Simplify your laptop buyingOnkyo SKS-HT540
Manufacturer: Onkyo USA Corporation Part number: SKS-HT540
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Onkyo SKS-HT540 is the best-sounding surround-sound speaker package you can get for less than $300.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Onkyo SKS-HT540 price range: $230.00 - $299.00
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 07/21/2006
- Released on: 06/19/2006
The good: The Onkyo SKS-HT540 is an eight-piece surround speaker set that combines seven large two-way, multidriver speakers and a 10-inch, 230-watt powered subwoofer. The speakers offer sturdiness and sound quality not found in many models that are twice as expensive.
The bad: The speakers and subwoofer might be too big for some buyers.
The bottom line: The Onkyo SKS-HT540 is the best-sounding surround-sound speaker package you can get for less than $300.
The first thing you'll notice is the speakers and subwoofer is that they are a good deal bigger than the silver-plastic models packaged with most HTIBs. They're finished in black ash, and the front three speakers' rounded, metallic-silver front baffles are hidden behind curved grilles. The front-left, -right and -center speakers measure 17.1 inches by 6.25 inches, and they're nearly 8 inches deep. The four wall-mountable surround speakers are 10.5 inches tall, 6.8 wide, and 4 deep. If you don't want or need to run all four surround speakers, go ahead and stick with standard 5.1 channel surround; you can hook up the extra two speakers to your receiver's B speaker outputs and put them in another room. The 25.4-pound subwoofer, meanwhile, is comparable to separately sold models that go for the price of the entire SKS-HT540 system. It's 18.6 inches tall, 10.75 wide, and 17.75 deep. All of the speakers and the subwoofer are fitted with black cloth grilles, but only the front three speakers' grilles are removable. (Unlike the silver or black flavors of the HT-S790, the standalone speakers come only in black.)
The front-left, -right and -center speakers feature a pair of 5-inch woofers and a 1-inch dome tweeter--by comparison, many HTIB speakers typically make do with a single 2- or 3-inch woofer, and some don't even have tweeters. The four surround speakers use a 3.1-inch woofer and a 0.75-inch ceramic dome tweeter. The one budget-imposed limitation we noted was that speakers rely on spring-clip wire connectors instead of higher-quality binding posts.
The SKS-HT540's subwoofer boasts a 10-inch woofer and a 230-watt amplifier. The sub's port is located up front, just beneath the woofer, so it won't be adversely affected by corner placement. The sub's single RCA line-level input is your only connection option, but line level is always our first choice for subwoofer hook up--so make sure your receiver has either a subwoofer output jack or "pre-output" jacks. The subwoofer is available separately as the SKW-204, for about $120.
If we didn't know the MSRP of the Onkyo SKS-HT540, we would have pegged it closer to $600. Music of all types sounded natural, so we could freely indulge without considering the system's rock-bottom price. Acoustic jazz sounded especially good, so we spent some time listening to Duke Ellington's big band swing CDs. The brass had just the right balance of presence and warmth. On Duke's smaller group sessions, you get to hear his piano more, and again, the Onkyo speakers nailed the instruments' scale and power.
Rock music via the Onkyos had plenty of kick, so Sonic Youth's new Rather Ripped CD could be enjoyed at high volume without strain. These speakers and subwoofer can easily fill even a large room--as big as 500 square feet--with sound for parties. Don't expect that sort of performance from minisatellite speakers and 6-inch subwoofers--they won't get remotely close to the SKS-HT540's big sound.
Action packed DVDs' chest-thumping dynamics were a treat. The speakers and subwoofer blend was exceptionally smooth--the system had the weighty impact that we associate with tower speakers. The center speaker treats dialogue well, sounding resolutely full-bodied and natural. The subwoofer's low bass and definition are decent, albeit no match for the better $500 subs we've tested.
Summing up: If you're on a budget and want the best bang for your home-theater buck, these Onkyo speakers are an easy recommendation. If you're looking for an all-in-one solution, consider the HT-S790, which includes a capable A/V receiver; if you already have a receiver, the speakers-only option of the SKS-HT540 is the way to go. The only real caveat is that they don't look as great as they sound; anyone more concerned with aesthetics may want to spend a bit more for the Onkyo SKS-HT240 speakers, which offer a more stylish design.
