Consumer electronics in the past few years as you can see is lot reduced for money despite improved features. Sony HT-CT100 is one of the smallest sound systems available with just two parts including the speaker and subwoofer 3.1 channel. If offers more than average connection options especially with three inputs for HDMI. Above all with the low price tag of just $300 its offers surround sound and handle power. If does not give you the strain for you to buy an AV-receiver.
The subwoofer is one of the two parts accommodating the connection options and it is the house for electronics. The 31.5-inch length speaker is smaller than other speakers but it will well suit to sit under a 32-inch TV. The speaker is very thin measuring just 2.6 inches thick and 2.75 inch in height.
The speaker has a simple design offering just good quality sound with plastic cabinet with satin finish and metal grille. Only weighing 4.4 pounds, it can be hang on the walls. The speaker is connected to the amplifier with a 9-pin serial connector.
The vinyl finish subwoofer gives it a substantial look. Measuring 19.75 inches in height and 14.25 inches deep it weights just around 22 pounds, making easy to carry it around and plug to different players. Its front side has the power and volume control options. It has a display at the front which shows the volume level and the source. It offers 50 watts to each of the three drivers in the speaker and a 100 to the sub woofer.
The back of the sub woofer has the most connection options with three HDMI inputs, four digital audio inputs, analog stereo input and media port connector. You can double the option of HDMI for additional $50 however its just to switch between video and audio with just a click. There is one option to increase the surround effect by controlling the subwoofer and center channel levels.
It accepts uncompressed PCM soundtracks but does not decode Dolby Digital Plus and True HD. As the Sony PS3 will decode soundtracks internally and output as PCM it wont trouble of the players. When all the connections are done and set to go, be careful to turn on the control in the sub woofer and keep your remote pointing the speaker as the sensors are present in the speakers. Unlike other single speakers, whose sound collapse back into for listeners not seated inline, the speaker offers held up sound and traveled well.
For most pronounced sound effects, keep the baseline at as centre as possible. CD sound was far good and impressive with the bass. The sound quality was brilliant especially when compared to its price range and single speakers. Stereo imaging stretched out beyond the speaker’s edges.
Finally, don’t expect it to perform like a Yamaha Digital sound Projectors in which a sophisticated beam system is present and they cost 3 to 4 times more than HT-CT100. This is well suited for bedroom and it is a best alternative for sound system like Yamaha YAS-70 especially less money and more feature when compared. HT-CT100 is a surely a easy pick and worthy choice too.
Hey, great post. I’ve always been a huge fan of Sony when it comes to all electronics, and home audio is no exception. I thought your review of the ct100 was really well thought out and spot on. Thanks for this one.