Introduction to 10 Hot Home Theater Systems

Buying a new home theater system is a big decision, and with so many options available, how do you decide which one is right for you? We've rounded up the top 10 home theater systems, making it easy to find something for every budget. Click on the pictures to compare prices.

	Sony HT 6900DP For a truly robust home theater experience, this Sony home theater in a box features 1,000 watts of power and 6.1 channels of Dolby Digital sound. The active 10-inch subwoofer puts you right in the center of the action. This system comes complete with a five-disc DVD/CD player with Sony's Precision Cinema Progressive™ technology for a great-looking picture. And the hardware looks good, too, with a wood finish on its two-way front speaker and its twin-drive center.
	JVC TH-C6 A complete, stylish-looking home theater, the JVC TH-C6 system has super-slim speakers that are easy to mount either on the included speaker stands or on your walls. But it's also got muscle, with 5.1 Dolby Digital channels and 1,002 watts total output power. The system includes an integrated surround receiver/DVD player, five-disc changer, four satellite speakers, a center speaker and a stand-alone subwoofer. The surround speakers use JVC's omni-directional dispersion technology for spacious effects.
	Boston Acoustics Avidea 610 Looking for a great home theater system to play music on? The Boston Acoustics Avidea 610 boasts "Boston Sound" technology that makes music sound more like the original performance. Consisting of five satellite speakers and a thunderous 200-watt powered subwoofer, it sounds great whether you're watching DVDs or listening to your favorite tunes. A digital AM/FM receiver and a progressive-scan DVD/CD/MP3 player are integrated into one space-saving main unit.
	Onkyo HT-S790 System When five or even six channels of sound are not enough, look to the Onkyo HT-S790 system. It boasts not only a 1000-watt, 7.1-channel speaker system but also a powerful seven-channel receiver that provides the backbone for the whole setup. If you have a medium to large home-theater space, you can't go wrong with this system. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to hook up your DVD player and HDTV display, and you can add on parts that connect to your iPod or satellite radio.
	Samsung HT-P38 If you're looking for an easy way to connect your MP3 player to your home theater, the Samsung HT-P38 features a USB Plug and Play port for maximum convenience. This six-channel system has 800 watts of power and includes an integrated receiver and multi-format DVD five-disc changer. The speaker system consists of one subwoofer, four satellites and a center channel that prevents movie dialogue from being overpowered by background sound effects and music.

Are you shopping for a home theater system that fits on a bookshelf? Or maybe you're not quite sure how you'll fit all those speakers into your home-theater space. If so, check out the best in compact systems on the next page.

Good Things, Small Packages

You don't need a lot of room to enjoy the home theater experience -- check out these systems.

	Sony DAV-X1 System If your home theater room is on the small side and an excellent picture is of utmost importance to you, the Sony DAV-X1 is the way to go. This compact, stylish system includes a single-tray progressive-scan DVD player Sony's HDMI Technology (High Definition Multimedia Interface) produces the sharpest image and the clearest audio possible. With two satellite speakers and a subwoofer, this system gives 2.1-channel surround sound, with the advantage of a convenient setup.
	KEF KIT100 Instant Theatre Do you want to surround yourself with sound, not speakers? The KEF KIT 100 Instant Theatre offers believable 5.1-channel surround sound from only two front speakers and a subwoofer. This elegant-looking system is easy for the novice to set up and use. Its sleek casing includes a progressive-scan DVD/CD/MP3 player. The front speakers blend nicely with your decor, and the omni-directional subwoofer can be placed out of sight, just about anywhere in the room.
	Bose 3.2.1 Series II The Bose 3.2.1 Series II uses two magnetically shielded front speakers and a subwoofer to create the experience of 5.1 surround sound, while maximizing space efficiency for those who don't have a lot of room in their home theater. You can put the front speakers close to or on your TV -- magnetic shielding prevents image disruption. The main unit incorporates a DVD/CD player, and the Digital Dynamic Range Compressor evens out the volume, so dialogue and subtle sounds are easier to hear.
	Bose Lifestyle 48 The Bose Lifestyle 48 includes five identical Direct/Reflecting cube speakers, small enough to blend into your decor but providing the rich sound that has made Bose famous. The main unit houses a DVD/CD/MP3 player and a hard drive that lets you record, store and organize music playlists. The Lifestyle 48 analyzes your room's acoustics and adapts its output accordingly. It's an expensive system, but it's one that will provide high-end satisfaction for years to come.
	RCA RTD120 System For the home theater shopper on a budget, the RCA RTD120 home theater system includes a progressive-scan DVD/CD player, surround-sound receiver and 5.1-channel speaker system for around $100. The speaker system includes four satellite speakers, a center speaker and passive subwoofer with 100 watts total system power. If you want to save money or are adding a second home theater system to your home, this is a serviceable system without the price tag.