GenevaSound All-in-One Stereo for CD, iPod, iPhone, Radio, Line-in (Large-Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Previously, in my search for the ultimate "all-in-one" sound system, I purchased the B&W Zeppelin and Bose Sounddock 10 and put them head to head in my own home. The B&W zeppelin was the clear the winner of that comparison with clear natural sound that really brought out the beauty of recorded music. The Bose had more volume capability and slightly more bass in the lowest registers, but it struggled to bring out the tone, accuracy and depth of the Zeppelin and my refence system, consisting of Full range Dynaudio Towers and NAD amplification. Of course this led me to wonder if there were any other systems out there that could be better yet. This led to me to Geneva. The Geneva line of systems has been out for several years, but I had never listened to them before. Geneva has systems of various sizes ranging from S to XXL, and I went with one right in the middle, the L. When I received my Geneva L, I was immediately impressed with the packaging and the fit and finish of the product. The glossy paint was perfect and the system integrated perfectly with the brushed metal stand, an optional piece from Geneva. It was very easy to operate. I opened the wooden flap on top of the unit, plugged in my Ipod, and powered the system on. Within minutes I was listening to my playlist. Now it was time to see what this thing could do. I already had a playlist of about 50 songs encoded from my CD collection in apple lossless. This is the same list of songs that I used to evaluate my home reference system, the B&W Zeppelin and Bose Sounddock 10. I then played about 50 hours of music and full bandwidth pink noise through the system in order to break it in. I can't stress enough how much the sound changes in all of these systems during the break in process, the Geneva most of all. After listening to my playlist on the Geneva L, I was truly amazed. The sound was simply fantastic. It has the clarity and tonal excellence of the B&W with overall volume capability and deep bass that surpassed both systems. There were a couple of trouble tracks, such as Joss Stone's "Less is More" and Jack Johnson's "Taylor," which caused the Zeppelin to exhibit port noise and some loss of coherency. The Geneva L played both of those songs beautifully, at high volume, without issue. The overall impact of this system was something that completely took me off guard. Listening to these systems side by side also showed how much deeper the sound stage of the Geneva L was. In fact it projected a sound image that was nearly as wide and deep as my reference system. The Geneva did appear to have less punch with very low volume listening which may be due to less dynamic loudness in the DSP. I also very much enjoyed listening to CD's and FM radio which is all included with the Geneva L. It became obvious to me very quickly as I was comparing the Geneva to other Ipod docks that this was not really apples to apples. First, this is a more expensive product at $999, but it was also a lot more than an Ipod Dock. With CD, FM, ipod and such full range sound, the Geneva was the first system that I consider a true stereo replacement, and could easily be the primary music system in my home. It really has the sound quality, dynamics, and imaging of full size stereo system in one sleek unit with a single single power cord. This system is a unique product is an excellent value for all that it can do, and I look forward to enjoying it for some time to come. I hope this helps anyone who is on the eternal quest for an "all-in-one" system that really can do it all.

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From Switzerland, GenevaSound is \'furniture music" – a renewed fusion of home entertainment and home décor that brings technology and design full circle. Visually, Geneva is a classic design statement. But beyond its striking simplicity, Geneva\'s clean lines embody an advanced acoustical array that\'s won the highest marks from leading audio reviewers. One look at GenevaSound reveals why it\'s sold in leading design and fashion houses from Milan to Manhattan. Listen to Geneva Sound and you\'ll know why its patented audio engineering is found in recording studios that repeatedly win Grammies and Oscars. Never before have such a variety of functions been integrated into one compact cabinet - a complete, powerful hifi system with a slot-loading CD player, an iPod-iPhone dock, a radio tuner with digital presets, and line-in jacks. Leading reviewers say it's the easiest multi-function stereo ever. Geneva Sound Large delivers room-filling sound, thanks to the power of its four 25 watt amplifiers, for a total of 100 watts of Class D amplification, a new generation of extremely efficient, low-power-consumption amplifiers. On the top of the GenevaSound Large is a slot-loading CD player. Ahead of the CD slot is the 30-pin iPod+iPhone connector hidden under a flip-up lid. Embedded in the GenevaSound cabinet is a digital radio tuner; no tabletop radio has ever sounded this big before. Setting your favorite stations as a present in the remote control has never been easier. GenevaSound Large also has auxiliary line-in connections - 3.5 mm and also RCA. These can bring in sound from almost any audio device. The cabinet measures: height 11.5 inches, depth 14.2 inches, width 17.6 inches. It weighs 38 pounds. This model comes with brushed aluminum feet with rubberized footpads. There are optional floor pedestals. The GenevaSound Large Gloss is available in three colors: white, red and black gloss lacquer.

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Paradigm Cinema 110 CT 5.1 Home Theater Surround Sound System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)To start off by no means am I a Sound geru. I just wanted a better sounding system in my living room for movies I had a bose lifesyle system prior to this and it was just a waste of money. So I shopped a round at the local stores. With price as a consideration I decided to go the the ct110 theather speakers they are small yet put out termendous sound. The subwoofer works good and trys to make up for having smaller speakers for the most part it does it's job quit well. This speakers work well in a mid to small rooms. I would deff buy them agian IM running a marantz sr5004 reciver and am getting rich warm sound. Over all they look nice, just the right size. and for being one of paradigms budget lower line products they produce amazing sound. Probley can easly compair this to higher end jvc,polk,dennon,etc. I have less invested in this system with reciever and blueray player then I have in my lifestyle system wich is my bedroom now. The sound diff is incredible. Dont be fooled by what you hear in the stores with bose. I swear to you it will not sound that good in your home. The paradigm speakers make watching movies at home fun agian. I hope this helps. But please dont take my word for it. please research your speaker choice before buying them. I did and found nothing but good reviews for this speakers all over the internet. AAA++++ product thanks Paradigm.

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6-Pc. Paradigm Cinema 110 CT 5.1 Compact Theater Surround Sound System. From the #1 Brand in Loudspeakers comes Cinema 110 CT 5.1 Compact Theater Surround Sound System for music, home theater and computer gaming. 3 Cinema LCR speakers, 2 Cinema ADP surrounds boasting Paradigm\'s ADP (Adapted Dipole) technology for extraordinary surround performance (visit www.paradigm.com for more info on ADP technology) and a powerful subwoofer with 10˝ driver. Wall brackets for mounting speakers included. Paradigm CT systems deliver Performance and Value like no conventional Home Theater in a Box (HTiB) system can! Buyer beware: Typical HTiB systems are all about price, not sound. Or even worse, expensive marketing hype and still not sound. When it comes to sound quality, those other systems simply cannot deliver. Paradigm Cinema CT\'s are all about performance. They deliver 5.1 audiophile-quality sound without sacrificing lifestyle size, good looks or a great price. They\'re every bit affordable as those other HTiB systems, but when it comes to performance, they leave conventional HTiB stuck in the box! Cinema CT systems integrate beautifully, delivering a seamless soundstage that brings movies and gaming to life and makes music sound \'live." Price/Value in Inside Track Annual Dealer Survey, an annual independent nationwide survey of consumer electronics specialist retailers and custom installers. About Paradigm The Ultimate in Sound for Music and Home Theater. For over twenty-five years, Paradigm has set the standard for sonic excellence in every product category we offer. Our focus on providing the best in performance and value pushes the boundaries in speaker design. Stunning accuracy, a spacious soundstage with pinpoint localization, powerful, well-defined bass and thrilling dynamics are hallmarks of our advanced speaker designs. For more info on Paradigm products visit www.paradigm.com or contact us: +1 905 696 2842.

