Samsung's HT-Q80 flat out rocks!

I've been in the market for a new sound system for about a year now.  The system I had for about two years was beginning to feel a little out of date.  With only one optical digital audio port and no support for component in or out and a complete lack for HDMI support, I was definitely a little behind the times.  So I did some research on many websites such as Cnet.com and Dell.com and compared many systems in the "home theatre in a box" group.  I finally found one system that supported my needs and one that was also in my price range.  I discovered the Samsung HT-Q80.

The HT-Q80 is a 1000 watt total power system that comes with a 5-disc DVD changer and upscale's DVD's to 480p, 720p, and even 1080i.  It doesn't do the unicorn like 1080p but that's okay with me.  My TV is only capable of 1080i being that it's a first generation Phillips Plasma with ambilight technology.

First of all the system is easy to set up.  It was even easier because my room was already wired with fairly good speaker cable, so all I had to do was replace each speaker and swap the receiver and I was done in all of 15 minutes.  The next step was to plug in the Xbox 360, of course, and then hook up my cable box with an HDMI cable to my new receiver.  And that was it.  The set up was complete.

The very first video I played was from the 360 and it was the new Gears of War ad that's done to the song "Mad World".  I was blown away immediately.  I didn't realize how much of a difference a decent speaker system makes until I pressed play.  Right away I could tell there was a better separation of sound and with the Samsungs' built in AV Sync feature, I could make sure the audio was perfect.  By the way my first digital sound system I had before the Samsung HT-Q80 was a 400 watt RCA with a maximum sub. output of 90 watts which is pretty good in itself.  The new system, however, sports a 160 watt 8" sub. with 145 watts per channel.  That's near double the power of my old system. 

Overall I would have to say when it comes to gaming and movies and music you don't have to get the most expensive TV or stereo out there, just get something that's within your budget and suitable for your room size.  There's something suitable for everyone's needs.

Edit: The HT-Q80 also comes XM Ready so if you buy an XM radio antenna and have a subscription, you can listen to hundreds of crystal clear radio from all over the country.