Pioneer's HTP-3800 home theater system is one of a growing number of packages to combine an A/V receiver and a complete 5.1 speaker system without adding a DVD player. This makes sense when you consider that millions of households already have a DVD player, so if you don't feel the need to upgrade your current disc player, the HTP-3800 is a smart purchase.

Instead of the usual five compact surround speakers that make up a majority of home theater systems, the HTP-3800 employs a pair of two-way, floor-standing towers for the front left and right speakers. Each tower has a 3-1/16-inch midrange driver and a 1-inch semi-dome tweeter, creating a full and well-defined sound. However, the center-channel and satellite speakers all use a single 3-1/16-inch full-range driver, so the audio response can shift as sounds pan through the soundstage. Low-frequency audio is handled by the included passive subwoofer, which has a 6-5/16-inch driver mounted in a bass-reflex cabinet.

The HTP-3800's main unit provides 100 watts of power to the five channels, and it routes an additional 100 watts to the subwoofer. The system has built-in processing for Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II, as well as DTS 96/24. It also has an effective digital signal processor that enhances digital music files to bring back some of the qualities lost in the compression process. A digital AM/FM tuner has presets for 30 stations.

If you have a functional DVD player but lack surround sound, the Pioneer HTP-3800 is an affordable way to bring your home theater to the next level.


Pros: Lots of bang for the buck
Cons: Lack of tweeters affects soundstage, no DVD player

Warranty
1 year parts and labor