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Home Theater Systems Reviews
Kenwood HTB-503 Home-Theater-in-a-Box
Kevin McNulty  |  Sep 03, 2000  |  First Published: Sep 04, 2000
With Kenwood's HTB-503 home-theater-in-a-box, you can enhance your home on an average budget without sacrificing your firstborn. To take advantage of surround schemes that use more channels than a 5.1-channel receiver offers, you'll need to chain-in an external amplifier. Theoretically, any THX-certified amp of equal power will work fine with a THX-certified receiver that has the appropriate line outs, but it's usually a good idea to stick with the same manufacturer—if for no other reason than the components look as if they're from the same family. Denon offers the POA-5200 two-channel amp ($699) as a complement to their AVR-4800 receiver. The 5200 is a THX Ultra-certified two-channel amplifier that delivers 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 200 watts into 4 ohms. It features a rear-panel jack for remote power-on/-off control through the AVR-4800. The 5200 differentiates itself from many stereo amps in that it's actually two mono amps in one box—each channel has its own power transformer and DC-storage-supply section. It also features A/B switching for each channel so that one or two speakers can be connected to each channel and can be turned on or off as needed. When testing the POA-5200 in conjunction with the 4800, I found no distinguishable sound or level differences between the two, proving that the 5200 is an excellent addition to the 4800 for bringing THX Surround EX to life.
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AV Receiver Reviews
Denon AVR-4800 Receiver
Bruce Fordyce  |  Sep 03, 2000  |  First Published: Sep 04, 2000
Denon's AVR-4800 receiver is the one-box key to home theater nirvana. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in your living room, the consumer electronics industry has come up with yet another home theater surround scheme: THX Surround EX. If excess truly is the path to the palace of wisdom, then it will be home theater products, not those retro hippie Gingko brain supplements, that make us all smart really quick. Wisdom will, however, probably have to take a back seat to confusion before all is said and done. Nonetheless, THX Surround EX is here, although its entrance was not celebrated with the carnival-like fanfare that heralded the entrance of Dolby Digital and DTS.
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Pioneer Elite PRO-510HD
Mike Wood  |  Sep 03, 2000  |  First Published: Sep 04, 2000
Pioneer goes for the brass ring of high-end video with their new rear-projection TV. Most televisions are real dogs. I don't mean to be cynical (I just am); however, when you're used to high-end, front-projected images processed with good-quality video scalers, you become jaded by even the more-expensive video products being offered to the general consumer. It becomes a struggle to remind yourself that, hey, compared with what's available for the price, some of these sets aren't all that bad. Pioneer, however, has decided to take their Elite brand to the next level. The Lexus of the consumer electronics market has taken a stab at adding some real high-end features to its already top-end television line.
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Audio Video News
Parasound Updates AVC-2500 and HCA-2205A
HT Staff  |  Aug 31, 2000
San Francisco-based Parasound, long noted for making great-sounding products at affordable prices, has announced updates for two of its most highly regarded home theater products, the AVC-2500 preamp/processor and the HCA-2205A power amp.
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Subwoofer Reviews
Face Off: Sub-$1,000 Subwoofers
Clint Walker  |  Aug 27, 2000  |  First Published: Aug 28, 2000
A trio of subwoofers under $1,000 go head to head. See who's left standing.

Last month's Home Theater featured an in-depth look at subwoofers. I hope that you were left with a feeling of understanding rather than confusion. If I hit my mark, you should not only be a more-knowledgeable consumer, but you should enjoy the inner workings of your theater more.

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Revox E-542 42-Inch Plasma Monitor
Mike Wood  |  Aug 27, 2000  |  First Published: Aug 28, 2000
The Revox E-542 42-inch plasma monitor lets you custom-tailor your TV to your décor.

"WOW!" That was about the only word photographer Randy Cordero and I could muster as we took the bright-yellow-framed plasma set out of its shipping carton. Sure, we'd seen plasma monitors before, but none as striking as this one. We had specially ordered the E-542 in Ferrari yellow, for no other reason than because we could. Revox offers a number of different frames for the display to match your yacht, aircraft, or bedroom décor. It turns out that this isn't the only customizable option either.

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Tower Speaker Reviews
Thiel CS2.3, MCS1, and SCS3 Speakers
Brent Butterworth  |  Aug 27, 2000  |  First Published: Aug 28, 2000
Jaded no more.

I've heard too many speakers. After 10 years of reviewing them, it's hard for me to remember what it was like to be surprised . . . astounded . . . amazed by a really good speaker. However, over the past couple of months, I've gotten a taste of what it was like when I first heard good speakers— when I first experienced broad soundstaging, precise imaging, and a neutral, natural tonal balance.

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AV Receiver Reviews
Yamaha RX-V1 Receiver
Michael Trei  |  Aug 27, 2000  |  First Published: Aug 28, 2000
Yamaha's flagship RX-V1 receiver has enough power and flexibility to float anyone's boat. Flagship is one of those words like ultimate and reference that just can't seem to get any respect these days. The next time we see last year's "ultimate" product superseded by this year's "improved" model, I think we should all complain to the manufacturer.
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Audio Video News
Mitsubishi Introduces Industry's Largest DLP Big Screen Set
HT Staff  |  Aug 27, 2000
The biggest television set ever made with Digital Light Processing technology is on its way from Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Inc. On August 24, the company announced the retail debut of the WD-65000, said to "mark a new era in multimedia entertainment."
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Audio Video News
Disney Will Release Fantasia Series on DVD
HT Staff  |  Aug 27, 2000
One of the most ambitious projects in the history of animation will celebrate its 60th anniversary this fall, and Walt Disney Home Entertainment plans to make it something special. Fantasia, the groundbreaking film that debuted in 1940 and has astounded generations of kids and adults ever since, will be released on DVD this coming November 14.
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