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GenevaSound All-in-One Stereo for CD, iPod, iPhone, Radio, Line-in (Large-Walnut) Review

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(More customer reviews)Back in the day, actually before my time, televisions and stereos were designed to be both functional and beautiful - they were considered furniture, an essential complement to a well-designed room. Now, of course, function trumps form for most electronic gadgets, and most are ugly. With the advent of flat screen LCD televisions at least they don't look like the hulking monstrosities that overwhelm the room like the big TVs of the past couple decades, but it's still true that a decent sound system tends to be a box covered with buttons and indicators, and connected by endless wires to a range of speakers spread throughout the room.
That's not necessary if you've got one of these Geneva Sound L systems in the living room. It's an elegant blend of form and function - the sound is astonishing, especially considering that it all comes from a single wooden box. Did I mention wooden? The walnut variety, which is the one I've tried, is not just walnut coloring, it's actually encased in wood, and the metallic grating that covers the multiple speakers inside is just the right tint to match it perfectly. The whole system is small enough not to get in the way, but it delivers 100 Watts of stereo surround sound that can really fill a room for an immersive musical or theatrical sound experience.
Geneva Lab is known for setting an early high fidelity sound and design standard for iPod docking systems. This one is at the middle of their range -- they have one that's a bit bigger and one that's a lot bigger and a few smaller ones. I only have experience with this one and the smaller S model. For me and for my living room I can't imagine needing anything more. It feels solid and there is a serious heft to it - the system actually weighs about 40 pounds - it's not filled with cheap lightweight equipment that'll blow out when it gets loud. It can do radio and takes input from a television or other device, and there's a little, almost invisible, slot for CDs in the top, plus a panel flips open when you push it to reveal a universal iPod dock. It works perfectly with my nano and iPod touch. You can put it on the floor or a table, but Geneva Sound also sells a shiny and stable metallic stand that elevates it a couple of feet for optimum sound range. There's an LCD display that indicates the mode (radio with 6 preset buttons on the remote, iPod, CD or auxiliary), the CD track (will play CD-ROM and mp3 CDs as well as standard) and the volume (on a scale of 1-100) and the bass and treble values (each scaled from -6.0 to +6.0). All inputs, including the outlet plug, and L-R RCA input, are hidden beneath the box so that it looks good from behind -- and if you have the stand all cords can run from the device through the stand's support beam for simplicity and appearance.
Of course, it's the sound that matters most, and to my ears this really delivers. I've never really wanted a massive sound system in my living room but this one really fills the room with sound, both for watching movies and hanging out to music. While it's all in one box, there are actually two sets of speakers behind the screen - there's a pair of 1" tweeters and a couple of 5 1/4" woofers. While most of the sound is directed out from the front of the box, there's also a sound output slot in the rear, probably to help deliver a more expansive sound.The "sound test" CD that comes with the box is pretty amazing ... you drop it in and can literally hear sound coming from all directions, and this device is set to deliver that experience wherever the recorded input has the information. I didn't expect that level of "spatial differentiation" from a sound system that is this self-contained. I was also very impressed by the range -- even on a low volume it delivers what I can only describe as a "big" sound, that fills the room even without being "loud." But, I'm happy to say, it can get very loud without sounding "noisy" -- I've played jazz and hip-hop, rock and pop, and I'm very happy with the sound performance throughout, at various sound ranges.
There are a few problems, though, mostly minor but still annoying. One thing that bugs me about the design is that the buttons on the device itself (hidden along with the iPod dock beneath a wooden flip-up panel) don't do much. There's an on-off button a CD eject button and up-down volume buttons, and an input jack (for mp3 players that aren't compatible with the iPod Universal dock). What that means is that most functions on the system require use of the remote control -- and for me that is a drawback, both because in a house with kids like mine remote controls tend to wander around and are hard to find when you need them most, and because it detracts from the overall simplicity and ease. I imagine they left extra buttons off (pause, stop, song forward and back, mode switching, bass and treble adjust) in the interest of simplicity, but what that means is that the device itself isn't really self-contained, and so is inherently more complex -- to use it you have to have another thing lying around nearby. Of course it's nice to have the remote if you need it, but I like to consider a remote as an auxiliary rather than an essential. Why it's strange, too, is that there's plenty of room near the iPod dock for a few extra buttons that would still be hidden away and not detract from the aesthetics of the device. I like that I can play CDs here directly, and that it plays mp3 CDs, but I wish there was some more control in how it plays them. By default it plays them straight through (no random shuffle) and on repeat mode - and there's no way to change that. I tend to think that if a high end device like this supports a function (like playing CDs) it should support that function fully, not minimally as here.
Still, while I'd love to see an upgrade that fixes these annoyances, as a whole I think this is a beautiful device that delivers exceptional sound in an elegant and convenient package, and that's what it's all about.
About the video: I shot this as a quick illustration of the overall design of this device - shot against a green screen with a sky background because I like to play around with the green screen. One problem with that, as you'll see: there's a greenish tint on the sound system -- that's because I wasn't taking enough care to separate the lighting of the screen from the lighting of the device.

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GenevaSound Large in Walnut is the first of its kind to feature genuine hardwood veneer. From Switzerland, GenevaSound is "furniture music" – a renewed fusion of home entertainment and home décor that brings technology and design full circle. Visually, Geneva is a classic design statement. But beyond its striking simplicity, Geneva’s clean lines embody an advanced acoustical array that's won the highest marks from leading audio reviewers. One look at GenevaSound reveals why it's sold in leading design and fashion houses from Milan to Manhattan. Listen to Geneva Sound and you’ll know why its patented audio engineering is found in recording studios that repeatedly win Grammies and Oscars. Never before have such a variety of functions been integrated into one compact cabinet - a complete, powerful hifi system with a slot-loading CD player, an iPod-iPhone dock, a radio tuner with digital presets, and line-in jacks. Leading reviewers say it's the easiest multi-function stereo ever. Geneva Sound Large delivers room-filling sound, thanks to the power of its four 25 watt amplifiers, for a total of 100 watts of Class D amplification, a new generation of extremely efficient, low-power-consumption amplifiers. On the top of the GenevaSound Large is a slot-loading CD player. Ahead of the CD slot is the 30-pin iPod+iPhone connector hidden under a flip-up lid. Embedded in the GenevaSound cabinet is a digital radio tuner; no tabletop radio has ever sounded this big before. Setting your favorite stations as a present in the remote control has never been easier. GenevaSound Large also has auxiliary line-in connections - 3.5 mm and also RCA. These can bring in sound from almost any audio device. The cabinet measures: height 11.5 inches, depth 14.2 inches, width 17.6 inches. It weighs 38 pounds. This model comes with brushed aluminum feet with rubberized footpads. There are optional floor pedestals.

