Top 10 Home cinema
01 Sony BDV-N590
Stuff says
Massive spec, yet micro-priced: the Sony is quite simply the biggest bargain in home cinema
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02
Sonos Playbar
This isn’t a soundbar, this is a Sonos soundbar, and it’s really rather awesome
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03
Yamaha YSP-2200
The YSP-2200 is the best Digital Sound Projector yet. A great home cinema solution
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04
Panasonic SC-BTT590
The Pana's brilliant all-round performance easily makes up for its slightly dreary design
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05
Samsung HT-E8200
Simple, stylish and smart; Sammy's made a true all-in-one
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06
Yamaha YSP-4100
The YSP-4100 is a sophisticated, modern and convincing attempt to produce surround sound from one box
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07
LG BH8220B
The LG's sound could be more solid, but for picture quality, design and features, it's a winner
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08
Philips HTS5563
Ideal if space (and cash) are at a premium, the compact Philips won't let you down
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09
Samsung HT-E5530
It's not the most subtle, but there's no arguing with the Samsung's scale and power
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10
Harman Kardon BDS 570
If you like the idea of a compact, convenient home cinema system, the BDS 570 could be perfect for you
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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.
