Pioneer Xbox 5.1 system

[Jimmy Higgins]

Walmart has the Pioneer HTS-GS1 5.1 channel system for Xbox at $130. Free pickup is an option, shipping otherwise is $15. Then add tax. About $150 (if shipped) in the end.

I was looking for a small system for my living room, now that I spend more time there. I saw this. It has a hang up because it doesn't have video inputs, but if you hook directly to the TV, that isn't a problem. Decodes DTS and Dolby 5.1, has two optical (even comes with an optical cable I believe!) and one coax and one set of RCA Audio inputs. And it's made for the Xbox, so you can connect that up, if you've got one (I don't). Also seems very compact... the receiver is in the sub-woofer!

The reviews are pretty strong. 4.5 stars at Amazon, 8.5 of 10 from users at CNET, . I don't think this works great as a Home Theater System for a lot of components, but if you are hooking up a limited amount, this seems to do the trick (I'll be hooking the optical with my 60 CD holder, coax will be the DVD player, RCA will be Sat TV, giving me one more device to attach). The model isn't brand new, but for what you are getting at that price, you wouldn't expect it. I've been happy with Pioneer so far, and at $130, you won't be able to get these sort of connections in any other Home Theater System!

Amazon.com has it for $300.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I just got this thing. I got to tell ya, this is an absolutely awesome system. Sure, it is a bit refined as to what you get, but it is quality that you can't get for $130 anywhere else!

There are two optical connections, one is Xbox 360 dedicated (though I guess it wouldn't know otherwise). The remaining audio inputs are not dedicated to anything, which means absolute freedom. The remote has four buttons for the audio input.

Xbox 360 - Digital Optical
DVD/DVR - Digital Coaxial (of course that could be whatever device you want)
Digital - Digital Optical (one optical wire is included!)
Analog - RCA inputs

It's Pioneer, so it has the Auto Setup for speaker calibrations, ie you plug in the small microphone, it does its thing and the speakers are setup. Wires for the speaker are sufficient for a small room. I have a compact setup, so I've got wire to spare. The bass is real nice. Played Over the Rhine's "The Body is a Stairway of Skin" which is my Bass song that I test my stuff with. Sound is clear, speakers are small.

I can't overstate how happy I'm with this.

$130, it is a steal!