Kenwood HTB 504
Written: Dec 03 '01 (Updated Feb 06 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great value and sound quality with all the features I need.
Cons: Setup can be confusing.
The Bottom Line: This is a great buy and should satisfy all but the most demanding videophile! However, installation can be a challenge as the manual can be confusing.
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| rjones396's Full Review: Kenwood HTB-504 Theater System |
I bought the Kenwood HTB 504 on the recommendation of Consumer Report’s recent excellent review. Admittedly, this is the first video receiver I have owned but I’m very impressed with its performance and features for the price. I bought and returned (after just a few days) a cheaper Kenwood system, which consisted of the VR-517 receiver with smaller speakers and a non-powered subwoofer. I was not impressed with its sound quality. However, set up of both the VR 517 and the VR 507 receiver (included with the HTB-504) is equally confusing for someone new to video receivers. The manual only makes sense now that I understand what I’m doing! I have self installed multi-receiver Direct TV satellite systems so I’m not exactly phobic about these things!
What I didn’t understand about the setup was that the composite video from my VCR was not passed out on the receivers S-Video output to my TV. Consequently I could not get any video from the VCR to my TV. Finally I realized that I needed to attach both the receiver's composite video-output signal and the S-Video output to the TV monitor. This is a clumsy feature as it forces me to switch inputs on the TV to watch the VCR. I subsequently purchased a composite to S-Video converter ($20 from Radio Shack) for the VCR to get around this problem. This is supposed to degrade the VCR picture but I can’t tell much difference.
The unit’s remote control is large and quite convenient given its high functionality. I had no trouble configuring it to control my VCR, DSS, DVD and TV. (This is more than I can say for the miserable little remote that came with the VR-517). A convenient lock-out feature of the remote control allows it to be programmed to control sound volume with the receiver when in the TV mode.
The surround sound features are very complete and include Dolby Pro Logic II and circle surround as well as DTS, Dolby Digital and Dolby surround. A memory feature allows you to associate any mode with a particular input. It also provides 6-channel analog audio inputs for use with external systems.
I called Kenwood service about an inconsistency in the instructions. The instructions for setting of the crossover filter on the subwoofer were contradictory in various parts of the provided literature. The service person was polite and knowledgeable and the wait was only a few minutes. BTW the correct crossover setting is OFF.
Speaker wires appear a little thin but since their distances were short I kept the front wires. I replaced wiring to the rear speakers with 16 gauge because the runs (under the floor) were round-about and pretty long.
In summary, I am amazed at the value represented in this system
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
rjones396
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Reviews written: 1
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