Denon AH-NC800 — $349 MSRP

Pros:

• Super-duper comfy
• Great noise cancellation

Cons

• Sound quality lacks range, definition
• Pricey
• Large travel case

I’m pretty sure that Denon employed angels when they designed the AH-NC800s. These are without question the most comfy set of headphones I’ve ever worn. Too bad they don’t sound all that great.

The lows are non-existent and the highs are a tad flat. And that’s that.

I want to love these headphones because they feel like fluffy summer clouds are piping music directly into my head, but said music is as sad as Eeyore’s little black rain cloud. It doesn’t really matter that the noise cancellation is the best of the bunch if the audio quality is just okay where there’s a $350 price tag. Buy these headphones if comfort is more important to you than music sound quality. Watch movies or TV shows while on a plane? Yeah, buy these. They’re perfect for that task. Music enthusiasts should elsewhere, though.

Pros:

• Very good noise cancellation
• Great price
• Compact

Cons:

• Travel case doesn’t offer protection
• Look cheap and flimsy

Put these Able Planet models right next to the Denon ones above and you would swear that they were the same thing besides the obvious style make-over. They’re probably from the same mold, really. Everything from the battery door, to the power button, to the cup and arm design looks the same. But surprisingly, these sound better than their brand name counterpart and seem to have very similar noise cancellation ability although just a notch below, which could be more to do with the foam surrounds than the actual circuity inside.

Where the Denons seem to bottom out more than they should, the Able Planet model are able to handle low-end frequencies just fine. I wouldn’t say they reproduce a better sound when they’re both riding in their respective comfort zones, but the Able Planet model simply has a better range.

It’s just too bad that they don’t fit the same or look as nice. They fit like standard headphones, but the Denons are supremely comfortable. The Denons also feel like a premium product with high-quality construction and a great carrying case. The Able Planet ones are cheap in materials, but also price.  They’re nearly a steal with a $150 MSRP but a $90 street price. This is where I would have put a Highly Recommended declaration if they weren’t constructed out of cheap material.

Pros:

• Tiny
• Great sound definition
• Good noise cancellation

Cons

• Small headphones, but large travel case. It’s odd.

Straight from the Harman group, the small AKG K 480 NC are an oddity. These ‘phones do not wrap around your ear like traditional noise canceling sets. Instead, they sit flush on your ear and with the help of clever padding, seem to form a tight fit around the ear canal, therefore achieving the same effect as the more traditional style. This as an advantage. Not only do they not mess with glasses, but wearing them with earrings should be a non-affair. They just kind of sit on top of your ear, filtering the outside world while filling your head with music.

The sound quality is great, too. The clarity and definition is more than adequate and are actually somewhat surprising from the small cans.

It’s their small size that makes them stand apart in our test though. They have nearly the same level of noise cancellation as the other two, but do so in a lot smaller physical package. It’s too bad that their carrying case is just so large that it almost nullifies their small stature. The case does however provide a great deal of protection with hard sides and a hefty zipper.

But wait, I never listen to music when I’m in need of noise canceling headphones. I watch movies on the planes, so with that in mind, the Denons heavenly feel trumps slightly better sound reproduction for me. If music is your time waster of choice when soaring the friendly skies, opt for the AKGs. But if money is an issue, the Able Planets work great; they just look and feel cheap. Three different headphones for three different shoppers.

Denon’s two new 3D players will be available in June and August, priced at $399 (DBP-1611UD) and $799 (DBP-2011UDCI). Seriously, 1GB of internal memory. Why don’t more people do this? Why would you not put internal memory in your Blu-ray player, if you have BD-Live.

