Home > Consumer Reviews > Kenwood Home Theater System (HTB504)

I reviewed a number of systems from Sony and Kenwood. I selected the 504 based on the following:
1. Dolby Digital, DTS, and Prologic II decoders built into the receiver.
2. White noise setup for balancing the level output to the 5 speakers and subwoofer.
3. 100 watt powered subwoofer.
4. Digital Coax, analog, and fiber optic inputs.
5. Ability to hook up 3 video sources and 4 audio sources in the back plus auxilary input for one combined a/v source on the front.
6. Dimmer function for the display.
7. A "night" mode that boosts the dialogue so that you can listen to dialogue without having a special effect wake the neighbors.
8. Matched speaker set, center, left and right front, left and right surround, and subwoofer.
9. Universal remote that communicated with all my existing equipment, JVC VCR, pioneer DVD, and Sony TV.

The similarly priced Sony equipment was comparable in many ways except generally they did not include the Prologic II capabilities and all the main speakers were the same size (small). The subwoofer was generally only 50 watts. The small speakers could be a positive if you want them to be less noticable.

Detractors were that the speaker wire that came with the system was puny and the manual was put together like the tax code.

I've owned my system for about a year and have only had good experiences with the system.

this setup is great the system has no problem reach its max volume with no distortion when using a digital source the only complanit is that for volume 99-60 (higher the number lower the volume) there is little difference you have to aleast turn the volume up to 55 to get a good volume but there is still enough to crank it very loud (35-20). the sub sounds great in dts and 5.1 but when in prologic 1 or 2 it is rather quite when used to play cd's. overall a great system although i hate the fact that you cant name your inputs.

I bought this system from Sears in 2001 and have yet to be disappointed. One word of advice: make sure the room in which you will put this baby can accommodate it. These are NOT small speakers, and the sub weighs a ton. It would help to have the room professionally wired beforehand, although this isn't necessary. Make certain you can space out the speakers as recommended...

You might also consider the Onkyo SKS-HT500, which has gotten rave reviews... Most people who buy this system love it, and often keep the sub and receiver when (and if) they trade out the speakers. My only regret was that this thing was too big to take to the college dorm. Don't pay more than [$$$] for this.

This is the most highest rated value available. It compares t much hihger priced systems. Good buy