Klipsch announced its new high-performance 2.1ch system which simulates the effects of a 5.1ch setup.

With just two satellites, a subwoofer and an A/V center, the compact CS-500 system uses digital processing circuitry to simulate the effect of a larger, six-speaker home theater system. Each satellite employs dual magnetically shielded 2.5-inch high output medium and a 0.75-inch magnetically shielded tweeter, the subwoofer employs a 6.5-inch woofer.

The A/V center features a built-in Class-D amplifier that distributes 35 watts of power to each satellite and 100 watts of power to the subwoofer. It also includes Dolby Virtual Speaker technology along with a progressive scan DVD player, an AM/FM tuner with 20 station presets, an universal IR remote control and three auxiliary inputs.

The Klipsch CS-500 begins shipping early next month for a price of $999.99.

This 5.1-channel home theater system from Sony wouldn't take so much place in your house with these tiny satellite speakers measuring about 43mm x 43mm. Also note that you can get optional speaker stands (WS-FV11) for a retail price of $155/pair.

The A/V receiver includes an on-board DVD player compatible DivX, JPEG, MP3 and a built-in AM/FM tuner is present. You can stream music via the Digital Media Port directly from Bluetooth or WiFi using optional Docks. The high-efficiency amplifier "S-Master Digital Amplifier" delivers a power of 5x45W + 1x100W to the 6 speakers.

The system is "BRAVIA TheatreSync" certified and the D.C.A.C (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration) will set the optimum surround parameters in just 30 seconds.

Sony Japan has announced the DAV-IS10 on October 20th and the price is still unknown at the moment.

Sony Japan has announced a new 5.1-channel home theater package on November 11th for an unknown price.

The HT-SF2000 system gets an AM/FM radio tuner but no DVD player in this model, you have to buy the DAV-IS10 or DAV-DZ220 package to get the player. The fully digital amplifier "S-Master" incorporates 3x HDMI inputs and 1x analog output, 3x analog inputs and 2x optical digital inputs.

The speakers are supplied by a maximum power of 980W (Front: 143W+143W, Center: 143W, Surround: 143W+143W, Sub woofer 265W). Also the "D.C.A.C" (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration) function will help you out to setup your speakers in your room by an automated process.

S-302 Denon's home theater is on the way. Denon Japan has announced the S-302 to hit the shelves for the end of the month.

The S-302 is a simple 2.1-channel home theater system with a CD/DVD Player and a built-in FM/AM tuner. It also manages the network functionalities such as listening internet radio, music streaming, JPEG sliding show (Album jacket indication) via an ethernet port or a wireless connection (Wi-Fi). You can hook up an iPod to the S-302 with an optional cable or connect it your MP3 player, storage key or else to the USB port on the facade.

The system supports the playback of WMA, AAC (non-DRM), MP3, WAV and FLAC audio formats. The S-302 read DVDs but unfortunately it doesn't supports DivX and XviD formats, however the HDMI terminal can upscale the video output to 1080p.

The bookshelf speakers are 2-way models fitted in a closed cabinet with 3 speakers, 2x 8cm cone type drivers for the medium and 1x 2cm tweeter, the subwoofer loads a 16cm diameter cone type driver. There is no specification on the output power delivered by the amplifier, we just know its power consumption of 104W (0.3W in stand-by).

Denon has announced a low budget 5.1 home theater all-in-one package. Called DHT-M380 this home theater includes an A/V receiver (AVC-M380), 5 speakers and 1 subwoofer.

The AVC-M380 amplifier delivers 5x20W + 1x20W @ 6Ω and the unit is able to decode DTS, DTS 96/24, Dolby digital and Dolby professional logic II in 5.1 channel output mode and Dolby virtual speaker and Dolby headphone in 2.1 mode. The amplifier has a minimum connection with only 3x analog inputs, 2x analog outputs and 3x digital optical inputs. The 5 speakers use 8cm fullrange speakers mounted in a wooden cabinet and the subwoofer adopts a 16cm driver. As these speakers are magnetically shielded you can place them near your television without causing picture distortion.

This package will be available for the next month but the price is still unknown at the moment.

Klipsch is going to introduce this month, a Flat-Panel version of their Quintet speakers, best-selling Home Theater package of the company. The five-channel Quintet SL kit is composed of 3 slender LCR (left, center, right) speakers and 2 satellites for surrounds, they are all magnetically shielded and employ 2*3.5inch woofers (1 woofer for the satellites) and a 0.75inch aluminum dome tweeter. Each speaker offers easy wall mounting and includes a pedestal foot for free-standing use. There is not so much precision on the speakers specifications but as the press note says the characteristics would be the same that the Quintet III speakers.

Also the Sub-12, an optional 12inch subwoofer will be available with built-in amplifier that delivers 300W RMS. In addition a (24dB/octave) low-pass crossover is continuously adjustable from 40 to 120Hz and an "auto power" feature enables the subwoofer to turn itself on and off (standby) automatically, based on the presence or absence of an audio signal.

The Quintet SL bundle is priced at $950 and the Sub-12 comes for $499.