Koss KS4192 Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System

Koss KS4192 Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System

Koss KS4192 Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System

Product Description
Amazon.com Review
An ideal system for space- and budget-constrained movie lovers, the KS4192 DVD home theater from Koss not only looks great but sounds pretty darn good, too. In our evaluation, the package--which consists of an integrated DVD/CD player/surround receiver, a 6.1-channel speaker system, and everything you need to hook it up--dramatically outperformed systems at or even above its list price. It even offers a convenient front-panel SD/MMC card slot so you can view your digital photos or play your MP3/WMA music fresh from any compatible camera or digital music player.

Sure, bigger and pricier systems offer greater sonic fidelity and low-frequency slam. But this system nevertheless manages to effectively disappear during a movie--no small feat--rendering spacious and reasonably full-bodied sound that's free from distracting colorations such as "peaky" treble or nasally voices. It would be great for gaming, as well as movies, especially when matched with a flat-panel LCD television.

And while it's definitely equipped to handle music, including recordable CDs filled with MP3 and WMA compressed music files, this is not its strength; music reveals the limitations of the speakers more readily than other sources. Still, this is the first system we've encountered that lets us listen to MP3 files as the soundtrack to a digital (JPEG) photo slideshow from the very same disc, a feature that opens a world of creative possibilities.

The system is a cinch to set up and configure, thanks to its color-coded speaker cables and the receiver's matching speaker terminals. The receiver pumps 600 watts total system power across 7 channels: left/right front and surround, 1 each front/rear center speakers (the rear being used for Dolby Digital EX 6.1 programs), with a seventh speaker output to feed the passive subwoofer, which, in this system, is essentially just a speaker with limited high-frequency output and deeper bass response than the satellites. Still, when you crank it up, the system plays loud and clean.

The satellites are all ported, 2-way units (a 3-inch midrange woofer and a tweeter). The relatively broad center speaker is the key to the system's success, with 2 midrange drivers and a tweeter that together produce natural-sounding voices and esses that won't bite your nose off--a telltale sign of something being very right. All satellites are video shielded to prevent image distortion when they're placed on or near a TV or computer monitor.

Antennas for FM and AM radio are included, and the drift-free PLL (phase-locked loop) digital tuner automatically seeks and locks in the strongest stations. You can store up to 20 stations in memory for 1-touch access.

The disc player handles a range of media, jumping effortlessly from DVD-Video movies to homemade DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW discs. JPEG CDs pop immediately into slideshow mode, filling most of the screen with landscape images and nearly top-to-bottom portrait shots. With non-DVD discs, you can program tracks or images to play in a desired sequence. Multi-disc resume is handy for picking up where you left off the last time you had a DVD loaded. And, if you're using a high-definition or HD-ready screen, you'll appreciate the progressive-scan video output.

The system doesn't decode DTS surround sound, though you won't find many DTS discs that don't also have a Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. And, as well matched to the satellite speakers as the subwoofer is, the sub is only engaged when a disc's ".1" LFE (low-frequency effects) signal is present--you won't reap the benefits of having the sub when listening to music or to movies lacking a ".1" soundtrack signal.

With a host of Dolby Pro Logic II simulated surround modes and several equalizer presets, the KS4192 still offers many ways to tailor the sound. Dolby Pro Logic II is one of the better DSP (digital signal processing) methods for generating surround information from 2-channel sources like music or TV shows, though be aware that DPL II effects will not work on MP3/WMA music files. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

Cons:

What's in the Box
DVD player/receiver/amplifier, 1 subwoofer, 5 satellite speakers, 1 center-channel speaker, a remote control, 2 AAA remote batteries, FM/AM antennas, color-coded speaker wires, a stereo analog audio/composite-video interconnect, a user's manual, a quick-installation guide, and warranty information.

Product Description:
The KS4192 is a 600 Watt 6.1 Dolby Digital Home Theater System.PRODUCT FEATURES: Plays MP3, WMA, & Picture CD for your convenience, DVD, CD, S/VCD, CD-R/W, DVD+RW, and DVD-R/W for ease of use; Comes with a SD Media Port that let you view digital pictures or media in a snap; 600 W total output from front center, rear and subwoofer, all included as a complete set; Complete with digital tuner and let you enjoy the favorite radio stations; Progressive Scan for outstanding pictures; Dolby Digital Decoder for quality sound; Multiple audio/video sound formats tailored your language preference; Component & S-video output for easy connections; Full function remote control allows complete control with one hand; VF display and on-screen menu display and controls; Hi resolution multi-screen format to maximize the enjoyment of the movie; Multiple language formats; Movie time, track, and title search; DVD and audio CD loop repeat play feature; Multiple audio and MP-3 CD play feature; Angle control.

