Sony HTCT100 Sound Bar with Subwoofer - Black by Sony
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List Price: Our Price: $225.00 You Save: $74.99 (25%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Speakers See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Sony HTCT100 Sound Bar with Subwoofer - Black
Digital camera Review: A Perfect Fit
Summary: 5 Stars
I tried several 2.1 speaker systems to enhance the sound from our LCD HDTV. The 2.1 speaker systems used the RCA audio output from the TV but I was never satisfied with the quality of the sound, even from the Bose Companion system. I think part of the problem is with the low-level output of the TV's RCA audio connection and for this reason I decided to look for a speaker system that could take advantage of my HDTV's digital optical audio output connection. I also didn't want to have a five-speaker system all around the room and so I focused my search on soundbar-type systems. The Sony HT-CT100, just recently introduced, fit the bill perfectly and comes at a price much lower than the Yamaha and Philips soundbar systems with optical inputs.
The Sony HT-CT100 produces great sound. The speaker bar is very low profile and takes up very little space whether you sit it in front of the TV or hang it on the wall. The subwoofer is large (about the size of a desktop PC) and sits on the floor. The subwoofer has a nice display along the top edge of the box to tell you the various system settings. Best of all, the 200 watt amplifier (built-in to the subwoofer) has multiple HDMI and optical audio inputs and acts as the control center for a complete home theater/sound system. This was an unexpected bonus -no need for a separate home theater receiver. Just plug your satellite system, DVD player(s), game consoles, etc. right into the HT-CT100 and control everything from the remote. It's an elegant solution and I haven't seen anything else quite like it. Since the system takes in digital video/audio directly, you get to enjoy full Dolby Digital surround sound. The system can belt out remarkable volume levels and rich, deep bass. The speaker bar has left, right, and center channel speakers along with the remote control IR sensor. The Sony remote supplied with the system will control all your Sony components; however, if your HDTV, DVD player(s), etc. are not Sony brand (like mine), then be prepared to buy a universal learning remote in order to program the HT-CT100 commands. While I can decipher having several remote controls, I prefer to use a single remote control so that my family has an easier time turning on the TV or watching DVDs.
The price of the Sony soundbar system is very reasonable considering its power output and multiple digital video/audio inputs to control your home theater. The quality is impressive (though I did have to return my first system due to a soundbar speaker buzz -my second system is flawless) and it looks and sounds like high-end gear. When I shop for items like this, I look at features, quality, and price without regard to the brand. In this case, Sony simply has a product that works great and provides an elegant solution for those wanting home theater sound in a low-profile package. It's a winner.
Digital camera Review: A bust.
Summary: 1 Stars
Sony HTCT100 Sound Bar with Sub-Woofer - Black This Item worked poorly for 2 days-and went silent. I called Sony to attempt to get assistance and it still will not work. I do not have the # from the packing because I threw it away the first day. HELP??? Carl SmithDigital camera Review: A good bargain for the price
Summary: 4 Stars
This item is a great bargain for the price. It sounds very good in our small sized family room. I would recommend this system to those looking to save space.Digital camera Review: A good system, only one gripe but a big one.
Summary: 3 Stars
I just bought this system used on the cheap to replace my lousy TV speakers. When I was first testing it out with disc 2 of LotR: Return of the King I was blown away by the depth and power of the bass. The battle scene really filled my room with lush sound and I thought I had just made the purchase/steal of a lifetime. My only initial concern was that my downstairs neighbors may storm my apt for rocking their home with so much bass.
But then the problem arose. It is one that many people have mentioned for this system, but it was still disappointing. Dialogue was barely audible compared to the raucous sound effects and musical score. I have scoured the different forums for fixing this issue: bumping up the center speaker, turning on the audio digital compression, but they were still not producing satisfactory results. Dialogue would still be hard to hear (although the DRC did reduce the huge volume gap between effects and dialogue) and certain sounds seemed to be missing or way too quiet.
I then tested the speakers playing Battlestar Galactica streaming through Netflix - and there was no dialogue problem at all! I quickly realized that this was because Netflix only streams in 2.0 Stereo, not DD 5.1. I went back to the DVD and switched it to 2.0, and low and behold all the dialogue issues disapppeared. The downside to this though is that the sound is obviously much flatter than in 5.1. It's still much better than my TV speakers but not nearly as gripping as my initial (non-speaking) tests.
I have read that this muffled dialogue problem is only an issue with DVDs, not Blu-Rays, but I have not been able to test this yet. I am very disappointed that I will have to switch my rather sizable DVD collection to 2.0 in order to hear characters speaking clearly, it kind of defeats the purpose.
Aside from these issues, the speaker system works very well for TV, Netflix streaming, and music in particular (much nicer than I would have anticipated for a single speaker system). Hopefully when I upgrade to a Blu-Ray player I can watch movies with optimal sound output. Until then I've essentially just upgraded to a slightly clearer set of stereo speakers.
If I am missing some set-up that will alleviate the dialogue problem that I (somehow) managed to overlook on the forums, I would appreciate any advice other users have found to watch their DVDs using the surround sound.
Digital camera Review: A great little, simple system.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great little system --a big sound from a small package. The bar is low profile and the sub-woofer sits nice to the side. No clutter of multiple cables and speakers spread out all over the room. (see my set up in customer image photo I posted above ) This is just a very nice, simple upgrade from your TV's speakers.
This is easy to set up (be sure to use AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging), easy to use, and sounds great.
I use this 80% of the time for TV viewing, 10% movie viewing & 10% gaming. This system has pre-set sound modes for each. I like the preset levels --no having to set up the sound fields & make a lot of speaker adjustments, just plug and play.
I've read many negative reviews here that do not seem to be fair. THIS IS NOT A $800.00 7.1 CHANNEL HOME THEATER SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM. This IS a very nice Sound-bar system - not a 6 speaker surround system. If you want a true theater experience sound you will probably be disappointed too. This is what it is, a TV speaker upgrade.
PROS
*easy to setup
*easy to use
*small size -a real space saver
*nice full sound & good bass
CONS
*a little pricey
PS: Don't get ripped off buying $50+ HDMI cables. Amazon Basics (see the above link) work fine.