Sony HT-CT100 Home Theater Sound System
Sony
- HTCT100
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Reviews
(12)
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Summary: Good value for the price and a big improvement over TV speakers, but surround effect is weak and there are some limitations in connectivity, subwoofer placement, remote control and audio settings.
I wanted something that would provide improved TV and DVD sound as well as streamed iTunes music without investing a lot of money. This system fills those requirements very well. The sound has a satisfying richness and depth, although the "surround" effect is weak. More like being surrounded on 3 sides, which is pretty much the norm for systems without real rear speakers. To their credit, Sony did not try to mask this limitation by adding reverb effects at ridiculous levels like some systems I've heard.
I'm happy with my choice, but if you are contemplating buying this system you should be aware of some of its limitations:
Connectivity-
There are 4 A/V inputs. Three can be connected via either HDMI (video & audio) or digital optical cable (audio). The SAT input also has a Coax jack.
I wanted something that would provide improved TV and DVD sound as well as streamed iTunes music without investing a lot of money. This system fills those requirements very well. The sound has a satisfying richness and depth, although the "surround" effect is weak. More like being surrounded on 3 sides, which is pretty much the norm for systems without real rear speakers. To their credit, Sony did not try to mask this limitation by adding reverb effects at ridiculous levels like some systems I've heard.
I'm happy with my choice, but if you are contemplating buying this system you should be aware of some of its limitations:
Connectivity-
There are 4 A/V inputs. Three can be connected via either HDMI (video & audio) or digital optical cable (audio). The SAT input also has a Coax jack.
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11 price(s)
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I bought this set up after allot of research online. I was ready to pay more than double the cost of this one for some other soundbars and the reviews just weren't as favorable.
When I first hooked it up, I used the included optical from my PS3 to the amp and during my first couple tests watching BlueRay movies, I had to have it on MAX sound and it sounded good but I didn't like it having any extra power. I was ready to return this unit and started researching some of the competition again when I decided to try hooking it up via HDMI before returning the unit. I popped in a BlueRay and much to my surprise, I had full rich sound at around 35 and MAX was too loud for standard viewing. I was thrilled b/c I always liked the quality of the sound, just not the max power output.
This is a real bargain for such a quality audio output at such a low price. I am very happy with my purchase
When I first hooked it up, I used the included optical from my PS3 to the amp and during my first couple tests watching BlueRay movies, I had to have it on MAX sound and it sounded good but I didn't like it having any extra power. I was ready to return this unit and started researching some of the competition again when I decided to try hooking it up via HDMI before returning the unit. I popped in a BlueRay and much to my surprise, I had full rich sound at around 35 and MAX was too loud for standard viewing. I was thrilled b/c I always liked the quality of the sound, just not the max power output.
This is a real bargain for such a quality audio output at such a low price. I am very happy with my purchase
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I had shopped around quite a bit for a nice sound system to go with the projector I use to watch TV/Movies... This device is really handy because it includes HDMI switching for 3 devices, which allows me to have a single HDMI cable going from this to the projector and this does all of the source switching.
The speaker is compact, but produces impressive sound, the subwoofer (which many competing system's don't include) is pretty small and able to be hidden away in most circumstances. Note: the wire that connects the speaker to the sub is about 10' long, and somewhat heavy-duty. It could easily be run through a wall since the speaker has mounting holes built in to the back.
The subwoofer contains all of the connections for the system, 3 HDMI inputs, other audio inputs (2 optical in, 1 coax in, 1 RCA in), a DMPORT input for special sony devices (iPod dock, etc) and then 1 HDMI output for your TV/Projector.
For the price, I don't think you could beat this unit. Plus it is really nice not
The speaker is compact, but produces impressive sound, the subwoofer (which many competing system's don't include) is pretty small and able to be hidden away in most circumstances. Note: the wire that connects the speaker to the sub is about 10' long, and somewhat heavy-duty. It could easily be run through a wall since the speaker has mounting holes built in to the back.
The subwoofer contains all of the connections for the system, 3 HDMI inputs, other audio inputs (2 optical in, 1 coax in, 1 RCA in), a DMPORT input for special sony devices (iPod dock, etc) and then 1 HDMI output for your TV/Projector.
For the price, I don't think you could beat this unit. Plus it is really nice not
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After purchasing a 40" Sony LCD 720p, I quickly determined the need for a supplemental speaker system. The TV is in a 30x20 room with a 18' ceiling. Speech from the TV is too muddled. I was concerned after ordering the HTCT100 that is would not be suitable for a larger room. However, Im very pleased. For the price, it improves the HD experience significantly.
