How to choose and set up a Philips home theater

The transnational company Philips was founded back in 1981. During its 40-year history, the company has repeatedly changed priority areas of activity. But it increased its recognition through the manufacture of high-quality consumer electronics. In our review, we will consider one of the types of Philips household appliances, namely home theaters.

General information about acoustic systems from Philips

All Philips home theater products are designed and manufactured with the latest high technology. Differ in the compact sizes, special quality of spare parts and assembly. Philips acoustic panels are available in 2.1, 3.1, 5.1 and 6.1 formats. Which means a complete set as part of the 1st subwoofer and 2, 3, 5 and 6 satellites, respectively. The 2-channel and 3-channel models use Virtual Surround Sound technology to improve sound quality. It creates the illusion of having more sound sources.
Virtual Surround Sound – an innovative solution from Philips that improves the sound of speakers [/ caption] Philips Ambisound technology, which provides full-range surround sound, is used in five-channel models. Philips soundbars are equipped as standard with audio inputs, to which any external media is connected using a cable. There is also a Bluetooth connection option.

Premium series devices are complemented by optical cables. They will allow you to play discs of any format – from CD and DVD to Blu-ray.

TOP 10 best Philips home theater models: end of 2021 price

After analyzing 87 home theater models from Philips, we have created our own rating of the best products in this category. Here, the technical characteristics of the devices, user reviews and the cost of Philips home theaters were taken into account.

10th place: Philips HTS5550

The average cost is 13,750 rubles. The Philips HTS5550 home theater model is not new, but it has very good technical data and is invariably loved by users. It is a one-box system with a set of 5.1 speaker systems. The parameters of the main unit – 43.5 cm * 58 cm * 35.8 cm, weight – 3.56 kg. The dimensions of the front and rear speakers are 26 cm * 110 cm * 26 cm, each weight is 3.73 kg. Subwoofer weighing 5.25 kg. The width of the subwoofer is 19.6 cm, the height is 39.5 cm, the depth is 34.2 cm. The 3D directional speakers provide the most surround sound. The total power of the speakers is 1200 W; frequency range – 20-20,000 Hz. Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital and DTS decoders are used. Thanks to the applied DoubleBASS technology, we get a deep and rich sound of the subwoofer. The frequency range of the subwoofer is 40-150 Hz.
The Philips HTS5550 home theater system reads discs such as CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD R, DVD RW. Supports DivX, VCD, SVCD, MPEG1, 2 and 4, MP3, JPEG, Picture CD and more. Connection to other devices is cabled. As an additional option – FM radio (87.5-108 MHz).

Note. All data on the advantages and disadvantages of Philips cinemas are based on reviews from real users.

Advantages

Main advantages of DC Philips HTS5550:

• low cost;
• excellent design;
• high-quality surround sound, high maximum volume;
• good power;
• “omnivorous”, reading various disks and formats.
• availability of 3D option;
• sufficient wire length.

Flaws

Among the shortcomings are the following:

• lack of support for the MKV format;
• does not support external media with NTFS.

9th place: Philips HTS3539

The average cost of Philips HTS3539 is 16,500 rubles. The Philips HTS3539 home theater is in many ways similar to the previous model, but recognized as more advanced. It is also a one-box system with a 5.1 speaker system. Main unit dimensions – 36 cm * 58 cm * 24 cm, weight – 2.4 kg. The size of the front and rear speakers – 24 cm * 100 cm * 24 cm, weight – 1.6 kg; the power of each is 100 watts. The weight and size of the subwoofer are as follows – 2.6 kg, 26.5 cm * 16 cm * 26.5 cm, respectively; power – 100 watts. The frequency range of home theater is 20 – 20,000 Hz.
Home theater HTS3539 reads DVD and CD discs, MPEG1,2,4, SVCD, VCD formats. This model also features DivX Ultra technology, which combines the ability to play DivX files with support for multiple playback languages ​​and built-in subtitles. The device is connected via HDMI, optical input S / PDIF, USB (type A). There is also a composite AV output (RCA) and a stereo audio input (RCA), which allows you to play music from your smartphone, tablet, MP3 player or laptop through the DC. The sound quality. One of the leading standards of multi-channel sound – Dolby Digital is involved. In addition, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS decoders are used. In addition to the DC itself, the basic package includes a remote control, an HDMI cable, an antenna and documentation.

Advantages

• stylish appearance;
• good sound quality with realistic spatial allusions;
• high definition image, thanks to HDMI connection;
• convenient operation, support for EasyLink option.

Flaws

• there is no wireless connection;
• hum may occur at high volume levels.

8th place: Philips HTS3357 home theater

The average cost is 18,895 rubles. The HTS3357 home theater system allows you to enjoy surround sound and high-definition images. Like most in the Philips line, the model is single-block with five speakers. The total power of the speakers is 600 W; frequency range – 40 – 20,000 Hz. Unlike previous home theaters, Philips HTS3357 has improved sound – there is a class “D” digital amplifier, night mode. It is also possible to adjust the equalizer; options for working with images (rotate, zoom, slide show with music).
The connectors for connection are as follows: HDMI, S-VIDEO, AUX, component video output, CVBS composite video output, speaker connectors, 2 digital coaxial inputs, USB, linear MP3, FM antenna output, AM / MW, Scart output.

Advantages

• high quality sound and image;
• the presence of various options, additional playback settings;
• there is a karaoke mode, radio.

Flaws

A small strip, approximately 20 pixels, that appears in the lower right corner of the screen every 15-20 minutes.

7th place: Philips HTS5200

The average cost is 18,895 rubles. The Philips HTS5200 is a single unit system with a 2.1 acoustic panel with a total output of 400W. The frequency range of home theater is 20 – 20,000 Hz. High-frequency speakers, passive subwoofer. This model uses Crystal Clear Sound technology, thanks to which we get perfectly clear detailed sound. It is also possible to play files from USB-drives.

