The sound is incredible.. better than the cinemas !!! Yes I do mean what I say. The power is immense and the definition is superb, the DTS mode is unparalleled

The satelite speakers could be a little smaller and the supplied speaker cables coud be a simpler colour other than te red/black. But no faults with the output.

A superb machine for the money and worth TWICE that !!

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Sony DAVS 300, Sony 705's, Videologic DTS digitheatre, Jbl 300 etc

600 watts @ $400. DTS, Dobly digital.

lack of inputs/outputs on back. not a true sub

i don't know jack about sound setup and that sort, but for the price i paid i am extremely happy w/ the SC-ht280. it took me only a few minutes to setup. i run a playstation 2 through it and it's incredible. it puts out like a slut on prom night. my audio optical out is coming in the mail. only then will the death-star be fully operational. now, if only i could get rid of my worthless roomate and let the tunes blast!

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trash picked, piece of junk emerson.

Awesome surround sound

not enough inputs, get really hot

Worth every penny.

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pioneer

Very good sound ! 3 optical inputs !! turntable input !!!

No s-video inputs, gets HOT!!!, noisy relay (especially when i turn system off)

Very good system...

Btw, does anyone know how to mod the built-in fan to operate directly instead of only on high power level ??

Price, Sound

Heat from reciever, and NO Coax input.

This is a very good entry level system for someone trying to get into hometheater for the first time. The setup is pretty easy and the overall system is cheap. If i am not mistaken, the receiver used in this system is very similar to the Technics sa-dx940. This is a pretty good receiver other than the fact that there are no coax digital inputs. (There are places however that sell coax to optical converters) It puts out alot of heat but as long as it has plenty of breathing room, it should be fine. I also have the sa-dx950 and sa-dx1040. These recivers put out alot of heat also. This just seems like something panasonic/technics recievers are prone to do. Overall a good system.

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Technics, sa-dx950 and sa-dx1040

Price, DTS Decoding,

Gets very hot!!

Had this system for about 8 months and love it. The sound is fantastic, especially in DTS. I've been using an older pair of speakers for the front, gave the others to my Dad, and it still sounds great. The only problem that I do have is that it gets extremly hot. Not sure if there is a cause for concern about it, but have not had any problems with it so far.

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None

panasonic whit 5 spaker system

100 watts equal output per each of its six channels. Very clear sound. Dolby Digital AND DTS (big plus for me). Nice big-sounding output from relatively small speakers.

Not a seperately powered subwoofer, which worried me a little at first, but after listening to it and comparing it with powered 50 watt sub systems, I really don't notice much of a diff. Remote is a little cramped. For its price range (lists at $399 most places). Kind of wish you had more control over the Equalization (mainly for music CDs), but it's no big whoop.

(note: not positive if this is a 2000 or 1999 model) For what it costs, this is a perfectly acceptible home theater solution. I'm very satisfied with it. I was looking for a system with DTS, Dolby Digital and at least 500 watts output for under $400, and this was the best value I found (there's a Philips system that's comparable---the 980D, but I think it's possible that its out of production longer being made). As I mentioned, I was worried that the sub wasn't separately powered, but once I got this home I realized that the 100 watts that the sub gets from the receiver can more than compete with a 50 watt powered sub that is found in several of the systems at this price range (including the 980D). The bass rumbles and punches just enough and is easily adjusted up or down. I was also surprised at how much the simulated surround modes have come in handy, especially when watching TV shows that are broadcast in stereo, but not dolby surround (this received also supports Pro Logic). For true channel separated surround like DD and DTS, this thing sounds fantastic---but make sure you set it up as the manual suggests and you get the distances of the speakers right. It makes a big difference. If you're on a limited budget but want a quality system, this is a great way to go as far as packaged systems. The receiver and speakers are all very sturdy and seem to be well-made, and sound is clear and crispy.

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Tried several others out in-store, but none others at home.

dts Decoding, optical digital inputs, 600 watts

Runs extremely hot, no coaxial digital inputs, funky remote, radio tuner

The Panasonic SC-HT280 is a very powerful and capable system out there, and probably offers the most bang for the buck. With 600 watts of power, you can really crank it up, and with 25 bass settings, you control how bass you can listen to. The lack of coaxial digital inputs is not a major impediment, just that coaxial cable is like 99¢ for 3 feet, while optical cable at Radio Shack is $25 for 3 feet. Allegedly, optical cable is lossless, and is not vulnerable to EM radiation. A more serious problem with the receiver is that it runs extremely hot, and the vents are woefully inadequate. There is a fan, but it only turns on during high power output. Watching The Green Mile with the simulated surround turned on, the temperatures above the recivers must have been 150°+. I had to rig up a cooling system (using a computer fan and a power adaptor from Radioshack) that makes the situation manageable. I can't see a way to open the case and get to the internal fan. The radio tuner adds a lot of noise to the broadcast, so it is best to turn of the DSP, and listen without the subwoofer. I also wish that the antenna input would have been a F-type connector or something similar, right now you have to strip the connector off the antenna wire to attach it to the receiver.
Aside from that, this is a very nice system. The setup is a snap, just plug the wires in, almost idiot proof. There are three optical inputs, one for DVD, another for CD, and one for MD/DAT or something like that. There are inputs for VCR, TV, DVD, CD, Phono, and Tape, which are plenty.
The most appealling thing, though, is the dts decoding. It is hard to find a system so cheap, and with a 100 watt subwoofer. The speakers themselves are quite good and can handle 200 watts each, even though the receiver can only put out 100 watts per channel.
The best thing about this system is dts decoding, and for the price, it is unparalleled.

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Altec Lansing ADA-880