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I remember having a 5.1 surround system and moving from apartment to apartment... what a drag dealing with those rear satellite speakers! I heard about these sound bars and was skeptical, but hopeful. I have had my HTCT100 for over 5 hours now and have watched 1.5 movies and played my XBox 360 and can honestly say that I am impressed! The best example of what I mean comes from "Black Hawk Down" where a helicopter comes flying from the background towards the viewer (imagine a clock lying flat... the flight path was from 1:00 towards 7:00). Not only is BHD one of my favorite movies, but it also won an Oscar for its Sound, so I knew this would be a good test. The helicopter's Doppler effect was perfectly accurate... the impressive part was when the chopper flew off-screen and the sound continued off into the distance behind me. At that moment I thought: "How the heck does this thing work?" Simple, yet truly amazing sound and technology... and with a price tag of less than $300, well,
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I plugged it in via HDMI to my PS3 to my Samsung LN40A550 40" 1080p TV. I have played some games and blurays with the device. The sound is excellent for the size and price of the unit. However, it is not as good as my actually 5.1 TruHD system (DUH!) but it is perfect for my TV in my bedroom.
The unit includes standard Dolby and DTS surround processing modes. For Blu-ray, it can accept uncompressed PCM soundtracks, but it won't decode Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, nor any DTS HD flavors. (The better Blu-ray players, such as Sony's own PS3, decode those soundtracks internally and output PCM anyway, so that's not going to be a big deal for most folks.)
In addition, if you would like an increased surround effect, keep the center channel level at the baseline "zero" setting or below for the most pronounced surround effects.
My only complaint is I wish there were more audio configuring options, but the center ans S/W tweeking settings and the sound profiles (standard, movie, music,
The unit includes standard Dolby and DTS surround processing modes. For Blu-ray, it can accept uncompressed PCM soundtracks, but it won't decode Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, nor any DTS HD flavors. (The better Blu-ray players, such as Sony's own PS3, decode those soundtracks internally and output PCM anyway, so that's not going to be a big deal for most folks.)
In addition, if you would like an increased surround effect, keep the center channel level at the baseline "zero" setting or below for the most pronounced surround effects.
My only complaint is I wish there were more audio configuring options, but the center ans S/W tweeking settings and the sound profiles (standard, movie, music,
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i have had this sound bar for a few months now and i love it. For a small room or a room where you can run wires easily this is perfect. It does a very good job simulating 5 speakers, you actually can hear sound from behind like an actual 5.1 set up. Also on my HDTV i only have one HDMI input but with this system you can hook up 3 things with HDMI, i have my Xbox 360 cable box and PS3 all hooked up with HDMI where before i had to only by cable box with HDMI. the subwoofer is also very powerful, makes action movies really kick with explosions, my family always telling me to turn down. But i would deffently recommend this sound bar to anyone who doesnt want to run wires everywhere or doesnt have the room for a 5.1 system.
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I love the simplicity of this speaker system. 2 pieces, 1 speaker cable. 3 HDMI inputs helps, too, since I only have 2 on my TV. It only has on-screen programming with some Sony Tvs, so adjusting the sound is a pain, using the one line LCD in the subwoofer. Factory preset is VERY bass-y.
Occasionally, the system pops and clicks while resolving the signal.
Obviously, this system doesn't sound as good as true surround, but for a small space, it sounds really good.
Occasionally, the system pops and clicks while resolving the signal.
Obviously, this system doesn't sound as good as true surround, but for a small space, it sounds really good.
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I tried several 2.1 speaker systems to enhance the sound from our LCD HDTV. The 2.1 speaker systems used the RCA audio output from the TV but I was never satisfied with the quality of the sound, even from the Bose Companion system. I think part of the problem is with the low-level output of the TV's RCA audio connection and for this reason I decided to look for a speaker system that could take advantage of my HDTV's digital optical audio output connection. I also didn't want to have a five-speaker system all around the room and so I focused my search on soundbar-type systems. The Sony HT-CT100, just recently introduced, fit the bill perfectly and comes at a price much lower than the Yamaha and Philips soundbar systems with optical inputs.
