Component video output, 3 optical inputs, pretty good sound for CD and DVD. Nothing sticks out as being cheap or disappointing. It holds it's own against anything else I could have bought at the time for $600. The sound quality holds it's own against the recent pairings of 5.1 speaker kits with Yamaha electrics that I've seen in the $600 range at Best Buy.

The speaker wire that comes with the kit should be considered as temporary, and the sound of system changes considerably when you upgrade it to real speaker wires. The diminuitive subwoofer must be in the front because it must make directional sounds, and it's the weakest part of the sound; in fact, your computer speakers may have a more powerful sub unit. The speaker's grille cloth mutes the sound more than some other brands'. The receiver/disc unit has no progressive scan or SACD capability, and no loudness function for low-volume listening. Conversely, the rec'r unit also lacks a sound effect to roll off the highs for when you want to listen yourself to sleep. I sometimes wonder if I would be happier with just another component setup with a pair of good 6" bookshelf speakers. You will need to keep the instruction book in case you move it, because setup is not intuitive. I agree with the previous reviewer that the remote is a PITA, but I think companies expect you to use their remote only to program a universal one (but I wouldn't opt for Denon's universal remote either). As technology marches on, you begin to wish your unit wasn't quite so integrated (I'd like to upgrade the DVD portion to SACD & DVD-Audio without adding another space-eating component).

This system replaced a aging 2-speaker bookshelf component system (all Sony, and Pioneer/Boston Acoustic before that); I had to spend some time getting the speaker placement right for the room, because 5 speakers are a totally different animal than 2. The one nagging placement problem I have is that maybe my bed is too high from the subwoofer, because I'm not getting as much bass as I'd like. I have to assume that the buyer of this system has no need for 100W/channel, and this system provides an honest 35. It also helps if you like the sound and style of Denon's electronics, which I do. The price and the clean sound seal the deal for me. The system's sound has a nice presence, and the soft dome tweeters (and the signature sound of a Denon receiver) keep them from being harsh. It does a good job with voices and light string instruments. Big orchestral movements and slamming electric bass are not their forte, but they do a fair enough impression of those sounds so that you can imagine what you are missing. You know going into it that you won't get the low-end richness of sound that you get with quality bookshelf speakers. Unlike most low priced HT-in-box systems, however, this one won't murder any of your music. I have listened to a lot of these kinds of systems, but I'm never sorry to go home to this Denon. This one is for the music lovers. The speakers are small enough to go anywhere, but they can do an okay job of filling up a bigger room such as a regular den. The preamp functions have the usual surround modes, and 5-speaker stereo makes almost any 2-channel recording sound good. As with any sort of satellite system that you could find in this price realm, it gives up some richness in the 200 Hz range. It would definitely benefit from a subwoofer upgrade. It's size, appearance, and wake-up timer make it a good choice for a bedroom. It's also a lot of bang for the buck.

Similar Products Used:

2000 model Polk 5.1 home-theater-in-a-box (speakers lean a bit toward harshness, but the power is definitely present and clean), Sony dream-system-in-a-box (blech), Carver rec'r w/ 97 or 98 model 5.1 Polk sat system (dark, warm, not harsh, the only thing missing is presence in the low-end); Carver rec'r w/ Rich Acoustic 8" 3-way monitors used as 5.1 = my reference system.

good looking and simply system

Try tyhe remote first

I will not comment on the system itself as it is only for my bedroom only. My only complain is the useless remote. This remote will not even talk to my regular, middle of the run TV (RCA 32") and my ProScan VCR. I have receive nothing but useless help from thech. support Buy this system only if you are willing to buy an other remote. Humm but then again, this is the same with any other remote anyway.

Slick and functional. Easy to setup. The fairer sex would love the brushed Aluminum look and the small foot print and the matching remote.

restricted to small rooms.

Elegant and the little subwoofer rocks for it''s size. I picked after auditng Sony and Onkyo and I am glad. MP3 capabilty is a nice plus.

Similar Products Used:

Bose(SUCKS)