Just like a midget with a 5th degree black belt, this system packs more punch than you'd think by glancing at it. I actually committed the worst sin of all, buying the whole thing online WITHOUT listening to it. By the way, get it on crutchfield.com. (free shipping, gets there in two days.) But I'm a big fan of Kenwood's car audio stuff, so I figured a home theatre is worth taking a look.
Anywho, I set this bad boy up in about half an hour, praying to god that when I crank this thing, 1)I crap my pants because it's loud enough and 2)I don't have to send it back because it can't bring the pain.
Now I may be exaggerating a bit, but in all seriousness, for "home theatres in a box", this is your best buy. Of late, I'm that guy who goes around to the corporate electronics superstores once a week...ok maybe like two or three times a week to scope out the deals. Also I check the 'net for buys, especially since I just bought a house, and don't have roommates anymore who like to spill beer and pee everywhere. So I was looking for a semi-high end stereo to fill out my living room, but didn't have enough dough to get the really good stuff separately. So I went the home theatre in a box route. (I just don't like that term for some reason...)
I hadn't seen this Kenwood model at any store, and frankly I wasn't too impressed with similar systems (that have wires) at the same pricepoints. But then I came across the description for the HTB-S610. Wireless, 5.1 surround,Kenwood...there was more, but I just summarized back there. I decided this is the one, and especially if it sucked I could send it back forthright. Again, I'm plugging Crutchfield.
And I haven't even gotten to the wireless part yet...
Ok about the wireless part. If you've set up a stereo before, especially with 5.1 surround, you know your living room is going to look like a turd on a stick if you leave the wires running all over the wall or carpet. By that, I mean gross. With the HTB-S610, you don't have to worry about running any wires to your surround speakers. The system comes with a wireless transmitter and receiver. The receiver simply plugs into the wall and you run two wires to the satellite speakers. (which i recommend putting on stands that further hide the wires connecting them.) The transmitter can sit a few feet away from the TV or something. The rest of the system is pretty standard as far as wires go. The only thing wireless is the two satellites.
Like I said, setup takes about as long as it takes to eat a turkey sandwich and drink two beers, which ironically, is exactly what I did when I was setting it up. Weird. Figuring out the wire hookup is a snap, unless you're colorblind, and positioning the speakers was pretty straightforward as well.
The menus were a little difficult at first, but if you read the manual...yes you have to read a little, it becomes clear on how to set up the decible levels on the speakers, pick which surround settings you want, and toggling through the inputs. After setup, I threw in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. All I can say is that I was blown away in the opening credits, let alone the scenes where stuff blew up and light sabers chopped crap up. The sound, if you set it up right, seems like it's happening all around you. And loudly. (well duh, man it's surround sound) But seriously, this system fills up the room no problem, and I'm not entirely sure if I've cranked it up all the way yet...
In closing, if you're in the market for the home theatre in a box, look no further and order this bad mamma jamma. You will not be disappointed and pretty soon, you'll be writing extremely long and pointless reviews here too. Good luck!!!
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