The Sony HT-CT100 produces great sound. The speaker bar is very low profile and takes up very little space whether you sit it in front of the TV or hang it on the wall. The subwoofer is large (about the size of a desktop PC) and sits on the floor. The
The Sony HT-CT100 produces great sound. The speaker bar is very low profile and takes up very little space whether you sit it in front of the TV or hang it on the wall. The subwoofer is large (about the size of a desktop PC) and sits on the floor. The
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Got mine 3 days ago for a small room. Set up no brainer. But manual is not the best.
1) HDMI from DirecTV HD to Sat input in back of unit
2) HDMI from PS3 to back of unit (BD)
3) HDMI from xbox 360 to back of unit
4) HDMI from back of unit to Sony 46 LCD
Change TV speaker settings in TV menu from TV speakers to external speakers.
Play with unit settings to suit your taste.
Perfect....wonderful...great.....
Much, much, much better than normal TV speakers.
So very glad I got this !!!
Enjoy
1) HDMI from DirecTV HD to Sat input in back of unit
2) HDMI from PS3 to back of unit (BD)
3) HDMI from xbox 360 to back of unit
4) HDMI from back of unit to Sony 46 LCD
Change TV speaker settings in TV menu from TV speakers to external speakers.
Play with unit settings to suit your taste.
Perfect....wonderful...great.....
Much, much, much better than normal TV speakers.
So very glad I got this !!!
Enjoy
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In today's big-buck HT market, USD300 for a HT system including active sub is a amazing deal! This Sony new product comes with a "sound bar" with three speakers: center, front left, front right channels and a powered sub-woofer.
I bought this system based on my small living space and the budget. The sound of the three front channels are quite good: crispy, clean and clear. No complains whatsoever with the sound bar.
However, I do not like the sound from the powered sub-woofer; it sounds way too boxy to me. The sub-woofer and the amplifiers are housed in 2 different chambers in a wood box made of 0.5" MDF about the size of a PC mid-tower. The sub-woofer is a side-firing, front-ported bass-reflexive design installed in the upper part of the box, and the amps (with all I/O) are at the lower part of the box with a cooling fan.
Since I listen to music thru other systems consisting of Sony SCD-1, Quad FM4, Quad 66 pre-amp, Quad 405-II, Quad 909, Behringer EP1500 power amp and several pair
I bought this system based on my small living space and the budget. The sound of the three front channels are quite good: crispy, clean and clear. No complains whatsoever with the sound bar.
However, I do not like the sound from the powered sub-woofer; it sounds way too boxy to me. The sub-woofer and the amplifiers are housed in 2 different chambers in a wood box made of 0.5" MDF about the size of a PC mid-tower. The sub-woofer is a side-firing, front-ported bass-reflexive design installed in the upper part of the box, and the amps (with all I/O) are at the lower part of the box with a cooling fan.
Since I listen to music thru other systems consisting of Sony SCD-1, Quad FM4, Quad 66 pre-amp, Quad 405-II, Quad 909, Behringer EP1500 power amp and several pair
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I got tired of my Onkyo surround sound system with all the speakers, woofer, amp, cables and all the space it took, so I started looking for a single unit sound bar.
Initially, I was dissapointed by the size or the cost of the other units, or the fact they were not HDMI. I tried Soundmatters MAINstage HD Single-speaker TV sound system, but had a bad experience with the vendor. I was sent an "open box" item. But I plugged it in anyways and was dissapointed by the sound. It did not come with an external woofer and the unit definitely needs one. The internal one was not good enough. There was a remakable sound difference when I plugged in an external woofer.
Anyways, I saw this product and it is basically a new product from Sony. To make a long story short, I plugged it in and I was hooked. Sounds great!! Comes with an external woofer that controls everything, takes very little real estate. It took me about 30 minutes to set up and plug everything it. I like it so much that I bought a
Initially, I was dissapointed by the size or the cost of the other units, or the fact they were not HDMI. I tried Soundmatters MAINstage HD Single-speaker TV sound system, but had a bad experience with the vendor. I was sent an "open box" item. But I plugged it in anyways and was dissapointed by the sound. It did not come with an external woofer and the unit definitely needs one. The internal one was not good enough. There was a remakable sound difference when I plugged in an external woofer.
Anyways, I saw this product and it is basically a new product from Sony. To make a long story short, I plugged it in and I was hooked. Sounds great!! Comes with an external woofer that controls everything, takes very little real estate. It took me about 30 minutes to set up and plug everything it. I like it so much that I bought a
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