Pioneer HTS-570 Compact 5.1 Channel Home Theater System - Review and Rating

The HTS-570 is a compact-entry-level home theater system.

In terms of ergonomics, there are two distinct features that affect the functionality of the HTS-570; first the incorporation of all the amplifier, tuner, and connections into the same cabinet as the subwoofer, and, secondly, the remote LED display/system control unit (similar to a removable car-stereo face plate).

This unique design eliminates the need the for an additional large-sized AV Receiver section. Since you can place the LED Display/Control unit just about anywhere (as long as you have enough cable length running from its subwoofer/amp connection. You don't have to allow for additional space on your shelf for an AV Receiver.

Setting up the HTS-570 is easy. However, two things I don't typically care for in most all-in-one home theater systems is the use of cheap speaker wire and proprietary speaker connections on the connection panel of the amplifier. That being said, with the color coded connections, as well as the color coding on the back of satellite speakers, everything was easy to identify and connect.

The speakers included with the HTS-570 are unique. Pioneer has introduced an innovative modular speaker design that allows the speakers to be placed around the room for a more enveloping surround sound experience, or assembled into two small towers for placement on the left and right side of a TV, which provides a front-based surround sound experience.

For a closer look at the speakers provided with the HTS-570, check out a photo of the individual speakers, and another photo of the speakers assembled into "mini-towers" (rear view). It is important to note that bracket used to assemble the "mini-towers" is one of the provided accessories of the HTS-570. Photos (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

When assembled into "mini-towers", the top speakers are surround speakers, the middle speakers are the center channel, and bottom speakers are the main left and right channels. The speaker terminals and cables are color coded.

Audio Performance

I found that the traditional front-rear setup provided a better surround sound environment. This was especially evident in the "echo game" scene from House of the Flying Daggers. However, using all the speakers in the front of the room, assembled together as "mini-towers" provided a more solid sound, which made audio-only CD music sources sound better.

As far as audio performance, the more demanding sound samples I used from DVD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, lost their impact due to the small speakers and low-powered system. In addition audio-only CDs lacked the depth they would get from a more substantial system or better speakers.

This was especially evident on the main battle scene in Master and Commander, lots of boom, but weak definition on more precise sound, such as flying wood splinters. By the same token, the "arrows" scene in Hero, sound slightly muffled when compared to the comparison system I used (see page 1 of this review).

The highs were fair, but didn't standout, the subwoofer wasn't tight enough on the lowest frequencies, and subtle transient details got lost in some of the DVD soundtracks.

In addition, the highs were a little harsh, the subwoofer wasn't tight enough on the lowest frequencies (including to the comparison subwoofers and systems I was using), and subtle transient details got lost in some of the DVD samples (such as the section of the library scene in Hero where the tea cup falls on the sword after the scrolls fall - you can barely hear the tea cup touch the sword).

On audio-only CDs, the mid-range response on vocals was acceptable, however, finer sounds such as plucking guitar strings did not standout as well as they could have.

The Pioneer HTS-570 is a 5.1 channel home theater-in-a-box system, with 6 compact satellite speakers, an AV receiver/subwoofer combination, and separate LED display unit.

However, the AV receiver section lacks video connections, which would have made it a more flexible central control unit to use with HDTVs and progressive scan DVD players.

As far as audio performance, the more demanding sound samples I used from DVD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, lost their impact due to the small speakers and low-powered system. In addition, audio-only CDs lacked the depth they would get from a more substantial system.

The highs were fair, but didn't standout, the subwoofer wasn't tight enough on the lowest frequencies, and subtle transient details got lost in some of the DVD soundtracks.

Despite its modest rated power output and small satellite speakers, the HTS-570 should have performed better for a compact system at its $399 price point, such as Pioneer's previously released HTS-260.

Pioneer deserves credit for inlcuding its MCACC speaker setup system, flexible sound processing options, and modular speaker design, but the sound quality of the modular speakers needs to be improved. A slightly larger cube and driver could provide better sound. The trend towards shrinking the size of cube speakers may have reached the point of diminishing returns.

I give the HTS-570 3 out of 5 Stars.

For a close-up photo look at the HTS-570, check out my Gallery Report.