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Sony HTCT100 Sound Bar with Sub-Woofer - Black | 
 enlarge | Brand: Sony
Category: CE
List Price: $399.99
Buy New: $299.99
You Save: $100.00 (25%)
New (2) from $299.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  49 reviews
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 34
Dimensions (in): 36 x 23 x 11
MPN: HTCT100
Model: HTCT100
UPC: 027242729605
EAN: 0027242729605
Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 months
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| Features:
| • | 250 Watts (RMS) (50W x 3 + subwoofer 100W) | | • | 1080p HDMI Active Intelligence - (3 in/1 out) | | • | Digital Cinema Auto Calibration | | • | S-Force PRO Front Surround Sound | | • | HDMI Repeater |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
video-shielded * 250 watts total power (50 watts x 3 for the sound bar, plus 100 watts for the subwoofer) * three HDMI inputs, one HDMI output -- compatible with signals up to 1080p (60Hz, 24Hz) * compatible with BRAVIA Sync via HDMI interface for easy operation of select BRAVIA TVs and other Sony A/V products (HDMI-CEC) * digital media port for use with optional Sony accessories * S-Master amplifier and digital signal processing deliver convincing wraparound sound * built-in Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro Logic surround sound decoding * 6 selectable soundfields: Cinema, Game, Sports, Music, Personal Audio, and Standard *
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| Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 A Perfect Fit May 9, 2008
92 out of 95 found this review helpful
I tried several 2.1 speaker systems to enhance the sound from our LCD HDTV. The 2.1 speaker systems used the RCA audio output from the TV but I was never satisfied with the quality of the sound, even from the Bose Companion system. I think part of the problem is with the low-level output of the TV's RCA audio connection and for this reason I decided to look for a speaker system that could take advantage of my HDTV's digital optical audio output connection. I also didn't want to have a five-speaker system all around the room and so I focused my search on soundbar-type systems. The Sony HT-CT100, just recently introduced, fit the bill perfectly and comes at a price much lower than the Yamaha and Philips soundbar systems with optical inputs.
The Sony HT-CT100 produces great sound. The speaker bar is very low profile and takes up very little space whether you sit it in front of the TV or hang it on the wall. The subwoofer is large (about the size of a desktop PC) and sits on the floor. The subwoofer has a nice display along the top edge of the box to tell you the various system settings. Best of all, the 200 watt amplifier (built-in to the subwoofer) has multiple HDMI and optical audio inputs and acts as the control center for a complete home theater/sound system. This was an unexpected bonus -no need for a separate home theater receiver. Just plug your satellite system, DVD player(s), game consoles, etc. right into the HT-CT100 and control everything from the remote. It's an elegant solution and I haven't seen anything else quite like it. Since the system takes in digital video/audio directly, you get to enjoy full Dolby Digital surround sound. The system can belt out remarkable volume levels and rich, deep bass. The speaker bar has left, right, and center channel speakers along with the remote control IR sensor. The Sony remote supplied with the system will control all your Sony components; however, if your HDTV, DVD player(s), etc. are not Sony brand (like mine), then be prepared to buy a universal learning remote in order to program the HT-CT100 commands. While I can decipher having several remote controls, I prefer to use a single remote control so that my family has an easier time turning on the TV or watching DVDs.
The price of the Sony soundbar system is very reasonable considering its power output and multiple digital video/audio inputs to control your home theater. The quality is impressive (though I did have to return my first system due to a soundbar speaker buzz -my second system is flawless) and it looks and sounds like high-end gear. When I shop for items like this, I look at features, quality, and price without regard to the brand. In this case, Sony simply has a product that works great and provides an elegant solution for those wanting home theater sound in a low-profile package. It's a winner.
Great Product! April 11, 2008
52 out of 54 found this review helpful
I got tired of my Onkyo surround sound system with all the speakers, woofer, amp, cables and all the space it took, so I started looking for a single unit sound bar.
Initially, I was dissapointed by the size or the cost of the other units, or the fact they were not HDMI. I tried Soundmatters MAINstage HD Single-speaker TV sound system, but had a bad experience with the vendor. I was sent an "open box" item. But I plugged it in anyways and was dissapointed by the sound. It did not come with an external woofer and the unit definitely needs one. The internal one was not good enough. There was a remakable sound difference when I plugged in an external woofer.
Anyways, I saw this product and it is basically a new product from Sony. To make a long story short, I plugged it in and I was hooked. Sounds great!! Comes with an external woofer that controls everything, takes very little real estate. It took me about 30 minutes to set up and plug everything it. I like it so much that I bought a Sony TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port iPod Dock for my iTouch.
The whole system requires HDMI cables. You will need at least 4, 3 for for the components you want to attach with it and 1 from the unit to the TV. You will also need to connect the included optical cable to control the unit via the included remote control. The manual was not clear that it is a required to attach this. Other than that, I love this unit. I have my iTouch connected via Sony's proprietary "digital media port", DirectTV HD DVR and XBOX 360 connected via HDMI. My XBOX 360 also serves as my DVD player. I have an extra open port for a Blu-ray player if and when I get one.
I highly recommend this if you want a simple "surround" sound system that takes a lot less space and cables. and if you don't like the clutter of a full home theater system.
