Koss KS4192 Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System

by Koss

Product Details

Product Manual [3.57mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17 x 2.8 x 14 inches
• Shipping Weight: 38 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B00029U10S
• Item model number: KS4192
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,512 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 20, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

An ideal system for space- and budget-constrained movie lovers, the KS4192 DVD home theater from Koss not only looks great but sounds pretty darn good, too. In our evaluation, the package--which consists of an integrated DVD/CD player/surround receiver, a 6.1-channel speaker system, and everything you need to hook it up--dramatically outperformed systems at or even above its list price. It even offers a convenient front-panel SD/MMC card slot so you can view your digital photos or play your MP3/WMA music fresh from any compatible camera or digital music player.

Sure, bigger and pricier systems offer greater sonic fidelity and low-frequency slam. But this system nevertheless manages to effectively disappear during a movie--no small feat--rendering spacious and reasonably full-bodied sound that's free from distracting colorations such as "peaky" treble or nasally voices. It would be great for gaming, as well as movies, especially when matched with a flat-panel LCD television.

And while it's definitely equipped to handle music, including recordable CDs filled with MP3 and WMA compressed music files, this is not its strength; music reveals the limitations of the speakers more readily than other sources. Still, this is the first system we've encountered that lets us listen to MP3 files as the soundtrack to a digital (JPEG) photo slideshow from the very same disc, a feature that opens a world of creative possibilities.

The system is a cinch to set up and configure, thanks to its color-coded speaker cables and the receiver's matching speaker terminals. The receiver pumps 600 watts total system power across 7 channels: left/right front and surround, 1 each front/rear center speakers (the rear being used for Dolby Digital EX 6.1 programs), with a seventh speaker output to feed the passive subwoofer, which, in this system, is essentially just a speaker with limited high-frequency output and deeper bass response than the satellites. Still, when you crank it up, the system plays loud and clean.

The satellites are all ported, 2-way units (a 3-inch midrange woofer and a tweeter). The relatively broad center speaker is the key to the system's success, with 2 midrange drivers and a tweeter that together produce natural-sounding voices and esses that won't bite your nose off--a telltale sign of something being very right. All satellites are video shielded to prevent image distortion when they're placed on or near a TV or computer monitor.

Antennas for FM and AM radio are included, and the drift-free PLL (phase-locked loop) digital tuner automatically seeks and locks in the strongest stations. You can store up to 20 stations in memory for 1-touch access.

The disc player handles a range of media, jumping effortlessly from DVD-Video movies to homemade DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW discs. JPEG CDs pop immediately into slideshow mode, filling most of the screen with landscape images and nearly top-to-bottom portrait shots. With non-DVD discs, you can program tracks or images to play in a desired sequence. Multi-disc resume is handy for picking up where you left off the last time you had a DVD loaded. And, if you're using a high-definition or HD-ready screen, you'll appreciate the progressive-scan video output.

The system doesn't decode DTS surround sound, though you won't find many DTS discs that don't also have a Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. And, as well matched to the satellite speakers as the subwoofer is, the sub is only engaged when a disc's ".1" LFE (low-frequency effects) signal is present--you won't reap the benefits of having the sub when listening to music or to movies lacking a ".1" soundtrack signal.

With a host of Dolby Pro Logic II simulated surround modes and several equalizer presets, the KS4192 still offers many ways to tailor the sound. Dolby Pro Logic II is one of the better DSP (digital signal processing) methods for generating surround information from 2-channel sources like music or TV shows, though be aware that DPL II effects will not work on MP3/WMA music files. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Easy setup
• Broad format compatibility
• Progressive-scan video capability
• Plays JPEG images with MP3 soundtrack from the same disc
• Convenient front-panel SD/MMC card slot
• Multidisc resume
• Alarm clock (wake to disc or radio)
• High power, low distortion
• Natural-sounding center speaker
• Deep bass when subwoofer is active

Cons:

• Always-on fan in DVD/receiver is potentially distracting
• No DTS decoding
• Subwoofer active only for ".1" LFE sounds
• No MP3 ID3-tag recognition
• Front-speaker wires may be too short (6.5 feet x 3)

What's in the Box
DVD player/receiver/amplifier, 1 subwoofer, 5 satellite speakers, 1 center-channel speaker, a remote control, 2 AAA remote batteries, FM/AM antennas, color-coded speaker wires, a stereo analog audio/composite-video interconnect, a user's manual, a quick-installation guide, and warranty information.

