Digital Trends

Kenwood HTB-506

October 26th, 2003 | by Yongki Go

Introduction

Home-theater-in-a-box is a solution for someone who needs a straightforward surround sound system, but doesn't have the room or the resources for a big and fancy system. It is also a popular solution for a bedroom system or second system in a small room.

The HTB-506 system reviewed here is one of the latest home-theater-in-a-box offering from Kenwood. It consists of a receiver (VR-707), 6 satellite speakers, and a powered subwoofer. It carries a $500 price tag, which falls into a “very affordable” category. This receiver packs a set of impressive features, which belies its price, most notably its 6.1 capability.

Features and Design

The heart of the HTB-506 system is the VR-707 receiver, which is also sold separately for $250. This receiver packs a set of impressive features, which belies its price. Even its appearance is quite attractive with silver front and gray side/top panels. This receiver can accommodate up to 5 analog stereo inputs (with 2 record out loops), one six-channel analog inputs, and 3 digital inputs (2 coaxial, 1 optical). Three composite video and two S-video inputs are also provided, so you can use this receiver as your video switcher if desired. The VR-707 receiver packs 6-channel amplifier capable of delivering 100 W per channel (with one channel driven in surround application or two channels driven in stereo application). The speaker outputs on the back are of the spring-clips variety. As expected at its price point, the receiver is not designed to drive speakers with difficult load (4 ohm or less). Kenwood specifies 8-16 ohm speakers to be used with this receiver. A low-level subwoofer output is also provided, as well as two switched AC outlets. A set of AM and FM antennas was also supplied with the VR-707 for its tuner.

The surround processing in the VR-707 receiver was done digitally using a 24 bit DSP chip. It is capable of decoding Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital EX as well as DTS through its digital inputs. The surround processing modes for analog inputs include Dolby Prologic II (Music and Movies) and some surround fields such as Arena, Jazz club, Theater, Stadium, and Disco. An Active EQ mode is also provided to better equalize the speaker package with the receiver.  It is effective in all listening modes, and tailors the receiver to better match the type of speakers that are being used with it, to achieve a better blend between the speakers and subwoofer. It also has modes that tailor the response for Music, Movies and TV sound. The receiver also has tone controls, but I suggest leaving them at their default settings.

The front panel of the VR-707 Receiver

The front panel of the VR-707 is quite neat and clean. The grouping of the buttons and knobs on the panel is well organized.  The mode and status of the receiver can be found on the small dimmable LCD display with white lettering, located on the middle upper of the front panel. The only receptor found in the front panel is an output for headphone jack. Pretty much all the functions of the receiver can be accessed from the provided remote control. The remote control feels rigid and can be setup to operate other popular brand devices. The codes to setup the remote are given in the receiver's manual. Although code-searching method is discussed in the manual for devices that are not in the list, I was not successful in setting up the remote to operate two of my unlisted components. The buttons on the remote are organized in three colors, but no backlight, so you have to be familiar with the location of the buttons in order to use it in dark environment. I felt that ergonomically the remote was not very easy to use, mainly because the buttons were too small.