Sunnyboy April 20, 2008
29 out of 39 found this review helpful
In today's big-buck HT market, USD300 for a HT system including active sub is a amazing deal! This Sony new product comes with a "sound bar" with three speakers: center, front left, front right channels and a powered sub-woofer.
I bought this system based on my small living space and the budget. The sound of the three front channels are quite good: crispy, clean and clear. No complains whatsoever with the sound bar.
However, I do not like the sound from the powered sub-woofer; it sounds way too boxy to me. The sub-woofer and the amplifiers are housed in 2 different chambers in a wood box made of 0.5" MDF about the size of a PC mid-tower. The sub-woofer is a side-firing, front-ported bass-reflexive design installed in the upper part of the box, and the amps (with all I/O) are at the lower part of the box with a cooling fan.
Since I listen to music thru other systems consisting of Sony SCD-1, Quad FM4, Quad 66 pre-amp, Quad 405-II, Quad 909, Behringer EP1500 power amp and several pair of speakers including Quad 989 ESL, Tannoy Autograph-Mini, Stirling LS3/5 V2, it is not fair to compare my other music systems with the sub-woofer of HT-CT100. After some tunning of the HT-CT100 (set sub level to -6dB, plug the front base reflection tube with heavy sound absorption material, put a 20 lb dumb-bell on top of the sub to reduce the vibration from the box), I managed to tame the sub-woofer. Not perfect, but much better. The result: more controlled, and tighter bass. If I could open the woofer box (still thinking and trying to do so), I will "Gorilla Glue" a piece of 12" x 12" x 1/4" marble on the side wall, treat the top, front and bottom walls of the chamber holding the base speaker with smaller ceramic tiles, stuff it with sound foam), and use a bunch of long straws stick in the bass port for fine-tuning.
The amplifier part: it consists of 4 PCB's boxed in a fan-fooled aluminum box. From the top to the bottom: digital/analog I/O for DVD, TV, SAT signals. Second tear is a very very good quality 3 inputs, 1 output HDMI switch (compare with my XtremeHD 4-1 HDMI switch box). Third deck: DSP based (Analog Devices SHARC chip is used) digital amplifiers (Class-D). Digital amplifier output capacitors are all United Chemi-Con, Panasonic MKP and air core inductors. Basement of the aluminum chassis is the power supply, no surprise here, switching mode power supply with quite good UCC caps and so on...
How do I know these?! Flip the amp/sub box up side down, unscrew 5 black screws, pull out the amp (be careful about the sub and front panel control cables). Vois la!
According to my music-listening habit, I do not like boxy, out-of-controlled , floor-shaking, exaggerated bass, and that is the reason I ranked this product with 4 stars based on the cost/performance of this product. Please note my intension of buying this system: use it together with my TV (LG 32" LCD), Sony BDP-S1, Sony Playstation 3, Sony DVP-S9000ES; instead of a "cost-no-objective" HT system.
Takes a bit o'tweaking July 3, 2008
27 out of 27 found this review helpful
For my needs, this pseudo surround sound solution is perfect. I did not want to run wires all over my house, or feed them through the walls or floor, etc. Nor did I want some flaky wireless rear speaker 5.1 solution.
I wanted something simple, elegant, with as few wires as possible. I have the Samsung LN52A550 television, and wanted something to complement it well. I looked at the Samsung HT-X810 2.1 soundbar with the integrated upscaling DVD player for compatibility sake, but it was too large and way to expensive ($600 and no blu-ray?!).
The Sony CT-100 works great so far. The small, unassuming speaker fits perfectly under my LCD panel and it complements it well. The subwoofer reminds me of a PC tower, but I love the fact that it includes three (3) HDMI inputs. I routed my HD cable box and an upscaling Sony DVD player into it.
At first, I found some of the vocal dialogue sound from 5.1 sources a bit muted, but I tweaked the system to my liking (+4 center speaker; -3 subwoofer; Movie soundfield), and this seems to fix the problem right up.
All in all, this won't replace a true 5.1 system, but the right and left simulated surround sound works surprisingly well. Then again, I have a family room on the average to small side, and this system might work better in these types of environments.
All in all, this is exactly the system I was looking for - it's simple, sounds good, and looks good.
***** UPDATE: July 29, 2008 *****
I still enjoy the system, and think it was worth the $299, but I have found that to really enjoy the system, you must be directly in front of the speaker. If you are off the the side, it sometimes gets a bit hard to hear dialogue. In fact, I still think the dialogue gets a bit muted through these speakers. If there is any ambient noise aruond you (e.g. a fan, a/c unit, etc.) it can really affect the sound output quality.
Just my 2 cents, but I would rank this 3.5 stars.
Sony CT100 May 3, 2008
15 out of 18 found this review helpful
Got mine 3 days ago for a small room. Set up no brainer. But manual is not the best.
1) HDMI from DirecTV HD to Sat input in back of unit
2) HDMI from PS3 to back of unit (BD)
3) HDMI from xbox 360 to back of unit
4) HDMI from back of unit to Sony 46 LCD
Change TV speaker settings in TV menu from TV speakers to external speakers.
Play with unit settings to suit your taste.
Perfect....wonderful...great.....
Much, much, much better than normal TV speakers.
So very glad I got this !!!
Enjoy
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