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The Denon DHT-FS3 replaced my nanosat 5.1 system. Even the packaging is done with care. It's sound is rich and full. It is very attractive with it's black piano finish. Easy set up, instant results and a lot less clutter filling the room. Highly recommended.
If you're still reading this, you must be wanted advice on helping you make a decision to buy this or not to buy it. or is it 3.2.1. I did have the BOSE 1.2.3. and even hardware to wall mount it. There are some down falls, I would like to see HDMI inputs and an output based on the cost of this.this would also help with an on screen display. In the box is an HDMI cable, 3.maybe 4 sets of different heights of legs, a remote (that had buttons on both front and back), a user manual that is bigger than my phone book].
For a very brief time I had an onkyo 7.1 system but all the wires is want made me lean to the BOSE and then to this sound bar. I seen this and have been wanting a sound bar for my home theater (which consist of a 73 diamond series DLP, a 360, a PS3, a wii, a comp level 12 down fire sub, and a hd-dvr). So now you see a bit of a background of what I have and want I was wanting. When I first got this it only put out analog sound.which is strange because all my devices, except for the wii, is connected via HDMI (monster cable M series) to my TV and then from the TV to the soundbar via monster cable THX optical sound cable. I'm not a tech guy, but I am a guy who loves TV and wants the best.with in money's reach. The sound that this thing makes and throws out is a "must hear". It makes BIG sound, by big I don't mean loud.I mean BIG.it makes jets sound like they're flying above the TV (yes roaring after burners and all) and it makes birds sound like life like birds.so much that my field champion lap goes nuts looking for birds.
I would like to see one of those mics you plug in and it auto calibrates itself.just based off the price.these features should be standard on this. Another down fall that is not the fault of the vender or Denon.I can't find a DirecTv code to make this thing work.so yet another remote I can lose. I did buy some more monster THX optical cables and a monster digital coaxial cable and use all of the digital inputs to connect everything. Any how I had the BOSE system with the two speakers. If you find this NEW, not refurbished for under 700.00.BUY IT.
Everything was connected with a digital source and this sound bar was throwing out fake Dolby sound.Dolby prologic I think is what its called. Finally it's producing Dolby digital sound. Buying it used or refurbed is a personal judgment decision that only you can make. By the way the Sub is worthless if you're looking for LOUD base that hits and knocks pictures off the wall.
The subwoofer has very little bass capability. The main speaker sound is good. I would not have brought this at the original price because it's not worth it.
Great system for the money. I knew and still know nothing about sound systems, but this was easy set up and works great.
First, I was on a severe budget, since I had just blown my available funds on the new TV and wall unit. Unfortunately, Amazon's restocking fees of 20-50% made that idea unaffordable. It actually sounded worse than the TV's speakers. However, the soundstage was quite wide, seeming to fill up my living room from side to side. After doing research around the interwebs, I realized that the desire for actual surround sound might be asking for too much.So after doing some research, I had settled on a choice between the Polk Soundbar 360 and the Denon DHT-FS3. I blame the desire to make thinner and thinner TV's not leaving any room for sizeable speakers and enough space to move air.
I called to find out why the price changed so drastically (on a discontinued item) but they couldn't give me a convincing reason, other than "market fluctuations." Obviously I am glad I purchased mine when I did.(I have also uploaded a few pictures) Both of these products had original list prices of $1200, are now discontinued and could be purchased for $400 and $350, respectively, from Amazon. I don't consider myself a purist audiophile, but I can recognize, and do appreciate, quality sound.So, onto the DHT-FS3's performance. Meaning, there was no evidence of sound coming from behind. I was let down.
Both brands are known for quality products and have garnered positive professional reviews. Most importantly, for everyday general TV viewing, the Denon offered up much clearer sounding dialogue. I have not actually had any audio system hooked up to my main TV for over seven years. I hit the power button and listened to the first sounds emanate from the speakers. Of course the promise of these soundbars is to offer a surround experience that can compete with actual 5.1 systems. While the Denon reproduced this range most satisfactorily, and there was a very noticeable shift from left-center-right, there was no actual surround effect. I had several constraints and requirements.