From the press release:

Mahwah, NJ, April 26, 2010 – Denon Electronics, a premier manufacturer of high-quality home entertainment components celebrating 100 years of innovation and technology leadership in 2010, is providing discriminating consumers the opportunity to enjoy an enriched Blu-ray experience with the addition of two new 3D-Ready Universal Blu-ray players to its lineup. The new models, with expected SRP and availability in parenthesis, include the DBP-2011UDCI (SRP: $799, Aug.) and the DBP-1611UD (SRP: $399, June) that will join Denon’s DBP-4010UDCI (SRP: $1,999) and critically acclaimed DVD-A1UDCI (SRP: $4,499) Universal Blu-ray Disc Players in the company’s line of Blu-ray components, which also includes the S-5BD BD/Receiver (SRP: $1,799), a single-component that combines a 5.1-channel surround sound receiver with an advanced Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player.
3D-Readiness, Ultimate Quality Audio, True “Universal” Players

Denon’s Blu-ray players represent the leading edge in performance and features for the fast-growing high-definition format. The “universal” Blu-ray models provide superior playback of virtually all 5-inch silver discs. To ensure total future-readiness, an upcoming firmware update is scheduled to be available in the fall for 3D capability in the new Blu-ray players. In addition to their ultimate-quality video reproduction, all Denon players reflect the company’s longstanding heritage as an audio leader, offering impeccable high-resolution sonic playback, including DVD-Audio and SACD.

Exciting New Content Opportunities, More On-Board Memory

Both new Universal Denon Blu-ray players provide easy and straightforward access to the Internet, opening up new content and networking opportunities. For instance, both offer Netflix* and YouTube streaming and are DLNA 1.5-certified for audio/video/photo streaming with other DLNA certified products across a network. In addition to their many innovative interactivity features, including built-in BD Live and “Bonus View” functionality, they offer leading-edge Web access features with 1GB** of on-board memory for BD-Live playback and a USB connector for additional external memory for media and BD-Live content. The players are designed to enhance a consumer’s total home entertainment experience with features such as Kodak Picture CD compatibility, as well as DivX HD+, MP3 and WMA playback (all via either recordable DVD/CD or external memory).

DENON® REAFFIRMS LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCED A/V RECEIVERS

WITH TEN NEW HIGH-PERFORMANCE MODELS

– Upgraded Line Offers A/V Enhancements and More Advanced Technologies at Lower Price Points; Ideal Home Entertainment Solutions for Every Consumer Need and Budget–
Mahwah, NJ, April 26, 2010 — Denon Electronics, a premier manufacturer of high-quality home entertainment components celebrating 100 years of innovation and technology leadership in 2010, today announced its new line of advanced audio/video receivers with ten state-of-the-art offerings. The lineup features five new affordable, fully featured priced models in the company’s popular Retail Home Theater Series line, with expected SRP and availability in parenthesis, including the AVR-991 (SRP: $999, July), AVR-891 (SRP: $799, May), AVR-791 (SRP: $499, May), AVR-591 (SRP: $349, May) and the AVR-391 (SRP: $249, July). These join two new, more advanced 7-channel Models, the AVR-1911 (SRP: $599, June), and AVR-1611 (SRP: $399, June). Also announced are Denon’s three new “CI-class” receivers (see separate release) geared toward custom integrators, including the AVR-4311CI (SRP: $1,999, Sept.), AVR-3311CI (SRP: $1,199, June), and AVR-2311CI (SRP: $899, June). The new models will join Denon’s AVR-4810CI (SRP: $2,999) and flagship AVR-5308CI (SRP: $5,500) in the company’s renowned line of A/V receivers, as well as the company’s advanced CI separates including the AVP-A1HDCI (SRP: $7,500) 12 Channel A/V Preamplifier and POA-A1HDCI (SRP: $7,500) Fully Balanced Power Amplifier.

