Mini Home Theater

Description

Immerse yourself in your movies and music with Coby's 5.1-channel home theater speaker system. Fill your room with 300 watts of surround sound from five 3-inch satellite speakers and a floor-rattling subwoofer. The integrated amplifier and switch allows you to easily change between two source connections. Independent volume/treble/bass control and magnetic shielding also included.

Features

• 300 watts of home theater surround sound designed for use with 5.1-channel DVD players, computer systems, and more
• Integrated amplifier with two connection options (RCA stereo and RCA 5.1-channel)
• Built-in switch allows you to easily change between audio connections, full-range satellite speakers with 3-inch drivers (40 watts peak output x 5)
• Wood subwoofer with tuned port for deep bass response (100 watts peak output)
• Independent volume, treble, and bass controls, magnetic shielding, wall-mountable or desktop design

Reviews

Very Pleased....

by JoeGiants from on 2010-09-04
I am very happy with this purchase.The price,the quality,the ease of set-up,more then what I had expected.I am more then pleased with this product and recommend it to anyone trying to improve their home theater experience at a price they can afford.

Despite the price, not worth it.

by Corn Eater from on 2010-09-01
I understand that these are really cheap speakers. I wasn't expecting much in terms of quality. But to be honest, I was really disappointed with how awful they performed. These are cheapest looking pieces of junk i've ever seen. The subwoofer didn't work and when i moved it you could hear pieces of junk rattling inside of it and the packaging wasn't damaged at all, so it's not as though this could have been blamed on shipping.even disregarding the broken subwoofer, the quality was abysmal. If you have a shelf system or even a boombox you're better off using that to increase the volume of your TV. I wouldn't even recommend this to people who don't care about quality and just want their tv louder.you may think you don't really care about quality, but when you hear how awful these sound, you will understand that there is a bare minimum amount of quality that is even tolerable.

Pure garbage

by T. Wang from on 2010-08-25
I bought a ten dollar speaker that works better than this. The worst purchase I've ever made.

You get what you pay for

by Jessica Petrohoy from Allentown, PA USA on 2010-08-23
We purchased this speaker system for our 42" Philips television. It was 40 dollars so we that we were getting a good deal, however we didn't expect much since it was so cheap. It arrived promptly and we set it up. Set up was not too difficult but the speakers only came with a small booklet. Without a receiver (a DVD player with volume control, stereo head), we had to get up to change the volume knob. Finally our problems were solved when we bought a cheap cd player/radio/aux player for another 39 dollars which had a remote. Now we can change volume with ease all for 79 dollars. Still cheaper than some of the cheapest home entertainment systems -- and the sound quality is sufficient. This product is a classic, "you get what you pay for".

Coby CSP96 300 Watt 5.1 Channel Home Theatre Speaker System

by W.Harvell from on 2010-08-09
I recently bought this Coby speaker system and for the price I paid, it's well worth it. We had recently upgraded to a DVR and for some reason it cut the sound of our television down so low until we couldn't hear it if we had our ac running. Since we weren't financially able to buy a higher prices speaker system, I had searched and found this one and it works really good but sometimes it's not much louder than the tv. But for the amount paid, it's well worth it and at least we can hear the sound when we watch tv or movies. I also got free shipping at Amazon.com so that made it even better.One thing to think about though, you need to check your television and DVD/VHS player to see if it will connect. Luckily it connected to my DVD player, but not to my television. I suppose if I had a newer tv or DVD player, it would work lots better.

Description

The Yamaha NS-SP1800BL 5.1-channel home theater speaker package is a low cost, convenient way to enjoy the full benefits of 5.1-channel home theater sound. The NS-SP1800BL features advanced Yamaha active servo technology (Advanced YST) is a unique system in which the speaker and amplifier work together to cancel out impedance so the speaker unit has a perfectly linear motion. Advanced YST helps to ensure the highest levels of sound pressure and overall performance.

Features

• 2-way satellite speakers with 2.5" woofer & 1/2" tweeter
• 2-way center speaker with dual 2.5" woofers & 1/2" tweeter
• Magnetic shielding (all speakers)
• 8" 100W cube-type high power subwoofer
• Wall hanging capability

Reviews

Great speakers for an affordable price!

by Thong Tong from Chicago, IL on 2010-08-25
For around $120 (I say around bc Amazon price for it kept fluctuating +/- $10), it's a good set of speakers with a nice 100W (prob peak rating) sub-woofer. The build quality is great! It doesn't look nor feel like it's a $120 set of speakers.The Xbox 360 games came alive with sounds coming from all the speakers. Now I can hear where the gunshots are coming from. I can hear the screeching of a car stopping or accelerating behind me. When an enemy is behind me, I can hear it and turn around to shoot, where before I was oblivious.Movies came alive with jets and spaceships and gunfire coming from all around me. The center speaker does an admirable job of reproducing voices from the screen, and the sub-woofer does a great job at pumping out the bass when a big explosion is on screen.It's not going to sound like a $1000 set of speakers, but it does sound pretty damn good for a little bit of $100. Maybe a little bit tinny, like most small satellite speaker systems. I might have to calibrate a little more to add in some bass or sub-woofer volume.Highly recommended for those who are in small apartments or those wanting to get some surround sound going for gaming or movies. Not recommended for the audiophiles out there or those with large spaces to fill with sound.

Price is Right

by C. Hawkins from Atlanta on 2010-08-18
I purchased this speaker system in Oct 09. installed them in the bedroom, man they have been exceptional for the price. Clear, the bass thumps from the woofer, their small for hanging on the wall, and they punch. I have them connected to a Pioneer rec, Insignia BD, & Uverse Cable box. I love what I paid for these great sounding speakers, you can't go wrong for the sound and the price.C-Hawk

Awesome!

by K. Beba from Chicago, IL on 2010-08-07
If you're looking for a great sounding 5.1 speaker system with an active sub, look no more. This is probably the best item you can get out there at this price. I bought these speakers about 3 months ago to use with my HK 254 and they are doing a great job. Sound is extremely clear even at really high dBs and I must say I was pleasantly surprised to experience how much you can get from such tiny speakers.As I said, I'm using these with my HK 254 and I have some issues with the output level of the receiver (you can see my review for HK 254 under that item) and I have not tried these speakers with another item. Having said that, I still believe these speakers are a great buy!Let me know if you have any ?s.

Great buy!

by Joshua Joseph Jimenez from Houston, TX on 2010-08-01
I have recently ordered these speakers and they sound great! Excellent product for the price.