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Boston Acoustics SoundWareXS5.1W 5.1 Speaker System (White) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought these about two months ago & for the size, they make a big sound! Now, let's be real here. They don't sound as detailed or loud as floor standing speakers, or larger bookshelf speakers. Whithout the sub, they sound pretty small. That's because they are. But if you want some great looking & sounding surround sound system in a box, this is a great choice. I have this in a small living room set up. I had my Sony STR-DH710 7.1-channel A/V Receiver with 6 HD Inputs [3D Compatible]calibrate the speakers & viola! Excellent home theater sound. I plugged my iPod into it & listen to a wide variety of music, from MF Doom to Leonard Cohen & points in between. To my ears sound better than Bose (I think they're overrated, anyway).
They're small enough to not be an eyesore to most girlfriends/ wives. A BIG plus!

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The SoundWare XS 5.1 speaker system is an ultra-compact 5.1 package bringing a new level of style and substance to lifestyle surround sound systems. It delivers rich, balanced and articulate sound without visually dominating a room.So compact as to virtually disappear, yet subtly stylish complementing any décor. The system\'s five ultra-compact satellites are real two-way speakers (unlike many competitors). Each features a high-performance 2½-inch (64mm) mid-bass driver and a ½-inch (13mm) soft dome tweeter delivering smooth high frequencies and surprising mid bass impact. The color matched powered subwoofer features radiused edges that mimic the satellite design. It's 100-watt (250 watts peak) amplifier and 8-inch Deep Channel Design (203mm) woofer use Boston's patented BassTraccircuitry for tight, distortion-free bass at all output levels. Omni directional wall mounting brackets are included for easy installation of all five satellite speakers. Boston Acoustics has been exceeding the expectations of serious listeners for more than thirty years. See how the SoundWare XS 5.1 System will exceed yours...

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DICE iTPA-220 iPod Tube Amplifier System Review

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(More customer reviews)I ordered one of these Dice vacuum tube amplifier/speaker sets for my iPod this week. It arrived the day after they shipped even though I used Super Saver shipping!
I work out of a home office when not traveling and spend 10 hours a day in there. I have been looking for the right iPod system. I am picky about sound (although iPod is a compromise) and I am already a tube geek since I only tube powered guitar amps. I really didn't want to spend the $300-$500 on the other tube systems I found so the $199.00 price tag was perfect.
Now that is up and playing in my office all I can say is WOW! The tube amp and speakers bring out the music in my iPod in a way that fills the room. The sound stays nicely balanced even when turned down low. You won't be disappointed.

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The iPod tube amplifier system fills your home or office with true audiophile, rich and warm quality sound. When placed into the iPod docking tray, it charges the iPod allowing endless hours of listening to your favorite music. The amplifier system has an auxiliary input for additional audio devices such as a computer or any MP3 players. It also features a video output for use with 5th generation Video iPod models. The speakers feature a bass reflex port to increase bass response. The built in 2x20 Watt solid state amplifier, the 4" mid/bass driver and the 1" dome tweeter creates a wide dynamic range for an enhanced music quality. The dual 6N3 tubes in the preamplifier gives the listener the warmest sound and the clearest highs ever heard from an iPod docking station. The \'warmth" and \'richness" typically associated with \'valve sound" comes from the presence of 2nd order distortion smoothing the output soundwave. The unit comes with a remote control having volume control, mute, next/previous track, play and pause functions. The tube preamplifier creates a more natural sound as opposed to the often harsh, dry sound of digital audio. Experience for yourself the sound that others are talking about.

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GenevaSound All-in-One Stereo for CD, Radio, iPod, iPhone, Line-in (Medium-White) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Geneva M puts out an incredible sound for such a small little box and while it has no handles, it is easy to transfer between rooms to enjoy my fantastic music anywhere.
The Geneva sound is excellent from top to bottom, and bass production lives up to the quality of the music played. The level of power is stronger with CD's than my i-Pod, but this is true with my primary large stereo system as well.
The beauty of the stereo is in its fine simplicity and fine craftsmanship. It enhances my room but does not define it.
I also love the remote control. It is simple, easy to see and accomplishes what it is intended to accomplish. I do not feel that I need to wear my glasses and get out a driver's manual.
Overall, the performance of the Geneva M is spectacular.

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One look at GenevaSound reveals why it is sold in leading design and fashion houses from Milan to Manhattan. Listen to GenevaSound and hear why its patented audio engineering is found in recording studios that repeatedly win Grammies and Oscars. From Switzerland, GenevaSound is furniture music – a renewed fusion of home entertainment and home décor that brings technology and design full circle. Visually, Geneva is a classic design statement. But beyond its striking simplicity, the clean lines embody an advanced acoustical array that\'s won the highest marks from leading audio reviewers. Geneva Sound Medium is not even 8 inches high, yet never before have such a variety of functions been integrated into one compact cabinet - a complete, powerful hifi system with a slot-loading CD player, an iPod-iPhone dock, a radio tuner with digital presets, and a line-in jack. Leading reviewers say it's the easiest multi-function stereo ever. Geneva Sound Medium is a bookshelf size but delivers room-filling sound, thanks to the power of its four 25 watt amplifiers, for a total of 100 watts of Class D amplification, a new generation of extremely efficient, low-power-consumption amplifiers. On the top of the GenevaSound M is a slot-loading CD player. Behind the CD slot is the 30-pin iPod+iPhone connector. GenevaSound Medium is the first high-end multifunction stereo to be certified for the new iPhone. Embedded in the GenevaSound cabinet is a digital radio tuner; no tabletop radio has ever sounded this big before. Setting your favorite stations as a present in the remote control has never been easier. GenevaSound Medium also has an auxiliary line-in connection. This can bring in sound from almost any audio device. The cabinet measures: height 7.8 inches, depth 10.6 inches, width 14.2 inches. It weighs 15 pounds. This model comes with brushed aluminum feet with rubberized footpads. The GenevaSound Medium is available in three gloss colors: white, red and black.

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GenevaSound All-in-One Stereo for CD, iPod, Radio, iPhone, Line-in (Xtra Large-Red) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have bought many products through Amazon and yet this is the first time I have felt the urge to leave a review.
If you are looking for natural studio reference quality sound reproduction with style and simplicity, you have now found it.
True stereo sound from one beautifully designed enclosure and no wires!
One remote control handles all functions.
This unit plays CDs, I-Pods and I-Phones and will accept connection to all other manner of inputs. The only drawback is that the built in FM radio antenna does not receive strong stereo signals but why bother when you can play any world radio station through an I-Phone with a wi-fi connection and charge your phone at the same time. I have not switched on my expensive high-end music system since buying the Genevasound. The speaker enclosures are a wonder to hear and also look great.
Very highly recommended.

