Marantz SR8002 Surround Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)After 9 years, it was time to upgrade my former top-of-the-line Sony ES receiver (STR-DA 777ES) to take advantage of improved audio and high-definition video switching. After reading all the professional reviews, I settled on the Marantz SR8002. Three weeks after an extensive configuration and testing, I must say that I am pleased overall with my choice. However, several surprising configuration limitations keep me from giving it a full-on 5-star review.
Let me preface my review by stating that my home theater / audio configuration is on the higher-end of the scale: 3 KEF Reference speakers for the front 3 channels, Boston Acoustics rear surrounds and subwoofer, Sony ES SACD player (and yes, I have an SACD collection!), Bang & Olfusen turntable, Sony reference DVD player, AppleTV, Roku music server, JVC SVHS VCR, Mitsubishi HDTV monitor.
My first priority was in upgrading the audio quality, and I must say that in this respect, the Marantz SR8002 far exceeded my expectations. As a 7.1 channel amplifier, there are 7 x 125watt channels available, native decoding of the latest lossless HD digital audio on BluRay (DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD), Audyssey microphone and room equilazation, and THX Select 2 certification. For the ultimate audio experience, the Marantz SR8002 offers two "Pure Direct" modes - the first one bypasses the equalization and surround circuits, the second mode completely disables all video and display logic for even shorter audio output path. The SR8002 also provides a toroidal power transformer for extra headroom when needed, and in my setup the audio performance is dramatic.
I chose not to expand my current 5.1 speaker configuration to 7.1 channel. In this setup, the SR8002 gives you the option of taking the two unused channels and configuring them for a second amplified room/zone, or bi-amplification of your front speakers. I chose the latter, as my KEF Reference speakers support bi-amplified wiring, providing 250 watts per channel into Left and Right channels. Let me tell you - the pure stereo performance in this configuration will blow your socks off! Friends could not believe the sound in our fairly large family room was from 2-speakers only. And, the multi-channel modes (especially NEO6: Music) are quite outstanding even with a 2-channel source. Quite simply, the audio performance of the SR8002 is "7-star" on a 5-star scale.
My second priority was in upgrading to a receiver capable of decoding the high-resolution audio of BluRay, while providing high definition video switching (via HDMI and component). In this respect the receiver delivers, but with some surprising limitations. On paper, the Marantz SR8002 offers more connectors and options than you would ever need. You have 4 HDMI 1.3 connections + 2 HDMI 1.3 outputs (good!), 4 component HD connections + 2 component HD outputs (good!), 4 TOSlink digital audio (including front), 3 coax digital audio, and a plethora of S-video, composite video, and analog audio inputs.
But in reality, there are serious limitations...
First of all, it is inexcusable for a receiver of this cost to be missing a phonograph input. Yes, for $50 you can buy a phono preamp that gives you good performance and doesn't have the A/C hum of your $25 Radio Shack unit. But, come on.
Secondly, and more discouraging, despite the plethora of connections you only have 8 discrete settings that can be assigned. (The AM/FM tuner is another, nonassignable input, as is the optional XM radio input). This means that even if you could connect to all of the analog + digital inputs available you can only use 8 of them! This is quite a surprising and serious limitation. Even my Sony ES from 1999 had 12 discrete inputs!
The on-screen receiver setup lets you assign specific HDMI, component, and digital audio for your 8 choices. Each input can also be renamed. But you cannot use a single digital input for more than one setting. And you cannot reassign the analog video (S-Video/Composite) or analog audio inputs.
An example of this strange limitation is the analog input of the "AUX2" input also happens to be used as the Left and Right input channels for the 7.1 input. I had to reconfigure my setup to reassign the "AUX2" input to the digital CD input, which I also connected to the 5.1 (SACD) output from my CD player. Because there are only 8 input settings, I had to assign the "AUX1" (front) input to the digital audio and video inputs from my AppleTV. This means that the front AUX1 inputs are completely unusable, since all 8 inputs were assigned from rear input sources.
Another big surprise was the subwoofer speaker setting. By default, it is set to "mix"...all bass output is diverted to the subwoofer at an assignable crossover frequency. This works well for (and is recommended for) THX and multi-channel video sources. But strangely in "mix" setting, the SR8002 does NOT output the bass to the subwoofer for two-channel analog inputs AND it does not output the low frequencies to the front speakers. I spent about 3 hours trying to figure out why my new (required) phonograph preamp sounded so terrible before I discovered this problem. Setting the subwoofer to "BOTH" properly sends full-range audio to the front speakers. AND, it enables the subwoofer for the simulated modes such as NEO6. Not only does this not make sense, it is not documented anywhere in the manual.
There are other annoyances:
- FM / AM radio reception is below average. I was looking forward to trying the "HD radio" capability, but the tuner reception is so bad that it can never get a strong enough signal to use any of the HD radio broadcasts in my area. Compared with my 1999 Sony ES receiver using the same antenna configuration I can only tune half of the stations. My CLOCK RADIO gets much better radio reception than this $2000 receiver!
- the front of the receiver has two large controls for Source and Volume - each one has a bright blue LED indicator that does NOT move with the control. So, while you might think that the volume indicator would indicate the volume level it doesn't. The bright blue indicators are always at 12-o clock position. And the front input control does not have a positive feedback to let you know you have switched inputs.
- the remote control button/display backlight is ONLY activated when you press one of the two buttons on the bottom of the remote
- the remote does not offer discrete settings for all surround modes or settings (although thankfully there are discrete power on/off codes)
- the onscreen display is very primitive (think 1982 Apple ][+ 40x24 characters)
In summary, despite the outstanding audio performance of the Marantz SR8002 (once you figure out the subwoofer and other settings!), I cannot give this a full 5-star rating because of the serious limitations and limited inputs.

