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(More customer reviews)Just wanted to throw in my two cents. I have been looking for a 2.1, 3.1, or soundbar setup in my living room. While I have a few top quality components (SVS Sub, some Energy Speakers) I simply do not have the space for a full 5.1 setup right now. I have been researching different items for months and last week finally started my journey to listen to them and see how they do.
The first place I went was my local Sony store. While I figured I'd be able to hear the CT 100 just about anywhere, I wanted to hear the CT 500 in comparison. I could sum up both systems with a word "tinny". I'm not sure what other people are hearing or maybe it was the room that washed out the sound but, I was hugely unimpressed. The sound field seemed to be directly in front of the CT 100 and the CT 500 while slightly better did nothing to wow me.
The next place I went was a local Hi Fi shop to see what they had available. There, they had the Polk Soundbar, though I am uncertain to which model. The sound, while better then the Sonys again left me unimpressed. The sound quality was more detalied and rich, tonality was improved as well, but while it would be an improvement over my TV speakers it would not do much to make for a small home theater system.
Again, disappointed I returned home to do more research. At this point I just started to go to random manufacturers websites, eventually stumbling to Klipsch. I saw the CS 700 and then looked that up some more. I'm sure for those that have searched have hit the same wall as me, there really isn't anything. A thread on AVS forums. A few "preview" type articles here and there but, nothing too informative.
I figured Best Buy would carry them. As soon as I went to the HT section I asked one of the lads there. Not surprisingly he gave me the same response as I would have gotten from my dog, a blank stare. I started to walk out and a Magnolia guy asked me if he could help. I told him what I was looking for and he knew what it was right away! I figured this is my chance to hear it but, instead he takes me to an aisle where there are two CS 700 boxes. There was no set up just those two closed. The closeout price was $699 and I was on the fence on whether to buy or not.
I bit the bullet and brought it home. I have to say I was and continue to be floored! The sound of this little system is astounding. Bass is fantastic, and the wireless sub makes placement much easier. The two speakers are really the stars. Even at full volume there is no sign of distortion. Simply clear, detailed sound with excellent fidelity. What is best for me is low volume listening is just as detailed as a full tilt. The DVD/receiver is decent enough. No Blue Ray but, the DVD quality is good, and the set up like the rest of the system is dead simple. I paired it to my TV via a Digital Optical Input and HDMI for video/sound out of the unit.
The morning after I purchased it, my finance and I were watching our little nephews. In reality I knew this would be the perfect excuse to put the system to a test. While they were there we watched Kung Fu Panda and Meet the Robinsons. Both movies were sublime! The sound field is incredible, it fills the entire room and regardless of where you sit you get excellent separation. In Kung Fu Panda, there is a scene where the villain is escaping from his captors. I noticed little subtle things that I have not heard before, stretching of bow and arrows, slight scratching of the tigers claws on the rocks etc.
That was just one of many "wow" moments I had with this system. While it is not anything close to a true 5.1 or 7.1 set up I think it is the best you can do with an "in the box" small set up. I know it's a bit pricier than some of it's new competitors but, the sound is amazing and at it's price now it is well worth it! 10/10
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Klipsch CS-700 - Home theater system
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