Great speakers

by Javier from on 2010-07-22
Don't think you have to spend a lot of money to get great sound these speakers are AWSOME they are super clear and for the price you can't go wrong I mean you can spend more money but why these speakers sound like 400.00 dollar speakers recomend for anybody not just for us on a budget.

Description

Sound this big from speakers this small just has to be heard to be believed. The Polk Audio RM705 complements today's stylish high-tech flat panel TVs and audio electronics. The new RM705 Home Theater System is a complete six-piece 5.1 channel system that presents a sleek, minimalist design while delivering impressively big sound. Heavy-duty, non-resonant composite enclosures feature an elegant, high-gloss finish that creates the ideal décor accent. Polk speaker technology ensures superior system performance, delivering rich, full-bodied, big speaker sound. Mount the speakers on shelves, or next to your plasma or flat-screen television using their flexible wall-mount brackets. An included cradle supports the center channel. The RM705 is part of our 700 Series, also available in 6.1 and 7.1.

Features

• 6 piece 5.1 channel home theater system
• Includes 4 RM7 satellites, 1 RM7 center channel and a powered subwoofer
• Over all frequency response: 40Hz-22kHz
• 8-inch downward-firing powered subwoofer
• Magnetically shielded for safe placement next to today's state-of-the-art TVs and monitors

Reviews

Great for the Complete Package

by Erik J. Malvick from Davis, CA on 2010-09-03
I purchased this set to go with a Denon AVR790 receiver for my living room and as part of a media system I was setting up. While I see a lot of reviews complaining about the subwoofer, I've found these speakers to be more than adequate for my home. With my receiver, I have the audio setup that has you place a mic around the room and optimize the output for the best listening. With the subwoofer in this system, I find that I had to bring the levels down on the manual controls quite a bit to make it fit within range for the receiver, so I really don't feel I needed anything bigger for my ~170 sq ft room.The whole system works pretty well on the whole. The sound is fantastic. I've had them for nearly a year, and I am still loving the sound they put out. It is fantastic for movies and fantastic for music. They are in a nice package and size. While I was a bit worried when unpacking them, once I had them mounted and wired up, I found they were quite perfect.The subwoofer is tricky according to some because it looks like you have to have two wires for input. However, it works well with just one wire (or you can split them up). The only complaint I have right now is that the auto setting on the subwoofer doesn't always turn on when my audio is on. This is somewhat by design as it is more a result of my levels not being high enough to trigger the subwoofer. There probably isn't an easy solution, but these levels aren't really all that low either. I often turn the audio up for a short time to trigger the subwoofer to come on and then turn it down. I'm not sure there is a better solution as when it is on without input, it gives an audible buzz that can be annoying in a quiet setting (it isn't that loud, but when things are quite, you'll hear it).Overall, I am very happy with the sound, and I would never hesitate to by Polk products again.

Polk Audio RM705

by Ryan Metcalfe from GRAND PORTAGE, MN, US on 2010-08-21
Just received my new speakers a couple of days ago. I really haven't had a chance to properly hook them up. The speakers are powered by a new kenwood VSX 820. I am only running crappy speaker wire (I think it was 18 gauge) and the system still sounds great. I need to set it up properly for music. While watching movies these speakers are great. I usually test new speaker stuff or a tv with the movie "gone in 60 seconds" I put the movie on the big jump sequence on the bridge and see what it sounds and looks like. These speakers make it feel as though you are in the car. They make the sounds of the movie crisp (both background sound and speech). Even the satellite speakers throw out base. The sub is good enough for me. It will easily shake my house. I know some reviewers didn't feel it was strong enough, however it is more than enough to piss off my fiance. Hope this review helps.

Very good overall for the price

by Meghan Graham from on 2010-08-21
The center and satellite speakers sounds very good. The Sub is ok, it sounder bigger than I would have expected. But, I can hear just a little noise when turned on and no signal is being sent. But, that is not noticed when listening to the speakers at a normal distance, I could only hear a hum when I was close to the sub's driver. Connectors are a little hard to deal with; but, the brackets are a great help. For $250 a full set of 5.1 speakers that are pretty accurate and a sub that has an adjustable crossover and volume is a great deal. This is an older model that still looks very modern.

You get a little more than you pay for with this one...

by Keith Howard Browne from Montgomery, TX United States on 2010-08-10
When ordering this Polk HTS, I reminded myself not to expect something unrealistic. At this price point, I think a realistic expectation is that you will get a 5.1 sound system which will adequately fill a small to medium sized room with quite accurate soud rendition, but it will be at least one level below a Boston Acoustics, Klipsch or Bose sound system.The product arrived on time and in good condition. I hooked it up to a Yamaha HTR-5840 Receiver with the intent of reproducing good quality sound from my Samsung Blue-ray DVD and Samsung HD 4650 TV (I had spent almost as much as the Polk HTS buying monstercable speaker wires and a few optics cables to supplement the quality of sound supply from the TV and blu-ray players). Polk supplies very little in the way of installation manuals / user guides with their product, but I had no trouble getting everything connected using the most current user guide from Yamaha for their receiver.The sound quality is as expected, and a little better. You will not be instantly transported to the Royal Albert Hall when listening to this system, but the sound from bass (actually pretty good sub-woofer) all the way thrugh mid-range and into the high trebles is fine. With two satellite speakers positioned behind the listeners, the sound for the most current movies (whether live transmission or blu ray) is great and a substantial improvement over the standard sound you can expect even from a high-end TV's standard speakers. Crank the volume up, and there is very little distortion (unless of course you try to max it out).All in all, for a few hundred bucks you get a very nice sound system that is adequate for every-day movie and TV viewing. Streaming Pandora also presented very well.

Poor timing, bad luck

by Antares from Wisconsin USA on 2010-08-06
Three days after ordering this item from Amazon, but to be fullfilled by another company (6ave), Amazon posts a new price $25 less than I paid. This time, such orders will be fulfilled by Amazon itself. Win some, lose some, I guess.

Description

The missing piece to your home theater puzzle is this 7.1-channel speaker package from Onkyo. The perfect addition to your DVD player and home theater receiver, the SKS-HT540 provides all the speakers you need to enter the all-enveloping world of surround sound. 130W output, 2-way bass reflex front, center and surround speakers provide the soundstage. The earth-shaking 230W powered subwoofer provides the impact. All provide the cinema experience in your home.

