Group test: Budget home cinema systems pt2

Overview Price: £300 More info: Philips Size/Weight Main unit: 370x242x180mm (3.5kg) Speakers: 180x420x180mm (2.32kg) Subwoofer: 295x443x295mm (9.1kg) Power rating: N/A Disc formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, CD-R/-RW, MP3, JPEG, WMA, DiVX, SACD Video connections: Scart, component, HDMI Audio connections : 2x analogue, coaxial optical Other connections: USB host, 3.5mm line-in Decoding: Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II Tuner: FM/AM Upscaling: 720p, 1080i Progressive scan: Yes Philips HTS6600 Since not everyone has the space to accommodate six speakers, Philips has introduced this 2.1 home cinema system that attempts to conjure the illusion of full surround sound from only two speakers - it's not surround sound as we know it, but it does provide a stylishly compact solution. The eye-catching design carries plenty of futuristic appeal featuring a vertically mounted main unit constructed from glass and aluminium with a sliding disc draw at the side for total minimalism. And the accompanying powered subwoofer and two upright speakers are similarly styled with a glossed black finish to complement modern flat screens. The speakers rely on Philips' Ambisound technology, which uses a series of independent drivers positioned at different angles to give the impression of being surrounded by more speakers. The system is incredibly easy to install using colour coded connections between the speakers and sub, which supplies power to the main unit through a single cable. There are a couple of audio inputs on the subwoofer including a digital coaxial connection for external devices but all other connectivity is arranged across the main unit. These include RGB Scart, component and an HDMI video output that supports internally upscaled high-definition signals but only as far as 1080i, which may sway users of Full HD displays. You can access digital files via a USB port or a mini-jack input that supports most portable media players - while there's also an optional HTD7001 dock for iPods and GoGear devices. You can play a full variety of discs including encoded formats carrying digital music and movie files and there's integrated vanilla decoding for standard Dolby Digital, DTS and Pro Logic II formats. First and foremost, pseudo surround systems featuring fewer speakers simply do not compare to the true multi-channel sound capabilities offered by traditional 5.1 set ups - but this is one of the better models of its type. What Ambisound technology effectively does is broaden the sound from the front two channels, which creates a more expensive soundstage but doesn't convince you that there are more speakers at play. This can confuse the presentation of ambient effects while the absence of a dedicated centre channel leaves dialogue with less focus. But, the sound is surprisingly authoritative and detailed with considerable more impact than anything your TV's speakers could deliver. Image quality is fine with a rich colour balance and black levels that delve deeply enough to encourage solid definition, fine detail and realistic contrast. Using 1080i upscaling still leaves a few jagged edges and slow panned movement occasionally stutters across the screen but images are more than acceptable at this price level. Philips' HTS6600 offers a convenient space saving solution that will improve on the picture and sound quality from your display - but if you want real surround you'll have to invest in more speakers.

Verdict Plus points Compact design, ease of use, impressive image quality Minus points Restricted surround performance, only 1080i upscaling

Overview Price: £400 More info: Sony Size/Weight Main unit: 110x210x210mm (TBCkg) Fronts: mm (kg) Centre: mm (kg) Rears: mm (kg) Subwoofer: mm (kg) Power rating: Unknown Disc formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, CD-R/-RW, MP3, JPEG, WMA, DiVX, Video connections: composite, component, HDMI in/out Audio connections : Analogue in/out, optical digital, coaxial digital Other connections: Digital Media Port Decoding: Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II Tuner: FM/AM Upscaling: 720p, 1080i Progressive scan: Yes Sony DAV IS-10 While some systems have attempted to save space by using fewer speakers, Sony's DAV-IS10 has simply made them smaller - each of the five satellites is only the size of a tennis ball but they're capable of match-winning performance. Even the stylish main unit, which carries a front-loading disc drawer and touch sensitive controls for an integrated DVD player, measures only 21cm wide. The diminutive dimensions of the surrounding system are granted by a larger powered system that houses the amplification and uses twin drivers to deal with the midrange frequencies that the tiny satellites can't manage. Installing the system couldn't be easier as all speakers are wired to the sub using colour-coded terminals while only a single cable is required between the sub and the main unit. There's also an extremely accurate automatic calibration system that will correctly adjust your levels within a minute. There's a full range of connections including an HDMI output that will support upscaled high-definition signals and a choice of digital audio inputs for connecting devices like a Sky+ receiver. And, like its rivals, there's also a so-called Digital Media Port that can be connected to a variety of adapters for portable media players and Bluetooth or network wireless audio adapters. You can play a variety of discs including +/- recordable formats and those carrying encoded DiVX video or digital music files. And there's standard integrated decoding for Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II formats as well as several preset sound modes. It's impossible not to be overwhelmed by the authoritative sound quality of these ridiculously small speakers. Despite their size, they deliver a surprisingly powerful performance with superb dynamics and tightly controlled low frequencies that almost seem to defy physics. You do have to place the sub fairly close to the front speakers and leave the volume right up but excellent integration and precise steering of ambient effects create an immersive sound stage that's undeniably impressive. Sure larger cabinets like the LG's might be able to unearth more midrange depth and detail but this system has been designed with ultimate discretion in mind. Image quality is equally impressive, although we would have preferred if the internal upscaling had stretched to 1080p to support the latest Full HD screens. Nonetheless, pictures are doused with distinctive black levels encouraging depth-defining contrast without losing detail in the darks scenes while colours are rich and vibrant without overwhelming natural tones - and there is very little noise. Sony's DAV-IS10 is the ideal combination of compact design and outstanding performance, which might finally convince your partner to let you install a surround sound system in the lounge.

Verdict Plus points Stylish and discreet design, ease of use, superb sound and picture performance Minus points No 1080p upscaling

Final verdict What is evident from this test is that 2.1 home cinema systems will always struggle to compare to traditional 5.1 set-ups. However, they do provide a compact and convenient solution if space is a premium and the sound and picture quality is far superior than anything your display's built-in speakers can deliver. If you can't accommodate a full speaker system then Philips' Ambisound technology used in the HTS6600 does a better job of broadening the sound stage than JVC's NX-F3 - although both systems offer stylish designs and impressive features for a very affordable price. There is little to separate the two 5.1 systems in terms of sound quality but Sony's DAV-IS10 can claim superior picture quality to LG's HT762TZ. And the unbelievably small speakers also offer a compact design without sonic compromises - which makes the Sony our budget home cinema winner.

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