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Tritton AX Pro Dolby Digital Precision Gaming Headset Review

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(More customer reviews)After finding a disheartening lack of comparative reviews online I decided that I would write about my own experiences with the above headphones. This review is targeted only at headphones for gaming based on sound from a PS3 slim connected via Monster Ultra Fiber Optic and set to Dolby Digital. I understand there are significantly more options than those I have tested. However, my wish is to give a first-person detailed and reliable account regarding the phones I currently or have previously owned. For a summary of what I found just scroll to the bottom of the review.
As a sidenote I have watched just about every youtube video, read every gaming website review, and scanned through every forum in my search for audio bliss. This is the cumulation of my knowledge and experiences.
Originally I had wanted an all in one processor for DTS and Dolby Digital with a simulated surround sound. I watch most movies and play most games at night, and was trying to "kill a few birds with one stone" on this one. After round 1 of extensive research I settled on the Sennheiser RS130s. I bought two sets. The sound was pretty good. I could not detect ANY simulated surround, but for watching movies the dialogue was VERY bright and enjoyable. In addition there was no interference with my Wii or PS3 due to the RF and the charging system was a good setup. Unfortunately, the wireless was also the problem. I tried switching through every single channel and resetting the base unit. I consistently got a weird "modem" buzzing and clicking sound in the background. Some people might be able to overlook it, but I definitely could not. Back they went and back I went to burning my eyes reading everything online.
Round 2 I decided to bite the bullet, and ordered the Sony MDR-DS7000 headphones from Japan, complete with a second set of phones. They cost me a pretty penny. Once they arrived I tested the voltage coming through the adapter from Japan and found it was much higher than the 9V required for the processor and phones when plugged into a US 120V outlet. After shelling out another $120 for 3 adapters from the Sony MDR-DS6000 series available in the US (courtesy of Sony Style) I was finally able to make sure I hadn't been ripped off from overseas. (The headphones each use 1 adapter to charge the lithium ion batteries. The 3rd is for the Processor.) I was quite satisfied to learn that my bluray, ps3 and wii could all be connected to the same unit. Also, the sound was absolutely crystal clear without a single beep or incoming fax noise. Lord of the Rings sounded great and the VPT surround sound cinema mode made the movie sound like it was being played in a large theatre room. Pretty cool, but not really the "surround sound" I had hoped for. Still....it was an improvement from the Sennheisers. And so I proceeded for a few months before deciding that I'd like to get a system more suitable for the PS3. The large hall effect didn't really seem like it was cutting it anymore. So I considered: Should I try ordering the newly improved MDR-DS7100? Hmm...probably not since they just increased the battery life by 3 hours, and increased the drivers from 40mm to 50mm. The surround effect would be the same. I also considered the Pioneer SE-Dir800c once again, but decided against it based on a few factors. The headphones break in nearly 60% of consumer reviews at a swivel point, the batteries (AA) must be charged separately from the unit, the system only has 1 fiber optic input, and additional headphones are only sold in Japan (unless you want to buy a 2nd transmitter as well). It seemed like a lot of trouble, even though I've read almost 2 million times by now that Dolby Headphone technology is vastly superior to Sony's Virtual Phone Technology. And so we come to Round 3: The Tritton Ax Pros.
A long time ago, before my head was filled with all sorts of useless information on headphones, I owned the Tritton AxPros. This was back when people cared less about how they sounded and more about getting sent the wrong set from Amazon or having to look for places to plug in 2 adapters. OMG! 2 adapters! Yeah...I have a surge protector...not a big deal. Back in those times I was very impressed with the quality of the Trittons for 3d mapping in games. Resistance: Fall of Man and other games from way back in the long long ago sounded significantly better when played through the headphones. The only problem was that finding the proper EQ was a pain and my neck felt like I was wearing Rampage Jackson's chains around my neck after playing. After contacting customer service and adjusting the delay to +10, and decreasing the rear speaker and sub (which felt like it would blow out my eardrum on normal) I was satisfied. Looking back I can safely say that my complete satisfaction was, in part, due to my