Customer Reviews

Panasonic SC-HT56 Blu-Ray Home Theater Receiver (Blu-Ray Player Sold Separately)

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

 

 

I had been using a 4.5 year old Sony HT-DDW660 Home Theater System which has worked excellently, in my 13'x13' TV room, to give me 5.1 surround sound with my DVD player and HDTV. However, I am planning to buy a blu-ray player soon and I realized that the SONY lacks an HDMI or component analog inputs which would allow me to hear the new lossless sound formats that are available on blu-ray discs. So I looked for an HDMI system that would be an easy replacement for my current HTIB. One that decodes the new audio formats is not necessary since the new BD players do that and send the resulting PCM to the audio receiver via HDMI. Well, I was in luck that 6th Ave Electronics had a special that let me get the Panasonic SC-HT56 delivered for about $200, total.

I had no trouble setting up the Panasonic. The subwoofer fits into the lower shelf of a bookcase, just where I had the SONY's. The 2 surround speakers had the same screw holes on their backs as the SONY's so I could attach them to already existing ceiling brackets. There was already wire to those brackets. The wire supplied with both the SONY and Panasonic systems seems to be the same gauge so I just used the existing wire to complete the connections between the speakers and receiver. Thankfully, the SC-HT56 doesn't use proprietary wire connectors like some other HTIBs.

The Panasonic had a microphone for audio setup. After setup, I found that the subwoofer was at the maximum which was far too much for me so, using controls on the remote, I cut the level down considerably to something easier on my ears. The Panasonic has a larger center speaker (2 cones instead of 1) than the SONY so dialog seems to come through clearer, but even here I had to cut down the level by -3dB. Sound now seems to be at least as good as on my old system.

While physical setup was easy, I found it quite difficult to understand the manual on how to actually operate the HTIB. Here is an important tip. On the back of the main unit there are 2 HDMI, 2 optical audio, 1 digital coax audio, 3 pairs of analog audio inputs, FM and AM antenna inputs. Except for the antennas, each is given one of three meaningless labels: TV, BD/DVR, DVD-P. You have three buttons on the remote labeled, TUNER--BAND, TV, BD/DVR--DVD-P. If you press TUNER--BAND once you get FM radio; if you press it again and hold for a few seconds, you get AM. It you press BD/DVR--DVD-P you get an input that is connected to one of the 3 BD/DVR terminals on the back of the receiver; if you press it again and hold for a few seconds, you get an input that is connected to one of the 3 DVD-P terminals. If you press TV, you get an input connected to one of the two TV terminals. There probably is a priority order that is used to decide which input is chosen if more than one input to identically labeled terminals is turned on. It would have saved me a couple of frustrating hours if somebody had explained all that to me.

But I am happy with the system performance and all set for getting the BD player.

I just received this a couple of days ago and installed it within two hours without too much trouble. Almost everything is painfully obvious, though it would be nice if the speaker connections in the back of the receiver were better labeled. As it is, they are only labeled with numbers which correspond to a slightly vague manual, but a little patience and anybody can work it out. Of course, this doesn't factor in the time to mount the speakers on the walls or to run the speaker wires behind the drywall, but that's hardly neccessary if you're not too picky about things.

The automated speaker setup was a breeze, though it'd be nice if the wire on the setup microphone were a bit longer. As it is, it's only about 10ft and that's just not enough to make it to the back of a moderate sized living room let alone a large one. Two HDMI inputs mean you can hook up two hi-def sources the way they were meant to, which is a definate plus. In addition, there are a number of other inputs (digital optical, stereo RCA component, etc.) for other sources if you have them.

The speakers themselves are quite small and unobtrusive, except for the subwoofer which, by neccessity, is large. It, however, can be placed just about anywhere in the room behind a couch or behind the entertainment system and still do its job well.

Once it's all set up and you get your first movie playing, it's amazing that such good sound will come out of those tiny little speakers. It's mroe than adequate for most home needs, though true audiophiles I'm sure will quibble about this and that. For the true home user with a moderate to small living room, this is the system to get. It's easy setup and very easy function make it ideal, plus the adjustment levels of individual speaker channels is so easy a child could figure it out.

Pro's:
*Easy setup
*Big sound, little speakers
*Plenty of wire unless you're expecting 30 foot wire runs
*Multiple Hi-Def inputs
*No integrated players (this was actually a big issue for me as I'm sure it is for a few others)
*Small price tag compared to the big time systems

Con's:
*The adjustment ranges for the speakers is rather small (+-6DB for the center channel) but mostly adequate unless you're looking to bother the neighbors
*HDMI has no passive pass through (if that's what it's called). You cannot, if your blu-ray is plugged into this thing, watch a movie without the surround sound system turned on without running yet more cables. For those of us with dozens of cables behind their televisions already, this is a pain in the neck.


Personal Comment: My biggest complain is that this system did not solve the problem which I bought it to address, namely that while watching blu-ray movies, the dialogue is inaudible without being utterly deafened by the music and special effects. This happens with just about every Blu-Ray disc I've put in the player before and after installing the sound system. I was told by those in the know that the reason for this was because 5.1 surround sound on the disc was trying to push dialogue to a center channel that simply didn't exist on my Aquos television. That's a reasonable enough explanation. Except the problem persists and is exacerbated by the speakers, but is absent entirely from standard DVD's with 5.1 surround sound (Iron Man for instance). The only conclusion I can reach is that the people making Blu-Ray discs are purposefully muting the dialogue channel somehow since "everybody really wants to listen to the special effects anyway."

