1. Sony BDV-N990W
Price: $735
Website: www.sony.com
Ratings: 5/5
Sony
BDV-N990W
The new BDV-N990W isn't just good - we'd
bet there won't be a more complete, better-value home cinema system released
this year. It's more stylish than its forebears, its PS3-emulating curves
incorporating a side-mounted disc-loading slot plus touch-sensitive controls.
It's also exceptionally well equipped for its price, with twin HDMI inputs, a
USB-in for an iPod dock and analogue and digital ins. Picture and sound quality
are excellent, whether you're playing a 3D Blu-ray or streaming from the
extensive array of built-in smart services, and it's one of the cheapest
around.
Killer feature
The ability to ‘throw’ web pages from your
phone to your TV
Verdict
Massive spec, yet micro-priced: the Sony is
quite simply the biggest bargain in home cinema
2. Yamaha YSP-4000
Price: $2,000
Ratings: 5/5
Yamaha
YSP-4000
Replacing Yamaha's much-admired YSP-40D,
the '4000 adds onboard HD audio decoding for Blu-ray, wireless streaming of
audio from your iPod and, if you want more bass without cable clutter, a
wireless subwoofer option,
3. Panasonic SC-BTT590
Price: $735
Ratings: 5/5
Panasonic
SC-BTT590
An excellent all-rounder, this Panny has
excellent picture quality and immersive surround sound. Its Viera Connect smart
portal is respectable too, with video streaming services and more. It's not the
flashiest-looking, but that's its only flaw.
4. Arcam Solo Movie 5.1
Price: $3,535
Ratings: 5/5
Arcam
Solo Movie 5.1
Matches one-box simplicity with top quality
sound and vision, considering Arcam were among the first to develop a stylish
all-in-one box system that delivered clear sound and dazzling pictures. This
5.1 system is an award winner, and is deserving of the title.
5. Meridian G95DAB
Price: $10,570
Ratings: 5/5
Meridian
G95DAB
A sterling effort and an object of some
desire, a simple, low-compromise solution sure to appeal to many well-heeled
buyers, this system isn't cheap by any means, but for the price you get a
proper one-box with everything that is expected from it.
6. Sony BDV-E880
Price: $550
Ratings: 4/5
Sony
BDV-E880
Closely related to the BDV-E380 above, the
'880 packs larger front speakers that look impressive but, in truth, seldom gel
as well as they ought into the sonic whole. That's a shame, as the 3D picture
and online streaming provision are both exemplary.
7. LG HB906TA
Price: $605
Ratings: 4/5
LG
HB906TA
LG knows how to deliver perceived value:
with its tallboy front speakers, this system seems a sight more cost-effective
than its similarly priced Panasonic or Sony rivals. It's capable too, although
a decent picture is undermined by a surprisingly lean sound.
8. Philips HTS9140
Price: $1,325
Ratings: 4/5
Philips
HTS9140
Picture quality is retina-piercingly sharp
thanks to built-in hi-def upscaling, virtually no noise and clear colors. The
disc tray is achingly cool: the glass plate, emblazoned with glowing controls,
will slide across to reveal your disc with a light tap.
9. Harman/Kardon BDS 700
Price: $1,195
Ratings: 4/5
Harman/Kardon
BDS 700
It's far from cheap and, in the context of
the modern market, its sparse 2D-only specification seems wilful, but the BDS
700 compensates with excellent sound for a system of its type. It's smaller and
sleeker than many a rival, too.
10. Samsung HT-E6750W
Price: $955
Ratings: 4/5
Samsung
HT-E6750W
This hefty 7.1 system could dominate
smaller rooms, but it sure packs in the features. A 3D-capable system with
Smart Hub online access, its tall speakers include wireless transmission for
its surround channels. It can sound harsh at volume, though.
Instant expert
We've got you surrounded
Given all the complexity of all those
decoding doodads and processing whatnots, it's no surprise that most home
cinema receivers can make for iffy hi-fi setups. However, NAD's traditionally
tune-oriented buyers demand something a little different, and that's what the
company's delivered with its new T 787 receiver ($TBA, la-kozy.in). With a
massive seven-channel design, it features not one, but two Toroidal power
supplies - with one dedicated to the front speakers alone - all to ensure your
music moves you as it ought. The T 787 also sports NAD's modular architecture,
allowing for upgrades over the lifespan of the product via plug-in boards
rammed with upgraded video components, DACs, socketry and so on. Clever and
reassuring, given how much it costs.
This AV receiver has twin power supplies
for super-boosted tunes
What to look for
1. Number of speakers
This depends on aesthetics and, of course,
those you live with. If you're buying with an eye on the future, note that 6.1
and 7.1 movies will gradually become more common.
2. Amp abilities
Cinema-in-a-box comes with an amp, thus
reducing under-telly clutter. Don't fixate on wattage ratings - audio quality
is far more important than volume.
3. DVD or Blu-ray?
Almost every Blu-ray spinner will also play
DVDs, so investing in a Blu-ray set-up may be worth it in the long-term.
4. 3D
Many TVs support 3D, so consider a 3D-ready
home cinema - whether it can play 3D discs itself, or just pass the content to
your TV.
5. Compromise
If domestic bliss relies upon a lack of
surround speakers, consider ‘cheat' surround (such as a sound bar) but get a
friendly dealer to let you try before you buy.