Koss KS4192 Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System
Koss KS4192 Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Maybe I've been lucky - twice!
  • You get what you pay for.....
  • In this price range (under $350), this system's a keeper.
  • Good product for the price
  • Koss Means CRAP!
 Koss KS4192 Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System

Manufacturer: Koss
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:
  1. Rayovac 824-24PP Alkaline AAA Batteries (24-pack)
  2. Rayovac I-C3 15 Minute NiMH AAA Size Carded 2 Pack

Product Features:
  • Home theater system with combo receiver/amplifier and progressive-scan DVD player, plus 6.1-channel surround speaker system
  • 600 watts of total power; includes SD memory card slot for immediate enjoyment of JPEG images or MP3 music files
  • DVD player compatible with VCD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA, and JPEG CD
  • Variety of audio and video connections, including S-video, component, and digital-audio input and output
  • 6.1-channel Dolby Digital output

ASIN: B00029U10S

Product Description

The KS4192 is a 600 Watt 6.1 Dolby Digital Home Theater System.PRODUCT FEATURES: Plays MP3, WMA, & Picture CD for your convenience, DVD, CD, S/VCD, CD-R/W, DVD+RW, and DVD-R/W for ease of use; Comes with a SD Media Port that let you view digital pictures or media in a snap; 600 W total output from front center, rear and subwoofer, all included as a complete set; Complete with digital tuner and let you enjoy the favorite radio stations; Progressive Scan for outstanding pictures; Dolby Digital Decoder for quality sound; Multiple audio/video sound formats tailored your language preference; Component & S-video output for easy connections; Full function remote control allows complete control with one hand; VF display and on-screen menu display and controls; Hi resolution multi-screen format to maximize the enjoyment of the movie; Multiple language formats; Movie time, track, and title search; DVD and audio CD loop repeat play feature; Multiple audio and MP-3 CD play feature; Angle control.

Amazon.com Review

An ideal system for space- and budget-constrained movie lovers, the KS4192 DVD home theater from Koss not only looks great but sounds pretty darn good, too. In our evaluation, the package--which consists of an integrated DVD/CD player/surround receiver, a 6.1-channel speaker system, and everything you need to hook it up--dramatically outperformed systems at or even above its list price. It even offers a convenient front-panel SD/MMC card slot so you can view your digital photos or play your MP3/WMA music fresh from any compatible camera or digital music player.

Sure, bigger and pricier systems offer greater sonic fidelity and low-frequency slam. But this system nevertheless manages to effectively disappear during a movie--no small feat--rendering spacious and reasonably full-bodied sound that's free from distracting colorations such as "peaky" treble or nasally voices. It would be great for gaming, as well as movies, especially when matched with a flat-panel LCD television.

And while it's definitely equipped to handle music, including recordable CDs filled with MP3 and WMA compressed music files, this is not its strength; music reveals the limitations of the speakers more readily than other sources. Still, this is the first system we've encountered that lets us listen to MP3 files as the soundtrack to a digital (JPEG) photo slideshow from the very same disc, a feature that opens a world of creative possibilities.

The system is a cinch to set up and configure, thanks to its color-coded speaker cables and the receiver's matching speaker terminals. The receiver pumps 600 watts total system power across 7 channels: left/right front and surround, 1 each front/rear center speakers (the rear being used for Dolby Digital EX 6.1 programs), with a seventh speaker output to feed the passive subwoofer, which, in this system, is essentially just a speaker with limited high-frequency output and deeper bass response than the satellites. Still, when you crank it up, the system plays loud and clean.

The satellites are all ported, 2-way units (a 3-inch midrange woofer and a tweeter). The relatively broad center speaker is the key to the system's success, with 2 midrange drivers and a tweeter that together produce natural-sounding voices and esses that won't bite your nose off--a telltale sign of something being very right. All satellites are video shielded to prevent image distortion when they're placed on or near a TV or computer monitor.