That's really a shame since now I've decided not to purchase anymore Blu-Ray movies at all and have all but determined to box up the sound system and ship it back to amazon for what refund I can get since I don't really need or want a super duper sound system blasting noise at me when all I really want is to listen to what's being said on screen.

All that said, I still recommend this system to people looking for an inexpensive but nicely performing surround system for their home. It's not high-end by any real measure, but in terms of bang for your buck, this is the system to go with.

PROS:
- Crisp sound with movies and music. Bass is strong but not muddy. Surround sound creates accurate 3D environment.
- HDMI switching!
- Both video and audio passes through the receiver when it is off to the TV which means that you can use the TV speakers instead if needed.
- Conventional speaker connectors which allows you to upgrade your equipment. (not proprietary like many other HTIBs)
- Supplied Speaker wires are adequate in length.
- Video/Audio Inputs are as follows: 2 HDMI In, 2 Optical In, 1 Coax In, 3 Analog In.
- $200 HTIB bought on 6Ave site! Why would anyone buy computer speakers?

CONS:
- Supplied speaker wires are 22 AWG.
- Subwoofer's speaker wire is permanently attached so it cannot be upgraded but you can buy a Powered Subwoofer to replace it. (This subwoofer is passive but I think its adequate for a mid size or smaller living room space.)
- Setup Microphone length is only about 10 feet long.
- Remote control functions are a little weird which takes time to get used to.

CONCLUSION:
- This HTIB is definitely the best bang for your money that can rival others which cost $500+. I am totally happy with the $200 that I have spent here. Worth every penny!

If you have been having trouble finding an HTiB at a low price point which does a good job with music as well, look into one of these. Despite few reviews online, I took a gamble and purchased these. I have been extremely happy with my purchase so far. I had purchased a samsung ht-z4200 which sounded good with movies but horrible with music. I then thought about replacing the samsung with a sony ht-ss2300. So, I went to the store to listen to the ht-s360 which proves to be again good with movies but poor in music.

This panasonic system is very musical. I am able to listen to everything from classical to classic rock to pop to hip hop to jazz. They all sound great with these speakers and these are running at a very low price point now.

Purchased this system from 6ave.com and arrived within 2 days ($188 plus free shipping). Currently have this connected to a 42" Panasonic Plasma, Sony Blu-Ray, XBOX 360 and Wii - receiver has plenty of connections. Compared to other HTIB options, I would rate the speakers as above average and the Sub as very powerful. Receiver has the ability to play lossless sound decoded from Blu-Ray player for tremendous movie audio. The receiver is "intelligent" in that it switches to standby mode when my television is turned off. Only small negative would be the rear speaker wire is short in length although most people will probably upgrade the wires anyways. Having the flexibility to make the rear speakers wireless is also a great feature (additional equipment needed). I compared this to both the Sony HT-SS2300 and HT-S360 all of which are made for an existing Blu-Ray/DVD player and for the money chose this Panasonic system....it has not disappointed and I HIGHLY recommend it.

I purchased this system when it was on sale at 6ave.com for $188 shipped. It is a great entry level system. I am no audiophile but I think this system sounds great in my house. I purchased it to hookup to my PS3 (for movies and games) and TV. I hooked it up to the TV using an optical out cable from my TV to the Panasonic SC-HT56. I have my PS3 running to the Panasonic SC-HT56 via HDMI and then HDMI from the Panasonic SC-HT56 to my Samsung LN52A630. I really like the fact that I can have the SC-HT56 powered off and still run my PS3 just fine and have the audio come through my TV speakers (wife insist on this when the twins are sleeping downstairs). I also noticed that when I have my Samsung LN52A630 and the SC-HT56 powered ON, that if I hit the power button on my Samsung TV remote it also powers OFF the SC-HT56. This is nice as it saves me having to grab one more remote to power off the SC-HT56. When I power ON my Samsung TV with the TV remote it has no effect on the SC-HT56. I have friends that have spent way more than me on their surround sound systems, and I can tell that theirs do produce a better sound than mine, but not enough for me to justify spending the $600-$1000+ that they spent on their systems. I am very happy with this setup.

It is a home theater out of a box.....and you know what who cares???? It is fantastic sound. I use to have a panasonic dvd surround sound where people were constantly complimenting it. Not the biggest fan of the five disc thing however,....but it was still a great wireless 5.1 system. I decided to take the leap into blu-ray. It did not connect to my current dvd system so of course being the nerd that I am I purchased this system to hook up to my blu-ray. ANd I cannot tell you how impressed I am. It is flawless. I loved my dvd system but this makes that old system a child wearing its respectful dunce cap, in the corner with tear ducts aplenty. It just makes the quality of sound seem so professional. So crisp. It is seriously like you are in the movie theater. (insert spaniard voice) I NO Lie! I Truth! The system is amazing for price, forget price it's just amazing. The set up is a little confusing at times but not too too bad. And I wanted the 7.1 kit or the SC-BT 100 kit, to become a super loser,..but alas they did not have the wireless kit available. It seems it is selling out. You will need an extra HDMI cable and if you go the route of speaker stands investigate cause some won't fit with certain systems. ANd I actually make shifted mine to work cause I bought the stands without investigating. But I guess if worse comes to worse you can make shift it to fit like me. I realize I'm going off track here but trying to give you all the info you need,....and with that rambling explanation I think I be done.