Pioneer's HTP-4600 is not the most inexpensive home theater system around, but it offers a significant perk that might make the extra dollars worth it: a digital wireless rear surround speaker.

The HTP-4600 includes a receiver/amplifier, a pair of front floor-standing speakers, a center channel speaker, left and right rear surround satellites, and the wireless rear surround speaker. It should be noted that a DVD player is not included in this package.

The receiver features Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding, and the amplifier has a rating of 1,000 total watts (average). The receiver has a bit of style to it, as its aluminum chassis is several cuts above the usual black or silver plastic.

More practically, the HTP-4600 has a room setup mode that automatically equalizes the system for the best performance in the space it occupies. It also has an AM/FM tuner with 30 station presets, a headphone output, one optical and a pair of coaxial digital audio inputs, three analog audio inputs, bass and treble controls, and four soundfield modes.

The HTP-4600's secret ingredient is the wireless rear surround speaker. The receiver has a transmitter that sends an uncompressed digital audio signal to the wireless speaker unit, which converts the signal to analog, amplifies it using an 18-watt two-channel amplifier, and delivers it to the pair of 2-3/4-inch midrange drivers.

The wireless speaker can be placed just about anywhere behind the listening position to enable 6.1 surround sound, and there is no need to run bothersome speaker cables from the main unit (although the wireless speaker does require an AC power connection). The system operates at 2.4GHz, so make sure it does not interfere with cordless phones.

The two-way front speakers each contain four 2-3/4-inch woofers and one 1-inch semi-dome tweeter, while the center channel and rear satellites have a single 2-3/4-inch speaker. The passive subwoofer has one 6-5/16-inch cone driver in a ported cabinet. All the speakers (except the subwoofer) are magnetically shielded, and the system includes a remote control.

The HTP-4600 is a fine all-around home theater system, and its wireless speaker makes the rear surround speaker placement a much less troublesome exercise.

Warranty
1 year parts and labor