Sony STR-DH800 7.1-Channel Audio Video Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I know just enough about Audio to be dangerous but I'm not a true audiophile (or whatever they're called). So I don't know how an average person would figure this out when it took me an hour and a half on the phone with Sony support before THEY figured it out.
Now this is my second Sony receiver and I purchased this one specifically to go along with my brand new Sony BDP-S360 Blu Ray player. I used brand new HDMI category 2 cables into the receiver and then out to my Sony HDTV. This is suppossed to be the BEST way to get true no-loss sound decoding and picture. Well I was shocked when my receiver was NOT decoding DTS audio. All Dolby Digital tracks were playing in perfect 5.1 surround sound...the DTS tracks played back in Linear PCM stereo. So after I read the manuals, updated the firmware and set everything right then trying a few DVDs and Blu Ray discs I contacted Sony Support via email. Several exchanges later they asked me to call in to better troubleshoot my issue. First I talked to the blu ray guy (since I wasn't sure which device was causing the issue) and after resetting the player and checking all the setting I was transfered to the Audio department. Once again we reset the machine to factory setting, checked all the set ups and still nothing changed (Did I mention that I had to unhook and reconnect several cables and I even had an optical cable running to my old Sony Reciever?). Then 1 1/2 hours into the phone call he asked if I was getting audio through the TV speakers which I was and he said "oh its set to TV + Amp". So we changed that setting to just "Amp" and bingo...DTS surround sound!! I said "but that's the factory default setting". He told me where the info was in the manual but I checked an NOWHERE in the manual does it say that when using the receiver as a passthrough via HDMI inorder to decode a DTS signal the receiver must be set to "Amp" only and not the default setting of "TV + Amp". What the...??
So now the receiver works great even decoding the new DTS-HD Master Audio off my "Watchmen" Blu Ray disc. But be warned that if you use the HDMI inputs to decode your surround sound be sure to change the system to "Amp" instead of the default "TV + Amp" unless you enjoy stereo sound from your suround sound system. This may be the case for other Sony receivers so be aware when buying that factory default setting may not allow for optimum performance and the Sony guys might not be aware of this little fact if you call them.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony STR-DH800 7.1-Channel Audio Video Receiver (Black)

The STR-DH800 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver delivers the Full HD 1080 experience to a home theater system. This newly designed 1080p A/V Receiver features 7 HD inputs including 4 HDMI inputs with "Active Intelligence" that allow the desire for more HD content to grow. In addition, the STR-DH800 is compatible with 24p True Cinema technology video signals and decodes uncompressed audio formats (Dolby TrueHD/dts Master Audio/LPCM via HDMI) making it compatible with Blu-ray DiscPlayers , the PlayStation 3 Technology and other HD sources. Simply plug in the optional S-Air transmitter and turn on the AirStation client (sold separately) and listen to your favorite music in another room or in multiple rooms.

Click here for more information about Sony STR-DH800 7.1-Channel Audio Video Receiver (Black)

ButtKicker BKA300 Wireless Home Theater Kit with ButtKicker Advance and Power Amplifier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased the ButtKicker BKA300 based on prior reviews here. This is my first time owning one of these systems. The intended purpose of was for more immersive movie-watching and playing on a PS3. The kit was setup with a HDTV using the line out on the TV using a Y-adapter to split between it and a 2.1 (two satellites one sub) speaker set. The rumble unit was setup under one of the four rear legs of a three-person sofa.
Watching live concert music on the Palladia channel really gives the feeling of being there. I started noticing that on regular TV programming one can hear muffled sound on most dialog as if the sofa was the speaker. This is a bit distracting, and an annoyance that could be addressed by sound proofing the furniture a bit.
The blu-ray version of The Dark Knight has some loud low frequency passages that causes a loud metallic thump. At first I though it was bouncing against the furniture or floor, so I took a couple of mouse pads as a quick fix test and put them in between the floor and another between the rumble platform and the sofa, but it did not fix the problem. I then watched Pirates of the Caribbean, again on blu-ray, fortunately not much of an issue here.
Gaming on the PS3 was another issue. Playing Call of Duty 4 with the rumble kit really brings gaming to a whole new level. Unfortunately, once I went online, grabbed a sniper rifle and aimed at someone, every heart beat the game produces started causing the metallic thump. I had someone else play while I tried troubleshooting the problem and noticed it was coming from inside the rumble module as if it was bottoming out. A few days later a family member was playing Resistance 2 and the module was not working. It had stopped working within an hour of playing, and was very hot to the touch. Once it cooled it worked again so it appears that it disables to prevent damage. I tried multiple settings for several days, lowering the "volume" on the amplifier, selecting different modes (music,movie,game,) but was not able to fix the problem.
Ultimately, I decided to return the unit. Really disappointing, I recently learned from reviews of the bigger brother (400 watts min, 1100 watts max) unit also bottoms out; this one is 50 watts. I may still give it a cautious try.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ButtKicker BKA300 Wireless Home Theater Kit with ButtKicker Advance and Power Amplifier