Advantages

• Good sounding with “presence effect”.
• Modern stylish design.
• The presence of a large number of useful functions for setting up playback.
• It is possible to connect an additional docking station for comfortable playback of files from the iPhone or iPod.
• Scoring in karaoke – allows you to have fun in the company.

Flaws

Inconvenient inclusion of the timer – only through the menu.

6th place: Philips HTS5540

The average cost is 23,850 rubles. The format of the Philips HTS5540 DC speaker system is 6.1, the total power is 1200 watts. It also differs from the above models by the presence of a larger number of improved functions. There is a possibility of wireless connection of rear speakers and touch control of the system.

Advantages

• Premium sound quality, deep bass.
• Ability to play different formats.
• Beautiful design.
• Quality build.
• Good power.
• Ease of use.

Flaws

• Uninformative display.
• Slow DC response when playing files from external media.

5th place: Philips HTD5580

The average cost of Philips HTD5580 is 26,655 rubles. The Philips HTD5580 is a 5.1 DVD home theater system that delivers deep, cinema-like surround sound. Sound power – 1000 watts. Speaker system with double inverters, Bass-Reflex and Dolby Digital. Image quality Full HD 1080p.

Advantages

• The presence of a built-in Bluetooth module, which is responsible for the wireless streaming of files to the DC.
• Microphone volume adjustment.

Flaws

Not found.

4th place Philips HTB7590KD

The average cost is 27,990 rubles. This model is also a one-box system with 5.1 speakers and Blu-Ray. The total power of the speakers is 1000 W; frequency range – 20 – 20,000 watts. Among other things, the new CinemaPerfect HD standard is also used here, which significantly improves playback quality – reduces noise and makes the picture clearer.

Advantages

• Premium image quality.
• Possibility of connection to the Internet.
• 3D support.
• Wireless connection of rear speakers.

Flaws

The bulkiness of the tuner.

3rd place: Philips HTS5580

The average cost is 27,990 rubles. The Philips HTS5580 is a 5.1 home theater digital system that delivers outstanding deep surround sound. Reads a wide range of formats from all types of discs, external media or portable players. The total power of the speakers is 1200 W, the frequency range is still 20 – 20,000 Hz. This model uses Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio Essential, DoubleBASS and others.

Advantages

• Wireless speaker connection.
• 3D option.
• Premium sound and picture quality.

Flaws

The unusual shape of the remote control.

2nd place: Philips HTS5131

The average cost is 35,430 rubles. Philips HTS5131 – 2.1 format model, with a total power of 400 watts. This model has the ability to connect to a wired or wireless Internet; access to YouTube and Picasa. Technologies such as Virtual Surround Sound, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD and others are used.

Advantages.

• Good sound.
• Availability of the EasyLink option.

Flaws.

There is no headphone output.

#1 Philips Best Home Theater System 2021-2022: Philips HTS8161

The average cost is 47,200 rubles. The cherry on our cake is the Philips HTS8161. The Philips HTS8161 Blu-Ray home theater delivers HD surround sound from just one source. Its power is 500 W, the frequency range is 20 – 20,000 Hz. This model uses a number of technologies that greatly affect the quality of playback and sound. Ambisound, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD deliver high-definition 7.1-channel surround sound while making up for the small number of speakers. The Deep Color technology will give bright colors, transmitting more than a billion colors. BD-Live will help you download content from the Internet to a Blu-ray disc. Also technologies DoubleBASS, FullSound, xvColor and others are used.

Advantages

• High quality sound and picture.
• Convenient touch panel for volume and playback control.

Flaws

The cable for connecting the subwoofer to the DC is very thick. Philips HTS3560 home theater review – what you need to know: https://youtu.be/LRpav3B9Q9s

Should you buy Philips home theater systems?

Philips home theater systems are renowned for their quality. These are modern materials and reliable assembly. All products are presented in different price categories. The “tricked” devices and the availability of additional improved options depend on the cost. However, even the most budget models will be able to provide deep surround sound and a clear image during playback.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a home theater from Philips, it is important to consider a number of features:

• technical data of the device;
• the availability of the necessary improved options;
• acoustic system format;
• types of discs allowed for playback, file formats;
• device connection type, etc.

Connecting to a TV

TV connection is standard. Depends on the available connectors on DC and TV. The most common option is to connect using an HDMI cable. This type of pairing provides an uninterrupted signal and high-quality clear reproduction. As a rule, the cable is included in the kit. There are also the following connection options:

• using an optical cable (IN and OUT sockets) . Requires additional audio and video settings;
• via coaxial cable (Coaxial IN and Coaxial OUT connectors);
• using a tulip cable ;
• via SCART, S-VIDEO, etc.

How to connect your Philips home theater to your TV via optical cable:

Note! If the connectors on the home theater and TV do not match, you can use an adapter.

Important! When connecting a DC to the TV, both devices must be de-energized.

Possible malfunctions of different models of Philips cinemas and problem solving

Now consider the most popular problems and their solutions.

1. When you turn on the Philips SW 8300 home theater , it writes “Starting” and does not react to anything. – In this case, the problem may lie with the firmware or peripheral devices, including the drive.
2. LX8200SA does not open the floppy drive. – We recommend that you check the connection of the drive to the power supply, have it checked by a mechanic or contact a service center.
3. Sometimes the Philips LX8300SA home theater system goes into sleep mode immediately after being turned on. – A software update is required to solve the problem.

Repair of the famous Philips hts5540 home theater model – video instruction: https://youtu.be/F9izPscxlHM Complex breakdowns are fixed in service centers.