lack of anything to compare sound quality towards. Fast forward to now. After not quite getting the full experience from the Sony headphones, I decided to repurchase the "newly improved" Tritton Axpros I had been so fond of. When I got my new set I looked over it for a long time. The AC adapter is definitely "cheaper" than both of the older ones (lighter less durable plastic), even though there is now only 1. The break-away cable is a good feature, although you still have to roll it up the same as if you just disconnected it from the decoder box. The microphone has gotten a MUCH needed improvement and is now rubberized/bendable and works a lot better. The headphones still shine a halloween orange glow through the Tritton logo. They also still induce serious headaches from squishing your head like a vice. Funny enough, they actually do not weigh much more than my Sonys. The difference is that Sony has a second band to turn the headphones on that takes most of the pressure off from the top and sides of your head. Tritton has no such feature, but feels much sturdier (like it was carved from a plastic tree). The Tritton also has the individual speaker adjustment, as before, with different colors for different sound levels. This works fine, but a digital +1, +2, +8 numerical readout would be much better. Each color level has 3 or 4 levels before bumping to the next color. Between white and red (medium and max) is "cyan" which is the high volume level. This would be fine if you could ACTUALLY TELL a difference from the white. I believe the Cyan simply leaves the white light on while simultaneously turning on the blue. The problem is that the white light completely overpowers everything else. It looks like the volume goes straight from white to red after about 8 clicks. Pretty dumb. Use purple or yellow or a black light. Don't try to combine colors to cut costs Tritton! The newer model also has the feature of being able to turn off the inline controller by holding the "mute and front speaker" buttons for a few seconds. Here's the problem with that: 1.)when turning the system back on you're usually holding the mute button so it mutes everything. The way the mute/volume is set up you usually end up also raising the volume as you unmute it. You probably shouldnt have the headphone on when turning the inline controller on anyway since it makes a HUGEEE POP noise when powering on that almost makes your ears bleed. This doesn't even power the unit itself on though. It just powers up the phones. The Dolby decoder box has a completely separate power on button. So.....they took away one AC adapter, but actually made it just as much of a pain in the A*$ to turn on and off. Here's the rub though - when you turn off the main decoder box, it resets your settings. That's right. All of the DRC, Sound Delay (Center and Surround) and master volume settings you pulled out the decoder box to program have all been reset. At first I kept thinking to myself, dang...the game sounds different everytime I turn it back on again...I must have not put the time delay on the right setting. After testing it though...I found the cause. Maybe mine's defective because I don't remember my old unit ever doing this. Must be an "improvement" eh? Now for the sound quality.
Discrete sounds and directions. This is where the Tritton Axpros start to do something right. I switched the fiber optic input from my Sony MDR-DS7000 into the Pros back and forth about 50 times. I tried it with Uncharted 1 + 2, God of War 3, God of War Trilogy, Infamous, Killzone 2, Modern Warfare 1 and 2, Battlefield: BC2 and Bioshock 2. Results were surprising. The AxPros actually blew the Sony's out of the water. In Battlefield, when I swung the knife I could hear it echo in the winter mountains and the fires flickered on different sides as I walked. Riding the vehicles sounded like I was right there. Modern Warfare 1 and Uncharted 1 were actually the most remarkable. In Modern Warfare 1 I could hear the helicopters flying overhead and DIRECTLY pinpoint where they were. I tried about 10 times to close my eyes and see if I could locate a circling helicopter. I was right 9/10 times. The Sony headphones (playing on the dedicated PS3 "game" mode) were extremely muffled. Gunshots sounded tiny and shallow. The Trittons just made it seem like I was right there in the environment. In Uncharted I kept restarting the 2nd scene in the jungle and testing the sounds while running through the creeks, in and out of the waterfall, and through the group of birds. With the Trittons it sounded like I was right there. With the Sony's it sounded like I was listening through a set of headphones. Then---slowly---as I listened to Sully talk about finding his "bride in a brothel" for the 20th time, I realized I was missing a vital part of the puzzle. Dialogue. Take this into perspective. The Sony's have 2 dedicated 40mm drivers. The Trittons have 8- 30mm drivers. Usually dialogue is only going through 1 set...Read more›

