RCA RT2380BK Home Theater Surround System (Black)

Rating:
Summary: good for the bucks
Review: I was looking for an inexpensive second system, and based on customer reviews both on Amazon and other sources I decided to try this system. I'm glad I did. It definitely has impressed me, and I am an audiophile who once installed audio/video systems for a living.

I do think I should mention a few of its shortfalls, and they are minor.

Product description says it includes all requisite cabling- it actually includes the bare minimum of cabling. The speaker wires and one set of RCAs. Even using the cables that I already had on my components I still had to supply several sets of RCA and an S-video cable to allow the system to work properly and be able to process digital signal (including dolby 5.1--if you don't run the coax or optical digital line from your dvd/cable to the reciever you are actully listening to dolby Pro-Logic which is an analog 4.1). Ok I understand s-video and optical cable are expensive and would drive up the shelf price of the system which Thompson(rca) wanted to keep low, but RCA cables probably cost them one or 2 cents to make, why not give us a few more? Buy a few extras before you start assembling the system, you can always return what you don't use.

Speaker wire is pathetic! It must be 24ga. Remeber your old 1980's boom-box with the detachable speakers, it had better speaker wire than these. UPGRADE! Its well worth the $10-20 to do so. Also the speaker terminals on the reciever are a little small for the 14ga. wire I used, I solder coated the ends to keep them from fraying when I inserted them.

Remote is not programmable. Will only run other Thompson produced components (RCA, Proscan, GE etc.) So your Japanese and Korean stuff requres your old programmable remote, hope it will run the reciever (mine didn't).

The subwoofer sounds cheap and "plasticy" Sufficient for Movies/TV but not for music. Bass drums sound muddy, Low bass notes are heard when they should be felt. If you upgrade with a $100 sub, the system will still be worth the $250 you have in it.

Scrolling display makes going through settings take forever.

Manual impossible to understand.

Other than that, You cant beat it for even twice the price.

Rating:
Summary: Solid System, Great value
Review: I've had this system for a few months now, and ive had no problems whatsoever. Setup was easy enough, you can adjust the levels on the individual speakers for just the right sound, theres a nighttime setup to minimize disturbance to your neighbors. And if there isnt enough bass for you, theres a plug for a second subwoofer. I scare my friends when they watch movies and something explodes - great! All for 149.95, no shipping on a 36 lb box...insane!

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good for the price...
Review: The only reason this system does not get Five stars is because it does not decode DTS (no biggy right now but next year the next generation consoles will come out and ps2 and the next Nintendo console will be DTS exclusive, probably pro logic 2 as well). Also, when a dvd player is connected via RCA cables, the max volume gets loud enough, but you can't push it for more. I have not tried to hook up the dvd player via coaxial digital input, that may help with the volume level. Also, I have heard that by buying better speaker wire (like 16 gauge) can help you pump up the volume. I wouldnt recommend this for a living room. You need to spend at least 300 to get something loud enough for a larger room (buy a Yamaha, theyre awesome). However, for a bedroom or apartment or dorm room, this is pretty good. A nice feature with this unit is the ability to replace speaker wires and even speakers. Many cheaper systems (under 200) have wires built into the speakers such as the Sony 420 watt HDDw660's subwoofer. I should also note that on the most pwerful bass setting, this system thumps almost as well as my yamaha (but not quite). For a test dvd I typically use the following 3: 1)the beach sequence of Saving Private Ryan (every time an artillery shell drops on the beach, my subwoofer producers a nice loud boom, and the camera shakes...now to me, it's timed so perfectly it's almost as if my subwoofer booming is what is making the camera shake, nice touch here, even the expensive Sharp sdat1000 [500 list price] can't produce bass like this), 2) Black Hawk Down- rangers and delta entering 'the Mog'. It's awesome to hear "RPG!" being yelled then FEELING the bass from my sub. The end of this movie is also good for testing bass, go to the part where the Little Birds are doing their straffing runs all night long, its great, 3) The Eye- a little known Japanese horror movie that has the creepiest audio in any movie ever, forget the Ring; forget the Grudge. I use the part at the beginning with the old lady in the hallway saying 'im freezing', its pretty awesome on this surround system and its comparable to my yamaha (sorta). Bottom line, if you can live without DTS decoding, this is a good system for only around 150 or so.

I should note that this system just feels and looks well made, especially when compared to other cheaper systems. The speakers seem as if they are built well and have a nice weight to them, they dont feel cheap and plasticy. Even the receiver seems quality. It has oodles of inputs and outputs. All cheaper surround systems have to skimp somewhere. This RCA system only skimps on DTS decoding and max volume level (which should be rectified with larger wires). Most cheaper systems skimp on inputs/outputs and the quality of the speaker package (Sony, Sharp, etc.). I'd much rather have a system that lacks DTS and doesnt go to "blow my speakers" volume level.

Rating:
Summary: Six months of use and then it stopped working
Review: We thought this would be a nice system and we enjoyed it for six months but then it stopped working. When it is turned on, the system turns off.