If you've got an Xbox 360, then you're probably very happy with the system's fantastic graphics, bountiful title selection, and sleek design. Now, what about a high-performance sound system to enhance your gaming experience? Designed to match the style of the Xbox 360, Pioneer's HTS-GS1 5.1-Channel Surround Sound System may be just what you're looking for. After setting up this home-theatre-in-a-box (HTIB) system, we sat back and enjoyed several hours of pure gaming bliss. Whether we were battling online against other Halo 2 gamers, or saving the planet in the Xbox 360 title, Prey, this system delivered awesome and inspired surround sound.
Easy Set-up and Configuration
Everything you need to set up the HTS-GS1 is included in the box. Using the handy Quick Start Guide, we had the entire system wired in less than an hour. The easy-to-follow instructions and colour-coded wires made the set up of the centre speaker, subwoofer, and two rear and two front speakers a cinch. One word of warning: the included wires are an adequate length for a small-to-medium sized room, but if you really want to spread out, you'll need additional wiring to complete the task. But for our purposes, the HTS-GS1 provided everything we needed to get the job done.
Once the speakers were in place, we took advantage of the system's auto MCACC microphone calibration technology. We simply placed the ultra high-end calibration microphone on the back of the couch -- directly behind our favourite gaming position -- and the HTS-GS1 automatically adjusted the sound for the distance, volume, speaker size, and equalization. Once the system calibrated the speakers to match the layout of our room, we were off to the races --literally -- tackling the toughest race tracks available on Project Gotham Racing 3.
Although all the connections were easy to distinguish and connect, we do have one complaint: there are loads and loads of wires to deal with. This is not a problem unique to the HTS-GS1, but we found it a bit ironic that a home-theatre-in-a-box designed to complement the Xbox 360 -- a gaming system noted for its clean design and wireless capabilities -- would be so overloaded with wires.
Sleek, Xbox 360 Design
This surround sound system offers an attractive white design, accented with grey speaker grilles, and features five small satellite speakers (centre, two front, and two rear), and a large subwoofer that is about the size of a standard CPU tower. Although the subwoofer is a bit bulky, it houses all of the system's electronics and connectivity jacks. And since this theatre system lacks a DVD player (the assumption is you'll use your Xbox 360 for movies), the display unit is quite small; in fact, it's not much bigger than the included remote control. It features tiny, silver control buttons and a large, circular power button. The front panel delivered all the information we needed via a scrolling single-line display. The included easy-to-use remote control is packed with features, and, like the rest of the system, it also matches the Xbox 360 design. With it we could control all of the system's features, as well as our Xbox 360 gaming console.
Sound Designed for High-Performance Gaming
With the HTS-GS1 we could hear every audio effect the Xbox 360 had to offer -- from the lightest wind to bone-rattling explosions. The system delivers great audio performance with a powerful 600 watts of total RMS power, and dynamic 5.1-channel surround sound with Dolby Digital/Pro Logic II and DTS decoding. In addition to playing video games, the Xbox 360 also plays DVDs and MP3 files. We took advantage of both and spent an afternoon watching movies, and an evening listening to a stack of CDs. The system responded to every form of entertainment that we could throw at it -- games, film, and music -- with crisp, clear, and powerful sound.
The HTS-GS1 also features Front Stage Surround Sound, a virtual surround-sound feature. To test this function, we moved all the speakers to the front of the room. Through its sophisticated digital sound processing and directional speakers, the system can mimic surround sound without the hassle of running wires to additional rear speakers. Although the traditional surround sound set-up delivered the best audio surround sound quality, the Front Stage option was still much better than our regular, old television speakers.
The HTS-GS1 can be a bit pricey when compared to other home-theatre-in-a-box systems, but Pioneer's design may trump the cost for those who want an attractive, surround-sound option that matches the Xbox 360's style. And even though his system may not be the optimal home-theatre system choice for a large family room, the HTS-GS1 is an ideal choice for any small-to-medium sized space that is dedicated to Xbox 360 gaming.
Manufacturer's Description:
The Pioneer HTS-G1 5.1 surround sound speaker system brings Xbox 360 gaming full circle with an ear-bashing 600 watts (RMS) total power, multiple digital inputs, analogue tuner and more. The HTS-G1 elevates gaming from stereo television sound to a high powered, multi-channel home theatre audio experience.
Video gaming has evolved dramatically from coin-operated machines at the local arcade to sophisticated high definition, multi-channel, multimedia, networking consoles like Xbox 360. Today's systems are becoming a primary source for high definition entertainment in the living room. The coupled with a Pioneer HDTV, the HTS-GS1 delivers high impact, precise sound for an ultimate high definition gaming experience at home. The HTS-GS1 is designed with the Xbox 360 gamer in mind featuring the same sleek colour and cosmetics of the game console.
Game makers put the same amount, if not more, detail in audio quality as they do in the video graphics of the game, which emphasizes the need for an audio system that's up for the challenge. The HTS-GS1 delivers the same impressive sound accuracy to music and video played through the game console for an unbelievably versatile entertainment experience.
Gamers with limited space will appreciate the system's compact speakers and integrated 6-channel receiver subwoofer, which delivers a colossal 600 watts total system power (RMS), 155 watts total system power (FTC) for robust, three-dimensional audio. The receiver subwoofer offers advanced connectivity with all five-speaker connections, 3 digital inputs (1 coaxial, 2 optical), an analogue input, tuner, and control ports located at the back of the subwoofer. The receiver subwoofer system can be monitored with the separate display that is included.
To ensure the gamer is in the centre of the action, the HTS-GS1 features Pioneer's proprietary Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC) typically found in Pioneer's higher-end A/V receiver. MCACC utilizes a room calibration microphone to adjust each speaker for distance, volume and room equalization. The self-calibration feature delivers sound to the listener's ear at the same time, at the same volume level and digitally compensates for a wide variety of room induced acoustic inaccuracies. The result is no-hassle, real time sonic three-dimensional acoustic accuracy for games, video and music.
Universal media remote control:
The HTS-GS1's universal media remote control features the Xbox Guide button, Media Center button, cursor and enter, as well as the Y, X, A, B control buttons. The remote operates the Xbox 360 multimedia capabilities, Windows Media Center (through the extender capabilities in the Xbox 360 as well as the HTS-GS1 and the reset TV function for times when the Xbox 360 is being used for things other than gaming. Additional system features include:
- Built-in DTS and Dolby Digital Surround Decoders via the three digital inputs
- Dolby Pro Logic II for analogue or 2 channel digital sources
- Sound Retriever for improved sound quality of compressed audio files stored in the console’s hard drive or networked from a home PC
- Front Stage Surround for a 5.1 surround experience even with all speakers placed in the front of the room
- Eight Advanced Surround Sound enhancing modes: digital surround processing for enhanced sound from your music, movies, theatre, TV, sporting events, games, virtual surround and 5-channel stereo
- SR+ Terminal for integration and control of the surround sound system when connected to a Pioneer PureVision plasma TV
- FM/AM Presets
Box Contains:
- Receiver/subwoofer
- 5 satellite speakers (two front, two rear, and one centre)
- Display unit
- Remote control
- 2x AA batteries
- 2 display unit stands
- AM loop antenna
- FM wire antenna
- Display unit cable
- Optical cable
- Power cord
- 5 speaker cables
- Microphone (for Auto MCACC setup)
- Non-skid pads (small and large)
- Mounting brackets
- Screws
- Operating instructions
- Warranty card