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One look at GenevaSound reveals why it’s sold in leading design and fashion houses from Milan to Manhattan. Listen to Geneva Sound and you’ll know why its patented audio engineering is found in recording studios that repeatedly win Grammies and Oscars.From Switzerland, GenevaSound is "furniture music” – a renewed fusion of home entertainment and home décor that brings technology and design full circle. Visually, Geneva is a classic design statement. But beyond its striking simplicity, Geneva’s clean lines embody an advanced acoustical array that’s won the highest marks from leading audio reviewers. Never before have such a variety of functions been integrated into one compact cabinet - a complete, powerful hifi system with a slot-loading CD player, an iPod-iPhone dock, a radio tuner with digital presets, and a line-in jack. Leading reviewers say it's the easiest multi-function stereo ever. GenevaSound XL can fill a dance hall with music, thanks to the power of its six 100 watt amplifiers, for a total of 600 watts of Class D amplifiers, a new generation of extremely efficient, low-power-consumption amplifiers. On the top of the GenevaSound XL is a slot-loading CD player. Behind the CD slot is the 30-pin iPod+iPhone connector. Embedded in the GenevaSound cabinet is a digital radio tuner; no tabletop radio has ever sounded this big before. Setting your favorite stations as a present in the remote control has never been easier. GenevaSound XL also has 2 auxiliary line-in connections, 3.5 mm and RCA, connecting to almost any audio device.The cabinet measures: height 24.1 inches, depth 14.5 inches, width 21.7 inches. It weighs 84 pounds. This model comes with brushed aluminum feet with rubberized footpads. The GenevaSound XL is available in three colors: white, red and black gloss.

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Klipsch HD Theater 1000 - 5.1-channel home theater speaker system - 700 Watt (total) - black Review

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(More customer reviews)Klipsch HD Theater 1000 - 5.1-channel home theater speaker system - 700 Watt (total) - black - 5.1-channel home theater speaker system - 700 Watt (total) - black
Wow, what a great sound! Just purchased and installed these new speakers in my game room. Pushing them with a Yamaha RX V565 7.1 Receiver. These speakers rock and far exceed a more expensive system I have in the tv room. I would strongly recommend these speakers to anyone that enjoys crisp clean music. Don't get me wrong, that Klipsch base will thump the walls without distortion, but the sound quality overall is just wonderful.


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The HD-1000 delivers premium, high definition sound via five identical satellites and a powerful 10" subwoofer. Each two-way satellite utilizes an aluminum tweeter loaded in a MicroTractrix horn and dual 2.5mid-bass drivers in a ported enclosure to produce dynamic and realistic sound from very small cabinets. This small footprint allows flexibility in mounting options and locations while disappearing into the room's decor. Filling in the bottom end is a powerful 10" subwoofer. This ported subwoofer system is designed with music and movies in mind allowing every nuance and every hard hitting effect to immerse the listener in the soundtrack. The HDT-1000 is designed to turn any living space with a flat panel TV into a true high definition home-theater system.System produces more output using less energy, doesn't require a lot of amplifier power Durable, high-quality components yield long-lasting performance Clean, modern design looks great in any roomMagnetically shielded speakers include-20 inserts for wall or stand mounting Dimensions (H x W x D) - Satellite -8.6 x 4 x 5.5 Center Channel -3.6 x 9 x 3.85 Each satellite has these speakers - Tweeters -0.75 aluminum dome; Mid-range drivers -2.5 fiber composite cone with a Frequency Bandwidth (Sat/Center) -41Hz - 21kHz Recommended Amplifier Power -100 watts per channel Powered subwoofer - Dimensions (H x W x D) -15.75 x 11.5 x 17.75 with one Driver -10 fiber-composite cone Built-in Amplifier -Digital Hybrid; 200 watts RMS (420 watts peak) with a frequency bandwidth -35Hz - 120Hz Level Control -Rear panel mounted potentiometer; Crossover Control -Variable, 40Hz - 120Hz

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3򈭽? GS Series III DVD Home Entertainment System - Graphite Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this late August '08 from a Bose store (prices fixed at $1k at all stores right now). First off, it is 2 speakers that fit in the palm of your hand, and a somewhat large woofer that can be put out of sight (e.g., behind TV cabinet). Sound is amazing given it's only 2.1 speakers. System does an okay job at filling the room with sound (I don't think it's fair to say it seems like there really are rear speakers, but the sound is for sure big and full), but it does deliver all 5.1 channels of sound through the 2.1 speakers when listening to those sources - awesome. Big + for me is that music sounds really good - not always true on home theater systems. Unit is easy to use and set-up - onscreen menus straight forward, and universal remote really is universal (including my cable box). Upconverting of DVD picture looks great. Sound from TV and DVDs is amazing (especially digital 5.1 sound from HD channels).
Now, for the cons: I wish it served as a video receiver as well - it does not. Example, this means when I watch cable I need to turn the TV on to cable video input and set the Bose to cable audio output - not a big deal but a bit annoying. There is only 1 optical audio input (which you can assign to any available source), but digital coax inputs are there for all sources (sound and signal for optical vs. coax digital audio is the same, differences heard are people playing vodoo). There is a bit of a sound delay when switching sound sources or when changing cable channels (~0.5-1 second) before the sound starts again.
Lots of people knock Bose because they are expensive. Well, Bose really does have superior speaker (always have) and now digital processing technology - look into it yourself, don't just trust reviews online from random people (such as myself). But, you should take a trip down to a Bose store or Best Buy and listen for yourself. And bring a full band audio CD to listen to of your own (the Dave Matthews acoustic demo they always play is stupid - acoustic guitar sounds good even on crappy speakers).
If you have the $$ and don't want to hassle with 5.1 speakers, at least give this some serious consideration.
Another note: I shelled out another $100 for the overpriced speaker stands (floor stands), and did notice a slight increase in quality as the speakers can spread out their sound a little better (as opposed to my previous set-up where they were on the edge of a shelf).

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The Bose? 3򈭽? GS Series III DVD home entertainment system puts you at the center of exciting home theater with greater simplicity. Just two visible Gemstone speaker arrays-our smallest, most powerful 3򈭽 speakers-and a hideaway Acoustimass module deliver enhanced sound performance from almost anything you watch. Setup is simple: No center or rear speakers means no wiring to the back of your room. An elegant media center features a progressive scan DVD/CD player with FM/AM tuner, and an HDMI output that makes it even easier to connect to your HDTV. Plus, an easy-to-use universal remote control is programmable to run most of your home entertainment devices together with your system.

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Klipsch AWR-650-SM Sandstone (Ea.) Outdoor Rock Speaker Review

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(More customer reviews)I ordered a pair of these speakers to replace a pair of Krell 'rock speakers.' I used the Krell speakers for five years and noticed sound quality was poor and distorted this season. The speakers are located adjacent to the house near my pool. They are somewhat protected from the elements in that they are under the eaves of my home. The Klipsch speakers seem well made and size appropriate, but are lighter in weight and slightly larger in size than the Krell speakers. The sound quality is good except I would like more bass. The speakers are optimally positioned at the inside corners of my brick home. Other than inadequate bass, volume is excellent, without distortion, and more than adequate for entertaining during noisy parties.

