Samsung HT-AS730ST review: Samsung HT-AS730ST

These days, a home-theater-in-a-box system comes in one of three basic designs: an all-in-one package that includes a built-in DVD or Blu-ray player; a "soundbar" system that consolidates everything into a single speaker bar that can be mounted under a flat-panel TV; or a component system that basically boxes a full-on AV receiver with a matching 5.1-channel speaker system. The Samsung HT-AS730 is an example of that latter type, and it boasts the advantage of better than average connectivity. You need to supply the disc player, but that's only one of three HDMI sources the Samsung can accept; it can also handle some audio-only sources, and it includes the requisite iPod dock. Unfortunately, the system's $500 price tag implies that it should have an even more impressive feature set or deliver above-average sonics. Unfortunately, despite its better than average array of ports, the Samsung HT-AS730 is hobbled by unimpressive sound quality, finicky HDMI ports, unreadable display, and a tedious input system that will have you looking elsewhere for a comprehensive home theater solution.

Design
The Samsung HT-AS730 is a "component-style" home theater system, which means that it's basically a full-on AV receiver that's boxed up with a matching 5.1 speaker system. No DVD or Blu-ray player is included--the implication being that you already have a disc player or game console on hand.

The system's receiver looks slick enough, completely masked in a polished black plastic. We were shocked to see how light the entire unit was (less than 7 pounds) considering it measures in at 15.24 inches tall by 12.2 inches wide by 16.85 inches deep. The front flap hides various controls, which can also be accessed via the remote control along with a quarter-inch headphone jack and composite input.

The front flap hides plenty of setup and functionality buttons.

For what's an otherwise solid design, we did have a lot of problems reading the receiver's display. The dimly lit LCD is completely useless unless you're standing right in front of it. Unfortunately the dimmer button didn't help as we were already on the brightest setting.

The included remote control is a bit intimidating at first, but it does give you plenty of control over the receiver and other devices should you choose to program them into the remote. Buttons are laid out logically throughout, although the function bank at the bottom can get a bit overwhelming. It can also be programmed to control several brands of TVs and DVD players, and it can also control Samsung Blu-ray players. As always, though, we recommend getting a more capable universal remote.

Features
As far as connectivity goes, the AS730 has a lot to offer--at least at first glance. In addition to three switchable HDMI sources, it can accommodate two component and four composite inputs as well. (Like most AV systems nowadays, the HT-AS730 has no S-Video connections.) For audio, you can take advantage of up to four digital sources (three optical, one coaxial).

While the HT-AS730 offers a decent connectivity suite for a home theater system, there are caveats. First off, there's no video upconversion. That means for each input type--HDMI, component, or composite--you'll need to run a corresponding output cable to your TV, and switch inputs there accordingly. Also keep in mind that there's a maximum of five AV sources (four on the back, plus the front-panel auxiliary) to toggle between--so you could have three HDMI sources (game console, Blu-ray player, and DVR on HDMI, plus a Nintendo Wii on component, for instance).

Once we mastered all of our input settings, we were upset to find that our HDMI connections were occasionally unreliable. For example, when switching between devices, we would get stuck with a blank picture. Only after unplugging and plugging in our HDMI cable were we able to see picture. We experienced this issue when switching about 30 percent of the time. Also, we found that it didn't matter what we were switching from; the problem happened as long as you were landing on an HDMI input.

The AS730 also comes with an iPod dock that is compatible with all iPods and iPhones that have a dock connection port. We should note that using the iPhone with the AS730 automatically puts the device into airplane mode. There is no onscreen navigation for music playback, so while you can use the remote, you're still going to need to hover over your iPod to see what you're doing. The same is the case with iPod video playback. Additionally, the iPod must be in TV out mode for it to play through the receiver. Video quality is on average with most HTIBs we've seen with similar functionality.

The iPod dock will work with any iPod with a dock connection port.