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Introducing the AX Pro - the most versatile gaming headset in the world. Finally, a true Surround Sound headset with a microphone that will work with your PS3, Xbox 360, and PC/Mac. For the audio or movie enthusiast, the AX Pro is also compatible with any device that features a digital optical or 3.5mm analog 5.1 outputs. Built on the successful AX360 Platform, the AX Pro features hardware Dolby Digital decoding and eight independent speakers to deliver true 5.1 surround sound audio. Upgraded speakers have been repositioned to provide crisper sound and more accurate 3D positioning. The vibration feature of the AX360 has been replaced by a new subwoofer that delivers improved low end punch and skull rattling bass. Other advancements include an easy to use illuminated inline controller with a microphone mute switch, independent volume control for game chat, and the ability to custom tailor volume levels. With the ability to connect the microphone via the Xbox 360 controller port, USB, and analog 3.5mm inputs, the AX Pro is the most versatile headset on the market and the only headset you'll ever need.

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Sharkoon X-Tatic True 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound Gaming Headset Review

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(More customer reviews)This headset rocks! I definitely took a chance on these despite not having seen any previous reviews or ratings, but it was worth it. I wanted to test it out for a few weeks before writing a review. Also, this is my first Sharkoon product.
Along with the headset itself, it includes
- optical cable
- "sound control unit" (your little magic black box where all cables run to)
- adapters for PC (comes with 5.1 analog for those w/o pc optical), 360, ps3
- detachable boom mic (it does flex to your preference)
- power supply (single cord which splits off to power your SCU and headset separately) Ex.) you can still disconnect the power to the SCU and still have power running to the headset by itself. The power supply comes with swappable heads. I guess this is if you go out of the country and want to use their foreign outlets.
It took me a little bit of time to figure out all these adapters, settings, and wires (there are a lot of wires.)
The Sound Control Unit (SCU) is where your optical, power supply and 9-pin headset connector come together. You can also adjust the general volume here, but I usually just use the volume adjust attached the the headset cord. There is a 5.1 analog output as another option for those PC users without an optical option. With two 9-pin headset jacks, a second person with the same headset may also listen in. Two Dolby options include Dolby Digital and Pro Logic. There are two included settings called Time-Delay and Dynamic Range Control located on the SCU.
Both of these passages taken directly from the manual. Either setting can be turned on or off.
"Time-Delay - The Time-Delay function allows to define a time delay for the sound reproduction for each speaker. Thus a spacious playback of the audio signal can be achieved. Note that increasing the delay too much may cause unnatural results."

"Dynamic Range Control - Dynamic Range control limits the dynamic, decreasing the level differences between loud and quiet passages in the Dolby Digital 5.1 signal thus balancing the effect of loudness."Other nice features include a volume adjuster which is attached the headset cord. The X-tatic logo on the headset AND also the attached volume adjuster light up. Looks good to me! The volume is indicated by the different colors lighted up on the volume adjuster - ranging from green (very low) to red (very high). The sound volume from each speaker can also be adjusted individually. So say you're sniping and you want to hear even more of the sounds behind you. You can "up" the volume on the rear speakers to do just that. Or you might be looking to get more "boom" from your sounds. You can increase the bass volume while keeping the other speakers at their current volume.
There is a switch to turn off your voice. You can't hear your own voice while speaking, but I prefer it that way. Voice volume from other people can also be adjusted independently from game volume. So when I hear a lobby full of annoying kids, I lower the voice volume and just "up" my awesome game volume. Bliss.
Comfort 5/5 - Took a night of gameplay to "break-in", so now it fits comfortably. Good padding so it sits well on your head. The ear cups can be tilted and also swivel to match your unique head shape (a BIG plus for me.) I can wear these 4-5 hours easy.
Sound 5/5 - Amazing! Playing MW2 and GOW2 is a whole new experience now! Sounds I never knew existed in these games gave me a whole new appreciation! Distant gunfire, rustling of bushes and grass around me, and even slight downpour can be heard. With that said, the 5.1 directionality will add a whole new dimension to your gameplay. For me, there is a clear distinction between if gunfire is coming from front, rear, front left, rear right, etc. Footsteps come in loud and clear. This keeps me more aware of my surroundings. Hurray for situational awareness!
Price 4/5 - It is quite the steep investment for me at $159.99, even with the free shipping from Amazon (love ya for that Amazon!) I did have to think twice before my purchase solely because the price. Now that I look back on it, it was the right move.
Overall, this headset definitely meets my expectations. It looks good and has some surprisingly cool features. Maybe if they could fix the amount of wires, but I guess that what it takes to work on the pc, 360, and ps3.
Good Hunting!

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Tritton TRIAX-180 AX 180 Universal Gaming Headset Review

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(More customer reviews)I did this video review to help anyone out there with the same issues I had.
Hopefully this will help gain the insight you'll need to make a decision.
Please leave feedback, did I miss anything?

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Tritton Technologies, known for designing and building the best gaming headsets on earth, delivers an affordable precision audio headset - the AX 180. Designed specifically for the XBOX and PS3, the balanced speakers provide rich, full stereo audio while the removable microphone ensures superior voice communication. The convenient inline audio controller features independent voice and game volume controls so you can clearly hear your teammates during those crucial gaming moments. Analog connectivity allows the AX 180 to be used with the popular Wii system and the breakaway cable design has options for MP3 and iPhone connectivity. Get your head into the game with the new AX 180.

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Sony HT-SS2300 Component Home Theater System Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased a $1,200 system but returned it because it sounded horrible after it was home and connected. For that much money I expected a "Wow" effect, but was very disappointed.
So, back to researching what one store told me was not possible. I just bought a Blu-ray player that I am very happy with and a Sony 46" Z series LCD TV so I didn't want a system with a DVD player or Blu-ray player. I also didn't want a big receiver, big speakers, and a big subwoofer.
I found this system on Sony's website and came here to check the price. After much consideration I selected this system because of the sleek and small receiver and speakers.
After several hours of hiding speaker wires, splicing the subwoofer wire to add a segment of additional speaker wire so I could hide the subwoofer, adding OmniMount Satellite speaker stands and hooking up all the speakers I turned the system on.
I must admit I was very skeptical because this system was only a fraction of the price I'd spent on the system I returned. I put a DVD in and sat listening thinking this sounds great when all of a sudden the back surround speakers belted out sounds from the scene playing causing me to jump in shock. This was the "Wow" effect I was looking for when I first starting looking for a surround sound.
The TV, stand and components all look sleek and clean, not cluttered with a big receiver, big center speaker, etc. Set-up was easy and understanding the remote and receiver is very straight forward. If you have a Sony Bravia TV and/or DVD/Blu-ray player the receiver interacts with all of them and makes the operation brainless.
Oh, I also used very high speed HDMI cables to match the 120 Hz refresh rate of the rest of the system. My HD cable box has a regular HDMI cable on it and the picture and sound is incredible compared to what it was before I added this system.
I can't say enough about this system...definitely give this one a try before you buy a system three times this price. Hope this review helped if you are considering this system.
UPDATED AFTER ALMOST 3 MONTHS:
I have now been using this system for 3 months and still love it. I play Xbox 360 on this system and really appreciate the small nuances I get from the background...like in Bioshock which scared me even when I was expecting it.
Granted I don't run my system volume up over 23 - 25 (which I think also speaks to the quality of this product) so I don't hear the static mentioned in other reviews.
Seriously, I honestly believe this purchase along with the TV and Blu-ray is one of the best decisions quality and value wise I've made in a long time. Regardless of what you get if you can sit back and feel good about what you're seeing and hearing you made the right choice.