I ultimately chose the Denon over the Polk since it was 1) less expensive, 2) had a sub, 3) didn't have a DVD player I didn't need, 4) was more space efficient (especially without a separate component), 5) it has Dolby Headphone decoding and 6) my previous experience with Denon products.Before I get into the performance of the DHT-FS3, I want to present my point of reference when it comes to sound and performance. Flawed reasoning.I had originally wanted to purchase both units, try them out and keep the one that sounded better. However, I found I was able to bounce the IR signal off my ceiling and have the TV pick it up. I listen through Sure SE530 headphones hooked up to a Denon ADV-M71 receiver and its dedicated headphone amp and Dolby Headphone surround processing. $400 was all I could spend. In my mind, it made more sense spending my money on discontinued products that were designed to originally sell for 3X as much as their current prices versus spending that money on current products designed to sell at that same lower price point. For the original asking price of $1200, I am not sure I would have chosen to go the soundbar route, but if I was looking to spend that much on a soundbar, I would have also had to consider the top level ZVOX and Yamaha products. This suits my needs just fine.
Two of my favorite demonstrations of both sound and surround sound are the THX intros on movie discs, both the original "symphony" and the "farm animal/Disney" sequences. Last month I purchased a Panasonic TH-P54V10 to replace my aging Sony 36" WEGA CRT (which still looks great after nearly 11 years). Soundbars seems like the only real option. Center channel performance is notably clear. Both strive to highlight the surround effect and a journey through frequency response, from bright highs to rumbling lows.
I got the sound improvement I was looking for, along with a more than satisfactory audio companion for my TV's exceptional picture. Does the Denon deliver. The sound was tinny and shallow. I tend to watch most of my series TV and rented movies on another TV, when I exercise at home (it is a great motivator).
Second, my wife refused to look at speakers, even bookshelf speakers on either side of the TV. Not surprisingly, no, at least in my initial observations. (skip the next 4 paragraphs if you just want to cut to the chase)So I started looking for an affordable way to improve the sound. Going from the Stereo setting to the Wide setting created a much larger soundstage.
My last actual home theater system was a Sony 5.1 Dolby Digital receiver (can't remember the model) hooked up to an Energy Take5 + Energy Sub combo. There is no on-screen display, rather settings are adjusted via a digital display on the front of the unit and adjusted via the remote. As far as connectivity, my TV has four HDMI inputs and an optical output, so the lack of HDMI inputs on the Denon is not really an issue. While the picture on the 54V10 is fantastic, the sound coming from the speakers was woefully inadequate, actually worse than the Sony it replaced. Dialogue won't be overcome by the action.One negative, and one that likely plagues most soundbars, is the fact that it blocks the IR sensor of the TV.
I thought I might have to get an IR repeater in order to overcome this issue. The sound was full and satisfying. So I played around with the treble and bass, adjusted the room size and a few other tweaks. The result was night and day.
I also wanted something that could offer not just better sound, but a wider soundstage and a more immersive experience. I just wish I could use my Dish remote to control the system volume, but it doesn't seem to recognize any of the Denon remote codes available.Edit: I have since found out that my TV will not pass multi-channel sound through the digital out, so hooking source material (DVD, Games, etc) directly to the Denon's inputs should result in better sound quality.For $350, I am quite satisfied with my purchase. After removing the soundbar and sub from the excellent packaging, I set the main unit up in front of the TV, screwed in the feet (which come in two different heights), hooked up the optical connection to the back of my TV, ran the connection to the sub and plugged it all in. Then I remembered a review that indicated adjusting the audio parameters would do wonders.
It does have two optical and one coax digital input, along with RCA analog inputs. Curiously, three days after I placed my order from Amazon, their price went from $350 to $1199.
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