HT Staff

KEF
What if you could get the same digital surround sound from a speaker system without running all of those wires across the floor of your home theater? If that's your wish, then KEF's new Instant Theatre, or KIT100, is right up your alley. The system—which features two compact front speakers, a hideaway subwoofer, and a DVD/receiver unit with an AM/FM tuner—utilizes NXT's flat-panel technology to produce surround sound from just two speakers. Each die-cast aluminum speaker is designed to minimize cabinet vibrations and features a 4-inch Uni-Q driver array with a 0.6-inch tweeter. It's nearly impossible to mess up the setup process, as the four supplied cables are shaped for their respective fittings. The progressive-scan DVD player is compatible with CD-Rs/-RWs and MP3-encoded CDs, and the unit includes Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS decoding. The Instant Theatre is all yours for $1,500.
KEF
(732) 683-2356
www.kef.com

Giclée Art World
What's an evening in your home theater without your favorite film-time treat? Nothing makes a home theater a home theater more than a big, freshly popped bowl of popcorn. Now, thanks to artist Clark Carroll's Pop Art, you can keep that feeling in your theater even when the popper is taking a well-deserved rest. Carroll has been an illustrator for 30 years and has been a member of the Society of Illustrators in New York (whose other members have included Norman Rockwell). Pop Art is available as a limited-edition giclée on Somerset paper, numbered and signed by the artist. The 15- by 20-inch version sells for $250, and the 30- by 40-inch size is $400. It might not fill your theater with that buttery aroma, but Pop Art may be the next best thing.
Giclée Art World
(610) 449-5560
www.gicleeartworld.com

Harman/Kardon
Home-theater-in-a-box systems have come a long way. Harman/Kardon's CP 15 6.1-channel system ($1,199) will get you started on your home theater journey, minus a display device. The CP 15 includes Harman/Kardon's AVR 135 A/V receiver, DVD 22 progressive-scan DVD player, and HKTS 8 home cinema speaker system. The AVR 135 can decode the popular surround sound formats, including Dolby Pro Logic IIx and Dolby Headphone. A full-function remote is also supplied. The DVD 22 can play back DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, WMA, CD, CD-R/-RW, MP3, and JPEG discs. The speaker package features contoured satellite speakers, a center-channel speaker, and a vertically oriented subwoofer.
Harman/Kardon
(516) 496-3400
www.harmankardon.com

La-Z-Boy
So you've finally put together your dream home theater. The screen is just perfect, the components come together nicely, and you're all ready to settle in for that Rocky marathon this weekend. If only you could enjoy it all from the comfort of your favorite La-Z-Boy recliner. Say no more, my friend. La-Z-Boy has answered your prayers with their new Home Theater Collection. Seven pieces comprise the new Matinee group: right and left one-arm recliners; right and left wedges with armless recliners; a two-arm recliner; a console with a storage drawer; and a standalone wedge. You can customize the recliners with La-Z-Boy's power recline system, which lets you recline or extend to virtually any position. La-Z-Boy says that each cushion is placed at a 15-degree angle and positioned so that the seat back won't block the surround sound. The suggested retail price of the dividing furniture pieces (including the wedge and console) ranges from $299 in fabric to $799 in leather. Prices for the seating furniture pieces (including the one- and two-arm recliners) range from $599 in fabric to $1,899 in leather with the power reclining option.
La-Z-Boy
(734) 242-1444
www.lazboy.com