Home theater wonder
Pioneer learns how to simplify
Pioneer has always had complicated home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) systems where one would get lost in the multitude of unnecessary system features and functions that aren’t really needed in enjoying a home theater experience. Going simple is always the best and this is probably what Pioneer had in mind with the HTP-55 5.1 home theater speaker system.
They did a good job in limiting the number of features of the system. For starters, it’s only made up of the receiver and the speaker system itself. Thus, one could choose an input source, unlike the limitations of complete HTIBs with built-in DVD players. Connectivity has also been simplified with an adequate number of inputs, including stock speaker cable terminals.
Setting up is easy with its lightweight and unobtrusive floor standing speakers. The nice piano-like finish makes it look expensive. Controls are also simplified and straightforward, very un-Pioneer like. As a bonus, the system has an auto room calibration/speaker set-up system. Also, only the barest of sound formats are included, such as Dolby Digital and DTS, as well as only the basics of DSPs .In essence, any 10 year old can set the system up and operate it in no time.
With this system, you’d get to enjoy the crispness of the gunshots, the rumbling of thunder, in the Matrix. Heck, you could even understand what Neo is actually talking about. Naturally, don’t expect big sound that goes beyond the speakers’ capabilities .
So, if you have a DVD player and a nice monitor such as a Plasma or an LCD, the HTP-55 is a great match. It gets the job done like a real home theater system, and it sound and looks better than other multi-channel component systems. Lester Galla
PIONEER HTP-55 | P17,990
www.pioneerelectronics.com
TECH Slim floorstanding speakers. Center channel speaker. Subwoofer. 100 watts per channel. Receiver system incorporated in the Subwoofer. Dolby Digital, DTS surround decoders for 5.1 sound formats. Auto room calibration/speaker set-up system
LOVE Simplicity of features and style—uncharacteristically Pioneer
HATE Generic cables. Limited decoders
WE SAY Priced well enough to let you spend more on a plasma or an LCD TV.
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T3 Magazine Philippines - June 2007 Issue
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 PIONEER HTP-55
Fast fact
Pioneer was founded in 1983 in Tokyo. It began as a small radio and speaker repair shop.
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