Customer Reviews

Denon S102 DVD Home Theater System

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Denon S-102 is a great system: It has everything you could want in an attractive, simple, and easy to set-up, package. It plays AM/FM, CDs and DVDs, and the sound is amazing. However, for close to a thousand dollars, one would expect a certain level of quiet in the speakers when switching between functions and low-level DVD watching. Thinking I had a lemon (that made noise), I had a new one shipped to me. But the problem was still there - a 'fluttering' sound coming from the subwoofer that could best be described a combination of distortion and electrical static. Needless to say, I returned both units. I am in the process of looking for a replacement, perhaps of another brand...

I wasn't ready to run wires for a full surround experience just yet. So I was left with trying to find the best option with only two speakers and a subwoofer. This unit went on sale and after careful research I decided to purchase. It was either this or the Bose, and the cheapest Bose unit was $300 more. Sound is excellent, no complaints. The subwoofer is even better, producing tight bass. This is probably the best part of the system. Hook-up was easy through HDMI to watch DVD's. Mostly, I watch movies off the satellite so I used an optical cable from the TV to the Denon unit. Sound is top notch.
However, be warned, even though the claim is simulated surround sound, its not truly surround. Users accustomed to a multiple speaker set-up will be disappointed with this.
Other than that, 5 stars.

I got this for our smallish family room. It's a decent product and good value at $400.00. I disagree with some other reviewers about how great the surround effect is out of this system and I think it's barely powerful enough to do the job as a stereo. However, considering physics and everything else this system performs as good as all the other systems in this segment and the current price is a steal.

It's very easy to set up and comes with a number of great inputs and outputs. The DVD quality is excellent, as is the build quality of the unit.

If you are expecting this system to get anywhere close to a true surround system (even a cheapo one) I suspect you'll be dissapointed with this. If you value neatness, simplicity out of a very small system that's very easy to use that this system is a great choice.

The sound on this Denon system is very nice and it succeeds in creating a surround effect with movies. Sound with audio CDs is also excellent. It is hooked up to a Panasonic 37" Viera LCD; hookup is simple and there are excellent directions on how to shorten the speaker cables. The only feature missing on the remote control is an open/close for the DVD player, thus four stars for ease of use. The FM tuner is very sensitive and brings in a load of stations with a simple dipole antenna. I definitely would not have paid Denon's asking price for this unit, but at $400, it's a real deal.

This is a top notch system.

Pluses:
* Very easy to install\configure

* DVD Performance - DVD image quality is excellent, and sound quality is sufficient that we do not miss the rear chanels of a 5.1 system.

- CD playback sounded very natural and balanced thoughout. While listening to Marley's "Natural Mystic", my teen came down and said I was shaking the whole house - the system sounded perfectly clear (7 feet away), and that moment of teen-payback alone almost justifies a fifth star.

- MP3 playback sounded great (folder navigation is kind of tricky though). It seems to favor all tracks being in one folder.

* DVD image to standard TV is great. We're using component out and haven't used the upscaling HDMI yet (this may be an excuse to upgrade the TV). However after watching numerous DVDs, wifey and I agree there's realy no rush to replace the old Trinatron - picture quality is outstanding.

* Standard FM reception is very good, with silence on weak stations. Wish HD radio was supported. {There is no mono\stereo toggle)

* Compact size for sound provided. Prefect for a small room.

* Sub level can be adjusted from remote (see above).

* Remote has a limited buttons on main face (though they are a bit oddly placed, it is simple enough for non-techie users). Rarely used buttons\functions are on the rear face of the remote.

Neutral:
* The remote doesn't have a tray open button on it (at least you won't cut off the radio by accident - see below). However since one has to get up to change a disc, this isn't a major issue. Tray will close upon pressing play.

Misses:
* Limited equalization: Unit has Three sound fields + Bass\Treble and Flat.

* When listening to FM, opening the drive bay will cut off the radio. I guess this is to prep it for DVD\CD mode, but I found this odd.

* On screen menus are somewhat rudementary - expected more refinement at this price point.

* Display on unit is a blue dot matrix which had me squinting from 7 ft away. Thankfully it also has an on-screen menu which is easy to read.

* Zune won't display video on Aux 2, but I'm not sure if this is a Denon or Microsoft limitation. Plays and sounds great though.

* Remote is kind of weird, as I'm used to a more linear layout.

Overall we are extreemly pleased with this 2.1 system, and I give it a high recommendation.

This is my first DENON purchase and am I happy..! quality written all over it.

No clutter to deal with, the wires have clips on the ends that snap in place non of those loose ends you usually find in sound systems, the sound is extra clean (I think it's due to DENON's wires) subwoofer gives you the most incredible bass and there is a volume control for the amount of bass that it makes, the DVD is OK I don't really use it I just tried it and it was OK, the menu looked kind of old school but in a cool way.

It has HDMI, component and AV outputs, one fiber optics digital input, two AUX inputs so you can connect a total of three devices which works out great for me, there is no equalizer you can only adjust bass and treble levels and it has a few preset modes.

Judging by its size you won't believe the sound it produces but for the surround sound fans I don't think it's going to satisfy after all this is a 2.1 system.

Volume level is displayed as db's I mean .. how cool is that?!


Overall very satisfied

You get what you pay for. I have had this unit for a few months now and for what it is it's great! I would recommend this to someone.

First off let me say the denon s-102 is a beast. It does everything I need it to. It plays sound for the computer via front 3.5 mm. It does blueray sound via optical. It does dvd sound via optical and plays my game system sound(Xbox360) also thru optical. Also does tv sound via optical. There is nothing that I want it to do that it doesn't except blueray. Dont be fooled with the low watts with the sub all the way up it rattles the windows and is very loud. I have had numerous systems and this system beats them all out. I was able to get this system for 400$ free shipping. It is worth four hundred I would not pay 1000$ for it though. Oh yea anyone who knows audio knows a 24 bit DAC means clean sound. I cant say enough about this system. Easy set-up, easy use, loud clean sound. Clean look with no wires running thru the room. I don't like the blue dot matrix display and the dvd playback isn't great. Other then two complaints this system will do great for a small to medium size room for someone who doesnt want the clutter of wires and wants a loud good clean sound. Five stars it will get the party rocking if thats your thing.

I purchased this "little unit" just to play some music while away for the summer. What caught me a little off guard was the sound quality. It is full and rich and with the separate subwoofer the sound is complete. Don't be fooled by the claims of cheaper systems. This one was so easy to set up. It was playing my tune in minutes, under 10 to be exact. I HIGHLY recommend this little unit.

Hi i highly recommend this product, i've spent losts of money looking for the right system, two bose ($1000 and up) to have nothing but problems, one single bar wireless samsung (don't buy one) i believe i got a terrific bargain paying just $400 while some stores are selling it for as much as $1000. however system not to knock the frames off your walls but, if you like loud clean sound this is it, thunderous bass. yours truly CATDOG8 from miami florida