Rating: 
Summary: Buy It!
Review: I bought my first "Hi-Fi" as an 18 year old. That was 45 years ago. So while I am not an audio expert, I know when something sounds good to me. The RCA RT2500 was a great purchase. It took a year of shopping and listening, but when I found this RCA system, I knew that the time had come to make my move. Repeatedly, I listened to systems costing two to three hundred hundred dollars more that just didn't sound as good.Just this week we got a mailing from a national retailer that listed receivers (alone) that cost $2,300, and speakers that sell for $1,300 each. I suppose that it would be silly to think that this RCA system could rival such equipment in sound. And yet, with Amazon.com customer reviews you can see that a higher price doesn't guarantee better results. In my shopping I began to wonder how RCA was marketing a system of this quality for the price. I almost felt that a mistake had been made, and it would be discovered before I could buy. The RT2500 offers what seems to be every connecting option you could want. If we had not had a couple of antique (by electronic standards) components, set up would have been a breeze. The unit consists of just the receiver, five speakers, and a woofer. You will see other systems that include a DVD player, but it seemed that each time such systems would have a decent receiver and then a somewhat lousy DVD player. With the RT2500 you have the ease of matching speakers with the receiver while adding your own new or existing components. Is all perfect? No, but my complaints are minor. The instruction booklet is too small and some illustrations too faint. Yes, I'm an old geezer, but our 22 year-old also had to strain a bit to see. And we were unable to come up with a code for the remote control for our one week old JVC DVD player. Maybe there is some dispute between JVC and RCA. Also be prepared to make a trip to your electronics store to buy cables. Several come with the unit, but we found that we needed several more to get everything connected. We watched "Spider Man" with our boys last night. I really doubt that I would have sat there had the movie been played through the TV's speakers. The sound does add to your enjoyment, and we believe that the RCA RT2500 will please you.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good Home system
Review: I bought this system for my bedroom theater. Because I am disabled, I wanted to have something that was not going to be too complicated and wanted a system from one manufacturer. I heard this system at a Radio Shack and even in the showroom environment it sounded very good. After installing it my bedroom, it sounds great. A better sub would be nice but that is immaterial as the bass from this system once you find a corner to place the sub is very good. The remote has no problem controlling all the RCA equipment that is attached to the receiver. The biggest nit I have is that the the receiver does not upconvert the video to the monitor so you need to have a monitor that has both s-video and composite inputs.
Rating:
Summary: Great Power
Review: I bought this system in order to tie into my RCA DVD Player and RCA Television. I also wanted something with a lot of power, as well being able to use it as my home stereo. This works great! I bought a 5 disc RCA DVD Player, and the sound is excellent on CD's and DVDs. I have had a number of people compliment on the sound from CD's on the DVD Player. Most say it is better, louder and has much less distortion then there home stereos. Now, some will disagree with this assertion, but remember, you can have the RCA DVD player AND the Surround Sound for less than a Grand!! Yes, if you buy a $20,000 stereo, I'm sure the sound will be better, but for the $$, this is the way to go. I agree the Subwoofer is a little weak, and may have been better if it was self powered. The power unit itself is excellent, and was very easy to hook up and operate. Great bang for your buck!
Rating:
Summary: A Great System for the $$$$
Review: I got this system for Father's Day. It took about two hours to set up and figure out the wiring diagram (the owners manual could be better). I also added an RCA 5 disk CD Player. I hit the power, put in a CD and about blew the plaster off the wall! The sound was awesome and the clarity perfect. I recommend this system to anyone looking for a system that has high end features at an entry level price. You may want to get one soon though as it may be a discontinued model. ...
Rating:
Summary: Alot of bang for your buck
Review: I have had this system for about 8 months and I have to say I think it is great. Sure you can get better systems but your gonna pay a bit more. The only real gripe I can see anyone having is that the system pieces are somewhat large and bulky compared to the current slim and ultra compact systems on the Market but that shouldnt be to much of problem with people who want a system that has packed all audio teckno goodies(minus THX)into an affordable and great sounding home theatre in a box. Buy this one! I just want to add that recently I went out and purchased a pair of RCA floorstanding speakers, and holy (cow) talk about a great upgrade to this system!!!!!!!! I agree that the sub is a bit lacking but with the addition of the 12 inch woofers this thing rocks,they really fill out the midrange and I have more then enough bass for all my dvd viewing and I can really get things pumpin when when I fire up my RCA 5 disk cd player. I think I am in love!!
