Samsung HT-E6730W 7.1 Blu-ray 3D Home Theater System Preview

Central Hall is alive as Samsung debuts a new range of home theater systems and the first of those was their 7.1 Channel Blu-ray 3D Home Theater System, model HT-E6730W. This is the first home theater system to feature Samsung's proprietary vacuum tube amplifier technology. Basically, the system incorporates both vacuum tubes and a digital amplifier into one unit. Vacuum tubes are not new to audio - in fact they are extremely old, but there have been many discussions among audio enthusiasts over the benefits of digital and vacuum tube amplifiers. Many appreciated the pure sound that digital amplifiers deliver even in a small form factor, but felt that vacuum tube amplifiers create a richer and fuller sound. We think they help energy efficiency since they both product warm audio AND warm air to help heat your home during the winter. Go Green!

Samsung's Crystal Amp Plus technology, available in the HT-E6730W and the lower model HT-E5500W, offers pure digital audio playback and quality while also managing and smoothing out volume jumps. And Samsung didn't skimp in the video either. Both the HT-E6730W and HT-E5500W Home Theater Systems offer built-in WiFi for easy access to a new world of web-connected entertainment via a full web browser, as well as hundreds of premium apps from leading brands such as AOL, CNBC, ESPN, MTV, NBA and The Broadway Channel through Samsung Apps. Users can also choose and manage their social networks via popular services such as Facebook or Twitter.

DVD and streaming media can be up-converted to full HD 1080p since each home theater system employs a Samsung-developed system-on-a-chip (SoC) dedicated to high-definition processing such as scaling and image quality enhancement.

Samsung's HT-E6730W is a 1,330 watt 7.1-channel system that delivers high-definition audio and Samsung's 3D surround sound DSP. The system features compact and streamlined tower speakers and even incorporates the front height speakers for a cleaner look. How? Samsung placed the "height channel" speakers on innovative swivel mounts on the top of the towers that can turn upwards to bounce the sound off the ceiling. For convenience, the rear satellite speakers are wireless to offer more flexibility in placement and eliminate the need to hide another set of wires.

Aesthetically, the HT-E6730W sleek appearance is enhanced by Samsung's vacuum tubes, which can be seen on the front and top of the system, and which illuminates when in use to create a touch of elegance. The towers use fiberglass cones in the drivers and the system is enclosed in a midnight black, high gloss finish. Six speakers are included in total: a wide center channel speaker for clear dialogue, a large but unobtrusive subwoofer, two tower speakers which include embedded height channel speakers, and two surround speakers.

For more information check out www.samsung.com/us/video/blu-ray-systems after CES.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.