To make things easier, we broke them down by a single, unique feature—be it price point, looks, size, or connections/options. They’ll all provide good sound for movies and music, but as always, some perform better than others. Also, we didn’t load this feature up with products that are so new you won’t be able to find a deal on them come next week when Black Friday rolls around.
 you’re doing you and your loved ones a serious disservice by using them.
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To help you out, ‘cause that’s how we do, we put together this run down of eight of our favorite home-theater-in-a-box systems (HTIB, pronounced “HTIB”). Are they as good as buying individual components to handle your media needs? No, probably not. True audiophiles and film freaks will probably want to go with individual specialized components, especially if you’re trying to fill a large room with mind-blowing, bone-rattling sound. Will they pump out satisfying surround sound for the average music-and-movie enthusiast? Absolutely.
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. And while other receivers might not have the punch to support four surrounds, rear and front center channels, and a 12-inch cone subwoofer, this one does. Even at high volumes.
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Connections are plentiful, but sadly HDMI is nowhere to be found. It is XM ready however, and can be used with an optional iPod dock. $1,099 <a href=)
, good looks, and, as far as we know, the only HTIB with HDMI output and input.
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The HDMI output allows the DVD player to upscale standard DVDs to 1080i/720p and supports all manner of discs including DVD-Audio and DivX discs. The input means you can connect your PS3 or high-def cable box directly to the unit for single-cord throughput of video and audio. $699 <a href=)
, one analog stereo input, and one 3.5mm input jack for connecting an MP3 player or other audio device. The virtual surround works remarkably well, especially in a small room where the sound can accurately bounce off walls. But if you decide you want to add more of an actual surround sound, you can connect another MAINstage and SUBstage. $599 <a href=)
, but they’re packed into a slim, streamlined component that can also be mounted to a wall. $799 <a href=)
 technology.
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DIAT uses infrared, and although the speakers rely on line-of-sight to work, signal integrity of HDTV and SACD audio remains intact. This HTIB doesn’t skimp in other areas either, and looks pretty great to boot. $899 <a href=){kind=spacer}
Costco carries the Samsung model for $399, and the Panasonic HT-743 for $299. The HT-743 is identical to the HT-940. Only 2 differences:
- the height of the front speakers in 940 can be adjusted, not in 743
- 940 allows full control of compatible Panasonic HDTVs with HDMI connection.
Are the all-in-one speakers like Mainstage up to par yet? In the olden days (i.e. 5 yrs ago) most of the one speaker systems I saw were pretty poor.
Thanks Ayan, that’s great to hear you can get them so cheap.
And Richard, it all depends what you think up to par it. Their are a couple other good ones on the market from Yamaha and Pioneer, but those require a receiver. The Mainstage is a tidy all-in-one package that can really crank and sounds good with movies and music. If you don’t have room for a full 6 speaker setup, or live with someone who doesn’t want to see a bunch of speakers in the livingroom, I recommend the Soundmatters set.
As far as the lack of HDMI on the Onkyo, that’s sort of irrelevant since it doesn’t include a DVD player. At this price, you can’t expect an HDMI switching receiver(the cheapest HDMI switching receivers start at what the complete Onkyo system is selling for…), which would be the only only point for an HDMI connnector. HDMI, for all the hype about integrated audio and video, is still really more about video than audio. (In fact, on my year old Panasonic HDTV, I can connect an HDMI source directly to the TV, but the TV can’t route 5.1 audio back out to my receiver.) And any new progressive scan DVD player you’re likely to buy today will have an HDMI connection. Onkyo was pretty smart: they put their money into the audio.
Kevin, you’re right. I should have been clearer about that. This set is all about the sound, which is incredible for the money.
I have Sony surround sound and I love it. Sony makes the best electronics.