Home Theater Systems Reviews

Subwoofer: DSW-S301
Connections: Proprietary multipin umbilical from receiver, high-level proprietary wire-clip outputs to speakers
Enclosure Type: Vented
Woofer (size in inches, type): 8, cone
Power Rating (watts): 140
Crossover Bypass: No
Available Finishes: Gray
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 14.5 x 9.3 x 18.2
Weight (pounds): 34
Price: $1,599 for system

Speaker: SC-S301
Type: Two-way, monitor
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 0.8, dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 3, cone (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 4
Available Finishes: Gray
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 13.2 x 5.3 x 3
Weight (pounds): 4.5
Price: $1,599 for system

These listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs; the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.

AT A Glance: Denon ADV-S301 DVD Receiver

Connections
Inputs:
Video: S-video (2), composite video (2)
Audio: iPod dock (1), USB (1), coaxial digital (2), optical digital (1), stereo analog RCA (3), stereo analog mini-jack, AM/FM
Outputs:
Video: HDMI (1), component (1), S-video (1), composite (1)
Audio: optical digital (1), stereo analog (1)
Additional:
RS-232 (1), 12-volt trigger (1), IR jack (2), proprietary system connection to sub (1)

Features
Compatible
Playback Formats: SACD, DVD-Audio, HDCD, DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, CD-R/-RW, MP3, WMA, WAV, JPEG, Kodak PictureCD, Video CD
Possible Playback
Resolutions: 1080i/720p/480p/480i
Processing Modes: Dolby Virtual Speaker (compatible with Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II, Dolby Surround, DTS signals), Dolby Headphone
Other: 2 DSP modes
Number of Amp Channels: 2.1
Power Rating
(watts, per channel): 70 into 4 ohms; sub: 140 into 3 ohms
Dimensions
(H x W x D, inches): 3.7 x 15 x 9.7
Weight (pounds): 9.25
Price: $1,599 for system

Ratings: Denon S-301 HTIB

Build Quality: 94
• More favorable ratio of metal to plastic compared with most HTIBs
• Cunningly constructed speaker connectors

Value: 86
• At this price, you could buy a decent 5.1 system with speakers, receiver, and DVD
• iPod connectivity may be a dealmaker for some

Features: 93
• Plays almost every imaginable disc including SACD and DVD-Audio
• Faroudja DCDi video processing

Performance: 89
• Fills the stereo hole-in-the-middle better than most two-speaker HTIB systems
• Surround effects not as prominent as with a conventional 5.1 system

Ergonomics: 90
• Brilliantly designed remote uses front/back strategy
• iPod song menu not properly alphabetized

Overall Rating: 90
Denon's second-generation Dolby Virtual Speaker surround system gets surround-like effects out of two speakers and a sub. Its iPod connectivity makes it easy to use with everyone's favorite portable audio server. With secondary features on the back of the remote, the system caters both to beginners and advanced users.

General Information
S-301 HTIB, $1,599
Denon Electronics
(973) 396-0810
www.usa.denon.com
Dealer Locator Code DEN