Audio Video News

Home theater continues to be one of the electronics industry's fastest-growing segments, and within it, affordable systems are one of the fastest growing sub-segments.

Onkyo has introduced a very affordable complete home theater system, with surround-sound receiver, DVD/CD player, and multichannel speakers. The HTS-L5 system is available as a package or as individual components. The TX-L5 receiver decodes DTS, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro-Logic II , and the matching DV-L5 DVD/CD player plays DVDs and five different types of compact disc, including MP3-encoded CDs. The SKS-105 speaker system includes two tower speakers for left-right front channel use, a center channle speaker, two surround effects speakers, and a 60-watt powered subwoofer. The system is designed to provide "performance and cutting-edge quality without undue clutter," according to a November 14 annoucement.

The receiver offers nine DSP soundfields in addition to standard surround modes, and 96-kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) on all channels for high-quality reproduction of digital sources.. Its "Wide Range Amplifier Technology" is said to provide superior high fidelity amplification. Inputs include one coaxial and two optical digital inputs, three S-Video inputs and two S-Video outputs. The AM/FM tuner has 30 presets and FM auto-scan tuning as well as tape/MD and video dubbing capabilities.

The DV-L5 DVD/CD player plays DVDs, audio and MP3 CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and video CD's. It features 192-kHz/24-bit audio DACs for superb audio reproduction, and has direct digital path and selectable 48-kHz/96-kHz digital out for maximum compatibility with the TX-L5 receiver. The player has component video, S-video and composite A/V outputs, as well as both optical and coaxial digital outputs for DTS, Dolby Digital, and PCM signals.

The SKS-105 speaker package features a pair of D-105F slim towers, two D-105M surround speakers, and one D-105C center speaker---all with 3.5" OMF (Onkyo Microfiber) woofers, and a high-efficiency one-inch soft-dome tweeter with a Neodymium magnet. The D-105Fs and D-105C have dual woofers. The front, center, and surround speakers are magnetically shielded for use near CRTs, and have extensively braced MDF cabinets for low resonance.

Low frequency reinforcement comes from the SKW-50 bass reflex powered subwoofer with an inboard 60-watt amplifier. Front-panel controls allow adjustment of both frequency response and output levels. The subwoofer's frequency response is 30-200Hz. Priced individually, the receiver and disc player are $400 each; the speaker system is priced at $600. Purchased together, the entire Onkyo HTS-L5 Home costs only $1300.