Features

• 130 watts total output on 2-way bass reflex front, center, and surround speakers
• Bass reflex powered subwoofer with 230 watts output
• Front and center 2-way speakers feature 5" diaphragm woofers and 1" balanced floating tweeter
• Surround speakers feature a 3 1/8" cone woofer and a 3/4" balanced dome tweeter
• Subwoofer construction includes a 10" cone driver

Reviews

Great price/value speakers

by Moy Azabache from Mexico City, Mexico on 2010-09-01
These are great speakers for a home theater, well built and I guess the best you can get for that price. If you are an audiophile, you shouldn't be reading this, your place is with specialazed dealers and stores, otherwise, if you are an standard music listener, they will do the trick. I have connected them to an Onkyo 708 receiver, and after being calibrated with Audyssey, they sound great. I got them as "used" from amazon warehouse deals for 180, including the shipping, and as always, arrived in 2 days as as brand new item, the used item was the box, not the speakers! So for that price, I can hardly imagine to get an MDF built 7.1 speakers set, incluiding the color coded wires, which help a lot when wiring the surround ones.

Very pleased with this system

by desidocmd from on 2010-08-13
I have this combined with an Onkyo TX-NR807. I am using 16 guage speaker wires (RCA) and better coaxial subwoofer wire (Monoprice). I broke them in for 10 days and now have turned them up while watching tv/movies. The subwoofer is still set at 50% and it sounds great(see the product reviews for the subwoofer). The front r/l speakers are large, approx 14 inches tall. The surround r/l and back r/l are smaller, approx 7 inches tall. I am using 24 inch tall Sanus Basic Foundations stands and the speakers are at ear level. The subwoofer is on my hardwood floor. Used Audyssey on my receiver to synch the system in my 20 ft x 20 ft room.I am very happy with my purchase. I have heard much more expensive home theater systems, but this does a great job for the cost. The subwoofer has gotten great reviews on Amazon and I agree with them. It is very stylish and productive. It is large for a 10 inch driver, however, it produces great sound. It is one of the few subs in its price range to have low frequency capabilities. I will add a second (same) subwoofer. The center speaker and front speakers have a tweeter. Their sound quality is superb. The surround speakers sound good too.In the end, I will eventually upgrade to a more expensive speaker system to combine with my expensive receiver (the rule is spend 1/3 of budget on receiver and 2/3 on speakers). I would recommend this system to anyone starting a home theater system on a lower budget. However, make sure to call the manufacturer of your receiver before buying any speaker set (need to make sure they are compatible in power, frequency response, nominal impedence, etc).

great sound

by bnpyc from on 2010-07-31
never heard of onkyo before but I was very happy with the quality they put out

A BIG set for a small price

by C. J. Chaillou from Atlanta, Georgia on 2010-07-30
I have absolutely no complaints about this speaker set when it comes to sound quality. While researching this product alot of people nit-picked the speaker wire connections and even the size of the wire, stating that they weren't up to par, but truth be told the setup works exactly as it should. The speakers are certainly larger than I was expecting (I assumed all surround speakers were about the size of a can of soup because that is all I had seen in stores). The center speaker is the only one that has given me grief though because it is large and has to sit in front of my tv which can be distracting. The two front-side speakers are also large but can be set away from the tv or on the floor to avoid this problem. The surround-side and surround rear speakers are a bit smaller(think large dictionary-size) and manage to blend into whatever setting you put them in rather well, just don't expect them to dissappear into the decor. Lastly the subwoofer, it has enough boom to handle the big explosions at half volume. (The level setting can be adjusted on the back of the sub) My setting is below half and I still haven't turned the head unit volume up all the way just because I haven't needed to, even though I like loud music. Listening to music out of these speakers is a little below average but with some fine tuning from your head unit you should be able to make due, it's really only the mid-range that suffers. That being said, the climax of your favorite movie will really blow you away coming out of this system!

Onkyo SKS-HT540 Speaker System

by Steven Pawson from on 2010-07-27
AMAZING speaker set. i have this hooked up to an onkyo 7.2 receiver. the sound blows me away, even at the max of 92 watts on my receiver. no distortion at all. great for medium-sized rooms like dorms or apartments. the surround speakers seem like they are less powerful than the center/left/right, but that should be expected. extreme value for the money. a major plus for the included wiring; about 8ft for each speaker plus an RCA subwoofer wire. i plan to use this system for the next few years.

Description

Exceptional sound quality takes advanced engineering. To deliver an extraordinary listening experience for today’s high-definition entertainment, the HKTS 30 satellites and subwoofer have gone through Harman Kardon’s world-class engineering and design process. This process gives the HKTS 30 system the high-end performance of a premium system while keeping it affordable, unlike many other satellite speaker systems – including ones costing far more

Features

• Complete 5.1 home-theater speaker system
• Dual midrange drivers in both satellites and center channel
• Eight-inch, 200-watt, powered subwoofer
• Four identical, video-shielded, two-way satellite speakers
• Includes all cables, satellite table stands and wall brackets for satellites and center

Description

The rear speakers come wireless right out of the box (no additional purchase necessary). The Blu-ray player is wireless ready, and compatible with the wireless LAN adapter DY-WL10 (sold separately).

Features

• Receiver has BD - DVD - CD player and FM Tuner
• Connections - HDMI Out - 1; Video Out - 1; Digital Input - 2 (optical); Audio Input - 1 AUX (Stereo Mini Jack, 3.5mm)
• Speaker System - Front Configuration - 2-way 3-speaker, Bass-reflex Woofer - 1-3/8 x 4 Cone Type x2 Tweeter
• Pure Direct Sound Speaker - Yes (front, center)
• Advanced Bamboo Cone - Yes (front, center) Approximate Dimensions

Reviews

Good Product

by Goutham from on 2010-09-04
I have had the system for about 10 days now and I am very happy with it. The product is a really great buy for $395 on Amazon. I was worried that the rear speakers would not work, but they did work well for me. Initially there were some problems, but after a good set up they work fine. No static, no cracks nothing. Netflix works great. Upscaling DVD is good, Blu-ray is good, very decent load times. I have no complaints, the sound while playing movies is great. I think it is a great buy for the price.Some cons (cannot expect too much considering the price) -sound quality while playing music is a little inferior. no hdmi inputs no stereo inputs for other sources

Wireless problems!!!

by J. Geisendorfer from NC USA on 2010-08-21
As received the rear wireless speakers did not work. Panasonic email support suggested fixes. By the time they had given up, the unit would not even turn on. Long story short, I sent it back, at my expense, to the warranty center in McAllen, TX. 45 days later it has been returned in working condition. This was accomplished after repeated follow-ups by me, repeated emails from Panasonic (I count 13) saying "We apologize for the delay in responding", & phone calls from their customer service (no name or contact number was ever given). The system was shipped back in 2 shipments. The first showed up without any notice from Panasonic that it had been shipped. Three weeks later I inquired about the remainder of the system. Seems it had been shipped withing a day of the first shipment, but UPS had lost the shipment. Without notice I was not aware that it had been shipped. Frustration ^%R#$*^!. I'm now 45 days into my 1 year warranty & out shipping costs on a brand new never used unit. I'll stick with Panasonic TV's, but never another audio system.

