ISO Affordable Home Theater System ...

[jujubees]

I'm in the market for a starter home theater system, and I've been looking at the RCA 500-Watt Dolby Digital Surround Sound Package (model RT2280). It's in the right price range, and it has everything I'm looking for.

Before I commit, I wanted to get your expert opinions on the specs ... mayhaps even from people who currently own it? ;) Thanks in advance for any help! :D


System includes 500-watt home theater receiver, four 2-way satellite speakers, dedicated center-channel speaker and a passive subwoofer
Receiver output (surround mode): 80W x 5 + 100-watt subwoofer channel(frequency range and THD not supplied)
Built-in Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic decoding, plus Dolby 3 stereo processing
Flexible setup controls let you tailor the system's surround response for room size and speaker placement
Enhanced jack pack includes 7 pair rear audio inputs, 4 video inputs, 3 S-video inputs, 2 video outputs, 1 S-video output, and optical and coaxial digital audio inputs
6-mode acoustic-environment DSP
2-level Nightmode compresses dynamic range to control volume peaks while keeping dialog intelligible
2-way front, center-channel and surround speakers for accurate reproduction
6-channel analog inputs for external SACD, DVD-Audio or future surround decoders
Digital AM/FM tuner with 30 station presets
Color-coded connections and wiring, plus Quick Connect guide for easy setup
Includes universal remote


http://images.bestbuy.com/images/esku/front/11062757frA.jpg
http://images.bestbuy.com/images/esku/custom/11062757cv1A.jpg

[spigidygak]

One thing I don't like are the speaker connections on the receiver. Those clipy things won't let you use that big guage of a wire. But if you plan on doing an upgrade by replacing everything then that won't matter too much. But I personally like to have a lil' more invested in a receiver so later on I can upgrade the speakers.

[rasetsu]

Looks pretty good. It's got plenty of S-video inputs too.
You can solve that high gauge speaker wire thing by buying gold plated wire connectors that you crimp on the speaker wires. It's about $10 for a pack for four speakers.

[ru1thirst]

make sure you check out the Kenwood HTB-504 system before you buy anything. In a HT forum that I hang out in, this system has been known as the best deal going as far as price, sound, equiptment, possible upgrades and owner satisfaction. I think you can pick one up now for around $400. Don't be in a hurry. Shop and listen to as many as you can and I'm sure you'll feel much better about any purchase. I've bought the 504 for 2 friends and they love it.

[jujubees]

Thanks for the input and suggestions! :)

I've had the system for a month now, and I don't know how I ever lived without one! Don't plan on replacing this for a few years -- this isn't an area that I plan to spend lots of $$ on, at least until I have a house.

[whitak24]

Originally posted by jujubees
Thanks for the input and suggestions! :)

I've had the system for a month now, and I don't know how I ever lived without one! Don't plan on replacing this for a few years -- this isn't an area that I plan to spend lots of $$ on, at least until I have a house.
aww, come on! you know it's important to spend a couple grand on a HT system :P