Customer Reviews

Samsung HT-Z522 Home Theater System

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

These are my first impressions after having my HT-TZ522 up for 2 days:

First off, my purchase of this unit was based on the following criteria:

1. I already had a Samsung HDTV.
2. Limited space for the components/speakers.
3. Wireless feature.
4. Price.

Pros:
Firstly, the unit sounds great. The speakers seemed quite lightweight during setup so I was worried about the sound quality, but they sound great and the system produces more than enough volume for my small media room. Surround effects differ from disc to disc of course but when present they really add to the enjoyment. The wireless feature has worked flawlessly and without any noticeable noise (the wireless receiver is behind a sofa). CDs sound great too, but beware - turn off any of the DSP/EQ settings before you watch a DVD or you might lose the center channel (dialogue was going through the subwoofer!?). Upconverted DVDs look just as good here as on the Samsung DVD player the HT unit replaced.

Cons:
The promise of easy integration with a Samsung HDTV isn't completely fulfilled - you will need to keep both remotes handy as the HT remote doesn't have all the features the TV remote does. For most common uses the HT remote does suffice though. Powerup/powerdown of the units together has been somewhat glitchy as well, though I may have something set wrong. The surround speakers only have provisions for hanging on a wall, and thus with the separately purchased speaker stands I had to use double-sided tape to mount them (as opposed to screwing onto the stand). Also, my unit defaulted to several non-optimal settings, particularly the DVD outputing only 480i - upconversion is not in the onscreen menus and is instead cycled through on the remote.

Overall it is a solid package that has met my expectations.

Pros: Looks good. Sounds good. Wireless rear speakers. Good remote control. Matches the Samsung 52" LCD TV.

Cons: DVD changer/amplifier is very big. Rear speaker wireless box emits high-frequency (10-12 khz) whining noise that is annoying to people with good hearing (I'm too old to have good hearing). This is probably due to the cooling fan.

Not bad for the price. Would be better if high-frequency noise were gone.

I shopped the Samsung HT-Z522 Home Theater System in a couple of brick and mortar locations to hear it perform. I wasn't very satisfied with what I heard but niether was I satisfied with Sony or Panasonic. I decided to go with the Samsung simply because of the compatibility with my Samsung LNT-4665F TV. When I set-up HT-Z522 Home Theater System in my den I was blown away! The sound is superb, both movies and music,and the 1080p uptick on my standard DVD's is remarkable.
I also have to say that I'm very happy with the Amazon service. I chose the free standard shipping and received my order quicker than I expected.

First things first...Samsung is impressing us more and more with each new product we buy. We currently own a fridge, microwave, HDLP project TV, three DVD and DVD/VCR combo units, and a computer monitor. Let's focus on this home theatre system now. As far as sound quality and power, this is a solid performance system. The wireless surround sound speakers work well. There are wires from the wireless receiver to these rear speakers, so don't think it's completely wireless. However, not having to run hidden wire from the TV area to behind our couch was good enough...we have dark walls so dark wires don't bother us (but surface conduit will do fine for neat appearance). This wireless technology is flawless. There is no lag--synchronization is excellent. Sound is strong, perfectly stereophonic, and crystal clear. The whine noted in the other reviews does exist. However, it doesn't seem to bother us since we crank the sound up and get lost in it. We anticipate integrating this system with our future plans to add a receiver and Blu-Ray player. I also like the remote...sleek and functional without buttons being too small. Our only criticsm is the DVD player. It has some weird glitch that keeps some DVDs from playing (no specific pattern we can figure). Occasionally, we must spend several minutes getting the player to load the disc by switching discs and turning power off and then back on. However, once it plays...perfection. Probably needs a cleaning disc run for a little bit.

First, the model of the product featured in this page is HT-TZ522T (and not HT-Z522, there's no such thing).

Setting up the speakers and connecting the wires took less than 15 minutes (the instructions are easy to follow). This model features a speaker test that plays a tone in each speaker individually to make sure they are properly hooked up. Everything worked fine and in a few minutes I was able to play a DVD and enjoy 5.1ch surround sound.

I bought this one to be used in concert with Samsung BD-P3600 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player (that's the most affordable combination to have a Blu-ray player, tallboy speakers and wireless rear speakers).

After connecting the Blu-ray player with the HT-TZ522T htib with a digital optical cable I was getting sound only from the front speakers. I had to call Samsung support, and the rep told me that I should change a setting on the Blu-ray player so it will send an audio format that the HT-TZ522T receiver can decode (it has only DTS). In case it helps to save someone some time, if you have a BD-P3600 set the audio setting to 'Audiophile' or 'Audiophile re-encode', and auto-downsampling to 'Yes'.

I was a bit concerned that I'll have trouble with the wireless speakers (disconnects, low quality), but so far they worked perfectly. The surround speakers, albeit small, have deep sound and can really create an atmosphere. The center speaker has medium size and the sound from it is pretty good too (whispers sound very clear).

