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Samsung HT-AS730S: Review

Posted to Lifestyle/ Mini Systems 2010-08-11

Putting together a comprehensive home theater package, with subwoofer speakers and AV receiver does take time. Samsung have helped take the guesswork out of the whole thing with comprehensive packages like the Samsung HT-AS730S. It is capable of standard 5.1 surround sound, which is slowly being phased out now that 7.1 channel has some traction, but there are some other great capabilities in this system to get a home theater started.

The HT-AS730S home theater package is made up of an AV receiver, subwoofer, centre speaker and 4 satellites. Audio processing accepts all standard Dolby analog and digital inputs, as well as DTS-HD and DTS-TruHD. Video capabilities are relatively well looked after by the AV receiver with full 1080p pass-through available. The unit lacks any HD upscaling capabilities which means that older external video inputs that output in analog formats won't benefit much from passing through the unit.

Rating:

3.4 out of 5

Value

This package is solid value for money both in terms of the capabilities that the technology provides on the surround sound and HD Video fronts, as well as the added time that can be saved by getting an all in one package. Traditionally, these bulk home theater packages have lacked some performance that is traded off for the convenience of an all in one purchase, but the HT-AS730S looks to get the best of both worlds in most performance areas. The Anynet+ HDMI-CEC remote allows for easy use of one remote control for all connected HDMI compatible components, helping to simplify control of inputs that home theaters can have.

Features

Auto sound calibration (ASC) techniques are used within the AV Receiver to get optimal sound output no matter where the user is situated in the room. The ASC microphone can be placed next to the viewing spot and the subwoofer and speakers will be automatically adjusted to suit the specific location. Three HDMI inputs are available which should take most of the inputs that your home theater would need. With IPOD dock connectivity on the AV receiver, external music is a breeze. The unit does lack additional HDMI outputs, with only one being available and there is no network connectivity should you wish to be playing audio via your home network.

Summary

Samsung have gone a long way to ensure that this out of the box home theater can give a basic user shopping for a home theater exactly what they need to get them up and running. Some additional capability in the form of network connectivity would be ideal, but the value for money that is in this package gives first time home theater buyers a worthwhile option that assists in taking out the guesswork of choosing individual components.

Pros

Plain 'box like' speakers
Great value
No network inputs
3x HDMI inputs
Auto Sound Calibration

Cons

There are no cons for this product