Panasonic SA-XR 700 Review

Good Points
Great looks.
Up to 7.1 output
Slim line.
Two HMDI in > one HDMI out, with true HD(1080p) thru put with no colouring of the picture.
1080p over component!
Sounds best at loud levels.

Bad Points
Not the best for music.
Doesn't function great at lower sound levels.
Sounds quite clinical & cold.
Remote control isn't the best & is quite cheap & plasticy looking.

General Comments
This unit looks great, very stylish with silver & a sort of mirrored glass front, sporting large input selector & volume knobs.
Its also very slim for its feature set & I love the blue lights that surround the selector & volume knobs.

This unit has two HDMI inputs & one HDMI output with true 1080p thru put! Completely passive with no degradation to the signal! (to my eyes anyway)
I was also amazed that this unit allows 1080p through component!
Be aware though, that this unit will not allow you to transport a HD signal input from component through HDMI!
So you like me you will need a master HDMI output for your HDMI signals & a master Component output for your HD component signals.
I run two HDMI's in & one HD component signal in with optical audio in to match the component.

Sound seperation is good as is detail & clarity, but can be quite clinical with no real warmth.

This unit doesn't sound very convincing a lower sound levels & sounds a lot better when its turned up loud! ;D
Built for movies!

Altogether a great looking unit with some truly amazing features including up to 7.1 output & 24/96 processing.

Be careful though with what speakers you partner this with, as I say this works better for movies than for music & at higher volume levels.

Great value for money & features. 8/10