Surround Sound Power Reality

We’ve written in the past about surround sound receiver power claims being FIBS! The April 2005 Home Theater Magazine provides Exhibit A of what we’re talking about!

The HK DPR-1005 receiver is reviewed. It sells for $1500 and HK claims it runs 70x7. When Home Theater actually tested what it produced, the numbers were quite different! With FIVE channels driven simultaneously, the HK produced only 30.8 watts at .1% THD.

The February 2005 Home Theater reviewed the Marantz SR-4500 surround sound receiver. It sells for $400 and claims 80x7. When actually tested the Marantz produced 74.4 watts at .1% THD with FIVE channels driven!

Hence someone buying the $1500 brand X THINKS he’s getting this powerful receiver. Not really. In this case you can see that $1500 buys you under 31 watts per channel from HK. Marantz is an exceptional value with three year warranty, no fan and for only $400, you get almost 75 real watts!