Top 10 Home cinema
01 LG HX976TZW
Stuff says
It’s not cheap, but you certainly get what you pay for. Spectacular.
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02
Samsung HT-C6930
Exhaustive spec equals instant appeal - and it's backed up by impressive pictures and solid sound
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03
Panasonic SC-BTT370
This budget system is actually a formidable listen
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04
Yamaha YSP-4100
The YSP-4100 is a sophisticated, modern and convincing attempt to produce surround sound from one box
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05
Panasonic SC-BTT775
Superb sound and picture, but its online services are old-school
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06
Sony BDV-E380
For smaller homes and more restricted budgets, the smaller Sony 5.1 system makes more sense than its larger sibling
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07
LG HX906PA
A sight more cost-effective than its similarly priced rivals, although a decent picture us underminded by a surprisingly lean sound
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08
Sony BDV-E880
Superb looks, picture and online services are let down by confused sound
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09
Samsung HT-D6750W
It’s elegant and talented, but the Samsung suffers from a brittle sound
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10
Harman Kardon BDS 800
It's far from cheap, but the BDS 800 compensates with excellent sound for a system of its type
Instant Expert
LG’s gone big on 3D for 2011: alongside a raft of 3D-compatible TVs, it’s announced two all-new home cinema systems designed to support viewing in three dimensions. The 7.2-capable HX996TS (£tba (due spring), lg.com/uk) sports twin subwoofers plus a claimed 1280W of power, and includes a ‘Vertical 3D Effect Channel’ feature, in which noise is channelled upwards through the top of each floorstanding speaker to add height and space to your sound. LG’s spokespeople claim this “creates the illusion that you’re right in the middle of the movie”. The smaller HB906SB (due spring) is a 5.1 system, although like its big brother, it’s both network and online-friendly.
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.