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Tritton TRIAX-720 AX 720 Dolby Digital Surround Sound Review

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(More customer reviews)I did this video review to help anyone out there with the same issues I had.
Hopefully this will help gain the insight you'll need to make a decision.
Please leave feedback, did I miss anything?

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tritton TRIAX-720 AX 720 Dolby Digital Surround Sound

Introducing the Tritton AX 720 high performance gaming audio system. Specifically designed for the XBox and PS3 systems, the AX 720 delivers superior voice communication while creating an immersive 3D surround sound environment utilizing Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone technology. The convenient inline audio controller features independent voice and game volume controls so that you can clearly hear your teammates during those crucial gaming moments. From the casual gamer to the hardcore gamer, the AX 720 is sure to improve your game.

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Sharkoon X-Tatic SP Gaming Headset Review

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(More customer reviews)When i started to shop around for a gaming headset, i mostly heard about two main brands: Turtle Beach and Triton. Many people say that you can't go wrong with either. But, while shopping around, I came across Sharkoon. There really isn't much online in regards to this headset, so i figured i would check out their higher-end headset. (The X-Tatic 5.1 with surround sound) This headset received fantastic reviews across the boards. I figured if the company made quality headsets, i would check out the x-tatic sp...even without any reviews online. And i am not disappointed.
What made me reluctant to go with the Turtle Beach PX21 headset is how it looked. It was not very sexy. The Triton AX-180 looked nice, but it was $80. Since the x-tatic sp was $10 cheaper, i figured i would check them out. Not only is the sound excellent and crisp, but the headset is extremely comfortable and is continuously comfortable for long periods of time (which is important for a gaming headset). My brother has the Triton AXPROs and he loved this headset. (for those of you who don't know, the AXPROs have surround sound and are the top of the line Tritons) Why spend more than double the money to get surround sound when you can get a great sounding headset at this price range? And, for those of you who doubt the price of a stereo gaming headset, it is totally worth the price. I have never used one before while gaming...and it makes a total difference. People aren't lying when they say they hear things they didn't hear before. Its true! When you run by trees/brush you hear the rustle as you run by. You hear footsteps. Gun fire and other sounds help you locate where the shots are being fired so you can find the enemy. Even without a 5.1 surround sound headset (which really only refers to the amount of speakers in the ear cup to produce that surround sound feeling) you hear the sounds as if you were in the middle of the action. Shooting games just feel like they were made to be played with a headset like this.
So, if you are in the market for a stereo gaming headset, i can't knock the Turtle Beachs or Tritons, but i can definitely say that these would not disappoint. Great sound quality and comfortability...all you need in a gaming headset!

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ADVANCED HDMI Standard 1.3a Cable (15ft) HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL INTERCONNECT VIDEO CABLE Supports: 1440p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, HDMI Category 2 Certified. X.V. Color Sony PlayStation 3, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Blue-Ray HD DVD, and HD-DVD Certified, Shipped via Monster-Cable-N-More Review

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(More customer reviews)Good cable, Fast shipping. Don't pay 30+ dollars for an hdmi cable that says made for PS3 or gold plated or made by aliens in space, does not matter. This gets the job done on the cheap and gives me perfect picture. good buy. And like I said fast shipping i live in South Korea and it took a little over a week.

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Click here for more information about ADVANCED HDMI Standard 1.3a Cable (15ft) HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL INTERCONNECT VIDEO CABLE Supports: 1440p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, HDMI Category 2 Certified. X.V. Color Sony PlayStation 3, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Blue-Ray HD DVD, and HD-DVD Certified, Shipped via Monster-Cable-N-More

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Sony BRAVIA DAV-HDX589W 5.1-Channel Theater System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this unit to complement a Samsung LN52a550 HDTV. Didn't feel there was enough sound from the unit to complement the samsungs outstanding video. Shopped for reasonably priced HTIB units and decided (despite cautions that most didn't perform) to give this unit a try. In my wildest expectations I never thought this unit would perform up to its marketing description. Placed in a den of that is approx. 15 x 25 and playing a Dolby DVD, it placed me in a cinema that provides sound effects that truly astounded. I'll qualify this by saying that I'm a audio neophyte but for this sound at this amount of money I am truly impressed.
Be aware that this Sony unit is being used with a Samsung HDTV and consequently the transition between DVD usage & HDTV usage (must change input source) is a bit bothersome. I found that in order to obtain full surround sound from the unit when receiving audio only from you TV (not from the DVD) you must purchase a digital optical cable.
Hope I haven't misled any one but if you select this unit I don't believe you'll be disappointed.