Great System

by Jennier Tucher from Boise, ID on 2010-08-19
The system arrived before it said it would (YEAH!) and was easy to set up. I only had one issue on how to hook everything up correctly (TV - Mistsubishi and DTV) -- one call and 15 minutes later everything worked. Sound is great, price is right, set up easy -- could ask for nothing more!Definitely recommend to anyone (even those that are challenged with electronics!)

excellent system for most, especially with net content

by upsilon prime from scarsdale, NY on 2010-08-15
Summary: A quality, full-featured Home Theater in a Box (HTIB) well worth its current retail price, especially if used with the optional Panasonic DY-WL10 wireless LAN adapter (or hard wired).Caveats: This HTIB is connected to a 720P 42" Panasonic TV purchased in late 2007. I have never previously owned a HTIB, so I have nothing to compare it to apart from stereo systems. Used in a medium-sized living room. I possess average-to-high tech savviness. Several reviewers have had much grief with the wireless rear speakers. Mine worked out of the box, but only after I remembered to insert the digital transmitter into the main unit. I have been drinking throughout this review.Setup: Assembly and setup were reasonably simple. Connections were very clearly marked. I may or may not have successfully used the auto speaker setup microphone due to my own stupidity. The sound levels of each speaker are easy to adjust manually, however. Unlike other reviewers, I was able to play normal TV broadcasts through the system speakers by connecting the optical audio out on my cable box to the digital optical audio in ("D-IN 1") with a $2 Toslink cable (more below!).Sound: I'm no audiophile, but the system sounds great to my ear whether playing music from an iPod/Pandora, movies on DVD/BD's, or even Youtube. Full spectrum with excellent bass. The subwoofer really makes the room shake. It needs to be set pretty low most of the time. The tiny rear speakers produce excellent ambient sounds during movies and hold their own if I use with other sources.Picture: Bluray discs look very good, as expected, excellent in fact. Upscaled DVD's also look very good.Vieracast: You are doing yourself a serious disservice if you purchase this and don't take advantage of the internet features available with this unit. You'll need to purchase a Panasonic DY-WL10 dongle (about $70 today, $85 weeks ago when I purchased) or a wired LAN connection, but there's a ton of content out there that make it worthwhile. In short, Vieracast is Panasonic's proprietary internet streaming service. It currently offers Netflix, Youtube, Pandora (a music service), and a few lesser lights like Bloomberg news, Picasa, and a German news channel, Tageschau (wuh?). Fox Sports and Twitter are still "Coming Soon!" The Vieracast interface is a little clumsy in appearance and makes annoying chiming sounds as you click between content.It sometimes takes more than than one attempt to get started (could also be the fault of the dongle or my router or some other piece of hardware), but it's dropped a connection exactly-only-once.Regardless, a Netflix account alone makes Vieracast (no fee) worthwhile in view of the numerous and varied "Watch Instantly" offerings. Examples: My father came to the TV show "Lost" a few seasons late, so he recently bought the first few seasons on DVD to catch up. Well, all but last season are currently available instantly on netflix. More and more recent offerings are available, lots of kids' stuff and documentaries, older classics . . . On a whim I googled a list of "the best movies of all time" and found that most of the top 15 were available for instant viewing ("Battleship Potemkim" - er, great!)There are some negatives with Netflix. Unlike a DVD/BD, the streaming audio doesn't appear to automatically separate to 5.1, but you can easily use the "surround" and "sound" buttons on the remote to choose the combination of speakers. Still blows your TV speakers away.I found the video quality of streaming video on a 42" plasma to be very good (and it transmits 16:9), but it's not Bluray or even HD. But I'm also old enough to remember when TV nirvana was watching S-VHS on a 36" tube set. If you're rockin' a 60" set, sit three feet from the screen, and can't remember the 80's, your mileage may vary. Youtube is rife with possibilities that I haven't fully exploited, mostly because I haven't had the patience to figure out my account settings for playlists and favorites on Youtube itself. A 12 year old should be able to do things stranger than i can imagine. You enter your Youtube account name/password and your lists, etc. should appear. One cool thing I managed to do was create extensive playlists (e.g. old live Dead, Zeppelin, etc.) and put them on continuous play. This is very awesome. Video quality is obviously limited by the source (whateva), the sound too, but I'm listening to it right now and it's pretty good.Pandora radio is a great internet music service that I have on iPhone. Enter the name of an artist or genre and it will continuously play music from that artist/genre. It's like an artist/genre specific radio station. If you have a (free) account as I did, just enter username/password. Sound quality is excellent.iPod dock: Excellent feature built into the main unit. The interface can be a little clumsy, however, lots of scrolling with the remote if you're looking for That Particular Song. If you have playlists like the rest of the sane, no worries.TV Broadcasts: As noted above, and in contrast to other reviewers, cable/satellite broadcasts can be played through the unit's speakers with a Toslink cable (which costs less than a Big Mac). I have a cablebox (HD with modern connections) and it took a little experimentation to get it to work. The unit's instructions read like, well, stereo instructions, and were not particularly helpful. Each must find his own path, but I was easily able to play normal TV broadcasts through the system speakers by connecting the optical audio out on my cable box to the digital optical audio in ("D-IN 1") with the Toslink cable.FM radio: Does anyone really care? Well, if you're so inclined, it receives FM transmissions pretty well, much better than my last (1998-ish) receiver, and has auto pre-sets available (just like a rental car!) Worked well. Also plays SD cards, another useless thing that these things all do. Useless unless you want to subject someone to a slide show, which was a peculiar form of torture back in the day.Conclusion: This device sounds great and has opened up a whole new world of content on the TV. The four stars is for interface clumsiness, and the remote, which I don't feel like reviewing but I don't really like. You can't go wrong with this unit at the current price point.

Another unit with non-functional wireless rear speakers

by T HD from North Carolina on 2010-08-09
I guess I had the same problem as some of the other reviewers with this system. Everything looked great and setup was fairly easy, but the wireless rear speakers would not transmit any sound. The rear receiver had a green light showing the wireless connectivity with the front unit was successful, but still no sound. Panasonic tech support walked me through the same steps as another reviewer, to no avail. My only option was to ship it to California (with no reimbursement of shipping costs). Needless to say, I just returned it instead.I bought my first unit online, so I decided to buy one from a big box retailer to see if it was just that one unit with the problems. The second unit's wireless rear receiver would not connect to the main unit at all (no green light). I think Panasonic has some work to do with this system. It only gets 2 stars because the speakers that did work had good sound, and the overall look is sleek.