Product Description

This 600-Watt Progressive Scan DVD Home Theater with Dolby Digital 6.1, SD Memory card slot and Texas Instruments "True Path" sound technology takes any home to new heights. Dolby Digital 6.1 Receiver with TI "True Path" technology gives the benefit of not only Dolby 6.1 but 5.1 as well as Dolby Pro-Logic I & II decoding. 6 channels carry 80 Watts of total power to each speaker and 120 watts to the sub woofer. Each of the 7 channels are powered by discreet digital amplifiers. It plays DVD, VCD, SVCD, burned DVD-R, -RW, +R, and +RW video discs as well as CD Audio (CD-DA), CD-R, CD-RW, MP3/WMA encoded discs as well as JPEG Picture CD's. A/V inputs allow the addition of existing VCR, Cable Box, Satellite or other equipment to be fed into and reproduced through the system. Digital Input and Outputs allow for true digital feeds of quality audio sound. The "SD" memory card slot on the front of the unit makes it ideal to listen to recorded music or watch photographs (memory slot compatible with SD and MMC memory cards). It plays the MP3/WMA music, JPG picture format, or combination Music and Pictures (when encoded onto the memory card). Progressive Scan DVD player with onscreen Active Navigation and menu controls allow adjusting the video format to fit the TV through component/progressive, composite, or S video connections. Active Navigation shows drop down menu during playback so adjustment of subtitles, chapters, time, frame format, sound can be changed without interupting the movie. Adjust speaker distance and sound level output to the room and placement of the listener. Color Coded speaker connections and unit make for easy setup. Audio CD and MP3/WMA CD menus allow the playback with the added effeciency of text menus (when encoded on disc) so there is no guess work in picking songs. PLL Digital AM/FM tuner allows for seeking the next radio station and offers pre-set memory. The panel control buttons are located on top of the front cabinet.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In this price range (under $350), this system's a keeper., October 12, 2004

By 

B. Shah "The southern phoenix" (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Koss KS4192 Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System (Electronics)

I've put this system through a decent battery of tests over the 30 days I've owned it. The only major feature I can't speak for is the SD card slot, since I don't own a digicam. (Another note: The subwoofer is supposedly passive, requiring 0.1 LFE out signal, but it operates a very large amount of the time, at least under my use, whether I'm playing a DVD, music, listening to radio, or cable)

DVD playback - VERY GOOD, with one issue. I second Treppish about the picture quality and mechanical reliability of the DVD player. The unit operates smoothly, the remote is just fine, picture quality is great with or without progressive scan, and the surround sound (prologic II) is excellent for a unit of this price. However, during my full-length test of "Matrix Reloaded," there were some noticeable sound gaps in the middle-bass range. The subwoofer covered low-bass extremely well (the rumbles are beautiful), and the satellites cover high-bass, midrange, and treble frequencies smoothly and without annoying distortion, but explosions and crushing blows were a bit deficient in the mid-bass arena. However, the JBL unit I owned previously had similar problems. And, this Koss unit, thanks to a particularly smart dual-woofer center speaker, can handle voice effectively in 6.1 mode (doesn't come out too low as in many other systems).

Radio feature - VERY GOOD. This DVD receiver also has a built in tuner for AM/FM reception. Comes with a wire loop antenna, so reception is good. No worries with this feature.

