You want cheap HTiB?  Do you want somewhere down near the bottom of the barrel cheap? 

How is $250 or $500 for a complete HTiB with some key features?  That’s cheap!  Okay, it’s cheap but is it any good?  That may remain to be seen but it sure looks interesting.

Samsung is due to release two new HTiB systems next month (Mar ’06).  The HT-AS610 ($250) and the HT-AS710 ($500).  These are low end complete systems, but given the roll Samsung has been on lately with just about any technology in which it cares to dabble I’d say chances are good that these are perfectly adequate systems for budget minded shoppers.

Both systems will decode Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II and DTS.  The AS610 is 5.1 with a total power output of 600WPC where as the AS710 is a 6.1 system with 100 Watts per channel plus a 150 Watt sub.  I don’t have any more info on these specs so it’s quite likely the Watt ratings aren’t RMS through 8ohm at 20Hz to 20 kHz which is really the only spec that counts.  These systems both use the new digital amplifier technology which is highly efficient and doesn’t really need to measure up to the traditional 100 watt per channel rating that is so popular in audio equipment.  There is nothing significant about 100 Watts, marketers feel it looks good on paper so they fudge the specs to make any amp appear to push more watts.  But digital amps don’t need it.

So, the specs might be cheesy which is never a good sign.  But this is a Samsung <$500 HTiB system, not a Rotel.  What I found particularly interesting that many consumers might really appreciate was some of the extras on these systems. 

HDMI switching.  With HDMI inputs and at least one HDMI output you can control several HDMI devices through these units to your HDTV.  So these guys are fully HDTV / HDCP ready.  The only piece of info missing is exactly how many HDMI inputs it has?  But even if it has only two, that’s two more than you get on many very expensive receivers on the market.

I remember the old days when an HDMI throughput was only to be found on high end receivers that cost thousands.  Waitaminute!  Those old days were just last year!  My how fast the technology changes.

The other cool feature is XM Satellite Radio.  These units will perform as your XM receiver for the home.  That’s a nice touch if you’re thinking of investing in sat radio and need a push to decide which one to go with.  Personally, I think they’re both pretty much the same.  I might tend to give a slight nod to Sirius because of the NHL and Howard Stern but honestly, how often am I going to listen to either?  I’m more likely to use satellite radio to listen to the same music I can get on either system. 

Two very cheap HTiB systems that stand a chance to be interesting pieces of equipment.