full Review: Kenwood HTB-504 Theater System |
Receiver.... Excellent. Plenty of Inputs, I don't or wouldn't use Component outputs if a receiver had it either way, it adds distortion/noise to the video sources going back to your TV so video inputs to me are not important. Hook all video sources directly to the TV if you can.
Audio sources are great, My DVD I use Optical input for the audio, and it's great. I actually can hear the difference between the composite input vs the Optical input for DVD audio. Optical sounds a lot clearer/sharper.
I use composite and Coax for my Digital STB, as only some channels are Digital so the composite needs to be used, it's sort of audio switching between the CS Surround for the non Digital Audio channels then switch to the coax digital connection PL II for the Digital audio channels. Excellent separation of sound even for cable.
Speakers....Well I've had this system for 2 years now and it's time to upgrade. The more movies you watch the more prevalent the "smaller" F/C/LRS speakers become. They now lack the thickness I want. Excellent highs and the Sub is a nice piece of work and works damn hard to pump out very solid bass and can even rattle the walls if you push it enough. The missing part now is the inbetween thickness. I notice voices lack the full depth of a persons range. I actually will be replacing all speakers except the great 100Watts RMS 8" Powered sub. But as a starter HTB these speakers do provide you with a Home Theater Experience you will absolutely love.
I must mention the CS (Circle Surround) option. This is actually the best feature I think this receiver has. Anytime I am watching TV analog channels I switch it to CS and it puts every show I'm watching into a Surround Sound, clear and sharp sounding show, it's excellent. It actually sounds a lot better than the PL II on.
As has happened to me, I expect the same from most anyone purchasing this system, that you will want to replace the front stage and the Surrounds when upgrade time comes. The only thing I know I'll have around for the next 10 years is the Sub and the Receiver. With DTS being the current "standard" high quality Audio with DVD movies for Rental/Purchase, This Receiver decodes this info with great ease and you can really tell the difference. This will eventually replace the Dolby Digital but this receiver will never fade. I recommend this system to anyone wanting top notch quality/sound for a very affordable price.
You won't get this Sound range with any other HTB out there for even twice the price.
Update:: Since the above review, unfortunately my Digital Coax audio inputs have somehow gone caputs. I get 2 second audio loss every so often, sometimes it gets bad and I have to change to Analog inputs,when I tested all my components with this input, the same result :(
I still hold firm that this is the best HTB to this day, even with this system being about 4 years old. My system is 3 years new so a little disappointing with the receiver though :(
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
casscarr2002
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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