Price Paid:  $260.00 from e-bay

Summary:
I started building my home theater with the intention of upgrading my system as the technology advanced. This product fits the bill perfectly. After incorporating the CSE 6.1 in with the rest of my system and turning it loose on DVD's from action to music DVD's, this product KICKS ASS! Even DVD's that are only 5.1 are transformed into 6.1. There is nothing cheesy about this product. As for the hiss I read about in other reviews I did not encounter that issue. I did use high quality cables, weather or not that makes any differance I can't awnser. Better safe than sorry. If your upgrading your system and you, like me loathe the thought of spending big bucks every time a new flag ship system comes out I highly recomend the CSE 6.1

Strengths:
Looks, Two center channel outputs, two special speaker outputs for the center of the room(I have yet to conect these but do plan on doing so) rear sub output with its own selectable crossover. Hook-up (easy)

Weaknesses:
Calibrating the rear center takes some imagination to get it perfect. but thats part of the fun.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha RXV-2090, Harman Kardon signature 2.0, Harman Kardon PA5800, Boston Acoustics VR 30, Boston Acoustics VR 12, Infinity SSW-10, Optimus Pro LX5, ProScan PS35, Toshiba SD-3750

Price Paid:  $369.00 from abt

Summary:
Wow....slammin bass from front and rear...action films blow the guys away, better than Monica wink wink this Parasound Rocks the bigger the room the more spatial the sound, not intended for a 10 by 10 room...need space to fully appreciate the audio...my freind just recently layed out $900 bucks for his outlaw gear that hissed like hell...this is a lot less than his, and if your ears are four feet from the side or rear surround speakers they are too close to begin with....Boy I never heard anything like Gladiator or the Fifth element so well presented. Not perfect but for under four hundred dollars this is worth every penny

Strengths:
6 rear speakers and subwoofer outputs, easy setup and flexible installation, system can expand when you have the dollars to add more amps and speakers, add to any existing system with preout capable

Weaknesses:
I couldn't find any? jsut enjoying my home theater, bring on those DVD's

Similar Products Used:
rotel,adcom, outlaw, aragon,Acurus Harman/Kardon, Sony, Technics,onkyo

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Paradyme

Summary:
I was really looking foreward to hooking this unit up, I went right out and bought a set of Polk dipole speakers & a 2 channel parasound amp. This f-ing thing hisses so bad that it drove me crazy, I had to un-hook it! I know that it was not the amp or the speakers because I am runnng the same amp & speakers for my RS & LS channels & those speakers dont hiss at all!! I am very disapointed considering I am in about $1800.00 to hook the mother up!

Strengths:
It looks cool!

Weaknesses:
noise

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $300.00 from internet

Summary:
I really like the concept of adding 6.1 EX to my current 5.1 processor. I did some looking around and found there are three of these 6.1 cheater boxes on the market. Parasound, Smart, and ADA all make a product like this. I decided to go with the Parasound because I own 6 Parasound amps and have always been happy with them. The Parasound also has a rear subwoofer output not available on the ADA (as far as I could tell). The Smart version has a subwoofer output, but it's fixed at a pretty high freq.
It's a nice solid unit and matches the Parasound Zamp.
However, my complaint was with the noise level. The 6.1 produces an audible hiss that is quite noticable, even from five feet away. When a film is in a high action scene the 6.1 produces a pretty cool effect. Although, when the action levels are low the hiss is strong and annoying!
I contacted Parasound an was told some hiss is normal, but it was too much for my taste. I took mine back.
It's a shame because I was really looking foward to trying out some 6.1 films.

Strengths:
Solid build, Subwoofer and aux outputs, Looks good (ADA & Smart both have Cheesy Bold Lettering)

Weaknesses:
Noise

Price Paid:  $400.00 from ABT electronics

Summary:
The CSE 6.1 is amazing with my THX setup. now I can hear effects coming from the center rear that I've never heard before with the old 5.1 setup. Not only the center surround improves the experience, but also in addition you have options of adding two ceiling speakers and an extra rear subwoofer to the setup. I truley recommend the CSE 6.1 to any existing 5.1 setup with L/R surround outputs and a power amp to drive the 6th channel. Now I can enjoy the benifits of THX sourround EX and DTS ES formats. For a price of $400 is not bad unless if you want to spend about $3000.00 for a new controller. The CSE 6.1 is the solution for those that have 5.1 setups.

Strengths:
ability to addon a rear subwoofer and Two additional ceiling speakers.

Weaknesses:
must buy an additional Two channel power amplifier to acheive THX EX configeration and no delay time.