Klipsch CS-500 2.1 Home Theater System with DVD Player

by Klipsch

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 6.8 x 8.2 inches ; 35 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 37 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000Y8I3NY
• Item model number: 1006501
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,979 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #93 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Home Theater Systems

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Sleek, simple, and small, the Klipsch CS-500 2.1 home theater system with DVD player delivers the effect of a large, 5.1 home theater system with just two speakers, a subwoofer and an A/V center. It features a built-in Class D amplifier that distributes 35 watts of power to each satellite and 100 watts of power to the subwoofer.

See larger image.

Each magnetically shielded CS-500 speaker employs dual 2.5-inch high-output woofers and a 0.75-inch horn-loaded tweeter. Through Klipsch Tractrix Horn technology, this compact home theater system delivers clear, lifelike sound. It also produces more output using less energy. The down-firing subwoofer utilizes a powerful 6.5-inch woofer. Due to its compact size, it can easily be hidden away while still delivering dramatic low-end effects.

The CS-500 also includes a progressive scan DVD/CD player, AM/FM tuner, and three auxiliary inputs. The CS-500 home theater system even has the ability to pass high-definition signals through a component output and can simplify all of the auxiliary input connections into a single convenient output to the TV. An easy-to-use universal IR remote control directs all system functions as well as those of the TV and other entertainment devices.

The Klipsch CS-500 amplifier with DVD player.

The CS-500 can be set up and operating in as little as 10 minutes. A step-by-step set up guide is included to walk you through the simple process. Speakers are wall mountable (hardware not included)

Specifications

• Amplifier power - subwoofer: 100 watts
• Amplifier power - speakers: 35 watts per channel
• Video output: Component (Y/Pb/Pr)
• Radio: AM/FM with RDS
• Surround sound decoding: Dolby Digital, DTS
• USB: Yes (for MP3 and JPEG playback)
• Audio inputs: coaxial digital, optical digital, pair of analog
• Component dimensions: 3-1/2 x 15-1/2 x 9-1-/2 inches (HxWxD)
• Subwoofer dimensions: 15 x 11 x 18 inches (HxWxD)
• Front speaker dimensions: 8-3/5 x 4 x 5-1/2 inches (HxWxD)

What's in the Box

Controller, set-up guide, owner's manual, remote, batteries, composite cable, audio cable, FM antenna, AM antenna, two 15' speaker cables, subwoofer cable, rubber pads, white gloves

Product Description

**Note from Klipsch: We are aware of and have addressed the trouble with the DVD player portion of our Klipsch CS-500 2.1 Home Theater system. We recently (MAR-10) upgraded the DVD portion of the CS-500 to a much more robust and reliable mechanism (this includes units currently in-stock at Amazon). After recognizing the failure rate of the CS-500's DVD section was not up to Klipsch standards, we implemented this upgrade at the factory-level.** Sleek, simple, and small the Klipsch CS-500 2.1 home theater system puts the ultimate cinema experience right into your living room with fewer wires and less components. By way of Dolby Virtual Speaker technology, this amazing compact setup delivers the effect of a large, 5.1 home theater system with just two satellites, a subwoofer, and an A/V center. Each magnetically shielded CS-500 satellite speaker employs dual 2.5" high-output woofers and a 0.75" horn-loaded tweeter. Our exclusive Tractrix(R) Horn technology is what allows this home theater system to deliver genuine lifelike sound as well as produce more output using less energy. The down-firing subwoofer utilizes a powerful 6.5" woofer. The A/V center features a built-in Class D amplifier that distributes 35 watts of power to each satellite speaker and 100 watts of power to the subwoofer. It also includes Dolby Virtual Speaker technology along with a progressive scan DVD/CD player, AM/FM tuner, and three auxiliary inputs. The CS-500 home theater system even has the ability to pass high-definition signals through a component output and can simplify all of the auxiliary input connections into a single convenient output to the TV. An easy-to-use universal IR remote control directs all system functions as well as those of the TV and other entertainment devices.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

The manufacturer commented on the review belowSee comments

85 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good sound, DVD player quit working in 90 days, April 5, 2009

By 

Mark Graban "Blogger, author, consultant, spe... (Keller TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Klipsch CS-500 2.1 Home Theater System with DVD Player (Electronics)

The sound from this system and easy connectivity were a big plus. 2.1 sound was good, solid base and good spoken word sound for movies/TV.