Onkyo speaker systems compared:
| Model | Quick take | Price |
| Onkyo SKS-HT240 | This 6.1-channel speaker set features a stylish look designed to match flat-panel TVs. (These speakers are also bundled with the Onkyo LS-V955 HTIB.) | |
| Onkyo SKS-HT540 | This affordable 7.1-channel speaker set boasts full-size satellite speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer. (These speakers are also bundled with the Onkyo HT-S790 HTIB.) | |
| Onkyo CB-SP1200 | The Onkyo CB-SP1200 is a TV stand with three speakers (the front-left, -center, and -right) built directly into its body. |
$230-$299
User reviews
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Delivers the bang for buck
by INXSfan on April 25, 2008
Pros: pricing, styling, center channel sound
Cons: large sub woofer
Summary: You can purchase better speakers than the HTIB Onkyo SKS-HT540. Of course, if you're looking to upgrade your home theater to 7.1 and are on a budget, the ...
Summary: You can purchase better speakers than the HTIB Onkyo SKS-HT540. Of course, if you're looking to upgrade your home theater to 7.1 and are on a budget, the SKS-HT540 is a gem. Easy connection, especially if using an Onkyo receiver and the sound is pretty good for the price you're paying. The speakers look good paired with an Onkyo receiver, plus they look nice with an HDTV 40" or larger. The center channel is strong which is a great plus for dialogue. The bass isn't the strongest available, but it's strong enough for small rooms, although it is large in size. (ie: 16x13 or smaller) Setting the speakers properly through your receiver will make all the difference in the world. If you've hit the correct setting and pop in 3:10 to Yuma on Blu-Ray, the incoming train near the end scene will make you feel like you're standing at the train station. Now that's a true plus!!!!
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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An Absolute Steal! True Value For A Reasonable Price
by osage1948 on August 14, 2007
Pros: Large Sound And Clarity That's Beyond Expectations
Cons: Spring-Clip Connectors
Summary: The sound coming out of these speakers is thoroughly satisfying. You don't need to spend big money for big sound. Like everyone, I don't mind spending money that ...
Summary: The sound coming out of these speakers is thoroughly satisfying. You don't need to spend big money for big sound. Like everyone, I don't mind spending money that represents value, but I also don't want to waste money by paying for more than I need or can use. My home theater environment is 12' x 20' and the sound from these speakers more than fills the room. "The Matrix" and "300" HD DVDs Dolby TrueHD sound is awe inspiring! And every string of Mason Williams' "Classical Gas" is clear and resonant. I can't imagine anyone not recognizing that these speakers are clearly an enjoyable and worthwhile investment they can be glad they made.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good quality and great sounding speakers.
by jeroque on September 30, 2006
Pros: Price, quality and great sound.
Cons: Surround speakers design.
Summary: Got this one as a gift from my GF after giving her a hint of what I want for my Bday. These speakers did not disappoint me, for the price ...
Summary: Got this one as a gift from my GF after giving her a hint of what I want for my Bday. These speakers did not disappoint me, for the price it has a great sound compared to my Bose speakers. Read CNET's review and you'll know why these speakers are great. I matched it with the Onkyo 604 receiver and it's a good combination. The surround speakers are really big but I really got it out of sight just above the sofas.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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These speakers are a great deal.
by karpedmm on December 6, 2006
Pros: The sound is amazing and who can argue with the low price
Cons: The speaker size is very big.
Summary: This is a wonderful set of speakers. The price for this 7.1 surround sound set is extremely low. The sound quality is way better than my old Kenwood speakers. ...
Summary: This is a wonderful set of speakers. The price for this 7.1 surround sound set is extremely low. The sound quality is way better than my old Kenwood speakers. Just make sure you have room for them. They are extremely big speakers.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Overall great buy. I am very happy
by StonyMountain on August 20, 2007
Pros: great sound for the price, as the reviewer said
Cons: the front three speakers do not have eyeholes to mount speakers
Summary: I got this since the reviews were good. I agree that this is a great set for the price. The big box design does give better sound than the small ...
Summary: I got this since the reviews were good. I agree that this is a great set for the price. The big box design does give better sound than the small satellite speakers. The subwoofer is large and works great. The system may not sound as good as one of the $1000-2000 sets, but I feel this is the best for under $300.
