Brands

Most of the major electronics companies make Home Theater in a Box systems. Some offer systems across all categories while others concentrate on a certain price range. You can use this alphabetized guide to compare Home Theater in a Box systems by brand.

Bose

Bose, which is known for its audio products, has single-, 2.1-, and 5.1-channel systems in its product lineup. These systems are offered with and without an internal DVD player. Bose products tend to be higher-priced.

Coby

Coby is a value brand that is widely distributed with almost all retailers of consumer electronics.

Denon

The Denon brand is well-known for its products in all categories of home-theater products, including single-, 2.1-, and 5.1-channel units. It also has surround sound bar units that are 1.1 (single bar speaker and subwoofer) or just a single bar speaker. The 5.1 systems are usually not offered with a DVD player included, while the 2.1 systems do include an internal DVD player. The products tend to be mid- to high-priced.

Funai

Funai might not be a household name because it’s the brand behind other brands, mainly lower-priced labels such as Emerson, Sylvania, and Symphonic, which tend to be sold at mass-market stores such as Wal-Mart. Funai also manufactures Wal-Mart’s exclusive private label Durabrand.

Harman Kardon

While generally known for its standalone audio components, Harman Kardon also has 5.1 home theater packages, which are generally mid-priced.

Insignia

Insignia is Best Buy’s electronics house brand, exclusively sold by the retailer. Insignia’s products are positioned as a value line offering a decent amount of features at a very modest price.

JVC

Well-known for its audio products, JVC offers 2.1- and 5.1-channel systems with and without an internal DVD player. The cost is considered low- to mid-priced.

LG

Previously known as GoldStar, LG Electronics owns the Zenith brand in the United States. Its products include 5.1-channel home-theater systems with an internal DVD player. The cost is considered low to mid-priced.

Marantz

In the home theater market, Marantz offers only a front surround-sound speaker system (a single sound bar). Most of its products are high-priced.

Onkyo

Onkyo products include 5.1- and 7.1-channel systems with and without an internal DVD player. Prices start at the mid-range and increase with additional features.

Panasonic

Panasonic manufactures 2.1-, 3.1-, and 5.1-channel systems that usually come with an internal DVD player—and in at least one case, a Blu-ray player. The products are competitively priced and widely available, including at Costco.

Philips

Philips has products in all home-theater categories, including the surround sound bar with subwoofer (with an internal DVD player), 1.0-, 1.1-, 2.1-, and 5.1-channel systems. Philips uses the Magnavox brand for its entry-level value products aimed at mass-market retailers.

Pioneer

Pioneer targets the step-up consumer, particularly with its higher-priced Elite brand series. The Elite series includes a 5.1 Flat-Panel Theater System (without a DVD) to match the other components of the Elite series. The mainstream Pioneer products are 5.1 home-theater systems that come with or without an installed DVD player.

RCA

Alco Electronics, a large Chinese consumer product company, acquired RCA’s name and product franchise for video products in 2007 and continues to introduce new products to this category in the value market, using the RCA brand.

Samsung

Samsung carries all categories of home-theater systems including 2.1-, 5.1-, and 7.1-channel models. It also has systems that include a Blu-Ray (high-definition) player. Prices tend to be middling to higher.

Sony

Sony makes consumer home-theater products in all categories, including a virtual surround sound bar and 5.1-channel systems. Sony products cover the market, from low to high, with models for every budget.

Yamaha

Yamaha sells products in all categories of home theater, including surround sound bars and 5.1-7channel systems. Prices are usually on the high side, but the line generally includes some mid-priced models.

See also:

DVD players

LCD TVs

Plasma TVs

Blu-ray & DVD players