The Bottom Line
Pros
- Innovative compact speaker design.
- Easy setup and operation
- Color coded connection cables
- Innovative separation of amplifier and system display control unit
- HDMI Connectivity - Onboard Decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
Cons
- No video inputs and outputs, except for HDMI
- Only one set of Stereo analog audio inputs
- No Onscreen Menu Display
- Cheap Speaker Wire
- High Price Point
Description
- AV Receiver with Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-96/24, DTS-ES Decoders.
- Sound Retriever for Compressed Audio sources, such as digital audio players, and Front Stage Surround function.
- 45 watts-per-channel output (8 ohm speaker load) x 6 with 1% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion).
- Amplifier System and input connections on Subwoofer enclosure; separate LED display and control unit.
- Speakers supplied: L/R Mains, Dual Center, L/R surrounds, and a 90 watt (45x2) Dual Driver Powered Subwoofer.
- Three HDMI(ver 1.3a) inputs and one HDMI output for transfer of A/V signals from Blu-ray/HD-DVD, or HDMI-equipped DVD player.
- Room Audio Calibration via Auto MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System) with Microphone.
- 1 Set of RCA Analog audio inputs for VCR, DVD player, DVD recorder, or CD player. iPod connection via provided adapter cable.
- Two Digital Optical audio inputs for DVD player or other components with digital audio outputs.
- Cables and speaker wire provided - all wires are color coded for easy connection. Wireless remote control w/LCD Touch Panel.
Guide Review - Pioneer Elite HTS-LX70 Flat Panel Home Theater System - Product Review
The Pioneer Elite HTS-LX70 is a 5.1 channel home theater-in-a-box system, with 6 satellite speakers, an AV receiver/subwoofer combination, and separate LED display unit. The Center Channel is incorporated in the two front speakers.Two innovations:
1. The separate LED display allows the heavier, and boxier, amplifier section to be placed in the subwoofer cabinet, allowing the LED display and control unit to be put in a smaller space, away from the system.
2. A very unique compact speaker design that allows the speakers to be placed around the room for a more enveloping surround sound experience, or on the left and right side of a TV, providing a front-based surround sound experience.
The HTS-LX70 incorporates HDMI connectivity and switching, as well as the ability to access and decode almost all surround sound formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.
The surround sound image was both very directional and spacious, but center channel presence was not quite as good as the comparison systems. Audio-only CDs also lacked some of the depth they would get from a more substantial system. The highs and subtle transient details sounded a little dull in some of the Blu-ray and DVD soundtracks, but were acceptable. The subwoofer was effective and tight enough on the lowest frequencies. Overall, the HTS-LX70 sounded better than I would have expected just from looking at the physical setup.
It must be noted that, except for HDMI pass-through, this system lacks video connections, and has no onscreen menu. However, the HTS-LX70 does have a very practical LCD Touchscreen Remote that is easy to use.
Pioneer has come up with an interesting system in terms of engineering and styling factors, and the combination does deliver some good results for a small or medium-sized room, but is expensive.
The HTS-LX70 gets 3.5 out of 5 Stars.
