FOR THE AUDIO-IGNO...LIKE ME!
Written: Jun 08 '00 (Updated Jun 19 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: sounds great, all in one solution, easy install, instructions are well written
Cons: quirky remote control operation
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| DENGNY's Full Review: Kenwood HTB-502 |
I'll admit it I'm an "audio-igno". I don't know the first thing about audio products at all. When people start talking about "signal to noise ratio" and stuff like that I just start zoning out. Sorry, this is not going to be a technical review of the product. Rather, this is an opinion of my overall experience with installation and day to day usage.
So now, here's the dilemma...yours truly wants an all-in-one, out-of-the-box audio system and doesn't want to get screwed doing it. After all, I'm about to plunk down $500-$600 and I want to make sure that I make a good purchase. My goal was to buy an all-in-one system and hook up my stereo VCR, DVD, CD, and all my other audio/video goodies to it without a major hassle. Well friends I did it, and did it with this system! Hooray for me!
Briefly, the system consists of a 500 watt receiver, center speaker, two rear surround speakers, two front speakers, powered sub-woofer, and a universal remote control. Also included are enough wires to hook-up everything, but they were all too short for my needs. Chances are you'll need to hit the local Radio Shack for some wire.
First of all there was a spot to plug-in everything that I owned and then some. Everything is easily labeled on the back of the unit (VIDEO 1, VIDEO 2, CD 1, TAPE, etc.) The instructions were very clear and within a few hours, it was all done. Actually, full installation would have been faster if it were not for the fact that all my audio/video components are seated in a wall unit which is impossible to move with ANYTHING in it.
Anyway, once completed you'll be amazed by the sound this system produces. The two listening modes I use the most are "DOLBY PRO-LOGIC" for video and television viewing, and "STEREO" for audio. While watching DVDs the unit automatically switches to "DIGITAL SURROUND SOUND"...a great feature considering that I probably would not know what encoding scheme was used on the DVD.
NOTE: The receiver will automatically switch to "STEREO" listening mode when you select an audio component like your CD player, but will not switch back to "PRO-LOGIC" when you go back to your TV or VCR. This is a minor, but sometimes annoying shortcoming. Especially if you've been watching a video tape with "STEREO" mode on.
The sound is clear and crisp at all volume levels, and the bass from the sub-woofer thunders. It's amazing, when I started using surround sound, I kept looking off to the right or left of the television when those speakers fired off with some background sounds. It's pretty realistic and a lot of fun to experience. It makes watching television and movies a little more enjoyable. The only peeve I have is actually with the sub-woofer. If there's not enough signal going to the unit, it "clicks" off and then "clicks" back on when there is a signal. This gets to be a little distracting if it's going on and off a lot, but normally it's not a problem. All that said, I have to say overall the sound quality is superior.
The operation of the remote control takes a little getting used to. For instance, if you want to power on one of the components you first have to bring up that component on the receiver's display, press "shift", and then press "power". If you forget to press "shift", you'll power off the receiver. Until I got used to the operation of the remote, the receiver was being powered on and off a lot! There is a "macro" feature on remote where you can program a bunch of key strokes and assign it to a single key...but that's too advanced for me right now.
Another feature that I really like is the video switching capabilities of the system. Because all your video inputs and outputs are plugged into the back of this unit, you don't need a separate thingy to handle the switching for you. Also noteworthy is the fact that the system is also totally compatible with all the newest digital surround sound standards, therefore obsolescence should not be a concern for a long time.
Lastly, if you decide to buy this unit be advised that it comes in a huge heavy box with five smaller boxes inside. If you can't stuff it in your car as is, don't be afraid to open it up right there and take out all the smaller boxes. This will make bringing it home yourself much easier.
If you want to check this unit out for yourself, I bought mine at Circuit City. All and all I'm very happy with my purchase. What do you know...ignorance IS bliss.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
DENGNY
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Member: Dennis G
Location: Morris County, NJ
Reviews written: 85
Trusted by: 38 members
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