Home theater has resulted in two main audio system options. First, there is the traditional separate component approach. Second, there is the home theater-in-a-box approach. However, another option for those that don't want excessive connecting wires or don't have space for separate components and speakers, is the One or Two piece home theater system. This type produces a surround sound listening environment using a one speaker box, or one speaker box paired with a separate subwoofer.
1. Yamaha YSP-4100 Digital Sound Projector
If you are looking for a great surround sound experience without a room full of loudspeakers and wires, then check out Yamaha's YSP-4100 Digital Sound Projector. Utilizing an array of 40 small speaker and two woofer drivers (each with its own amplifier) housed in a central unit, the YSP-4100 projects sound with directional accuracy around the listening space to create a realistic 5.1 channel surround sound field. The YSP-4100 has several digital and analog audio inputs, Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, HDMI switching with analog to HDMI video conversion, and is also iPhone/iPod certified. The YSP-4100 is definitely worth a listen - it is a different type of listening experience. Note: You will need to add a separate subwoofer. Compare Prices.
Also consider the step-up Yamaha YSP-5100, which is 47-inches wide (compared to the 40-inch width of the YSP-4100), and also incorporates two dedicated tweeters, in addition to the 40 driver and dual woofer speaker array. Compare Prices for the Yamaha YSP-5100
2. Atlantic Technology FS-4000 Front Stage Flat Screen Speaker System
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If you are looking for new set of loudspeakers for your home theater, you might want to check out the stylish, and great sounding Atlantic Technology FS-4000 Front Stage Loudspeaker. This unique speaker combines all three front channel speakers (left, center, and right) into one 40-inch long housing that is attractive and can be either table or wall mounted. The design of FS4000 is intended to complement flat panel LCD and Plasma televisions and can be used alone, or combined with a subwoofer and/or a set of rear surround speakers. However, the most important thing about this loudspeaker design is that it sounds great. For more details, check out my Short and Full Reviews, and my FS-4000 Photo Gallery. Note: Requires external amplification.
3. Paradigm Millenia 20 Trio LCR Flat Screen Speaker System
Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
Check out the stylish, and great sounding Paradigm Millenia 20 Trio LCR Loudspeaker. This speaker system combines all three front channel speakers (left, center, and right) into a 41-inch long housing that is attractive and can be either table or wall mounted. The Trio is intended to complement flat panel LCD and Plasma televisions and can be used alone, or combined with a subwoofer and/or a set of rear surround speakers in a full surround sound home theater setup. The left, center, right sound image is wider that you would think and the sound quality is very good for this type of speaker design. For more details, check out my Short and Full Reviews, and my Paradigm Millenia 20 Trio Photo Gallery. Note: Requires external amplification.
4. ZVOX IncrediBase 580 Single-Cabinet Surround Sound System
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The are lots of home theater audio solutions, but an increasing popular one is the sound bar. The ZVOX Audio IncrediBase 580 is a sound bar that provides great sound for viewing movies, or listening to music, without having to hook-up a bunch of speakers. Added bonuses is that the ZVOX 580 provides a wide sound image using virtual surround processing and also doubles as platform to set your TV on. The ZVOX provides both analog and both digital optical (Toslink) and coaxial digital audio inputs so you can connect a variety of sources, such as a CD player, DVD player, and even that old VCR. For more details on whether the ZVOX Audio IncrediBase 580 is right audio solution for your movie, TV, or music listening experience, check out my Review and Photos.
5. Yamaha YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector
If you are looking for a way to experience 5.1 channel surround sound without a room full of loudspeakers and wires, then check out Yamaha's YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector. Utilizing an array of 40 small speaker and two woofer drivers (each with its own amplifier) housed in a central unit, the YSP-4000 projects sound with directional accuracy around the listening space to create a realistic 5.1 channel surround sound field. The YSP-4000 has several digital and analog audio inputs, Dolby Digital/DTS processing, and HDMI switching with 720p/1080i video upscaling. The YSP-4000 is definitely worth a listen - it is a different type of listening experience. Note: You will need to add a separate subwoofer.6. ZVOX Audio Z-Base 575 Low Profile Single-Cabinet Surround Sound System
The ZVOX Audio Z-Base 575 surround sound system is one of the latest in a growing trend towards one-box surround sound solutions that are targeted to those consumers that want more than just listening to sound from cheap built-in Television speakers, but don't want the hassle, of setting up and using a multi-speaker home theater system. The Z-Base 575 is an easy-to-use system that delivers great sound for both movies and music. Also, this amplified speaker system can also double as a platform for many televisions up weighing up to 140 pounds, and with a stand 35-inches wide or less. For look at the ZVOX Audio Z-Base 575 Low Profile Single Cabinet Surround Sound System, check out my Review and Photo Gallery.7. Yamaha YSP-3050 Digital Sound Projector with HDMI
The Yamaha YSP-3050 is the latest home theater system that employs Digital Sound Projection Technology. A Digital Sound projector utilizes a series of small speakers that can be assigned to various channels and project sound to different points in a room, all from a single cabinet. A digital sound projector houses all needed amplifiers, audio processors, and speakers. The surround effect is actually very good, considering everything comes out of one box. The only additional item required might be an external subwoofer. To find out more, check out my product profile of the Yamaha YSP-3050 Digital Sound Projector.8. KEF HTF8003 Home Theatre Sound Bar
Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
If you are looking for loudspeakers for your home theater, but don't want all the speaker and wire clutter, then check out the KEF HTF8003 Home Theatre Sound Bar system. The HTF8003 combines three front channel speakers (left, center, and right) into one 38-inch long housing that is designed for table or wall mounting. The KEF HTF8003 complements flat panel LCD/Plasma TVs and can be used alone (but does require connection to a home theater receiver), or combined with a subwoofer (recommended) and a set of surround speakers. To find out if the KEF HTF8003 is right for you, check out my Review and Photo Gallery.
9. Yamaha YSP-2200 Digital Sound Projector
The Yamaha YSP-2200 is another entry into Yamaha's Digital Sound Projector lineup. The YSP-2200 uses the same digital sound projection technology used in all of Yamaha's digital sound projectors. The YSP-2200 utilizes 16 individual speakers (2 watts x16) and an external 100 watt powered subwoofer. The YSP-2200 features extensive surround sound decoding, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD-Master Audio, and also provides 3D and Audio Return Channel compatible HDMI inputs, as well as digital optical/coaxial and analog audio inputs. In addition, the YSP-2200 is also iPod/iPhone compatible. If you are looking for no-hassle way to get surround sound for a small room, the Yamaha YSP-2200 may be just the right choice for you. For more details, read my review and check out my photo profile.10. Samsung HT-BD8200 Blu-Ray Sound Bar Home Theater System
Samsung is not the first brand you think of when considering a home theater system, but with the HT-BD8200, it offers an attractive compact, self-contained, easy-to-use system that can complement a flat panel television and create an intimate, but satisfying home theater viewing and listening experience. The main part of the system consists of a soundbar that combines a 2.1 channel audio system with a Blu-ray Disc Player. The Blu-ray Disc Player setion is BD-Live compliant with built-in internet audio/video streaming access from providers such as Blockbuster, Netflix, YouTube, and Pandora. The 8200 is also WiFi capable via add-on adapter. In addition, to make this system even more practical, it also comes with a wireless subwoofer.