Klipsch HD Theater 500 5.1-channel sound system hands-on

Klipsch stunned the boxed surround sound world back in late January with the announcement of three relatively affordable 5.1 sound systems. The middle guy (yeah, the HD Theater 500) just started shipping out to the earliest of adopters, and we just so happened to get our set in today. For $599.99 (MSRP), you get four surrounds, a center channel and a powered (100 watt) 8-inch subwoofer. Each satellite is a sealed enclosure finished in a high-gloss piano black, with a 2.5-inch IMG woofer (center channel has two) and a MicroTractrix horn-loaded aluminum dome tweeter (0.75-inches) packed within. We can say with certainty that these drivers are delightfully small, but if you're looking specifics, here goes: the satellites are 6- x 3.6- x 3.85-inches, while the center channel measures in at 3.6- x 9- x 3.85-inches. As for the subbie? 13.9- x 12.5- x 12.5-inches. We're setting this rig up as we speak to give it a listen and report back, but till then, feel free to peruse the unboxing gallery below.

Klipsch HD Theater 500 5.1-channel sound system hands-on

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 4:06PM]

ooooooo.....Ive been waiting for this review.....Its either these or the HSU package....Waiting.....

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 5:32PM]

Why wait for the review? CNET had theirs up yesterday!

http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/klipsch-hd-theater-500/4505-7868_7-33549715.html

[mattcoz Posted Mar 28th 2009 12:32PM]

Nice, but I'd still go with the Energy Take Classic. Cheaper, higher rated, and more powerful sub.

[andysexton Posted Mar 28th 2009 8:15PM]

Klipsch now owns Energy, too.

[Joe Las Vegas Posted Mar 28th 2009 1:33PM]

for the same price you can get a true 7.1 system, such as the Onkyo 6100.

[barCODE Posted Mar 28th 2009 11:47PM]

Klipsch seems to be one of those companies once revered for their audio products, but now since their founder is gone, the corporate soul went with him. They seem to have sold out to the big box marts and their products just are not as good as they could be or once were.