Major Enhancements Throughout the Line

Among the significant enhancements made to all new Denon receivers is the inclusion of HDMI v1.4a Repeater Inputs with 3D (all mandated formats), Audio Return Channel and CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) support. All models, except the AVR-391, feature analog-to-HDMI conversion and HD Audio decoding from Dolby and dts, and many feature advanced multi-zone networking capabilities. Simple one-cable HDMI connections add to simplicity of use, and Dolby Pro Logic IIz decoding on all models provides for the enhanced audio experience of front height channels. The new receivers are also engineered throughout to provide consumers with all the features and capabilities they need to enjoy maximum compatibility with today’s home entertainment source components. For example, iPod connectivity is featured in all models throughout the line, with the AVR-1911, AVR-791 and higher models adding iPod Digital Direct via USB, which is also ‘Works with iPhone’ certified.
All models feature an updated easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) or On-Screen Display that make the steps of system setup, operation and displaying other important information much easier for the end user. Notably, the new models all feature on-screen display (OSD) or GUI overlay via the HDMI connection – eliminating the frustrating necessity of additional cable switching or programming interruptions when making adjustments, such as volume, while watching HD content. Further enhancing ease-of-use, all models feature Source/Quick Select Power On and Quick Select options on the front panel and remote control to give end users one button source, surround mode selection.

In keeping with Denon’s commitment to eco-friendly engineering throughout its product line, the standby power of all new receivers is below 0.1 watts, helping eliminate unnecessary power usage.

Denon A/V Receivers: The Culmination of 100 Years of Innovation

The audio/video receiver is at the heart of Denon’s ongoing mission to enhance and expand the home entertainment experience for discriminating consumers. Noted Phil Cohn, the company’s Sr. Vice President, Sales & Marketing: “Denon’s 100-year legacy has been distinguished by breakthrough technological innovation at virtually every stage of the evolution of home entertainment, particularly in our advanced audio/video receivers. This year’s product line expresses our expertise and drive for innovation, giving people new ways to experience their entertainment, from a dramatically enhanced surround sound experience to interactive web access, multi-zone networking and more. Importantly, our receivers also give content creators inspiring ways to reach audiences with their artistic creations as they were intended to be experienced, including music, movies, games and more.”

New Retail Home Theater Series Models: High-Value, High-Performance

Denon’s Retail Home Theater Series line for 2010 provides discriminating consumers with a host of upgraded features and capabilities at affordable prices. The line now features three 7-channel models (AVR-791, AVR-891, AVR-991), as well as two 5-channel models (AVR-591, AVR-391). All five offer many of the same high-quality features and capabilities that distinguish Denon receivers in the marketplace, including some of those found in the company’s CI models. Notably, the AVR-991 features Audyssey DSX with Front Height or Width Channels with Sirius Satellite Radio Ready capability, as well as being the least expensive Denon AVR with advanced networking that adds an RJ-45 Ethernet Port for third-party controllers, Mac/PC audio streaming, Internet Radio, Pandora, Flickr, a Web browser function and more. All models feature 24-bit/192-kHz Analog Devices DACs, and Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey MultEQ. All include analog-to-HDMI video conversion, while AVR-791 and higher feature 12-bit video processing and scaling from Anchor Bay Technologies (ABT).

Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding in the new Retail Home Theater Series models allow for stunning delivery of today’s most advanced high-definition audio programming. Model AVR-991 features Anchor Bay Technologies advanced video deinterlacing and upscaling, converting SD sources to HD. And thanks to the dedicated Denon iPod dock accessory control port on all models, users may connect and control their iPod/iPod Touch or iPhone using one of Denon’s available iPod/iPhone docks, which provides on-screen artist, album and song information.

AVR-1911 and AVR-1611: Multi-Zone Functionality, HD Radio and More

Denon’s AVR-1911 AVR-1611 7-channel receivers represent the leading edge of today’s revolution in home entertainment system building. Both offer full two-zone A/V distribution capabilities, allowing users to enjoy a movie in full surround sound in the living room while listening to music distributed to a den or bedroom.* The AVR-1911 adds the advanced capability of a built-in HD Radio tuner, as well as iPod Direct Connectivity via USB and the most advanced Anchor Bay Technologies video deinterlacing and upscaling chipset for converting SD sources to HD.

Click through for the press release. Because we weren’t sent images I’ve placed an image of Burt Reynolds here instead.