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The DAV-HDX589W BRAVIA theater system boasts an integrated 5 DVD/CD changer, and 1000 watts of room-filling power. With the included S-AIR rear speakers with rear receiver and amp (WAHT-SA10), you can now hear powerful sound from behind you without running wires. iPod support is limited based upon which optional Digital Media Port is being used. The unit will support the following players: iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod Nano 1st, 2nd & 3rd generation, iPod 4th & 5th generation & iPod Mini. The optional TDM-IP 50 adds iPhone support as well.

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Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my second Sony Receiver in a row. In fact, the only reason I even upgraded my STR DE697 7.1 receiver was because it didn't have HDMI inputs--aside from that deficiency I was completely satisfied. So after researching the Yamaha (RX-V464BL), Onkio (RX-V463BL), and Sony (STR-DH700) I stuck with Sony and purchased the STR-DH700 7.1-channel A/V receiver. Now, most will say I'm crazy for not going with the Onkio, but I've always been pleased with Sony and I wanted to 1) save some $$$ and 2) avoid a steep learning curve (I'm very used to Sony's products).
PROS: My favorite feature has to be the quick set up for the speakers. With the push of a button in just 30 seconds my speakers were auto calibrated via the calibration mic. GREAT FEATURE!
CONS: The music settings i.e. Jazz, Stadium, Hall, etc. are useless to me due to the fact the subwoofer is excluded from all the settings in this mode except Portable (setting for MP3 players). I'm not sure why Sony did this, but it really stinks since my Polk front channels are rather small and depend on my 8" sub for quality sound. Again, this is my only complaint and because 99% of what this receiver is used for is cinema I'll survive!
Overall I'm very pleased with this entry level receiver. For an extra $100 I could have gone with the STR-DH800 which includes Dolby® TrueHD Decoding, but since I'm only running a 3.1 set-up I figured I'd be okay. I would; however, suggest paying the additional $100 between the STR-DH500 and DH700 because the HDMI connections in the DH500 only carry video, so you'd have to run separate cables for audio.
My Set-up:
TV: Vizio XVT series 42"
RECEIVER: Sony STR-DH700
BLUE RAY: Sony BDP-S360
SPEAKERS: Polk Audio surround RM10 set w/ PSW111 Subwoofer
UPDATE: 2 May 2009 - I'm attempting to edit this post again. Basically, the issue with the music sound fields was due to my assumtion that the auto-calibration would set the speaker size. WHAT WAS I THINKING? Once I changed the speaker settings from LARGE to SMALL everything worked like a champ!


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Sony HTSS360 5.1 channel Home Theater System (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I own a new 40" Sony Bravia LCD that I hooked this system up to. I was very impressed with its sound and its wide range of features for the price! However, there were a couple areas that I feel need to be addressed.
PROS:
- Excellent sound, especially the Movie DCS mode which adds a ton of depth to any movie
- Easy setup
- Excellent integration with a Sony TV. I can fully control my LCD from the receiver remote after hooking up the HDMI cables.
- Full HDMI switching makes initial connection and switching between sources a snap. I can switch between cable and my PS3 with 1 button.
- Wide range of format handling, including Linear PCM.
- Wide range of sound modes.
- No color distortion issues when switching between HDMI sources. This seemed to be a problem in older models.
CONS:
- I found the bass to be a little lacking due to the fact that the subwoofer is passive. I swapped the included one out with this: Yamaha YST-SW216BL Advanced YST II Front-Firing Active Subwoofer and it brought the sound to a whole new level!
- Uses proprietary speaker wire connections. Sony makes it very hard to swap the subwoofer like I described previously because the receiver uses proprietary plugs for the speakers instead of generic speaker wire attachments. The system comes with 4 thin speaker wires with plugs to the receiver on one end, and bare wire on the other to hook up to the satellite speakers. However, the subwoofer's is HARD WIRED, so it can't be detached at all. What's worse is that Sony only sells their speaker wires in packs of 5, for a whopping $55.
To use my new subwoofer, I simply found an aftermarket plug with a small length of wire on eBay, spliced it with some standard 18 gauge wire of my own and hooked it up to my new sub. Voila, it worked like a charm.
OVERALL:
Out of the box, the system is a solid 4/5. With a powered subwoofer and a little bit of handiwork to get around Sony's greed, it can be improved to 5/5.

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Take advantage of the advanced audio capabilities of Blu-ray Disc movies with this dynamic surround sound system. The HT-SS360 features a sleek, slim receiver with all you need to enjoy the dramatic sound quality you crave. A perfect complement to your Blu-ray player and advanced gaming platforms, this you'll appreciate this system's simplicity in set-up and connectivity. Three HDMI inputs are included for connecting HD sources with a single cable and directly accessing them through the remote control. One-button control is also available with BRAVIA Sync technology, maintaining the proper settings for each component and allowing you to focus on the entertainment.