Antennas for FM and AM radio are included, and the drift-free PLL (phase-locked loop) digital tuner automatically seeks and locks in the strongest stations. You can store up to 20 stations in memory for 1-touch access.

The disc player handles a range of media, jumping effortlessly from DVD-Video movies to homemade DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW discs. JPEG CDs pop immediately into slideshow mode, filling most of the screen with landscape images and nearly top-to-bottom portrait shots. With non-DVD discs, you can program tracks or images to play in a desired sequence. Multi-disc resume is handy for picking up where you left off the last time you had a DVD loaded. And, if you're using a high-definition or HD-ready screen, you'll appreciate the progressive-scan video output.

The system doesn't decode DTS surround sound, though you won't find many DTS discs that don't also have a Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. And, as well matched to the satellite speakers as the subwoofer is, the sub is only engaged when a disc's ".1" LFE (low-frequency effects) signal is present--you won't reap the benefits of having the sub when listening to music or to movies lacking a ".1" soundtrack signal.

With a host of Dolby Pro Logic II simulated surround modes and several equalizer presets, the KS4192 still offers many ways to tailor the sound. Dolby Pro Logic II is one of the better DSP (digital signal processing) methods for generating surround information from 2-channel sources like music or TV shows, though be aware that DPL II effects will not work on MP3/WMA music files. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

Cons:

What's in the Box
DVD player/receiver/amplifier, 1 subwoofer, 5 satellite speakers, 1 center-channel speaker, a remote control, 2 AAA remote batteries, FM/AM antennas, color-coded speaker wires, a stereo analog audio/composite-video interconnect, a user's manual, a quick-installation guide, and warranty information.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Maybe I've been lucky - twice!.......2005-04-28

I bought one of these systems about six months ago and it has performed flawlessly. Set up was very easy but I did have to replace most of the speaker cables with longer ones. My living room is very large, in fact the speakers wound up being farther apart than the settings available. I'm happy to say that they still sound very good. For this money I didn't expect an audiophile system, but I was pleasantly suprised with just how good it sounds. If you want really loud, chest pounding rock this system doesn't quite make it, but it manages to make the the booms, thumps and whooshes of action movies a truly visceral experience.

The fan is a little annoying, but generallly it is not audible while there is signal to the speakers. The only time it has been a problem is during very quiet passages of classical music.

The different listening modes are both useful and necessary. They can make a HUGE difference in the listening experience. I do miss having EQ or even tone controls, but messing with the settings will yield good results.

I have a large screen (50") TV and the DVD quality is excellent. It is sensitive to smudged discs, but it plays clean ones better than any other DVD player I have had. In fact, it is the only DVD player I have that plays those "Asian collector" DVDs without any problems. I have played discs burned on computers and DVD writers in both the +R and the -R format as well as double sided DVDs all without a glitch.

I liked this system so much that I bought another one for my girlfriends apartment, and that's the real beauty of it. The price is reasonable enough that I could afford to do that. Now I can have great home theater in either place and I've scored some serious points with the girlfriend! It's been a little over a month and her system performs just as well as mine.

2 out of 5 stars You get what you pay for............2005-03-16

I've learned you get what you pay for. For the price, I suppose you're getting a decent system.

The bass in this system is pretty much non-existent weather listening to the radio, watching tv or a dvd.

The customer service leaves some things to be desired like a solution to problems. I called three times for the same problem. I got three different solutions non of which worked. Their common response is to reboot the system and leave it unplugged for at least 5 minutes. If you ask any detailed questions they do not have an (educated) answer.

I returned this system and replaced it with a little higher end model. I'm much more happy with the new one.

5 out of 5 stars In this price range (under $350), this system's a keeper........2004-10-13

I've put this system through a decent battery of tests over the 30 days I've owned it. The only major feature I can't speak for is the SD card slot, since I don't own a digicam. (Another note: The subwoofer is supposedly passive, requiring 0.1 LFE out signal, but it operates a very large amount of the time, at least under my use, whether I'm playing a DVD, music, listening to radio, or cable)

DVD playback - VERY GOOD, with one issue. I second Treppish about the picture quality and mechanical reliability of the DVD player. The unit operates smoothly, the remote is just fine, picture quality is great with or without progressive scan, and the surround sound (prologic II) is excellent for a unit of this price. However, during my full-length test of "Matrix Reloaded," there were some noticeable sound gaps in the middle-bass range. The subwoofer covered low-bass extremely well (the rumbles are beautiful), and the satellites cover high-bass, midrange, and treble frequencies smoothly and without annoying distortion, but explosions and crushing blows were a bit deficient in the mid-bass arena. However, the JBL unit I owned previously had similar problems. And, this Koss unit, thanks to a particularly smart dual-woofer center speaker, can handle voice effectively in 6.1 mode (doesn't come out too low as in many other systems).