All new ButtKicker Kit with new 4 ohm ButtKicker Advance transducer, the new wider couch / chair mounting accessory kit, new BKA300-4 amplifier (115v) with integrated wireless option, optional vertical stand, and remote control with preset EQ settings, 6m of high quality speaker wire with banana plugs, 1m high quality RCA interconnect and high quality male to female RCA Y adaptor and a speaker level interface adapter for connecting to A/V systems without subwoofer pre-outs, and an illustrated Quick Start Guide.

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about ButtKicker BKA300 Wireless Home Theater Kit with ButtKicker Advance and Power Amplifier

KEF Universal Wireless System (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The technical specs on these are already available all over the place, so I won't repeat them here. Instead, I'll give a pro and con review:
Pro:
1) Size - There are three units and each is small enough not to be a big problem to hide.
2) Set up - There is really not much to do. I was up and running in under 10 minutes. The main part attaches to your receiver speaker terminals and an AC plug. The other ends attach to each speaker and to an AC adapter (each needs its own AC plug - three in all).
3) Audio quality - Both a plus and a minus. When it works, the audio is very clear and does not really sound any different than a wired system would. HOWEVER, see my comment under the con section.
Con:
1) Interference - My baby monitor interfears with this system. I know it says it does some fancy type of frequency jumping, but the Garco monitor creates interference if it is too close to the speaker ends of the system.
2) Audio quality - This is a high end (and very expensive) system. It figures that those purchasing it will have equally high end systems. Remember how much you paid for those high end amps? None of that power is used to power the remote speakers. Instead you have an overtaxed 50 watt (I think) amp on the speaker end. For 90% of surround applications this is probably fine, but real audio nerds will not be happy with the result. Of course, would an audio nerd really ever use a wireless system? The lack of amplifier power is even more apparent if you try to use this to power a second set of main speakers. Using a McIntosh amp and mid-range Boston Acoustics speakers (VS240) the clipping was evident.
3) Wires - It should be obvious that a trully wireless system is really impossible. Each unit has a speaker wire hook-up and a dedicated AC adapter (although they aren't the massive brick type.)
4) Auto power? - Just a note that these are always on. It would be nice if they could sense a signal and turn themselves on and off (standby). I have no idea how much power these draw when off, but I imagine it isn't much.
5) Price - At the price point these are placed, I'm just not sure they really are worth it. For the same amount of money (or less) you could probably have an electrician fish some speaker wires for you.

Click Here to see more reviews about: KEF Universal Wireless System (Black)

KEF is delighted to announce the introduction of an outstanding wireless system delivering a high-quality solution to speaker cable wiring problems. The KEF Universal Wireless System is an ideal add-on for any existing rear surround sound speaker set-up (regardless of the brand) and can also be used for stereo speakers in a hi-fi system where hiding cables is an inconvenience, especially when the amplifier is some distance from the speakers. Users can locate the speakers virtually anywhere they want to in the room whilst still receiving remarkable CD quality sound with exceptional clarity and remarkable lack of extraneous interference.

Click here for more information about KEF Universal Wireless System (Black)