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Killzone 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)I play a lot of Resistance 2 and COD4 & COD:WAW. Resistance for its massive battles & COD for the great graphics and super tight play. Killzone 2 is a great blend of each.
There are a lot of complaints about the controls, but none from me. The guns are weighted and recoil as you would expect. The characters move like heavily armored soldiers carrying heavy artillary might. I could see it as an issue if it wasn't equal, but everyone is playing at the same speed and after a very short amount of time, I can say without fail that I am pretty quick with the M82 and plenty of online players that are far superior to me will light you up as quick as any game of Halo or COD.
As far as the graphics, online there is no dropoff compared to the single player. This is the best looking game I can remember playing. I had a difficult time going back to Resistance because it looked terrible after KZ2.
The single player game is ...about like every other signle player FPS that I can remember. Follow a line shoot guys, etc. I only played for a couple of hours to get familiar with the controls before playing online so I can't really speak as an authority on the single player.
The online game has all of the usual suspects as far as game modes go. The new exception is being able to string any of the five together that plays as single game. If you have a squad that you enjoy playing with, this is great. If you jump into a 25 minute game and get stuck with a team of half-tards, prepare to be frustrated that you have to wait 25 minutes to get credited with your experience. It's also worth noting that KZ2 has a similiar level up / xp system that unlocks various items like COD 4. It's about what you'd expect.The battles are awesome and where KZ2 really takes the cake for me is the whole package with 30 people at a time. My biggest complaint with COD4 is 12 player battles on medium sized maps. It is too easy for people to camp and the middle of the screen remain empty for extended periods - especially in hardcore modes where you are playing 1 shot kills.
Killzone 2 doesn't reinvent the wheel and doesn't really offer anything new in terms of gameplay. A similiar thing has happened with the fighter genre. You can only "play guns" in so many different ways, so the next logical step is perfecting the genre, and right now, Killzone 2 is at the top of the heap.
UPDATED:
I purchased the downloadable map packs, Titanium & Steel. One takes place on a moving train, the other in the cruiser shown at the opening of the game. The train is a sight to behold and a snipers dream come true as the action funnels to visible choke points and the map is very narrow. The Vekta cruiser is multi-leveled and circular in shape. It's a stark contrast to the rest of Killzone with bright lighting and vibrant colors. The pack cost $6.00 and both are fun to play. The only problem is not many people appear to have purchased. It is common to find lobbies with the new map pack OR the originals. They're great to see in motion, espcially the train, but not a mandatory purchase at all.
I have such a problem with connection, that I've found myself going back to COD4 & WAW despite preferring Killzone 2's gameplay. Not only am I frequently disconnected, but it logs the PS3 offline and occassionaly locks up the system and requires a hard restart. I've even found myself having to restart my router becuase it locks everything up and I have to reboot my connection. It is exceptionally frustrating to play partial matches and get kicked (especially the longer games) and pop in COD or Resistance and have no issues.
Finally - Clan battles. Ugh. Oddly enough, COD felt like you had to be in a clan to enjoy the game. In fact, it's almost mandatory (log into a match with just a bunch of guys versus a party and get ready to die...a lot, no level balancing). KZ seems to be the opposite. Clan battles have rampant cheating and cheapness you just don't see in the big open matches. I played in a couple clan matches and virtually every negative I'd heard about them was evident(not respawning in deathmatch, hiding the the radio in your base, etc.). I've had a much better time just going from game to game until I find a group that is competitive on both sides. The good rooms are typically set to automatically balance, so a room with a few good players on both sides can be as much fun as any clan battle.

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Get ready to take on the full strength of the Helghast war machine from a dramatic first-person perspective with Killzone 2 for PS3. From Guerilla Games, this much anticipated follow-up to Killzone for PS2 and Killzone: Liberation for PSP drops you right into the boots of battle hardened special forces soldier Sev. Set two years after the aborted Helghast assault on Vekta, the action opens with your ISA Legion squad deployed behind enemy lines on the Helghan's unforgiving home turf.
Combat Lifelike AI and Inhospitable Terrain Despite the smooth character animations and swift-thinking AI behind each individual Helghan, their planet itself may be the most deceptive opponent that you face. Unlike other game environments that serve as nothing more than a visual backdrop, the devastating Helghan climate takes a notable toll. And, worst of all, the Helghans know exactly how to use the planet against you.
The in-your-face perspective comes to life as you take aim with exotic new weapons and mainstays from the previous games, including the M82-G assault rifle. And you can now drive an array of rugged, sometimes strange, vehicles that expand the gruesome possibilities of war.
Guerilla Technology in a Terrifying, Realistic World Guerrilla's unique visuals and deferred rendering technology ensure that even the ugliest situations on Helghan are beautifully lit. Ambient occlusion and accurate shadow casting from a variety of light sources combine with gritty textures, detailed environments, and studio-grade special effects to help complete the realistic, Hollywood experience of this first-person shooter.
Real-time cutscenes, full-screen anti-aliasing, motion blurs, and internal lens reflections all bring you into the fold and work to maximize the hardware capabilities of the PS3. And the audio experience is no less impressive. 7.1 surround sound capability lend a truly dynamic sound element to your experience, while audio occlusion with wave tracing means that you can hear the difference between indoor and outdoor firefights.
Chaotic Multiplayer Drama Online While single-player mode lets you take on the unique challenges of 11 fully developed levels, online play lets you engage with up to 32 players at a time, bringing the gritty, realistic chaos of war to a whole new level.
Other multi-player friendly enhancements in Killzone 2 include in-game clan management, a match wagering system, and the ability to integrate new information and track friends and enemies with the community at Killzone.com.