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For over 60 years, we've been about no-compromise audio performance and our rock speaker is no exception. Just listen and you'll discover that it delivers an amazing, full-bodied bass response for its price range. The AWR-650-SM is a true two-way design that employs a 6.5-inch dual voice coil polymer woofer and dual 3/4-inch polymer dome tweeters. The speaker's dual tweeter design allows it to play both left and right stereo signals with precision and clarity. Additionally, it can be wired for mono output in instances where several models are needed to bring smooth and even coverage to larger areas.

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GenevaSound S HiFi Docking Station with FM and Alarm for iPod/iPhone (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a tech geek gadget freak--I admit it--but I'm also a music fanatic and an audiophile who has worked in the home theater/hifi/consumer electronics industry most of my life, and more importantly I've had the opportunity to listen to literally hundreds of sound systems, big and small, over my career. I do have a great, large, 2-channel audio system in my living room that I use for critical listening, but when bopping around the house I actually prefer to haul my iPhone around in my pocket and use it as a source to stream to wirelessly from my iTunes collection on my computer (told you I was a geek), popping it into iPod docks and minisystems I have placed in each room.
Each of these dock speakers/systems in the house is from a different manufacturer, so I have quite a bit of listening experience with many brands, not only from the units I own or have owned, but also from demos I've done at Apple retail stores and many Consumer Electronics Shows. I'd also like to think I have a pretty discriminating ear, but that's just my opinion.
The GenevaSound S by Swiss company Geneva Lab is hands-down the best iPhone/iPod dock speaker system in its size and price range that I've ever heard. I currently own Klipsch, Bose, Logitech, and Cambridge Soundworks units, and it blows them all away. Surprisingly, the Klipsch iGroove SXT comes closest to the Geneva and that's at half the price (if you're paying full retail). If you need a great sounding iPod speaker dock without a radio or alarm functions it's my solid recommendation. The Bose Sounddock is the product that's most comparably priced to the Geneva S, but based on the sound quality (or lack thereof) I've heard that thing produce I wouldn't take one home if you gave it to me. Plus--no radio, no alarm--it's not even a comparable unit even though it sells at retail for the same price as the Geneva S. The unit I'm replacing with my Geneva, a Bose Wave clock radio/CD player, sounds so bad in comparison that it went right to the trash after I set the Geneva up and listened to it.
First, the sound. Full, decent stereo separation, great low end (for its size anyway), clear highs. It's perfect for a bedroom, which as an alarm clock is what it's designed for, but I wouldn't recommend it for any room larger than that. I think based on the volume level you would need to fill a large room you would probably get some rattle and distortion in the cabinet. But again, it should give you more than enough output in your bedroom, the space for which it was designed.
Also, I've read in some online reviews of the product that the tone controls (separate bass and treble) on the remote control have no audible effect on the sound. I don't agree. While their effect on the sound is definitely more subtle than the tone controls on a full sized home audio system, they did change the sound noticeably when I bumped them up or down.
The looks. It's a stunning-looking unit, and very well designed from an aesthetic aspect. Reminds me somewhat of the Bang & Olufson line a little, but much cleaner and simpler. And definitely sturdier. Based on the weight of the unit and the build quality, I doubt you'll have any reliability issues. I bought the black lacquer version, and it looks as good if not better than advertised. I do have a bit of a beef with the included stand though...not sure why they didn't make it in a color matching the cabinet. The gray metal looks a little cheap holding up the unit, and I imagine it would look equally cheesy with the white and red versions. But despite how the stand detracts from its overall beauty, I would never use the unit without it. You will definitely get better sound from the Geneva if it's raised off of the surface a few inches, plus using it with the stand does give you a little more room on your nightstand.
The features have been detailed pretty thoroughly on the product's Amazon page here, so I won't go over them again. It's a pretty stripped down product, without the number of bells and whistles I would have preferred for the price. Two things I DID like about the Bose Wave's clock radio was the way the alarm would very gradually increase in volume until it reached your preset level, and the way the LED display would dim or brighten automatically based on the light in the room. But hey--the Swiss are known for their minimalism aren't they? And besides, the sound quality is far more important to me than those small innovations.
The unit is far from perfect, in spite of its great sound quality. Here are my quibbles, beefs, and cons:
--The clock. Military time only. Yeah I can do the math in my head after Noon, but c'mon Geneva! It's just a simple 4-digit LED display. How hard would it have been to program the units shipped to the US differently? Not a deal-breaker though.
--The radio. You have to use an old-school, chrome, telescoping metal radio antenna (included) to get any reception whatsoever. There's a good reason you won't see it in any of the product images: it completely ruins the aesthetic of the unit. UGLY. Good thing you can unplug it or retract it when not in use. And even with the ugly antenna plugged in, I still get pretty poor reception no matter which direction I place it in. I live in a densely populated part of the LA metro area too, so my distance from radio towers isn't an issue. My Bose and Cambridge units (both clock radios) do a far better job of radio reception in the exact same location. Also, the GenevaSound S is FM only. But seriously--if you're going to listen to garbage quality AM on your clock radio this unit probably isn't for you. I'm sure you can pick up a hotel-grade radio for $10 or so at your local drug store for that. Overall these radio issues are not deal-breakers for me. I didn't buy a device that plays music this beautifully to listen to FM, and since I use it with my iPhone I have plenty of apps installed that allow me to stream radio anyway, and in much better quality.
--Mode switching. A little bothersome quirk I noticed: when you pull your iPhone/iPod out of the dock, it automatically switches to the FM radio. It wouldn't be such a big deal, except in my case since my FM reception is so horrible it ends up going from music to loud static. Why doesn't it just turn off? Not sure why they designed it that way, but not a good idea in my opinion. Geneva does warn you about this feature in the manual, but that still doesn't excuse it from being a bad idea. Not a deal-breaker, and you may get better FM reception than me so this may not be an issue for you anyway.
--Alarm. Just one alarm. Both of my other clock radios have two, which is great for cohabiting couples. Do all Swiss people sleep alone? I also wish you could listen to one source and wake to another, a feature on my other two clock radios. With the Geneva, it will only wake you to whatever source you were listening to when you fell asleep. I'd prefer to sleep to music and wake to the radio, but no can do. Also not a deal-breaker, but worth noting. If you're an iPhone user like me, I've actually found a workaround for this: turn off the GenevaSound S's alarm completely and use the iPhone's built-in alarm in its Clock app (included with every iPhone). That way you can still fall asleep to the music of your choice and then wake to either one of the iPhone's 25 standard alarm sounds or to one of your ring tones instead of the one GevevaSound S's own unimaginative "beep". Another benefit of my method is that in the unlikely event you lose power at home overnight you'll still be awakened by the alarm on the iPhone played through its own little speaker. Geneva claims in the manual "the clock remains valid for up to 1 hour of power loss." In my experience "up to" usually refers to a best case scenario, so if you work in a critical job that you can not afford to show up late for I'm not sure I'd put my trust in Geneva Labs on this one.
--Sleep timer. Or rather lack thereof. That's right, for some reason Geneva Labs decided to leave off this one simple feature that EVERY CLOCK RADIO I'VE EVER OWNED had. So if you're gonna fall asleep to music you're pretty much gonna have to hear the whole album or playlist. Good use for the iPhone/iPod's "On The Go" playlist feature, by the way. And forget about falling asleep listening to the radio, because it will play all night long AND you'll never wake up to an alarm (remember--the GenevaSound S will only wake you to the last source you had on). This is actually the biggest design flaw I see in the unit, and could be a dealbreaker for some if you use it in the bedroom mostly as a clock radio. It wasn't for me--the unit allows you to play an iPhone/iPod through the dock and another through the Line In simultaneously, so I'm working around this by using my iPhone's built-in alarm while listening to music on a separate iPod through the line input. Did I mention I'm a geek?
But none of these issues are serious enough to make me return the GenevaSound S or replace it, and in the end it's all about the sound quality, which is phenomenal. I've found myself going to bed a little earlier and laying in bed a little later in the morning just to stay in the bedroom and listen to music. It sounds that good.
And in my experience, when an audio product makes you want to listen to music more often you've got a winner on your hands.

