written by photoman on 26/02/2007
Good Points
Inexpensive, 5.1
Bad Points
Volume controls, FM tuner, equalizer
General Comments
The Akira HTS-9990-311 receiver comes as one package with 5 wooden speakers (2XTower 130W, 1XCenter 80W, 2XBack 80W) for about 200$.
It is big and cheap, or maybe even a cheapest receiver available (with speakers).
It has equalizer that starts showing levels only when you set volume from some level and up.
With remote control you can set volume only for tower speakers, while center and back speakers are controlled separately and only from receiver panel.
This receiver has FM tuner without memory and no frequency display, just one button "search", no antenna provided. If you managed to find a radio station, you have no way to know its frequency and next time you power up, you will have to find it again.
There are 3 RCA stereo channels for input (one is 5.1). I use only 5.1 input connected to my computer and enjoy sound from full size speakers.
As for me, this receiver with its speakers, sound very good, I think much better than most of computer small 5.1 speakers.
This HI-FI receiver has DolbyDigital, ProLogic and THX. For those who love karaoke - it has it too.
I think that it is a great device for a price, and as amplifier it provides a full functionality needed for enjoying home theatre.
It has very accurate and nice look, speakers are wooden and look very solid.
Maybe you will find that some controls are not very ergonomic to use, but it provides you much more than small 5.1 speakers with built in amplifier for the same price. In other words you get all it big instead small for the same price.
I have used this receiver more than 2 years and think that in case that you have a small budget but want to enjoy full size speakers in your home theatre it is worth it.