Home Theater Systems Reviews

Subwoofer: SUB-TS11
Connections: Speaker-level stereo in/out, line-level stereo and LFE in
Enclosure Type: Vented
Woofer (size in inches, type): 10, pressed paper cone
Power Rating (watts): 200, RMS
Crossover Bypass: Yes
Available Finishes: Silver Gray
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 19 x 13.25 x 14.5
Weight (pounds): 48

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

Speaker: SAT-TS11
Type: Two-way, satellite
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 0.75, titanium laminate dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 3, pressed paper cone (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 10–120
Available Finishes: Silver Gray
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 9.5 x 4 x 3.2
Weight (pounds): 2.2

Cen-TS11
Type: Two-way, center
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 0.75, titanium laminate dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 3, pressed paper cone (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 10–120
Available Finishes: Silver Gray
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 4 x 9.5 x 3.2
Weight (pounds): 2.2

HT Labs Measures: Harman Kardon HS 300 Integrated Home Theater System

• Two channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.2% distortion at 29.1 watts
1% distortion at 36.3 watts

• Two channels driven into 4-ohm loads:
0.2% distortion at 54.7 watts
1% distortion at 55.8 watts

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the SAT-TS11 satellites (purple trace), SUB-TS11 subwoofer (blue trace), and CEN-TS11 center channel (green trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The SAT-TS11's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.17/–3.01 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 188 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 166 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 8.38 ohms at 463 Hz and a phase angle of –35.22 degrees at 254 Hz. Sensitivity averages 87 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.

The CEN-TS11's listening-window response measures +1.77/–2.44 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and (+/–15-degree) horizontal responses measures +1.69/–3.19 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 175 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 154 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 8.43 ohms at 429 Hz and a phase angle of –40.89 degrees at 224 Hz. Sensitivity averages 87 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.

The SUB-TS11's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 36 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 33 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 127 Hz.

Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –82.95 dB left to right and –82.69 dB right to left. THD+N from the amplifier was less than 0.092 percent at 1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load. The signal-to-noise ratio with 2.83 volts driving an 8-ohm load from 10 Hz to 24 kHz with "A" weighting was –83.18 dBrA.—MJP

At A Glance: HS 300 DVD-Receiver

Connections
Inputs:
Video: None
Audio: Coaxial digital (1), optical digital (1), stereo analog (2), USB (2), AM (1), FM (1)

Outputs:
Video: HDMI (1), component video (1), S-video (1), composite video (1)
Audio: Coaxial digital (1), stereo analog (1), subwoofer (1)

Additional: RS-232 (1), sub trigger (1)

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

Features
Compatible Playback Formats: DVD-Audio, DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, CD-R/-RW, MP3/WMA, JPEG, Video CD
Possible Playback Resolutions: 1080i/720p/480p/480i
Processing Modes: Dolby: Digital 5.1, Pro Logic II
DTS: DTS, 96/24, Neo:6
Other: Stereo
Number of Amp Channels: 5
Power Rating (watts per channel): 35, into 6 ohms
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 3.19 x 17.94 x 15.75
Weight (pounds): 10.6
Price: $999 for system

Ratings: HS 300 Integrated Home Theater System

Build Quality: 86 Average
• Speaker enclosures made of lightweight plastic
• DVD-receiver compact and outwardly well made

Value: 89 Average
• Not the cheapest all-in-one system on the block
• Energy-efficient DVD-receiver potentially saves you money

Features: 90 Good
• Digital amps • Minimal front controls
• Backlit volume knob
• DVD-Audio capability

Performance: 89 Average
• Decent midrange
• Aggressive bass
• Modest sats demand much of sub
• Sounds great with DVD-Audio

Ergonomics: 93 Good
• Handsome, space-saving DVD-receiver
• OK remote
• Color-coded cables

Overall Rating: 89 Average
Harman Kardon's HTIB—integrated home theater system is the term they prefer—combines modest satellites with a sleek, minimalist DVD/receiver powered by energy-saving Class D amps. The speakers are adroitly voiced, producing a smooth midrange. It's an above-average specimen of its breed.

General Information
HS 300 Integrated Home Theater System
Harman Kardon
(516) 255-4545
www.harmankardon.com