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From the Swiss firm that first introduced luxury audio fidelity for iPod systems comes the new GenevaSound S - bringing great sound, style and simplicity to the bedroom, kitchen, office and more. GenevaSound S sounds better and does more than any single-function iPod dock on the market, some of which cost 30% to almost 100% more. With more features than single-function docks, GenevaSound S includes the new PowerDock connector, new TouchLight controls, and a digital radio tuner with alarm clock. TouchLight controls are invisible until a hand reaches for the cabinet. Not just eye-catching, it offers extensive control of the iPod menu. (Competitors have limited iPod controls.) When the iPod/iPhone is removed, the motorized PowerDock spins closed and the protruding iPod/iPhone 30-pin connector, a sensitive part, disappears into the cabinet, protecting it from damage and dust. GenevaSound S also comes with a table stand, allowing the user the choice of elevating the system, so it takes up less space on a nightstand, a counter or a desk. The digital radio and programmable alarm make it the best-sounding, simplest iPod clock radio ever, a product segment littered with low-fi sound and eyesore design. It's the first with solid stereo sound and fine design lines.

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Bose® CineMate® GS Series II Digital Home Theater Speaker System Review

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(More customer reviews)I did extensive research before purchasing the Bose Cinemate GS II Series; but before I start my review I have a quick comparison to share by comparing a $300 panasonic system to the Bose Cinemate GS II: I previously owned a panasonic 2.1 system with built in up-convert DVD player which recently broke (lasted about a year). Sound quality on the Bose Cinemate GS II is markedly better than the panasonic system! Plus my audio system is not tied to a standard DVD player. I should have bought this first--instead of being $300 behind the curve than if I just bought the Cinemate GS II to begin with. Just though I should share that in case you are trying to justify the cost.
REVIEW--Info I discovered during my research and since owning for 3 months: I listened to the Cinemate II and the Cinemate GS II side by side in the store, both using the Toslink (digital optical audio) connection and also with the Component (analog audio) connection while watching an action scene from Kung Fu Panda in both BluRay and regular DVD. To me, the Cinemate GS II's sound was clearer and also sharper (crisper highs and clearer mids like with voices). The Cinemate II sounded great too (a lot better than the panasonic), but the sounds tended to be more muddled in the mid-to-high range (as compared to the the Cinemate GS II). But for $200 less and if your ears don't mind the difference (or can't tell the difference) then the Cinemate II is the better bargain. Also, the Cinemate GS II has the universal remote, but I don't use it ( I use a logitech Harmony Universal Remote). The Cinemate II remote has volume up/down, mute, and power on/off. The Cinemate GS II remote has quite a bit of features (a lot actually), and it feels good in your hand; but if you really want one, they are available from Bose for $30.95.
Other good to know info: You can connect both the Toslink and Component audio into the interface module at the same time. The interface module will automatically default to component audio unless there is an active Toslink connection (an active Toslink connection will always override the component audio). What does this mean? I have my DishNetwork receiver connected to the interface module via the component connection for watching TV--this is how I normally use the Bose Cinemate GS II (sounds great by the way). I then have my BlueRay player connected to the interface module via the Toslink connection. When I want to watch a movie, all I have to do is power on the Blueray player and the Bose Cinemate GS II will automatically use the Toslink connection (overrides the component audio). When I am done watching a movie, I power off the Blueray player and the Cinemate GS II automatically switches back to my TV audio. Of course the Toslink audio is the better of the two, but with only two connections available I had to compromise (plus my TV has no Toslink out--which would have been the preferred solution). The interface module works exactly the same whether you have the Cinemate II or the Cinemate GS II. Also, there is a Bass adjustment knob on the Acoustimass module, so you can turn it up or down to your preference. Sorry there are no other manual adjustments that you can do to the Bose Cinemate GS II.
Room filling sound: I have the Bose Cinemate GS II in my living room which is pretty big and it opens directly into the kitchen; total size is 20x60. Despite the room size, and even at a pretty low volume, I can easily understand a TV shows conversations because of the crisp and precise audio reproduction. I use to watch with closed captioning (so the TV can volume can stay at a normal level), but now I have turned closed captioning off.
Even at max volume (watching GI Joe), it was very very loud and the whole house was shaking, but the system did not distort at all--in almost disbelief it seemed to sound even better and clearer. I think that is attributed to the Bose TrueSpace technology which is used to covert 5.1 audio into a 2.1 system; the louder it got, I guess, the more the TrueSpace seemed to kick in.
Despite my acclaim for this system it is pricey; but, it sounds great, it was very easy to setup and it has the Bose 5 year limited warranty on the speakers. However, no matter how much a 2.1 system is touted as a possible replacement for a 5.1 or even a 7.1 system, in my opinion there are no 2.1 systems that can truly replace a 5.1 or 7.1 system. But if you don't like running wires and want a minimalist system with superb sound then I strongly recommend the Bose Cinemate GS II; or if budget minded, or can't discern the audio difference, then the Bose Cinemate II is a solid 2nd choice.

