Home Theater Systems Reviews

Subwoofer: SW-38HT
Connections: Line-level input
Enclosure Type: Vented
Woofer (size in inches, type): 6.5, paper cone
Power Rating (watts): 75
Crossover Bypass: No
Available Finishes: Silver
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 15.75 x 8.25 x 13.75
Weight (pounds): 20.3
Price: $1,000 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.

Speaker: Front
Type: Two-way
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 0.75, PT dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 2.75, paper cone (5)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 40–120
Available Finishes: Silver
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 45.44 x 3 x 3.06
Weight (pounds): 11.7 (without base)
Price: $1,000 for system

Speaker: Center
Type: Two-way, center
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 0.75, PT dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 2.75, paper cone (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 40–120
Available Finishes: Silver
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 4.13 x 11 x 3.19
Weight (pounds): 2.7 (with base)
Price: $1,000 for system

Speaker: Surround
Type: Two-way, satellite
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 0.75, PT dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 2.75, paper cone (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 40–100
Available Finishes: Silver
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 9.06 x 3 x 3.06
Weight (pounds): 2.4
Price: $1,000 for system

At A Glance: Kenwood vrs-7100 a/v receiver

Connections
Inputs:
Video: component video (2), composite video (4)
Audio: coaxial digital (2), optical digital (3), stereo analog (6)
Outputs:
Video: component video (1), composite video (2)
Audio: stereo analog (1), preamp (Subwoofer/SurrBackLeft/
SurrBackRight only)
Additional:
Headphone jack (1), AM/FM antenna ins

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

Features
Processing Modes:
Dolby: Digital 5.1, EX, Pro Logic,
Pro Logic II, Pro Logic IIx, Virtual Speaker, Headphone
DTS: DTS, ES Discrete, Neo:6, 96/24
Other: Active EQ
Number of Amp Channels: 6
Amp Power
(watts per channel): 100, into 6 ohms, two channels driven
Dimensions
(H x W x D, inches): 3.1 x 17.3 x 15.3
Weight (pounds): 9.7
Price: $500; $1,000 for system

At A Glance: Kenwood dvf-8100 dvd player

Connections
Inputs:
Video: none
Audio: none
Outputs:
Video: component video (1), S-video (1), composite video (1)
Audio: coaxial digital (1), stereo analog (1)
Additional:
None

Features
Compatible Playback Formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, CD-R/-RW, MP3/WMA,
JPEG, VideoCD
Possible Playback Resolutions: 480p/480i
Built-in Decoding: None
Video D/A Converter: 10-bit/27-megahertz
Audio D/A Converter: 24-bit/96-kilohertz
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 1.75 x 17.3 x 9.8
Weight (pounds): 5.1
Price: $150; $1,000 for system

Ratings

Kenwood HTB-S715DV HTIB

Build Quality: 88
Pedal to the metal: Brushed-aluminum speaker cabinets
Delicate DVD player could use some vitamin supplements

Value: 87
A wish come true for the young gamer
For $800, you can get the HTB-S710DV, which is the same setup with smaller speakers

Features: 93
Dual Source/Single Zone feature is guaranteed to keep the peace in gaming households
All of those processing modes, but someone forgot about an auto-off system for the sub

Performance: 88
Some standard HTIB sonic shortcomings, but the extra features make a difference
Start searching for those 6.1 soundtracks

Ergonomics: 85
Setup is tougher than that of most HTIBs
Two remotes, but the receiver's remote does the job solo

Overall Rating: 88
The HTB-S715DV's got game—and brushed-aluminum speakers, and 6.1 surround, and a clever way to handle heavy traffic by accommodating two parties at once. Let's see other HTIBs beat that.

General Information
HTB-S715DV HTIB, $1,000
Kenwood USA
(800) KENWOOD
www.kenwoodusa.com
Dealer Locator Code KWD