Music playback - GOOD/VERY GOOD. Out of poor, fair, above average, good, very good, and excellent, the Koss KS4192 fits in somewhere between good and very good. The mid-bass issue on DVD's is not as pronounced here, but still present during some rock music tracks. Tests of classical/instrumental/new age music were very good! Perhaps violin depth (which was good-very good) could be a tad higher, but I enjoyed the songs I listened to without regret. Full length test of Matrix Reloaded Scores CD showcased the strength of this system in combining high-class higher frequency reproduction with smooth midranges and low-bass. Also notable, this system produces very clean sound (very little hissing), perhaps the cleanest you'll find in this price range.

Style/Construction - VERY GOOD/EXCELLENT. The entire system is silver/gray themed. The receiver is sleek, shiny, handsome, and solidly constructed. Subwoofer matches the receiver in style and construction. The satellite units are well constructed and handsome as well, but their color is a gray a bit too subdued. This system would have been Excellent in this category otherwise.

Miscellaneous - When watching cable TV, you may or may not have a slight lag between the koss speakers and the TV speakers (the koss comes in about 0.1 second late). This just may be due to the crappy cable I get in the first place. So, you'll have to turn on one set of speakers and leave the other off. I can't call this a design issue, though, just on my experience.

The unit has 2 full sets of regular RCA a/v jacks for input, 1 set of RCA a/v out jacks, an additional component video jack set, and a jack for an active subwoofer.

Sound level and speaker distance can be adjusted for each speaker! Very nice. Many Prologic II modes to choose from during DVD playback. Digital EQ modes are only good, I use EX Bass most of the time :)

No manual bass or treble controls, sadly. But EX bass + the system's skillful handling of midrange and treble will cause you to forget your initial disappointment.

This system has a very low resistance level for a HT system of this price range! 4 ohms to the satellites and 3 ohms to the subwoofer... That's how this unit can attain 600W of power. Also, if you have some 4 ohms / 3 ohms speakers (preferably some sizeable woofers) waiting in the wings (from a previous system, or an easy purchase away), you could substitute two of them for the front L & R Koss speakers to alleviate the mid-bass issue in DVD playback and music playback.

Overall, this system is a 5 star system. It's not perfect, but the combination of value, performance, style/construction, functionality, and modularity (it can power 4 or 3 ohm speakers! You can keep the receiver and substitute other speakers as you wish) are unbeatable in this sub-$350 price range. Nice work, Koss.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good product for the price, October 7, 2004

By 

C. Treppish - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Koss KS4192 Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System (Electronics)

I bought this system to use in a media room in the basement. I now have it working with a projector. I mainly watch movies and football in that room. The sound is great, and to hear a football game in surround sound and HD is amazing. The DVD's play great also. The radio comes in very good in the basement, consindering I live 25 miles from any radio station I listen too. Installation is a breeze. Perhaps the other reviewer just had a bad experience, I've had mine for a couple of months without a problem. All and all I'd say it is a great product for the money.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Audio Delay = Do not use as a receiver for SD TV, December 30, 2008

By 

Steve Igrejas (Newton, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Koss KS4192 Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System (Electronics)

I've owned this device for about 4 years now. Most of these reviews up here are good enough to describe how it works, but if you're technically inclined, please read on.

Using the device as a receiver is definitely not recommended. In Dolby Pro Logic mode, delay can be anywhere from 40ms to 80ms. With Dolby Digital, the delay is worse (roughly 160ms to 180ms), so voices seems can be delayed. This is definitely noticeable when watching standard definition channels as they are not in Dolby Digital. Mouths move and then voices come. However, if you plan on using this with any video games, be warned. Be sure to calibrate your game (Rock Band and Rock Band 2 allow you to adjust the delay in video and audio separately).

Without the fact that is plays DVDs, I would have rated this a 2 star. But since it plays DVDs well, I had to up the rating. DVD playback is good, but it lacks the tech that comes with today's DVD players. Back in the day, this was a decent product. Now, it's time to move on.