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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 needsThe 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 setupSetting 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')

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Polk Audio SurroundBar 50 Surround System (Single Speaker, Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I got the SurroundBar 50 last week after a few days of research. If you're researching for single speaker surround sound solutions that means you cannot run wires in your room thanks to the landlord or your wife (welcome to my world hehe).
You have couple of options when you're looking for a single speaker solution for your home theater project, and I was down to Yamaha and Polk Audio. Between the two I chose Polk Audio over Yamaha because (A) Yamaha requires a perfect 4 wall room so that sound can bounce back off the walls and create the surround sound effect, which I don't have (cathedral ceiling, staircase in the middle of the house so no back wall and side walls are far apart.) and (B) Yamaha costs way more. Don't get me wrong, Yamaha is awesome from what I read on Amazon and on other sites, but SurroundBar/SurroundBar 50 plus a decent subwoofer cost less than a Yamaha (which has an integrated subwoofer).
To pair with my SurroundBar 50, I bought a Velodyne Minivee 10 subwoofer. It was a bit of an overkill in my situation. But I wanted to spend a bit more and get a great sounding sub in case I wanted to build a better home theater one day. You can pair SurroundBar 50 with any Polk Audio sub out there. PSW111 is a good one for example. I have an Onkyo A/V Receiver and an Onkyo DVD player. The setup was fairly easy. SurroundBar 50 comes with the audio cables ready to be hooked up between the bar and your receiver. Everything is color coded so you can't really go wrong here. I hooked up an RCA audio cable between my receiver and my sub's line level inputs. Total setup = 1 hour or less.
After configuring my receiver to use the new bar and sub, I tested the surround sound with Matrix, Gladiator and Pitch Black DVDs. SurroundBar 50 produces the "enveloping sound" as promised. I still need some adjustments to do later but so far I'm pretty impressed with what I have. The SDA technology Polk Audio offers does a great job. This product will NOT give you a true 5.1 surround sound experience, so if you're an audiophile this is not for you. This product performs really well in creating the 5.1 effect. In Pitch Black you really hear those flying creatures moving around and in Matrix it's a pleasure hearing bullets flying by and ricocheting.
Overall I'm very impressed. I'm just happy I was able to setup a surround sound system under an hour and without running wires going through walls and furniture and carpet etc. Your experience may vary from mine so go to your local electronics store and give this a test. If your wife is like mine who is against speakers and wires around the room then SurroundBar might be the solution for you too. :)


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The Polk Audio SurroundBar 50 is 51" wide to offer an enveloping surround sound experience to anyone who wants better sound from their TV but does not want to install rear-mounted speakers. It delivers surround sound from a single, multi-driver loudspeaker located under or over the TV screen using SDA Surround technology. SDA Surround technology uses a patented combination of signal processing and acoustical geometry that complements the spacing between your ears to produce surround sound without the need for rear mounted speakers. It can deliver a room-filling surround experience in nearly any location in almost any type of room with no special room characteristics required. The SurroundBar 50 is sized to match the width of 50" Plasma and LCD TVs. In addition to using SDA Surround technology on the surround channels, the SurroundBar 50 adds SDA Surround image enhancing technology on the front Left & Right channels to further enhance the surround experience as well as produce a huge stereo sound field from a two-channel source. New drivers and crossover design along with a larger enclosure produce far better bass performance than the original SurroundBar. The aluminum enclosure houses nine mid/bass drivers with Neodymium magnets, three dome tweeters and a four-PC board crossover with over 60 components.

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Onkyo HT-S7300 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver and Speaker Package with iPod Dock Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this system on Black Friday, and noticed shortly after that it was "under review" by Amazon. Several of the other reviews state that the unit overheats and malfunctions if the vent is blocked, and were considering that to be a defect. This system could very well be a popular first home theater receiver/amp, so for those of you who aren't familiar with these kinds of things, think of it this way- the main unit is a video/audio processor packaged in a metal box which ALSO contains the parts that power the center, fronts, and surround speakers. The speakers don't have power plugs, they're powered directly by that unit. In other words, imagine placing a 20-pound power supply in a metal box with your laptop. Get the idea? There's a reason it ships with a warning label which clearly states DO NOT BLOCK THE VENT. I have no doubt that shoehorning it into one of those cubbyhole-style stands or placing a shelf directly above it will cause problems.
All that being said, I have my receiver on the bottom shelf of my TV stand with a good 8" above it before the next shelf, and the stand is open on the sides and back (glass shelves with wooden legs on the corners). I've run the unit for hours at a time with no problems whatsoever. Maybe I'm just lucky, or maybe it's the fact that there's sufficient airflow. Either way, it works.
And it works really well. I'm not sure how the setup could be difficult, all of the ports on the receiver are clearly marked and the remote uses the same labels (the "Game" HDMI port and "Game" optical audio port are controlled by the "Game" buttons on the unit itself and the remote). The various audio modes are well described and the Audyssey setup is easy too (and highly recommended, it makes a difference). The subwoofer is huge, which is good or bad depending on your situation. I'm in a third floor apartment, so turning the knob to anything beyond 3 (out of 10) is inappropriately loud. On the other hand, in a "man cave" or home theater you can really crank the thing up and feel the soundtrack in your chest. For comparison, the subwoofer is slightly taller and a few inches wider than my Antec 900 computer case.
A few additional notes: as another reviewer stated, the Atlantic stands that are listed at the bottom of this page DO NOT directly attach to the speakers. The speakers have a wall-mount bracket towards the top of the back, but nothing on the lower-back or bottom. I just used the included double-sided tape and the speakers aren't going anywhere. If you have kids or rowdy pets you might want to look into another solution.
Also, Onkyo is kind enough to ship some speaker wire with the system, but it's super thin. Upgrading to some 14-gauge wire is a good idea, at the very least for the rear surrounds. You could probably get away with using the thin stuff for the front three, but you can get a spool of 100' 14-gauge wire for under $40. Also, don't bother with banana clips; you can't use them on the speaker end, and they don't seem to make a good connection on the receiver end. Just wire everything directly- it's quick, easy, and reliable.
For the price you'd be hard pressed to find a better system.


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Top-of-the-Line Package with Tall-Boys for More Powerful Audio
Sitting at the top of our range of home theater packages, the HT-S7300 combines today's essential A/V technology with proven Onkyo amplification muscle. Four HDMI 1.4a inputs allow you to hook up all your high-def devices and enjoy spectacular widescreen 1080p resolution on a compatible display. Non-HD video sources, meanwhile, can be upscaled to 1080p via HDMI with Faroudja DCDi Cinema.
The special Onkyo HT-S6300 package with complete 7.1-channel surround sound speaker set--with two "tall boy" front speakers (see larger image).

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Kanto Ipair5 Powered Ipod Speakers, Clean Crisp White Review

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(More customer reviews)This speaker system is incredible in every way. It is very well made and should last for many years. They look so nice with their polished and shiny black finish. They look so much better than the picture on the amazon product page, that picture just doesn't do them justice. The acoustic cabinets are handcrafted wood and very heavy and solid. The woofers are made of Kevlar so they should be virtually indestructible. There isn't a cover on the front of the speakers so I would keep them out of reach of young children that might damage them. The back of the speakers are made of a metal. There is a plug for headphones on the back and a video out plug and wires so you can dock your iPod and watch videos on your TV. The two speakers are connected with a professional interconnect cable which is a very heavy duty cable which is similar to what you plug into an electric guitar and amp. It has many different faceplates which can be switched depending on what type of iPod that you will be using. And this system will charge your iPod as well. I did notice that the Amazon picture shows a skinny white remote with this system and my system came with a wider black remote. Judging by the appearance it looks like both remotes probably have the similar options but a different style.
Since Amazon doesn't list compatible iPods on the page I will list them for you.
iPod Nano 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation
iPod mini
iPod with video
iPod classic
iPod shuffle 1st, 2nd generation
iPod touch 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation
iPhone
This speaker system sounds amazing and I am so thrilled to own it. It sounds best when the speakers are either on the floor or at waist level. It also sounds best when the speakers are separated to give more of a surround sound. I would say these speakers sound a lot like Bose speakers but maybe a little better sounding. We have owned five or six different iPod speaker sets over the past several years and many of them just don't sound that good at all. The Kanto Ipair5 Powered iPod Speaker System has certainly raised the bar in my opinion and simply blows away most of the competition.


