Kenwood HTB-503??

[ChiTownAbs, Inc]

Is the HTB-503 last years model? I was searching in this forum for HTIB's and found that most people were pleased with the Kenwood HTB-503.

I can't find this anywhere though. I did find the Kenwood HTB-404, HTB-403, and HTB-553, but no 503.

Suggestions??

[ckolchak]

FWIW, i believe the 553 is a step up from the 503, but i forgot what is better on it. the 400's are the models before the 503.

i have a 503 that i got for $428 after an internet price matching by sears. another store locally just reduced the price to $399.

i think, for the money, it's an excellant buy. anyone that owns a system costing several thousand dollars would most likely find a lot to complain about it, but all i was really looking for was seperation and the surround feeling.
watching some movies, i'll wonder if i made a good choice after all, but then i pop in a disc like Mask of Zorro (which has an excellant surround mix) and all those questions dissapear.

i'm finding alot of movies just don't have very dynamic 5.1 soundtracks. someday i'll upgrade the speakers but for the time being, this does the job just fine.

[crankyman]

503 appears to be part of a home theater in a box set. is that what you are after?

the actual receiver in the box is a VR-407.

folks at audioreview are stating that they bought it at sears mostly.

here are some online places to buy it:

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=kenhtb503

http://www.supremevideo.com/audio/kenwood/hometheater/htb503.htm

http://www.aaacamera.com/kenwood_htb503_home_theater_system.html

can't vouch for any of them....so ymmv.

do you need the speakers that will come with it?? if not...i'd be looking toward buying a better receiver with the money.

good luck, and let us know how it goes!


cranky.