JVC DD-1 Theater System
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- Main Speakers Power Output: 100 Watt RMS
- Included Components: Receiver Radio Tuner
- Number Of Speakers: 5 Speakers and Subwoofer
- Subwoofer Power Output: 100 Watts
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HTIB? GSIB!
Pros
Great sound, Plenty of power, Attractive design
Cons
No universal remote, Doesn't include some accessories
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
JVC packs a lot of punch in a little package. You will be surprised and happy with its performance.
HTIB? GSIB!
Home Theater in a Box? I say this is Great Sound in a Box!
Since you are reading this review, you are probably shopping for a low cost alternative to a home theater system. Home theater systems can cost you several thousand dollars if you decide to go with a high end system. But you don't have to spend a lot to get a lot. There are many low-cost (relatively speaking) Home Theater in a Box (HTIB) systems out there. Their popularity soared as the DVD's popularity increased (to fully appreciate the rich, digital sounds of the DVDs, you will need a home theater system). You can now buy a decent HTIB system for under $300. That's including the receiver and 5.1 speakers.
The JVC DS-TP 350 is one of them HTIB systems. It costs a little more than $300, but the extras are worth it. Let me highlight just a few features why I chose this over other systems.
1. Size
I live in a small apartment. I needed a system that packed a lot of punch in a small size. I especially wanted small speakers. The 2 satellite speakers and the 2 surround speakers of this unit (all 4 are identical) are very small, about 4"x4"x4". The center speaker is about 2" wider than the other 4 speakers. These speakers are small as to not get in the way of anything, but they pack a lot of sound. The powered subwoofer is fairly large, containing a 10" woofer. The size of the subwoofer is rarely a problem since it can stay "hidden" somewhere. In fact, I use the subwoofer as a furniture.
2. Power
The receiver sends 100 watts of power to each of the 5 speakers, and the powered subwoofer provides another 100 watts of power. Keep in mind though, this rated power is not that meaningful. What is meaningful is how clean a sound the receiver/speakers can provide. This system, being a small HTIB system, does not give you the BIG sound of a theater, but for a medium-sized living room (15x20 room), this is plenty of sound. The sound of this JVC was louder and crisper than other systems of similar price range that I tested: Kenwood HTB404, Pioneer HTP210, and the Sony HTDDW830.
3. Digital Sound
The receiver can process DTS sound as well as Dolby Digital (DD) sound. While people will debate as to which is better, DTS or DD, the fact remains that either will give you great sound on this JVC. Now, I find myself watching all the DVDs over on this new system. It almost seems like I'm watching a different movie with this sound system. You can FEEL the movie, not just HEAR the movie--it makes you feel like you're part of the movie, not just an audience. The digital surround sound is really the reason why you should get a home theater system (almost all the HTIB system will include both DTS and DD; all the systems that I tested had them).
What's Lacking
You will need to buy a digital coax cable or an optical (TOS link) digital cable (the system comes with neither) to enjoy the digital sounds provided by your DVD player, digital cable, your digital satellite system, or other digital source. These cables should cost you less than $20. Don't get suckered into buying the Monster(TM) cables as they'll run you $40. The other complaint that I have is the remote. It is not a universal remote. It is a unified remote, meaning that it will control other JVC components (like the JVC TV and the JVC VCR), but it will not control components of other brands. But these are minor inconveniences compared to the stunning sound you will be getting with this system.
Correction Note
The description page at Epinions states that this lacks a headphone jack. This is not true. There is a headphone jack so that you can enjoy the sound without disturbing other people in the house. :)
Home Theater in a Box? I say this is Great Sound in a Box!
Since you are reading this review, you are probably shopping for a low cost alternative to a home theater system. Home theater systems can cost you several thousand dollars if you decide to go with a high end system. But you don't have to spend a lot to get a lot. There are many low-cost (relatively speaking) Home Theater in a Box (HTIB) systems out there. Their popularity soared as the DVD's popularity increased (to fully appreciate the rich, digital sounds of the DVDs, you will need a home theater system). You can now buy a decent HTIB system for under $300. That's including the receiver and 5.1 speakers.
The JVC DS-TP 350 is one of them HTIB systems. It costs a little more than $300, but the extras are worth it. Let me highlight just a few features why I chose this over other systems.
1. Size
I live in a small apartment. I needed a system that packed a lot of punch in a small size. I especially wanted small speakers. The 2 satellite speakers and the 2 surround speakers of this unit (all 4 are identical) are very small, about 4"x4"x4". The center speaker is about 2" wider than the other 4 speakers. These speakers are small as to not get in the way of anything, but they pack a lot of sound. The powered subwoofer is fairly large, containing a 10" woofer. The size of the subwoofer is rarely a problem since it can stay "hidden" somewhere. In fact, I use the subwoofer as a furniture.
2. Power
The receiver sends 100 watts of power to each of the 5 speakers, and the powered subwoofer provides another 100 watts of power. Keep in mind though, this rated power is not that meaningful. What is meaningful is how clean a sound the receiver/speakers can provide. This system, being a small HTIB system, does not give you the BIG sound of a theater, but for a medium-sized living room (15x20 room), this is plenty of sound. The sound of this JVC was louder and crisper than other systems of similar price range that I tested: Kenwood HTB404, Pioneer HTP210, and the Sony HTDDW830.
3. Digital Sound
The receiver can process DTS sound as well as Dolby Digital (DD) sound. While people will debate as to which is better, DTS or DD, the fact remains that either will give you great sound on this JVC. Now, I find myself watching all the DVDs over on this new system. It almost seems like I'm watching a different movie with this sound system. You can FEEL the movie, not just HEAR the movie--it makes you feel like you're part of the movie, not just an audience. The digital surround sound is really the reason why you should get a home theater system (almost all the HTIB system will include both DTS and DD; all the systems that I tested had them).
What's Lacking
You will need to buy a digital coax cable or an optical (TOS link) digital cable (the system comes with neither) to enjoy the digital sounds provided by your DVD player, digital cable, your digital satellite system, or other digital source. These cables should cost you less than $20. Don't get suckered into buying the Monster(TM) cables as they'll run you $40. The other complaint that I have is the remote. It is not a universal remote. It is a unified remote, meaning that it will control other JVC components (like the JVC TV and the JVC VCR), but it will not control components of other brands. But these are minor inconveniences compared to the stunning sound you will be getting with this system.
Correction Note
The description page at Epinions states that this lacks a headphone jack. This is not true. There is a headphone jack so that you can enjoy the sound without disturbing other people in the house. :)