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Kanto's signature product and it ain\'t your daddy\'s hi-fi. all of these systems are hand-crafted but with the ipair 5 kanto goes a step further. kanto hand-tunes them to produce perfect sound imagery. kanto uses the very best materials to make them: hand-built, special acoustic wood cabinets, bulletproof kevlar woofers, natural silk tweeters, but the most important thing put into these is love. yeah! we know what you\'re thinking. it\'s true though! kanto really puts a lot of time and effort getting these just right. the result — truly exceptional sound quality.ipod universal dock. charge your ipod while it's playing and control the ipair 5 from across the room with sleek remote control unit.video output. if you have music videos on your ipod you can play them onto your big flat panel tv while you listen to the \'uncommonly robust sound" on your ipair 5. hand crafted wood cabinets. the ipair 5 design utilizes a acoustically designed wood cabinets, delivering awe-inspiring sound.20\' professional audio interconnect cable. this is a great quality cable. you don\'t need to go out and buy a better cable once you get it out the box.

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Onkyo HT-S6300 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver and Speaker Package with iPod Dock Review

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(More customer reviews)This model is basically the same as S5300, with extra features:
1. Can up-convert all video inputs to 1080P and output through HDMI. S5300 can't do this.
2. Comes with a setup mic for Audessy to set up speakers automatically.S5300 doesn't have it.
3. Front Speaker is smaller than those of S5300. I hooked them up on wall they look better. The front speakers of S5300 are much bigger and the rear speakers are much smaller.
4. Subwoofer is taller and narrower than that of S5300. To me that is better.
5. Total weight is like 10lb less than S5300.
It is about $100 more than S5300. You can go with S5300 for cheaper if you don't mind those points above.

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If you're looking to flesh out your movies, games, and music with lifelike, full-blooded surround sound, look no further than the HT-S6300. This feature-packed receiver sports four of the latest HDMI 1.4a inputs to handle your Blu-ray player and other high-definition devices. Non-HD video sources, meanwhile, can be upscaled to spectacular widescreen 1080p via HDMI and Faroudja DCDi Cinema.
The special Onkyo HT-S6300 package with complete 7.1-channel surround sound speaker set and iPod/iPhone dock.

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Onkyo SKS-HT870 Home Theater Speaker System Review

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(More customer reviews)I am happy with this speaker set because, in my view, I got a lot of value for what I paid. I wouldn't call myself an Onkyo fan when it comes to entertainment devices - Sony receiver, Sony PS3, Sony BD player, Samsung TV - but I am aware of Onkyo's reputation for quality and this set of speakers doesn't disappoint.
All prospective buyers should be aware that these are 6 Ohm (SIX OHM) speakers. They will work well with 6 Ohm receivers, of course, and you SHOULD be able to use them with an 8 Ohm receiver if it's kept in a well-ventilated shelf and you don't keep it continuously at full blast. My own receiver is 8 Ohm and it seems to be Okay but both Onkyo and the receiver maker may not want to honor the warranty if they get word of this.CONTENTS
What you get is good quality, 130W speakers encased in well-built wood boxes, a 290W powered woofer and then, there are a couple of unexpected bonuses.
- 1 Center speaker, surprisingly large
- 2 Front speakers on 'tower' stands (tallboy) - will save you money on speaker stands but if you're thinking about hanging them, this is not your set.
- 4 Satellite speakers - do have hanging holes
- 1 Woofer - powered, connects through 'banana' jacks on both ends
- Color-coded wires for each speaker - kind of thin and I used my own, see below but... they're free
- Onkyo UP-A1 Dock for the iPod - this was totally unexpectedSETUP
A screwdriver will be needed to attach the heavy metal base to the front, floor-standing speakers.
If you go with the color-coded wires, connecting everything is easy. I decided that I wanted thicker, copper speaker wire so I went with ACOUSTIC RESEARCH AP-16100W 100' White 16 Gauge Oxygen-Free Speaker Wire and I'm happy I did that. The 100 ft. spool was about 25 ft. short of what I needed so, until I get another 25 ft., one of my satellite speakers will be using the Onkyo-supplied wire so I'm happy they included these.
The center and satellite speakers have mounting holes in the back but not on the base. I like my center speaker to sit on top of the TV and that was accomplished with about 1 ft. of Velcro 2"-wide tape. I used Velcro on the 4 stands as well as, in my view, it preserves the speaker's integrity and it even offers some cushioning.
I do not own an iPod or an Onkyo receiver so the iPod Dock I am trying to sell at Amazon. Hopefully, there will be a buyer and that should help reduce the overall cost of this set.THE EXPERIENCE
I only have good things to say about this set. For what I paid, it fully meets my expectation. The sound is full, crisp and if there are any distortions my ear is not trained or sensitive enough to detect them.
Physically, the boxes look professionally built and designed, uncompromising black matte with the sides of the center, the top of the front speakers and the woofer's front a perfect shiny polish - don't touch them or the fingerprints could be seen from a distance. The tall front pair is stable even on my carpeted floor.RATING
This set deserves its 5 stars well for delivering good quality, well-built speakers and the couple of extras - wires, iPod dock. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a 7.1 set of 6 Ohm speakers.

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For maximum audio impact, your multichannel Onkyo receiver should be accompanied by a full-blooded surround-sound speaker set. Fitting the bill is the SKS-HT870, a 7.1-channel system that injects power and vitality into all your movies, games, and music. The highlight--both visually and aurally--is a pair of dual-drive, floor-standing tallboy front speakers rated conservatively at 130 W. In concert with the two-way center and full-range surround and surround-back speakers--each also rated 130 W--they deliver stunningly detailed high- and mid-range frequencies. Meanwhile, at the bottom end, a superbly calibrated 290 W subwoofer adds visceral heft to bass notes and low frequency effects.

Specifications
Front Speakers
Type: Dual-drive, 2-way
Woofer: 3-1/4-inch cone woofer x 2
Tweeter: 1-inch Balanced-Dome
Frequency response: 55 Hz-50 kHz
Maximum power: 130 watts
Dimensions: 10-5/16 x 41-5/16 x 10-5/16 inches

Surround Speakers
Type: Full-range
Woofer: 3-1/4-inch cone
Tweeter: 3/4-inch Balanced-Dome
Frequency response: 80 Hz-20 kHz
Maximum power: 130 watts
Dimensions: 4-1/2 x 9-1/16 x 3-3/4 inches

Center Speaker
Type: Dual-drive, 2-way
Woofer: 3-1/4-inch cone woofer x 2
Tweeter: 1-inch Balanced-Dome
Frequency response: 55 Hz-50 kHz
Maximum power: 130 watts
Dimensions: 16-15/16 x 4-1/2 x 4-3/4 inches
Onkyo SKS-HT870 7.1-channel surround sound speaker package (see larger image).

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