Home > Consumer Reviews > Yamaha DVX-S100 5.1-Channel DVD Home Theater System

I know very little about home theater and stereo systems. I set out about one month ago going into hi-tech store and listening to systems. Most said to steer away from all-in-one box theater systems. In my search I listened to a number of good systems which cost from $1000 on up. However, I came across the Yamaha DVX-S1000 system and read many favorable reviews. The experts were recommending this all-in-one box system. They said it was comparable to thousand dollar systems. I didn't come across any negative reviews about the system. After reading the reviews and finding that it won the CES 2002 home theater award, I decided to take a chance and get the system.

I have been very very pleased with the system. What a pleasure to listen to it. Its kept me up all hours of the night playing with it. It was very easy to setup. It sounds fantastic. I think it sounds better than most of the $1000 to $2000 systems I heard. I have a large room that was wired for speakers. I was a little worried hooking up a 35 watt system, but after putting the system in it has more than plenty of power. I highly recommend it.

I'm not a "hi-tech" person but I love a deal and I think this home theater is it. DVDs play flawlessly and even the tuner gives music DVD quality sound. The system itself is very nice looking...the only reason I give it 4 instead of 5 is that set-up isn't as easy as I would have thought. I had to get a guy friend to help me here. Also the remote has buttons that serve dual functions so you need to sit down with the manual and familiarize yourself with it.
I looked at other models like Onyko and Sony for weeks...reading tons of reviews and consumer comments and decided this was the way to go.

The item was shipped without the cables. These cables are proprietary and will double the cost of the item if ordered through Yamaha. I tried to buy them aftermarket, but to no avail. Nowhere in the posting of this item did the seller mention that the cables were not included. The instruction booklet also lists the cables as part of the equipment. Beware of this seller he is dishonest. I emailed him about this problem and he was extremely nasty in his response. I will rethink future purchases using Amazon.com.

I was originally in the market for a Bose System, when I visited an audiophile friend of mine that introduced me to this system. In his store, we put the Bose and the Yamaha side by side and I could not tell the difference. He stated that he could notice the upper and low "elements" of sound that are slightly crisper on the Bose but I don't believe him!

I now own this system and EVERYONE that I show it to is amazed at the sound. I wish I could give it 6 Stars!

I just got this system two days ago. I have only had time to watch one movie (Black Hawk Down) so I don't believe I have had adequate time to test the limits of the DVX-S100. However, I wanted to share my initial thoughts and perhaps come back with an update later.

My experience thus far has been great. The system hardware is very easy to set up, the speakers simply plug into the sub-woofer. Use a component video cable to connect your TV and you are ready to go. The unit has advanced on-screen programming menus that are very easy to use. Maximize your home theatre system by configuring the software correctly to match your TV and the room (placement of speakers, etc). This only takes a few minutes and its very easy to do on this system.

The CD player benefits from a high-end Faroudja chip (Dcdi - usually found in more expensive DVD players). This outputs a progressive scan signal that flat-out rocks on a Hi-scan or HD-ready TV. Also, the cd player appears to play almost all current formats (except SuperAudio), meaning it will handle MP3, CD-RW, DVD-audio, etc.

There are enough inputs to add standard items such as satellite TV and/or digital cable. There is even an input for a mini-disc player or some other digital component.

The speakers are well matched and well-balanced. The system is a bit atypical in set-up though as the amp is in the subwoofer. All this means is that you can't easily change speakers down the road (at least not the sub). And speaking of the amp, this is what everyone will criticize because it only drives about 35 watts per channel. But the speakers are very efficient and they sound louder and stronger than comparable systems that claim to pump more watts. In an average size room (or especially a smaller room) this system cranks.

In summary, at this price you are getting excellent circuitry, style, elegance and simplicity that looks and sounds great. For me it is the perfect combo of price and features in a compact system.