Description

The Bose® CineMate II speaker system provides high-quality home theater sound to get more from your HDTV experience. Just two compact speakers and a hideaway Acoustimass® module deliver sweeping cinematic sound that puts you in the middle of your movies, games and sports. Proprietary TrueSpace® technology enables this immersive performance--without immersing you in equipment. There are no rear or center speakers, eliminating much of the wiring of traditional 5-speaker systems. Just connect the system right to your TV and control basic functions with a simple four-button remote. Improved acoustics. Exceptional value. The CineMate II system is an ideal choice for your first home theater speakers or a Bose surround experience in smaller rooms. The simplified, two-speaker setup offers a hassle-free addition to your HDTV. And the improved acoustics provide exceptional value for home theater performance. Newly redesigned Articulated Array speakers--now with a striking, pure black finish--aesthetically match today's flat-panel TVs. The hideaway Acoustimass module reproduces resonant low notes that add drama to movies and games. And it now includes a dedicated bass control for your listening preferences. Place the module in a corner or out of view--all the sound seems to come from the compact speakers. Easy to set up. Easy to use. The CineMate II speaker system only requires a few connections. It hooks up directly to your TV with minimal--if any--disruption to existing component connections. A small interface module houses your audio input from the TV and displays on/off status for your system. And a sleek, four-button remote handles basic system functions.What's in the box --2 Articulated Array speakers --Acoustimass module --Interface module --Simplified four-button remote control and batteries --Stereo cable (6') --Speaker cable (15') --Optical cable (6')

Features

• A 2.1-channel home theater speaker system with redesigned Articulated Array® speakers and improved digital acoustic performance
• Designed for use with your TV
• Sleek, four-button remote controls CineMate system
• Simplified setup, with only a few connections to make

Reviews

Remote won't work even in very low light settings

by James D. Pope from on 2010-09-01
I've had this item for a couple of months now. I have gone round and round with Bose. They have been very good at replacing every conceivable component... finally replacing the entire unit. However, the system remain unacceptably unusable.My room is setup with no more than 11 feet between my sofa and the entertainment center. After about an hour's worth of use the unit no longer responds to the remote unless you are within 5-6 INCHES of the receiver. I've tried the receiver in different areas of the entertainment center (which is simply glass shelves). The ambient light from windows is very low... this occurs even at night when it is dark out. I don't understand how this unit is usable to ANYONE. The most frustrating thing is there are no controls on the unit itself... so if the phone rings or someone comes to the door the only option is normally to pull the optical input out to cut the input source. Extremely frustrating. Although I've always be pleased with Bose... I'm uncertain if I'd ever buy another one now.

Amazing sound, but ...

by J. Hall from El cajon, ca United States on 2010-08-20
I hooked this system up to a Insignia brand combo Tv and DvD player, model NS-LDVD26Q-10A I added the optional Bose speaker stands ($99) (Bose UFS-20 Universal Floor Stands (pair)).The 3-star review is based entirely on a two-point penalty due to the lousy remote and lack of a on/off switch. Otherwise, this would be a 5-star review, no question.THE GOOD: I love music CDs and movies on this setup! OMG it's a dramatic improvement. The best word to describe the sound is "boisterous". Suddenly, my apartment is a jumping music studio ... by comparison to what I did before, which was listen through headphones. I feel like the money was well spent.Oh - the headphones? Bose QuietComfort 15's. Love them.I had heard that the voice channel might lack, so I adjusted the audio settings on the television. It seems like "standard" for audio works fine. I am finding no faults with audio after adjusting the Tv.DISCLAIMER: I typically like my music to NOT shake the walls. Your mileage may vary. I am not an audiophile, or at least, I wasn't. I just wanted to watch movies ...THE BAD: The only way to use the system AT ALL is by using the completely gutless remote. Did I mention how much I hate the remote? The remote is as inappropriate as golf cart wheels on a Ferrari. The battery in my remote came half-dead, with a range of about 2-5 feet. The battery in the remote is one of those totally frustrating button-style batteries - a model 2032. The life on a battery like that is about a week. Ouch, ouch, ouch. And this is the "Series II"? Someone at Bose needs a new suppository, and I have a suggestion as to what to use. *cough* *WHAM!*For those of you who have electrical experience, a AAA-battery pack with alligator clips does work as a substitute power supply. I tripled the range of the remote! Rechargeable AAAs work very well. The remote is all taped up, but what's a geek to do? It was looks or performance.Anyhow, once you fix the remote, the system overall is quite nice. I have "Star Wars" playing in the background in all its glory ... so sweet! I feel all giggly!

Easy, Easy, Easy!

by chiskes from on 2010-08-11
I bought this for an HDTV in my bedroom. I didn't want a big scale surround sound with all the extra speakers and wires. This is perfect. Easy to set up and sounds great.

Amazon's product review is for GS II no II

by Directionless from on 2010-07-30
The "GS" II model is not the same as the II and the GS is more expensive.

Great For Us

by David R from Grand Rapids, MI USA on 2010-07-30
We have a very irregular-shaped room with a big open floor plan, so we knew we could never get the "cinematic" experience. This provides a great and easy setup experience... basically, we plugged the speakers in, stashed the "AcoustiMass" behind our entertainment center, and now everything sounds about as good as we could expect. For people who aren't super-sensitive about getting the "perfect" experience, this is really fantastic. Loud, deep basses that even fool the dog into barking at them, which is awesomely amusing. Loving it ever since I set it up after hooking it up. Bought it from Best Buy since the price was the same as Amazon, and could get it immediately, but I VERY HIGHLY recommend this product for those of us who are realists about expectations and just want to really enjoy sound beyond the small built-in TV speakers. Again, if you want a good system at a great price, in my opinion this is amazing value.

Description

If you’re looking for a future-ready receiver-and-speaker package that won’t break the bank, your search may be over. Meet Onkyo’s 5.1-channel HT-S3300—a system packed with so much advanced technology that it redefines entry-level home theater. As with every A/V receiver in Onkyo’s 2010 line-up, you get the latest iteration of HDMI—version 1.4. Three HDMI inputs let you hook up, say, your Blu-ray player, game console, and cable/satellite box—all of which can be output via a single cable to your connected high-res display. Not only is HDMI 1.4 compatible with next-generation 3D video, it also enables a convenient Audio Return Channel. On top of this, the HT-S3300 supports lossless HD audio formats from Dolby and DTS—previously the domain of mid-range to high-end receivers only. But that’s not all. The HT-S3300 also provides an overlaid On-Screen Display function for easy adjustment of settings; a Universal Port for one-cable connection of peripherals; Audyssey equalization; four gaming audio modes; and a fully immersive, beautifully balanced 5.1-channel speaker set.

