Philips HTS8100

design, usability, size, price

77% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

usability, design, price, size, reliability

77% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Hgihly practical form factor ; Genuine surround sound effect

Poor stereo imaging ; No HDMI input

Delivers pseudo surround-sound in one of the most innovative and convenient packages available

Smart looks ; convenience ; easy to use

Poor bass integration ; weak soundstage

The Philips certainly looks the part, but class rivals sound better

Upscaling 1080p DVD player, stylish and wellbuilt, impressive front room performance

Very expensive, limited rear speaker impact, only really suitable for mid-sized screens

Overall we were very impressed by the stylish design, build quality and performance of the HTS8100.

It never quite sounds like a true surround system, but the HTS8100 still hits a near-perfect balance between style, convenience and performance

Space-saving convenience, easy to use, versatile connectivity, outstanding picture performance

Confused sound performance, weak dialogue

Easy installation, Feature rich, Image quality

Treble and bass levels are overly brash, Abrasive sonics

The first 'sound bar' with a DVD player delivers effective surround action, but longer listening can be hard going

Innovative ambisound technology simulates 5.1 surround sound without the need for rear speakers, DVD upscaling to 1080p, Great design

Some distortion, Relatively weak bass, DVD playback was marred by image noise, Limited input options

Innovative ambisound technology simulates 5.1 surround sound without the need for rear speakers, DVD upscaling to 1080p, Great design

Some distortion, Relatively weak bass, DVD playback was marred by image noise, Limited input options

The Philips HTS8100 is a great option for those without the space for a full 5.1 surround sound setup, but its relatively average performance in other areas prevents it from being an outstanding product.