Klipsch HD Theater 600 HTiB Preview

When glancing down the list of Home Theater in a Box (HTiB) offerings we've covered recently, we were surprised that Klipsch wasn't on the list. At least, not recently. When they announced their new HD Theater 600 system, we jumped on the chance to rectify the situation.

Say what you want about horn-loaded speakers, but they are the perfect design choice for HTiB offerings. Horn-loading increases the speaker's sensitivity allowing the speakers to play louder with less wattage. Since HTiB systems are normally paired with entry-level receivers, power will be at a premium. With a maximum specified output at 112 dB, Klipsch is looking to impress consumers not only with their name and looks, but with how loud the HD Theater 600 can play.

Consisting of four satellite speakers and a matched center, the HD Theater 600 system from Klipsch is priced right for a HTiB offering. At $600 for the full 5.1 system, it certainly isn't breaking the bank. Bragging a response down to 33Hz, first time home theater speaker owners are sure to be impressed.

The satellite and center speakers feature .75" aluminum dome tweeter recessed in a MicroTractix horn. The center sports two and the satellites each have one 2.5" long throw IMG woofers. One thing we often look for in HTiB offerings is slightly larger center channels as movies and television rely more heavily on this speaker. A larger center means increased intelligibility which will significantly impact how good the system sounds.

The satellite speakers measure just 6" tall and around 3.75" deep and wide. They have a spring-type speaker connections (expected at this price point) and a threaded insert for use with aftermarket wall mounts. Wall mounts are included and floor stands are available for the satellite speakers. They are constructed out of ABS plastic and are sealed for easy placement. The center channel has a small stand for cabinet mounting (with a 45 degree range of motion for precise aiming) as well as the threaded insert on the back. It also sports spring-type speaker connections but they are located near one of the edges (which may make hiding the wire a bit more of a hassle than it could have been). It is larger at 9" wide (though it shares the other dimensions) and is also constructed out of ABS plastic. All the speakers have a gloss finish to match your new flat-panel display.

If the HD Theater 600 has a star it is the Klipsch Sub-8 II. With a 100 watt amplifier and an 8" fiber-composite cone woofer, this is no throw-away offering. The Klipsch Sub-8 II is constructed out of industry standard MDF and wrapped in black vinyl. The woofer is downfiring for ease of placement though the rear-firing port does suggest it would be best to place it away from a wall. The sub features volume and crossover knobs, a phase switch, and auto on options. While there are no speaker level inputs, there is RCA line level. The satellite and center channel speakers are rated down to 150Hz while the sub is rated up to 200Hz.

Conclusion

If we had to describe the Klipsch HD Theater 600 is a few words, we'd call it a solid offering. While the 33Hz low end rating seems a bit optimistic to us, the price tag certainly is right. At $600 for a full 5.1 system, the Klipsch HD Theater 600 is sure to introduce a lot of people to the Klipsch brand and, more importantly, the Klipsch sound. And once they get a taste for it, they'll be more likely to stick with it. With included wall mounts, a center stand with 45-degree movement, and a real sub, there is little not to like here. For those looking for a first system, the Klipsch HD Theater 600 is a good option.

For more information, please visit www.klipsch.com.

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