Features

• 660 Watts into 5.1 Channels
• HDMI Version 1.4 to Support 3D Video Formats, Audio Return Channel, Deep Color , x.v.Color , LipSync, Dolby TrueHD
• DTS-HD Master Audio , DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, Multichannel PCM and CEC
• 4 DSP Modes for Gaming: Rock, Sports, Action, and RPG (Role Playing Game)
• Music Optimizer for Compressed Digital Music Files
• Audio and 1080p Video Processing via HDMI (3 Inputs and 1 Output)

Reviews

Surround system value

by Radiomann from on 2010-09-05
I ordered the Onkyo 3300 after to substantial research. The value pricing from Amazon was OUTSTANDING!! I highly recommend the system to anyone looking for a start up system at a reasonable price. I had only two minor issues: 1.) dont order any speaker mounts for this system. The speaker cases are plastic and the system comes with hardware to mount them. 2.) After unboxing the unit and installing, the remote failed within 1 day. HOWEVER, I was THRILLED with the customer service i received from Onkyo. They answered my email with an RMA and sent me a new remote within just a few days. I have had the system for 60 days and am thrilled with the sound and performance. I suggest you order the Amazon HDMI cables. The system does not come with them.Overall i rate Amazon and Onkyo on this system 4 1/2 Stars.. Nice job guys!

Great Product For A Great Price

by Jorge A. Picaza from Boca Raton, FL USA on 2010-09-02
The biggest thing I learned when I purchased a plasma television is that the built-in speakers leave you wanting. I wanted to take the audio to the level the video was at, I just didn't want to spend too much doing it. After several weeks researching, including using my Consumer Reports account, I narrowed down my criteria and ultimately decided on the Onkyo HT-S3300. I have not been disappointed. It arrived (direct from Amazon) promptly and in it's original packaging. Set-up was a breeze, largely in part to Onkyo's color-coded audio cables. It became clear, however, that the audio cables intended for use with the rear speakers were too short for their purpose. A few days after setup, the unit began to intermittently shut-off and back on again, after extended use. A little testing determined that I had left too little space for the unit to ventilate. It vents above the unit, so I removed one of the shelves in my entertainment center and haven't had an occurrence since.Overall, my wife and I are pleased with the purchase. Research supports that this product is a great value and a great return on your minimal investment.PROS: * Easy setup. * Great ROI (return on investment).CONS: * Audio cables for rear speakers are too short. * Needs room to vent. Not intended for small shelves with minimal ventilation.

Great Value, Big Sound!

by Anthony Traveis from Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA on 2010-09-01
The least you should know is that this HD Receiver is a great value. It comes with speakers which typically would easily cost over $100. It can connect 3 HDMI devices.The sound quality is excellent. I have only had it operational for about a week and have yet to tweak any of the settings. The bass currently is heavy for a 12'x12' room. The subwoofer is big both in size and sound. It provides big sound even though it isn't a powered speaker meaning the subwoofer doesn't get plugged into an electrical wall outlet.In my opinion, this product is great for small living rooms not bigger than 20-25' square feet.One surprising disappointment, which may just be how HDMI technology operates, you cannot view non HDMI video input through the HDMI output. You have to run a stand alone RCA (yellow cable) to the monitor/tv/projector. Also, there is no S-Video input which I found VERY SURPRISING! Yes there are stand alone adapters you can buy to convert RCA and S-Video signals to HDMI Output which is the best option for getting the highest quality upcoverted video signal from older VCR/DVD/CD/Stereo Equipment. There are no front facing video inputs. Everything has to be connected at the rear of the receiver. Considering the difference in video quality, I don't find much use for the RCA inputs at all. I think long-term the best thing to do is buy an adapter that will convert all those devices to and HDMI Output that you can then plug into the the HDMI input of this receiver.I recommend buying this system if you plan to keep everything in the HDMI realm and have no more than 3 HDMI devices to attach. It is an excellent product and offers a good on-screen menu for settings adjustment.I plan on using it long-term for a HDMI Home Theater connected to a Sony PS3 as the Blue-Ray player and am confindent this HD Receiver will server that purpose very well.It's hard to go wrong with this product especially if you only need an entry-level HDMI solution. Impressive Value and Quality Performance. I recommend this product.

By far, the best Home Theater system for the price

by Christopher Gardner from Florida, USA - USCG on 2010-08-29
If you have done a lot of shopping for a home theater system, you will notice that all the electronics stores (ie Walmart, Best Buy) only sell Home Theater systems that include a Bluray player. But I didn't want that! I have a Playstation 3 already, and don't need 2 Bluray players. So I went out looking for the right surround system system in a $500 budget. I had absolutely no luck. Then I decided to look at Onkyo's website for a receiver to see they were selling home theater systems. I checked the price, and was amazed to see how cheap it was...I thought it was too good to be true.So I figured I would give it a shot. Bose endourses Onkyo, and will sell their products at Bose Stores...something you would not expect from Bose. Knowing that Bose would put their name behind Onkyo gave me some trust that Onkyo would not make a bad sound system. And golly, I was never happier to be right!Immediately upon opening the box, I was stunned at the quality of the speakers. It looked like a $1,000 system. I put the speakers up, tweaked the receiver settings, and put on several movies that have surround sound such as Battlestar Galactica, Casino Royale, and Inglorious Bastards. Each movie sounded AMAZING. So amazing in fact, it made my neighbor come next door to tell me I was shaking his apartment. All from a 660w system!So here is the low down:Pros: Amazing processing and decoding for Dolby Digital HD and top of the line DTS. It has some equalizer settings that also make the speakers sound better. You truly feel immersed in video games and movies...better than I would have expected. The PRICE is a major pro.Con: The subwoofer tends to put out a lot of bass. This is good if you live in a home with no neighbors to upset. But the subwoofer vibrates off the wall, and travels throughout the apartment complex. The settings can lower the bass, but it sometimes doesn't feel like enough.Overall: GET THIS SYSTEM. If you want a 7.1, get it. But Onkyo has maded a $1,000 sound system affordable for everyone. If you don't get this, you hate children. You don't hate children...do you?