The system is sold as a 5.1 configuration (five speakers plus a subwoofer), but the receiver includes amplification and speaker connections for a 7.1 system. Happily, the receiver uses standard five-way binding posts instead of proprietary speaker connectors, so you can upgrade to any standard set of home theater speakers down the road.

The AS730 can only decode standard Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks, not the Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS Master Audio tracks found on Blu-ray Discs. However, the unit's analog 7.1 audio inputs allow it to play those advanced soundtracks from Blu-ray players with built-in high-definition audio decoding. (Whether you can hear the difference is debatable, however.)

The speakers are constructed out of molded plastic and feel hollow. You can't remove the grille coverings on the speakers nor on the subwoofer. Speaking of the woofer, its build is much more solid than the satellite speakers--there's some weight here. The powered subwoofer is hardwired, terminating in a proprietary connection. The only control you have over it is volume.

Setup
Beginners may be intimidated by the setup processes, which are similar to that of a full AV receiver. While you can assign separate video and audio sources to one of four labeled sources, devices that aren't preprogrammed take some time to get working properly. Since a source can have different audio and video connections, you're going to have to manually cycle through two different laundry lists of connections--and don't forget, you'll need to be up close and personal with the receiver to see what you're doing. Also, don't look for a lot of help from the manual--with its listings of "setup menu trees," it's downright mind-boggling.

Prior to using the system's audio setup, the five speakers' volume levels were completely out of whack as the center and surround channels were much too low. Thus, we strongly recommend performing the auto or manual setup to get the best possible sound from the all five channels.

Since the AS730 owner's manual doesn't specifically describe the auto setup procedure, we first explored the manual setup. It's a little tricky, mostly because menu navigation was far from intuitive. Since there's no onscreen display, we were forced to stare at the receiver's LCD screen. Auto Sound Calibration takes just a few minutes to complete--afterward, we felt that the subwoofer volume level was too loud so we turned it down.

The subwoofer's volume can be adjusted with the remote or manually with the volume control knob. We found that it's extremely sensitive to even the slightest adjustment. To achieve the best possible blend between the subwoofer and satellites, we had to turn the subwoofer volume knob almost all the way down.

Performance
When it comes to evaluating sound quality, first impressions can be hard to shake. The HT-AS730's sound was lifeless. There was always a lack of detail and sparkle, but at least it wasn't brash or grating the way some HTIBs can be.

We listened first to the Rolling Stones "Shine A Light" concert Blu-ray in Dolby Digital. Mick Jagger's vocals sounded like he was singing through a blanket. Ron Wood and Keith Richards' guitars were hard to hear, and Charlie Watts' drum kit lacked punch. On a more positive note, the satellite speakers and subwoofer were well matched, so bass quantity was consistent from disc to disc.

The "King Kong" DVD didn't change our feelings about the AS730's sound quality. Clarity was in short supply so dialog in the jungle scenes was harder to follow than any HTIB we've tested in recent memory. It wasn't all bad; the speakers didn't sound as small as they look, and Kong's growls and grunts were menacing. Also, the surround channels' dense mix of birds and insects came from all around us.

When Kong rampages through New York City streets and tosses cars and trains out of his way, the AS730's dynamic oomph was lackluster. Bass was abundant in quantity, but bass definition was mushier than average.

CD music sound fared a little better. On Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis' "Two Men With The Blues" CD, Nelson's vocals were big and warm, somewhat more natural than what we get from the average HTIB. Marsalis' trumpet was less terrific, muffled in fact, without the presence we expect to hear from a horn.

The HT-AS730's receiver can be used with other manufacturers' speakers, so we tested that capability with our Aperion Intimus 4T towers. No surprise, the towers were better than the HT-AS730s' little satellites, but the Aperion 4Ts' sound was far from what we're used to when they're hooked up with even the most budget priced receivers. Again, the HT-AS730 receiver's treble was lacking in detail, bass was loose, and dynamics fell flat.