Great sound | Denon S-301 DVD Home Entertainment System

"Music to my ears" | Denon S-301 DVD Home Entertainment System

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	• Denon S-301 DVD Home Entertainment System Denon Denon average customer review:based on 22 reviews view larger image
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***Best Home Theater in a Box to date!***

I made my decision to purchase the Denon S-301 through the reviews on CNET.com (THE authority on anything electronic!). It got rave reviews and I have been unimpressed with overpriced and underperforming BOSE systems. NEVER waste your money on Bose!

I was impressed with this system the moment I picked up the box. It is quality built and very solid; heavy would be a good description. Each component was nicely finished and did not feel "cheap" as other systems do. It was easy to set-up and the HDMI output made hooking it up to the HDTV a snap (try www.monoprice.com for excellent cables on par with WAY overpriced Monster Cables for a fraction of the price).

After setting it all up I watched King Kong and I was very happy with the upconversion process. I set it at 1080i and could barely tell the difference in the picture quality as compared to bonafide HD broadcasts. I have read some people had problems with the HDMI output on this device, but I have yet to experience it (knock on wood).

Everything sounds great on this little system. From standard FM radio to CD's it all sounds excellent! I love the fact I can plug my USB "thumb" drive directly into the front of this system and play my MP3's! Obviously, this system has a phantom 5.1 surround sound and does not sound AS good as a true 5.1 system, but I do not miss all the clutter around my room at all. The difference, to me, was not all that great to justify the additional room clutter.

I did wish this system had additional HDMI inputs instead of just a single output. It would have made hooking up future devices a little bit easier. In addition, it has only one TOSlink input (optical audio) along with several digital coaxial inputs. Most of the devices I use have optical, so I do not know why they only included one.

While setting up this system is fairly easy, "tweaking" it for maximum performance is not. The manual is not very descriptive of all the settings and functions the S-301 offers. Not many of the settings are "common sense" and do need some explanation. One of the things I figured out early on was without using the HDMI cable and using Component video cables the device would not upconvert to 720p or 1080i, which is important to any HDTV owner. I researched some of the functions online and was able to navigate it after some time. These are minor complaints as I would probably have with any system, but I thought it would be fair to voice them.

This is an expensive Home Theater in a Box, but I think it was worth the additional money. The other systems do not compare to this one, so try to scrape some extra cash up and take the plunge with the Denon S-301 as it does not get any better than this!

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Great sound

I bought the Denon S-301 to connect to a Sony Bravia 40". I wanted an all-in-one system that looks good, sound great and plays DVDs well. I am quite happy with my decision to purchase this system.

Playing DVDs. The picture quality is excellent. No complaints there. I use HDMI to hook up to my TV and occasionally the picture blanks. I think its because the Monster HDMI cable is not seating well in the S-301. It does not happen enough for me to worry about. I also have a Sony DAV X-1 connected to the same Sony model TV and they are both comparable. The sound is awesome!! Better than the DAV X-1. Though the bass is a bit "loose", when the .1 of the 5.1 channels kicks in you can feel it! However, I cannot discern the virtual surround sound projection - perhaps its just the position I watch TV from - I don't sit exactly in the middle of the speakers.

Playing CDs. OK this is tough to review as I own an audiophile hifi set and it will be an unfair comparison. The high and mid range is excellent. Comparable to my hifi set. However the bass was very dissappointing at first. After a bit of time and wear in, it got better but nowhere as solid as my hifi set. I also agree with the previous reviewer that the music sounds a little lethargic, no rhythm nor pace - but that is comparing it to a very expensive hifi set so it's hard to say.

Playing iPod. Its good! It charges your iPod too. You see the controls on TV and use the remote to play your songs. There is a little 1s delay between pressing the remote button and the iPod responding so you can't really surf through your iPod.

The manual is not well organized and if you are connecting using HDMI you actually have to read the manual to figure out how to do it.

For what I need the S-301 is a great little system. It is loud enough to fill a big room. The sound quality is good. And the price range is OK for the features and the quality.

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"Music to my ears"

I wanted something compact but powerful. This fitted the bill perfectly. Debated about Bose 321 series also, but after listing to the sound & comparing inputs, outputs & functions... there was no comparison. The USB connector in the front just ROCKS !!! the reviewer below is right about there being just 1 optical input. Make sure your components have digital coax output. Connected the philips DVP 642 to this system using s-video & digital co-ax & evrything is just perfect. Excellent DVD playback on Denon & Divx playback on my philips. Also, got 24 months interest free from best buy !!! the system was $1399, so thats like $50 a month. Awesome deal.

The best HTIB(home theater in a box) I have used to date. A bit pricy but well worth it.

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The true test of HTIB

I've owned this system since April 2006
Recently, I had the pleasure of viewing Star Wars, Episode 3, Return of the Sith; Digital cable/HBOHD/Cablevision I.O.
Picture quality was perfect; the best HD, I've seen in 2 plus yrs.
What most impressed me was the Surround sound, coming from my SA8300HD, STB; hooked into the S-301, through toslink cable, connected to my Sony KD34XBR960.
In a word INCREDIBLE!
My DVD Audio, & Super Audio/Hybrid/Multichannel, collection, sounds just as good.
Dolby Headphone, is a useful secondary feature
Anyone contemplating HTIB, MUST buy this system; it ROCKS!
Pricy, but well worth it.
You won't believe, how great it sounds
Highly recommended
P.S. HTIB, is (Home Theatre in a Box)

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