Did not work

by PatrickVan from on 2010-08-25
I was really excited about this product after reading all the reviews. After setting everything up and plugging it in, the receiver would not power on. I followed the troubleshooting section in the manual and nothing. Processing return through Amazon at this time.

Description

You’ll enjoy the deep bass and full sound of your music being played on the RT151 five-speaker home theater system by RCA. The 80 Watt surround sound system is compatible with DVD/CD players, computer and game consoles, satellite and cable boxes, and several TVs that have an audio output. Connect your iPod and other portable audio players using the line-in audio jack located in the front of the unit. The RT151 system consists of five speakers plus an amplifier/subwoofer that has built-in audio jacks and controls. Setup is easy with the color-coded setup system.

Features

• 80W surround system with five speakers and amplifier/subwoofer
• Amplifier, audio jacks and controls are built into the subwoofer; two sets of RCA-type audio inputs on rear
• Compatible with DVD/CD players, computers and game consoles, satellite/cable boxes and most TVs
• Line-in audio jack on front - for iPod and other portable audio players
• Easy color-coded speaker setup

Reviews

Best Buy

by Rob from on 2010-08-29
I didn't expect much from a $56 set of speakers... just needed to replace my 2.1 sound and figured i'd try a 5.1 set. I am amazed at the quality and sound it produces. here are my pro's and con'sPros: -inexpensive -plenty of power -3 channels two RCA in rear and a headphone jack in front for ipod -independent mute and volume control for Front, Center, Rear, and Sub -Regular speaker wire inputs in rear of sub, so you can use different speakers eventually. -easy set up -remote control -decent sound for the price rangeCons: -no areas to attach mounts to speakers, have to drill into them. -no independent control for each speaker. front two are together and rear two are together. -limited sub control(had to rearrange the equalizer on our tv to get more out of it) -speaker wire could be longer but I just ordered more to extend it.overall probably should be paying closer to $100 for this set and at $56 it's a dealNot the best but great for the money I rate it my best buy so far of 2010

Nice sound from a little box.

by Flknr.W from California on 2010-08-23
I purchased this system in anticipation that it would be an improvement over the TV speakers. I was pleasantly surprised. As other reviewers have indicated, if you are looking for a true surround system, this is not the home theatre system for you. I have the Sony BRAVIA DAV-HDX500 Theater System for the living room and would not expect the same sound from the RCA system. However I do find the rear speakers to be somewhat inadequate but I find it to be a minor flaw. I am happy with this purchase, it does what I wanted it to do. If you're looking to add some depth to your TV speakers, I highly recommend this system. For true surround it may cost you more.

Great system for a great price!

by Jenni from Bennington, VT on 2010-08-22
I purchased this awhile back for my new Viore flatscreen TV on a serious budget. After hunting around EVERYWHERE I landed on this one and gave it a shot. Keep in mind, I'm using this in my bedroom and haven't used it outside of that but the quality is great! I hooked it up with an optional input cable through my Xbox360 and couldn't have asked for more! I have the speakers set up around my bed and on the table in front of it and it's perfect for what I was looking for. I'm not a tech guru but my boyfriend helped me put everything together and he's planning on getting one for his bedroom. It's not the killer, magnificent sound you will get with macho speakers but it's great for a secondary room or if you want the pleasure of surround sound without killing your decor. I've watched movies, animes, and played video games on it and so far it has done nothing but please! I have found that you need to adjust the sound according to what you're playing but from my experience with any kind of speaker is that's normal. It doesn't reset to baseline volume at least from what I can tell. My siblings and I watched the entire Inuyasha anime on it (160+ episodes) and each time we booted it up and popped it in, the sound was set the way I had left it the night before. (Once again, not a tech junkie! XD)I definitely recommend this for both it's great price and great quality! This little system seriously delivers and I'm very happy with the choice I made for my new system!

Totally surpassed my expectations. Great system for apartment dwellers.

by B. Arnold from on 2010-08-13
I live in a one bedroom apartment and this system is as powerful as I'll ever need. I gambled on it because of the price, figuring it would probably suck, but hoping it would at least be a little better than my TV sound. I was wrong. It doesn't suck at all. It's actually pretty awesome. In fact it sounds almost as good as my ex-roommate's surround system which cost a couple hundred dollars more.I was a little worried when I opened the box and saw how tiny all the speakers were, but they produce very big sound for their size. Anyone who wants thundering bass that will rattle the walls should definitely look elsewhere but if you are living in an apartment, this unit should be more than sufficient for your needs. It sounds absolutely great for what it is - a budget priced surround system.I don't understand the people who have mentioned needing to augment these speakers with their TV sound. I think that they must have the speakers hooked up wrong or have the individual channels (front, center, sub-woofer and rear) turned down, so the master volume isn't giving them what they need. I can only turn the volume up about half-way before I start to worry about my neighbors, so I'm clearly getting something different out of my set-up. I don't think I'm just being overly courteous either - at full volume, with the doors closed, the system can be heard fairly easily from the courtyard/hallway outside of my apartment. With the standard settings, the rear channel is a little quiet for my taste, but since there is individual control for the different channels, it is very easy to adjust.The biggest problem with the system is that there are only two composite inputs and one front facing "line-in" portable audio input. That means no HDMI, component or IR inputs and if you want to hook up more than two devices, you're going to need a separate switcher. The higher end inputs are not a big deal for me. I have already stated that I live in an apartment and must be courteous with my volume. HDMI, component, or IR would allow for much better fidelity with a system that really cranks, but with my personal needs in mind, the two composite inputs are just fine. Besides, how much do you expect for $56?In summary; This system is amazing for the price. Perfect for apartments, dens, etc. There are some limitations and it may not be the right system for you if you are living in a big house, but it definitely exceeded what I expected to get from it. + Price. Can't be beat. + Compact size - perfect for an apartment + Good sound and pretty loud for such a compact system - again, perfect for small to mid-sized apartments. + Remote with individual channel controls. This is very handy and not available in the other units I saw in this price range. + Audio device port is a nice bonus- Bass is less than thunderous - Limited inputs - Probably not appropriate for large rooms in large houses

Maverick

by 6266 from on 2010-08-08
This systom is a piese of crap,you turn it on it may or maynot work,very poor sound qulity, very small speckers and remote. Vol. is so low I have to turn up TV to hear it. I would not recamend this to any one. THANKS FOR READING MY REVIEW

