Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
It is a nice affordable surround sound system that creates a bold sound. I hooked up a Bose center instead of the crappy one that came with it. I think it is great for music and i mainly use it with my computer. The sub is a nice addition to the system. It gives you your lows for a good price. Just make sure that the trubass isnt set to high otherwise it may become distorted depending on what you are inputting into it.

Price Paid:  $220.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
Works for a beginner home theater, incapable of being a good music receiver

Strengths:
price, ok for non-critical listener

Weaknesses:
Packaged speakers sound like transistor radio when playing music. All features on the remote and the usability of the remote is terrible.

Similar Products Used:
Technics receiver, AIWA mini music systems

Price Paid:  $420.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
This is a great model for anyone who is starting out on setting up a "first" in home theatre. I have had nothing but good reviews from entertaining company with this model. I have to admit i have out grown this model and is now used in my bed room. But the system combined with a set of Sony 5:1 speakers; with powered sub is a great way to go and is hands down enough to satisfy the begginer for a few years!!! I bought this receiver when it first came out but they are a heck of alot affordable now!

Strengths:
Tuning, input jacks,

Weaknesses:
DTS, 1 optical jack

Similar Products Used:
Harmon Kardin

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I have had great luck with this unit. I don't know about these other guys and their crap reviews. I have listened to several before buying this on and it sounds just as good if not better. It was also a lot cheaper than any of the others. The sub is wicked and the provided speakers that came with my package are good for what they are. The Polarity thing commented on is definitaly something that requires attention. All around pretty good though.

Strengths:
Good Sound, Affordable, Lots of inputs, video switching.

Weaknesses:
Crazy "shift required" remote, One more optical input would be nice. The user manual could be more thorough as well.

Similar Products Used:
Sony, Kenwood, Fischer and Pioneer.

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
Well I've had this unit for a few years now and it was fine for a first buyer of a surround unit and to give you a little bit of a feel for surround, but this thing just doesnt cut it. I'm using 2 real nice Mirage Fx-3s and a Technics center and Mirage Fx-1s for rears which are great speakers, but with this unit you just dont get to hear the full sound of the speakers. Also the remote is crappy too. Though the main thing with this receiver is that it just lacks way too many features that a real surround unit should have.

Strengths:
Good beginner unit and it is pretty easy to use

Weaknesses:
TOO little features, bad remote, cant do a lot of things, very little power, and bad signal to surround speakers