Onkyo HT-S990THX

The good: The Onkyo HT-S990THX is the world's first THX-certified home-theater-in-a-box system. The package combines seven large two-way, multidriver speakers; a 12-inch, 230-watt powered subwoofer; and a full-size A/V receiver that offers generous connectivity, component video conversion, and ample power. It's also XM Satellite radio-ready with the latest XM HD Surround.

The bad: Despite the expense of this package, it lacks niceties such as an included DVD player (you have to supply your own), onscreen menus, and HDMI connections. The optional XM antenna caused some background noise when connected. And while the speakers and subwoofer produce great sound, these big and bulky speakers aren't going to win any beauty contests.

The bottom line: The sound quality of the Onkyo HT-S990THX is among the best you'll get from a home-theater-in-a-box system, but the lack of HDMI video is a disappointment.

Onkyo and THX get a little touchy when reviewers describe the HT-S990THX as a home theater in a box (HTIB), so we won't do that. It's an "integrated home-theater system" featuring a 7.1-channel A/V receiver and an amply proportioned satellite/subwoofer speaker system that dwarfs the models that come with most HTIBs. It's also the first such product to be certified by THX, a provider of technologies and quality-assurance standards for the professional and consumer entertainment industries. Not surprisingly, the sonic performance of the $1,100 Onkyo HT-S990THX lived up to our high expectations. Only the system's lack of HDMI connectivity tempered our enthusiasm.

Editor's note: The original version of this review incorrectly stated that the HT-S990THX does not offers component video conversion capability. The system does offer component video conversion, and the review and the rating have been corrected to reflect that.