Philips HTS9800W home theater system

By Asher Moses, CNET.com.au
Oct 30, 2006

While the component-level A/V manufacturers are churning out ever-increasing numbers of 7.1-channel home theater systems, the same canÂ’t be said for their home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) counterparts. Most are seemingly content with staying the status quo with the venerable 5.1 format of yesterday, much to our disappointment.

Fortunately, Dutch A/V maker Philips has stepped forward to spearhead the long-awaited migration with the introduction of its HTS9800W 6.1-channel HTIB. Will the additional surround center channel delivers the magic to distinguish this product from the pack? Read on to find out more.

Design
Philips' HTS9800W home-theater-in-a-box system is truly a lesson in style, with aesthetics that rival (if not surpass) the likes of Sony and its competing DAV-DZ770W system.

It's a nine-piece, 6.1 ensemble comprising a DVD unit, three front speakers, three rear speakers connected to a wireless receiver box and a subwoofer. The wireless rear speakers particularly impressed us since it means you're not forced to run wires across your living room.

All of the components are wall-mountable, but users are also able to attach the impossibly slim left/right front and rear speakers to the provided brushed chrome stands. The speakers' black glass panels and silver pillars looked great in our Labs, and will easily add a touch of class to even the blandest living room.

The main DVD unit is rather unorthodox in design, using a stylish upstanding form factor where discs load from the side (as opposed to the bland rectangular box design that's common in other HTIBs). Only one disc can be loaded at a time; there's no disc stacker included in the package. All of the controls on said DVD unit are touchscreen-based, which is undeniably elegant, but grease and fingerprints soon rear their ugly heads. Another small qualm we have with the main unit is that connecting cables is fiddly and frustrating, although you shouldn't have to do this too often.

Each of the two-way satellite speakers includes a four-inch neodymium ribbon tweeter and two three-inch woofers, as do the center speakers.

Installation of the system is child's play, thanks to the extensive user manual and color-coded plugs/cables. We were belting tunes across our Labs within minutes, and found all cables to be of sufficient length to allow for optimal placement around the room.

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