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Ear Force PBT Bluetooth Communicator for PS3 Review

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(More customer reviews)Enjoyed playing XBOX360 with my X31 headset ,but then wanted the same enjoyment with PS3.
Not possible till ear force PBT was brought to my notice,now i get the best out of both game consules
Thank you Turtle Beach.

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The Turtle Beach Ear Force PBT is a Bluetooth communicator device for the PlayStation 3. It allows wireless connectivity to the PS3 for live chat with others over the PlayStation Network. The PBT is unique because unlike other Bluetooth communicators, in addition to pairing with your PS3, it can simultaneously pair with your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone too. The PBT's dual-pairing feature maximizes convenience when gaming because you can instantly switch from in-game chatting to take a phone call - with just a single press of a button. With the PBT's 2.5mm mic jack you can even use the wireless Ear Force X31 or X41 headsets on the PlayStation 3. All the innovative features that make Turtle Beach's X31 and X41 excellent XBOX 360 headsets can now be enjoyed on the PS3.

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Pyle-Home PT590AU 5.1 Channel 350 Watts Home Theater Built-In AM/FM Radio/USB/SD Card HDMI Amplifier Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)For the price, this is a nice receiver. Two things that would make it better would be a tape output and easier speaker wire hookups. The biggest inconvenience is the FM antenna jack is not a 75Ohm coaxial connection, which is what my antenna has. The crummy wire antenna is pretty worthless. Luckily I have a good FM tuner I can hook up as a component to solve that problem. Other than that, I'm happy with the purchase so far.

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Power a full surround sound system with this 5.1 channel amplifier with HDMI selector inputs. Equipped with an AM/FM radio, front-panel USB, SD, and 2 quarter-inch (1/4") microphone inputs, and a VFD display for crystal clear information. It takes 4 HDMI inputs and has 1 HDMI output, so it also functions as an HDMI selector - perfect if you've got multiple hi-def appliances but only one HDMI port on your TV. Independent volume knobs for master volume and microphones. 4 ohm impedance on speaker outputs. Supports AC-3 and Pro Logic decoding.

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ADVANCED HIGH SPEED DIGITAL 15 FT HDMI 24k GOLD SEALED CONNECTOR CABLE Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this item on a Friday, on Monday i got a email from Amazon saying the item is out of stock and i can search amazon for it again. I went to amazon to check on it i notice the price for it has increased and that the item is still marked as in-stock.

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Ear Force DPX21 PS3 Headset and 5.1/7.1 Channel Dolby Surround Sound Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This pair of headphones has a truly spectacular frequency response range. Despite the fact these are headphones, you will FEEL the bass reverberating between your ears! The fact that these work with pretty much any audio source you'll run across from stereo analog input to digital fiber optic is pretty sweet.
I've owned many headphones. Be it from cheap stereo to "pseudo-surround", such as the Plantronics Gamecom (pseudo-surround) and I even have a pair of the mid-line SHURE headphones (they have reasonable bass response), this pair will blow them away.
Sound is crisp in the mid/high range as well. For the price, you certainly won't be dissappointed! If you're a SHURE headphone fan, these will really impress you.
The only downside to these are the MASSIVE amount of cables that accompany them. It's not that there's many, it's just that they're really LONG (which is GREAT in most cases!)... Just remember you're going to have to bundle them if you're going to use them on your PC (as I do) so they aren't strewn across your entire desk.
Overall, best headphone purchase I've made to date. Turtle Beach really knows their audio!

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Onkyo HT-S3400 5.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker Package Review

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(More customer reviews)Bought this Friday afternoon and it was at my doorstep Saturday morning. Less than 24 hours. Fantastic. Got a great price ($299) and signed up for the free trial of Amazon Prime, which gave me next day shipping for $3. Setup was fairly simple. I used my own speaker wire that I had already ran from my previous surround sound. The on-screen setup when using HDMI input/output is fantastic. Had it all hooked up in about 20 minutes and had the sound quality perfect after another 15 messing around in the settings. I've watched a Blu-Ray movie and a baseball game already and so far I am very impressed. The lows and mids were dead on but I had to tinker with the highs a bit before I got it where I wanted it. I imagine room size and viewing distance all plays a part.
My only con would be the "keyhole" on the back of the speakers that is used for mounting. I would have preferred a threaded hole or a latch rather than just using a screw through a keyhole mounted on the wall.
That all said, I recommend this Home Theater to anyone looking for a quality entry level system for a small to medium sized room.I also think the receiver alone is worth $299. Tons of inputs and plenty of settings to please even the pickiest audiofile.

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