The only concern I had was that the front speakers, which I mounted on the walls, did not come with eyehole mounts like the surround speakers. I had to make some small shelves to mount them on the wall. Would have considered the HT740 since the front speakers are the same size as the surrounds and should all have eyehole mounts. Still I like these since the front speakers are larger.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Awesome sound and great value
by Lizadman on April 14, 2009
Pros: Great sound quality
Cons: Aesthetics may be challenging for some
Summary: Overall these speakers are awesome. The reviews are spot on. Sound quality is crisp, clear and distortion free. The center and fronts are top notch, set your receiver to the "...
Summary: Overall these speakers are awesome. The reviews are spot on. Sound quality is crisp, clear and distortion free. The center and fronts are top notch, set your receiver to the "large speaker" output and have it pipe low frequencies to them also (in addition to the sub). They fill the room like speakers that cost twice as much. The sub sounds beefy even at low volume. Crank the volume and relish the clarity. At $200, these are a no brainer...if you can deal with their appearance. Now, I hate to make such a big deal about this, but even after reading all the reviews, I was still shocked at how big these are. In this day-and-age, when little jewel-like Bose speakers are always on display in every electronics store, these bad boys are downright scary. The sub is big enough to double as a stool, which is fine, but the surrounds are too big to blend in. The good thing is that they don't look cheap, and fact that the espresso wood cabinets match my living room furniture definitely helps my wife live with them. Note that the surrounds have wall brackets, but not the fronts or the center (which I'd never hang anyway). That said, their performance is without fault in my opinion. Just remember to bring your own wire (at least 16-gauge) to do them justice. I got them for $200 with in store pick-up (vs. online with delivery at $300).
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Onkyo USA Corporation
- Part number: SKS-HT540
- Description: The missing piece to your home theater puzzle is this 7.1-channel speaker package from Onkyo. The perfect addition to your DVD player and home theater receiver, the SKS-HT540 provides all the speakers you need to enter the all-enveloping world of surround sound. 130W output, 2-way bass reflex front, center and surround speakers provide the soundstage. The earth-shaking 230W powered subwoofer provides the impact. All provide the cinema experience in your home.
General
- Product Type 7.1-channel Home theater speaker system
- Dimensions (WxDxH) / Weight Details Right/left channel speaker : 6.2 in x 7.9 in x 17 in / 8.4 lbs, Right/left rear channel speaker : 6.9 in x 4 in x 10.4 in / 3.1 lbs, Center channel speaker : 17 in x 7.9 in x 6.2 in / 8.4 lbs, Subwoofer : 10.8 in x 17.7 in x 18.6 in / 25.4 lbs
- Enclosure Color Black
- Available Body Colors Black
Speaker System
- System Components Subwoofer, 7 speakers
- Speaker Type Active subwoofer, passive satellites
- Response Bandwidth 25 - 50000 Hz
- Output Features Bass Reflex
- Audio Amplifier Integrated
- Connectivity Technology Wired
Speaker System Details
- Speakers Included - Indoor, 2 x Right/left channel speaker - 2-way - 55 - 50000 Hz - 8 Ohm - Wired, 4 x Right/left rear channel speaker - 2-way - 60 - 20000 Hz - 8 Ohm - Wired, 1 x Center channel speaker - 2-way - 55 - 50000 Hz - 8 Ohm - Wired, 1 x Subwoofer - 25 - 150 Hz - 15 KOhm - Wired
- Driver Details Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Tweeter driver - 1 in, Right/left channel speaker : 2 x Woofer driver - 5 in - Onkyo Micro Fiber (OMF)
- Driver Details Center channel speaker : 1 x Tweeter driver - 1", Center channel speaker : 2 x Woofer driver - 5" - Onkyo Micro Fiber (OMF)
- Driver Details Right/left rear channel speaker : 1 x Woofer driver - 3-1/8", Right/left rear channel speaker : 1 x Tweeter driver - 3/4" - Ceramic
- Driver Details Subwoofer : 1 x Subwoofer driver - 10"
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 2 years warranty
Manufacturer info
- Onkyo USA Corporation
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Onkyo USA Corporation products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.onkyousa.com
- Address:
18 Park Way, Upper Saddle River, NJ - Phone: 201-785-2600
- Fax: 201-785-2650