Radio feature - VERY GOOD. This DVD receiver also has a built in tuner for AM/FM reception. Comes with a wire loop antenna, so reception is good. No worries with this feature.

Music playback - GOOD/VERY GOOD. Out of poor, fair, above average, good, very good, and excellent, the Koss KS4192 fits in somewhere between good and very good. The mid-bass issue on DVD's is not as pronounced here, but still present during some rock music tracks. Tests of classical/instrumental/new age music were very good! Perhaps violin depth (which was good-very good) could be a tad higher, but I enjoyed the songs I listened to without regret. Full length test of Matrix Reloaded Scores CD showcased the strength of this system in combining high-class higher frequency reproduction with smooth midranges and low-bass. Also notable, this system produces very clean sound (very little hissing), perhaps the cleanest you'll find in this price range.

Style/Construction - VERY GOOD/EXCELLENT. The entire system is silver/gray themed. The receiver is sleek, shiny, handsome, and solidly constructed. Subwoofer matches the receiver in style and construction. The satellite units are well constructed and handsome as well, but their color is a gray a bit too subdued. This system would have been Excellent in this category otherwise.

Miscellaneous - When watching cable TV, you may or may not have a slight lag between the koss speakers and the TV speakers (the koss comes in about 0.1 second late). This just may be due to the crappy cable I get in the first place. So, you'll have to turn on one set of speakers and leave the other off. I can't call this a design issue, though, just on my experience.

The unit has 2 full sets of regular RCA a/v jacks for input, 1 set of RCA a/v out jacks, an additional component video jack set, and a jack for an active subwoofer.

Sound level and speaker distance can be adjusted for each speaker! Very nice. Many Prologic II modes to choose from during DVD playback. Digital EQ modes are only good, I use EX Bass most of the time :)

No manual bass or treble controls, sadly. But EX bass + the system's skillful handling of midrange and treble will cause you to forget your initial disappointment.

This system has a very low resistance level for a HT system of this price range! 4 ohms to the satellites and 3 ohms to the subwoofer... That's how this unit can attain 600W of power. Also, if you have some 4 ohms / 3 ohms speakers (preferably some sizeable woofers) waiting in the wings (from a previous system, or an easy purchase away), you could substitute two of them for the front L & R Koss speakers to alleviate the mid-bass issue in DVD playback and music playback.

Overall, this system is a 5 star system. It's not perfect, but the combination of value, performance, style/construction, functionality, and modularity (it can power 4 or 3 ohm speakers! You can keep the receiver and substitute other speakers as you wish) are unbeatable in this sub-$350 price range. Nice work, Koss.

5 out of 5 stars Good product for the price.......2004-10-08

I bought this system to use in a media room in the basement. I now have it working with a projector. I mainly watch movies and football in that room. The sound is great, and to hear a football game in surround sound and HD is amazing. The DVD's play great also. The radio comes in very good in the basement, consindering I live 25 miles from any radio station I listen too. Installation is a breeze. Perhaps the other reviewer just had a bad experience, I've had mine for a couple of months without a problem. All and all I'd say it is a great product for the money.

1 out of 5 stars Koss Means CRAP!.......2004-07-06

I recently bought this item. It was easy to set up and worked great at first, but that didn't last long. Soon, I began experiencing little problems like when I would open the disc tray it would open then close as soon as it opened. Nothing too bad. The sound was great. However, less than a month after I got it, I was watching a DVD. A strange smell started coming from the player like something was burning. Suddenly it froze up. I couldn't get it to do anything. I couldn't even get the disc tray to open. I tried turning it on and off and unplugging it, but nothing worked. I finally had to remove the cover just to force it open to get my DVD back. Botton line: DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!

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