Unfortunately, the DVD player starting conking out and wouldn't play DVD's without skipping or pixelation after about 90 days. Trying to get an exchange through Klipsch or Amazon. The discs that were problematic on this unit played fine on another DVD player.

I've learned a lesson that it might be better to buy big, heavy items like this through a local store that might be easier in terms of exchange, especially when it quickly became defective.

UPDATE 4/12/09 - although amazon was a pain, Klipsch handled the situation very well, offering an exchange and even upgrading to the next model up.

 

The manufacturer commented on this review(What's this?)

Posted on May 28, 2010 2:17:50 PM PDT

Johnny Williams, Klipsch Group Inc. says:

(MANUFACTURER)

We are aware of and have addressed the trouble Mark had with the DVD player portion of the Klipsch CS-500 2.1 Home Theater system. We recently (MAR-10) upgraded the DVD portion of the CS-500 to a much more robust and reliable mechanism (this includes units currently in-stock at Amazon). After recognizing the failure rate of the CS-500's DVD section was not up to Klipsch standards, we implemented this upgrade at the factory-level. Last, thanks to Mark here for the kind words about the CS-500 sound quality and Klipsch customer service.

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The manufacturer commented on the review belowSee comments

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Stopped playing DVDs, October 25, 2009

By 

Risey99 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Klipsch CS-500 2.1 Home Theater System with DVD Player (Electronics)

I am happy with the sound quality. However, my first one stopped playing DVDs after a week. I returned it and my 2nd one stopped playing them after 1 year. Also, sometimes it would "lock-up" I would have to unplug and re-plug it from power to get it it to work again.

 

The manufacturer commented on this review(What's this?)

Posted on May 28, 2010 2:02:15 PM PDT

Johnny Williams, Klipsch Group Inc. says:

(MANUFACTURER)

We are truly sorry for the trouble Ryan had with the DVD player portion of the Klipsch CS-500 2.1 Home Theater system, but we have since addressed it. We recently (MAR-10) upgraded the DVD portion of the CS-500 to a much more robust and reliable mechanism (this includes units currently in-stock at Amazon). After recognizing the failure rate of the CS-500's DVD section was not up to Klipsch standards, we implemented this upgrade at the factory-level. With this DVD mechanism upgrade, the CS-500 better delivers the legendary performance so many have come to expect from Klipsch since 1946.

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42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great system for the price!, June 15, 2010

By 

A Regular Joe (A Regular City, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Klipsch CS-500 2.1 Home Theater System with DVD Player (Electronics)

(What's this?)

Klipsch is a recognized high quality name in home theater audio equipment, so I was very excited to receive this package. While, yes, you are not getting a blu-ray player with this system, you could expect to actually spend that $1000 retail price if you decided to purchase a system equal to this with a blu-ray player. As a secondary bedroom or even primary sound system, I found the quality to be superb for the price.

For a sub-$300 2.1 system this little guy really did well competing with our larger more expensive 5.1 Yamaha system. While the Yamaha will beat this system just because 5.1 will always sound better than 2.1, the sound from the speakers were crisper, clearer, and the subwoofer could nearly rattle the walls using it at full power. You still got the feeling of surround sound from this system.

For those who are not technologically inclined, this was not difficult at all to set up. I have had no problems with the DVD player thus far, and Klipsch has noted that they have fixed problems with a previous model.

If you're budget is under $300 and this is a second system for a smaller room or bedroom, I say go for it. If you have more to spend and this is going to be your main theater or living room sound system, I would look for a 5.1 or 7.1 system that you can hook a stand alone blu-ray player into.