Overall, this system offers an amazing value for the money, and can even complement a Blu-ray player setup.

My HTZ-522 didn't show DVD's after watching a total of 8 movies.I sent back my HT for repair under warranty .After about a month they told me they will send an exchange as its not repairable . It's close to 2 months that I'm still waiting and have no HT. Each time I call (I've called over 15 times so far) they try to just dance around and give me a promise that we will call you very soon but I do not trust them any more and will file a complain.DO NOT BUY THEIR PRODUCTS .

I spent ALOT of time looking at Home Theaters before my purchase of this system and I do not regret buying it. The sound is awsome, nice deep clear sound. To put this together and set up was a snap! It has everything I was looking for FM Tuner,DVD,CD and more! Allowed me to reduce the clutter in my entertainment stand and cords behind it by having all in one rather than seperate components for everything like I had before. Need I say more...Love it!

I got the system yesterday,setup took about a hour. It was very easy to use the remote intergrated with my samsung tv, the sound is very good.You just cant beat the price for what you get, looks real slick too. Wireless is very cool. I would highly recomend this in the box system.

I first purchased an HT-TZ422T, and from day 1, it had 'issues'. First, sound from the one rear channel was non-existent - something I thought I could live with, as you don't get that much from the rear channels anyway...and the rest of it sounded great! I used the system for about 2 weeks, and played 2 or 3 DVDs in it.

I went to watch another DVD, and after about 6 1/2 min...the video signal went to snow (still had sound...just no picture). Thinking perhaps the disc was bad, I tried a different one. 6 - 6 1/2 min later...SNOW.

I called Samsung customer support, and a technician talked me through doing a 'system reset'. We did that, and it seemed to fix not only the snow issue, but the sound one, as well! I thought 'this is great...I can deal with this...'

As luck would have it...the very next day - put in another DVD...6 - 6 1/2 min later...SNOW...and the sound was out in the rear channel again. Oh, and lest anyone think i'm just electronic illiterate...I tried every trouble shooting technique I could think of - swapping speakers, swapping cables, different HDMI port...nothing made any difference.

Once again, I called Samsung support and got the 'offshore' variety of support person who told me that I would have to box up everything but the speakers, and send it in (at my expense). When I balked at that, they sent me a UPS shipping label at their expense.

The system was gone about 3 1/2 weeks. It came back, I looked at the repair ticket 'NO PROBLEM FOUND' - which means to me, that they did absolutely NOTHING. I set it up...and right out of the box - SAME issues. Again...I called Samsung...pack it up, ship it back - at their expense. Again...gone about 3 1/2 weeks, came back, said they replaced an 'electronic part' (thanks for that in depth explanation). Again...set it up, tested and SAME issues persisted.

I called and complained - loudly. I was transferred to the 'Executive Customer Relations' dept (translated: English was their native language). They proceed to tell me that I'd need to send it in...AGAIN...to which I replied that it was unacceptable. I wanted a replacement. 'Well, we could try that, but it would, of course, be 'R'(refurbished) stock.'

Umm...NO...I bought a brand-new, in-the-box system, and that's what I want.

'Well, you're at the 90 day mark and after 90 days, Refurb is what you get.'

Umm...NO...I've actually only had it in my possession for about 2 weeks - YOU have 'owned' it for the other part of the time.

They finally agreed. I had to then box up the ENTIRE system, lug an awkward 80+ lb box of 'stuff' to work, and ship it back to them. Of course, there was also a 'protocol' that needed to be followed once they received the system back...which took over a month.

The system finally arrived yesterday, an HT-TZ522T - so, it's an 'upgrade', but I really didn't need a DVD Changer...wanna make me happy? Upgrade to a Blu-ray system...

Anyway, I've set it up, and so far, at least the sound is excellent. I haven't tried a DVD yet (I'm half afraid to...), but I can't complain about the sound quality.

My personal recommendation is: Steer CLEAR of Samsung products, as if you get a 'clunker' (and read the reviews/forums...there are a LOT of clunkers out there)...you'll have a majorly bad experience with Samsung's all-but-non-existent customer relations dept. If there were a way to put 'negative' stars in the customer service aspect of this rating - I'd give them about a -5 stars.

I'm not sure when/where this company went down the chutes...but they certainly don't live up to their reputation any more.

One more suggestion: Keep the box & all the packing materials...just in case...

I did as much research as time would allow for this sort of product. I wanted a normal DVD surround sound centre with HDMI input/output and wireless rear sound. Everything else was just a bonus. I purchased this for Christmas 2009. I've had one failed unit, but this was replaced, with no issues, by Samsung. Only complaint is that I wish it had more HDMI inputs. I'm currently using an HDMI auto switcher, which does seem to solve the problem well.

All in all, I am very happy with this system.