Description

The Bose® CineMate® GS II speaker system is the easiest way to enjoy Bose 2.1-channel home theater performance and bring out the full audio potential of your HDTV. Proprietary TrueSpace® technology enables two Gemstone® speakers and an Acoustimass® module to deliver compelling sound for movies, games, sports and more. The system easily connects directly to your TV, avoiding the need to disconnect other sources. And with no rear speakers, there's no wiring to the back of your room. A programmable universal remote control simplifies operation of other connected sources. A sound upgrade for your home theater needs The CineMate GS II system represents a quality home theater upgrade to complement your HDTV. Two powerful Gemstone speakers flank your TV and put you in the middle of dramatic home theater sound. You'll experience a level of realism that simply cannot be matched by TV speakers alone.A hideaway Acoustimass module provides the low frequency effects that make movies and games so compelling. It even includes dedicated bass control. Place the module in a corner or out of view--all the sound seems to come from the compact speakers. Together, the speakers and Acoustimass module provide full depth and clarity for your music, too. Simplified setup Setting up a CineMate GS II system is a quick exercise, with only a few wires to connect. It hooks up directly to your TV with minimal-if any-disruption to existing component connections. A small interface module houses your audio input from the TV and displays on/off status for your system. And it's all controlled with a programmable universal remote that works seamlessly with most video components attached to your television. What's in the box --2 Gemstone speakers --Acoustimass module --Interface module --Universal remote control and batteries --Stereo cable (6') --Speaker cable (15') --Optical cable (6')

Features

• 2.1-channel speaker system with premium Gemstone® speakers, improved digital acoustic performance
• Designed to enhance the audio from your TV and existing video sources
• Universal remote controls system and most components connected to your TV
• Simplified setup, with only a few connections to make. Ideal for small- to medium-sized rooms.

Reviews

Bose Cinemax

by annie n jim from on 2010-08-09
I already had a Sony 5.1 surround system, not the top of the line, but I wanted a new system for my new LG Infinfia. I checked so many differant systems on line and it seemed like someone had a complaint about every one. I actually did not want to go 7.1 because I didn't want a lot of speakers all over the place. We finally ended up going to BestBuy to listen to some. When we heard the Bose Cinemax II that was it. I really like the idea of just two speakers and the base unit. It sounds great for regular TV viewing,which my Sony did not, and when you are watching a movie, crank it up. If you are an audiophile you may prefer 5.1 or 7.1, but if you want a simple system that doesn't take up a lot of room, this is it. Bose is a little expensive, but I am very happy that I purchased it, (I did not get it at BestBuy, their salepeople are useless.) Only Amazon for me!

Excellent Sound

by J. Hodges from on 2010-07-24
I know a lot of people like to knock Bose. I've heard "no highs, no lows, must be Bose" and then I turn around and someone else is shouting how Bose only has lows and highs and no mids. I just went through several sound system attempting to find one I like. I wanted something simple and didn't care to have wires running everywhere so I canceled out surround sound. I went through many soundbar type systems and was disappointed to say the least.I started researching these speakers online and found that the people who bought them liked them but others said they were no good just due to the Bose name. A person on one of the forums mentioned a soundbar system which I had previously returned as being comparable to these speakers yet nearly $500 cheaper. Now having owned both system I can laugh at that statement as there is no comparison.None of the other systems came anywhere close to sounding as good as these. Crisp highs, loud vocals, rich mids, very deep bass. I have to turn the bass down on this system so things will stop shaking on the walls. You can feel the bass. On the system that these speakers were compared to, I could only hear bass if I had the volume maxed and I had my ear pressed against the subwoofer. Not even joking.People who haven't owned a Bose system ever, or in the past several years, really need to stop bashing something they know nothing about. I will admit that maybe they are priced a bit high. However, you get a great sounding system and I'm not sure you could do any better at this price. I have heard speaker systems (receiver/speaker/subs) that cost over $1000 not sounding as good as this system.My expectations were shattered by this system and I would recommend anyone who has the money to spend and wants a simple, elegant and great sounding system, to pick these up and the nice stands (~$800 at this time for both speakers and stands).(I do not work for Bose, am not some Bose "fanboy" (this is my first Bose system), have never posted anything about Bose before anywhere.)

Nice for TV/DVD, but not so much for iTunes and such

by Chris J. Kallin from Seattle, WA on 2010-07-22
Bose products sound terrific. No questioning that. When you use products as they were designed, they're spot-on. So my only criticism of this system probably isn't exactly fair, but the system has no headroom at mid-to-high volume in such a way as to double as a stereo system per-se. Besides the learning remote, the other reason I upgraded to the GS is that it had RCA inputs in the back to jump in my iPhone. It works fine, but at mid-to-high volumes, like for a party or something, it sort of peters out. You can tell the headroom is missing and that there isn't much in the middle-range with respect to fidelity. It offers very crisp highs and warm lows, but no midrange to speak of and no truly thunderous bass. If you want a system that performs well in both arenas, you might be well advised to build a component system. For the record, I'm not unhappy, just a little underwhelmed.The other criticism is really only a suggestion for Bose... If I have the optical connection hooked to my cable box and I want to watch a DVD, I have to move the optical connection from my cable box to my DVD player and back every time. It's sort of maddening. There must be a work-around for this that I haven't stumbled upon. In the future though, I would suggest that Bose add two (perhaps even three to account for ROKU type streaming device) optical inputs since most people run multiple sources.Despite the negativity, I will say that this system is a HUGE improvement over the sound emanating from your TV speakers. And I love using just one remote now... the learning remote supplied with the system is quite intuitive and easy to set up. Lastly, the system is up and running within minutes of being unboxed. They've made it idiot proof. Nice job all around. Just make sure you're buying it for the right purpose and don't have unreasonable expectations. If you follow this advice and buy anyway, you'll be very satisfied.

simple and nice

by Bruno from UTah United States on 2010-07-14
I did a lot of reading and researching before deciding on a 2.1 system. The Bose name was certainly a selling point and with their reviews, made it easier to decide on which system I bought. The simple setup was easy and fast. The optical wire hookup on the module doesn't stay in like it should, and that is the only complaint so far. The bass is very good, and I only have it turned up to about 30% for just the right amount for movies and music. The system turns off automatically when there is no signal and that is a good thing. The remote is easy to program (especially when the tech from Bose helps) and it controls all of my units. On the other hand, my Direct TV remote can control the Bose also. I've only had this unit for a couple of weeks, but so far, I love it.

My husbands toy

by Hilo from on 2010-06-17
My husband would not let me buy speakers for our house unless it was BOSE. The problem was that we don't have a Bose store here on the island. These speakers sound great but we are questioning the connection to the small box...it's loose so when we dust our TV stand, the connection comes out. We just plug it back in and the speakers work fine.