Rating: 
Summary: Good Product Poor Support
Review: I purchased a RCA RT2500 and got it together. It seems to work fine. However the RCA customer service Department can't seem to find the remote codes for ECHOSTAR satellites and a DAEWOO DVD player. Without this the remote features are about worthless. A good product but not very complete when this small of an item can't be provided. I've worked with RCA Engineers for 25 years and this should be a small problem for them. Why Customer Service can't provide two simple codes is questionable. HerbH
Rating:
Summary: Excellent powerful budget home theater package
Review: I recently received this item as a gift for Father's Day from a SC member warehouse for three Benjamins. In my bedroom, I had the system up and running in less than an hour. Most of the time was spent figuring out where to place the speakers. Hooking the system up to my DVD/CD player, TV, super vhs vcr, tape deck, computer's graphics card TV-out and computer's sound card was easy. The sound quality blew me away. It was magnificent and system is extremely loud without distortion. My biggest gripe with the system was the subwoofer hence 4 out of five. The 200 watt in receiver amp was not given justice by being hooked to a subwoofer with only two small 5" drivers inside. In a corner of a small room it is sufficient for those who do not like a lot of bass, but I really wanted to feel T-rex coming, explosions, and fight scenes in movies. I am thankful that the receiver has a pre-amp output for an additional powered subwoofer. I currently have an Audiosource SW Fifteen (15" driver and 200 watt amp) subwoofer lined with two bucks of polyfil attached that gives more total bass than I now know what to do with (volume past half-way up shakes entire house!). I got lucky and discovered the item for less than a benjamin at america's number one online auction site. The receiver is also excellent with multiple s-video ports, digital coax, digital optical, as well was multiple RCA inputs with one set on the front for convenience. I love the analog to digital signal processing that can be used to manipulate the sound in multiple ways to simulate club, concert, theater, church, stadium and arena environments. Other minor gripes that I have with the system is that it does not support any component video so if you have it on your DVD player, digital satellite, and/or HDTV receiver then your TV must have multiple component video inputs or you will have to use one only at a time or a separate switch box. The receiver also could have been made to upgrade RCA video to S-video for better picture quality, but it does not do this so I use another super vhs vcr connected between the receiver and the television for this purpose. Other recommendations for more serious audiophiles include using heavier gauge speaker wire and a better FM\AM antenna. If you are an expert you could probably build your own passive subwoofer and attach it instead of the one sent with the unit. For a 900 watt bedroom home theater with a powered subwoofer attached by a shielded subwoofer cable for less than five benjamins, this system is simply awesome. One of my friends is currently in the process of getting this system as well. If you are a member of SC warehouse then you are in luck but even at Amazon's ... higher price this system is a steal. Update: I decided to replace the subwoofer that came with the system with a Pyle Audio PLTB12 12 inch subwoofer bass tube (needed one to handle at least 200 watts RMS of power from the amplifier.) The 200 watt subwoofer amp in the receiver was finally done justice. After this I did not even need my Audiosource subwoofer with the system because the bass this tube put out had my whole house shaking with the Audiosource off. I must admit the round tube is not very aesthetic so I hid it in a corner behind a few things. For less less than seventy bucks off the net including S&H, this is probably the cheapest solution to getting more bass from the system.
Rating:
Summary: Best Home Theater for the Price
Review: I shopped all around looking for a home theater system with the sound, options, and inputs that I needed. Some of the high-priced systems did not have enough S-video inputs. I was suprised to find that the RCA RT2500 had everything I needed at an affordable price. I got my system at Radio Shack where they had it marked down from $399 to $149.00. At that price, I just couldn't pass it up. I could not be more happy with the purchase. If you need a system and can FIND this one, buy it. I had to search and search to find someone with one in stock.
I have an S-video VCR, S-Video DVD, S-video SAT, all hooked up, and still have an extra set of S-video inputs on the front open.
The dolby digital is great with the optical inputs.
We are re-watching all of our movies and re-enjoying them with the new sound. It is alot of fun. My only real complaint is that the folks at RCA help line are absolutely clueless. I really laughed at them when I hung up the phone. They must get zero training. With just a little reading & learning about Home Theater hookup, you will know much more than anyone I spoke to at RCA.
But the unit itself, RT2500 is awesome, so someone at RCA knows what they are doing. The RCA remote will not work my Dish Network Receiver (model 4000), but I was able to get my Dish Network remote to operate the RCA receiver, by programming the TV mode of the remote with the code of the RCA receiver.
Great system, great price. I don't know why some members of home theater forums give negative comments about RCA and the RT-2500. I think that they are just jealous because they spent much more money, and still are using composite video, because the receiver they purchased didn't have enough inputs. I'm very critical of products, and I think this one is top notch! I love it.
Rating:
Summary: Best Home Theater for the Price
Review: I shopped all around looking for a home theater system with the sound, options, and inputs that I needed. Some of the high-priced systems did not have enough S-video inputs. I was suprised to find that the RCA RT2500 had everything I needed at an affordable price. I got my system at Radio Shack where they had it marked down from $399 to $149.00. At that price, I just couldn't pass it up. I could not be more happy with the purchase. If you need a system and can FIND this one, buy it. I had to search and search to find someone with one in stock.
I have an S-video VCR, S-Video DVD, S-video SAT, all hooked up, and still have an extra set of S-video inputs on the front open.
The dolby digital is great with the optical inputs.
We are re-watching all of our movies and re-enjoying them with the new sound. It is alot of fun. My only real complaint is that the folks at RCA help line are absolutely clueless. I really laughed at them when I hung up the phone. They must get zero training. With just a little reading & learning about Home Theater hookup, you will know much more than anyone I spoke to at RCA.
But the unit itself, RT2500 is awesome, so someone at RCA knows what they are doing. The RCA remote will not work my Dish Network Receiver (model 4000), but I was able to get my Dish Network remote to operate the RCA receiver, by programming the TV mode of the remote with the code of the RCA receiver.
Great system, great price. I don't know why some members of home theater forums give negative comments about RCA and the RT-2500. I think that they are just jealous because they spent much more money, and still are using composite video, because the receiver they purchased didn't have enough inputs. I'm very critical of products, and I think this one is top notch! I love it.
Rating:
Summary: "Best Buy" for the money
Review: I've only had this setup for a week, but I am very happy with the sound quality and ease of use. Mine included all wiring needed to set up and enjoy the system within a couple of hours. Considering the number of componets I hooked up, I was quite pleased.
This unit has more than enough power to annoy my daughter downstairs. I am very impressed with the clarity of sound from such a bargain priced system. I am not displeased with the power of the 200 watt subwoofer, though I can see where it might be an issue if my theater room were larger.
The manual does not list universal remote codes for DVD players. My DISH network receiver will not work with the RCA remote, so I now have yet another remote to keep track of.
As mentioned in earlier reviews, the lack of an "OFF" switch on the remote is very annoying; especially when turning the TV or DISH on or off turns on the surround receiver. All in all though, I am very happy and have told friends about this system.
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