Mahwah, NJ, April 26, 2010 – Denon Electronics, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of high-quality home entertainment components, today introduced six high-performance headphones, bringing the total number of models in the company’s line to 14. The additions include, with expected SRP and availability in parenthesis, the new AH-NC800 (SRP: TBD, August) noise-canceling headphones, as well as the over-ear Models AH-D1100 (SRP: $199, Sept.), AH-D510R (SRP: $99, August), AH-D310R (SRP: $69, August), and the in-ear Models AH-C560R (SRP: $99, June), AH-C260R (SRP: $49, June) . In addition to a host of leading-edge audio technologies for an optimum music listening experience, Denon’s new line of headphones places a strong emphasis on simple, “one-touch” iPhone/iPod compatibility and convenience, providing users a new level of voice and music control. Notably, four new models (AH-D510R, AH-D31OR, AH-C560R and AH-C260R) all feature a specially designed three-button remote control/microphone that provides easy access to both voice and music control, and is compatible with Apple Voice Control, for Apple iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 2G and the latest generation Shuffle. These also control the new iPad.

The new headphones will join Denon’s Models AH-NC600 (SRP: $199) in-ear noise cancelling headphones, AH-C710 (SRP: $149), AH-C452 (SRP: $69) and AH-C360 (SRP: $49) “earbud” in-ear models and the compact on-ear model AH-P372K (SRP: $59); as well as three state-of-the-art over-ear models, the AH-D7000 (SRP: $999), the AH-D5000 (SRP: $699) and AH-D2000 (SRP: $349).

This is far from a Black Friday-special HTiB. First off the system has a $1,799 MSRP and doesn’t come with speakers. That’s $1800 bones for just the receiver/BD player. But at least both units are full-featured.

The receiver half is a 2-zone, 2-source 5.1-channel system with 3 HDMI 1.4 (seriously, 1.4) inputs and one output, along with iPod connectivity via a USB port. It of course has advanced audio processing from Dolby and Denon, and is actually one of the first products to support HDMI 1.4′s Audio Return Channel.

The Blu-ray player is everything you would expect as well with 1080p/24p support, Profile 2.0, and an Ethernet port for connectivity.

Sure, the price is high but chances are Denon will not have any problem moving these units. There are enough people with deep pockets boarding the Blu-ray boat and probably looking to bring the full experience into smaller rooms without the clutter of a full-fledge audio system. The S-5BD fills that void.

Denon unveiled the “world’s first high-end Blu-ray player”, DVD-A1UDCI, back in December last year, saying the device supports Blu-ray discs, SACDs, CDs, audio and video DVDs. The company then said the player will hit Japanese stores in January 2009 and will be available in the US one month later. But that never happened.

After saying in January that the player will be delayed until March, Denon now pushed back the Japanese release date to May 2009 [JP]. They are apologizing and saying they need more time to optimize the device, whatever this may mean.

If the DVD-A1UDCI ever gets released, Americans will have to pay $3,800 for the device, while us here in Japan will be set back a whopping $5,800 (the MSRP is about the same in Europe).

Denon is citing production problems for the delay. No word on consequences for other markets yet, but I doubt Americans will get the player in February as promised.

Denon outed the amazing DVD-A1UDCI Blu-ray player – which we predicted back at CEDIA – just the other day and thankfully, us here in the States will not have to deal with the exchange rate. You see, the European model carries a MSRP of 4,000 Euros which works out to be a whopping $5,800 in US dollars. The US-bound model, however, will sell for only (LOL) $3,800 which works out to be 1,000 Euro less. Ouch. All the universal goodies remain so chances are this player will become the de-facto reference player when it drops in February ’09.

Ecoustics via EngHD

Denon today announced what they say is the the world’s first high-end Blu-ray universal player [JP], meaning it can play Blu-ray discs, SACDs, CDs, DVD-Audio and DVD-Video. The DVD-A1UD (strange name) is the successor of the DVD-A1XV.

Denon says its DENON Link 4th technology (in combination with HDMI 1.3) dramatically reduces jitter, leading to an improved sound quality from all digital sources. Hirofumi Ichikawa, the company CEO, claims Blu-ray, DVD, SACD and CD users will get the best audio and video results they have ever seen.

Internal DTS-Neo6 and DolbyPro IIx doesn’t sound too bad but there is no 24p output for DVDs. Also, BD-Live isn’t integrated yet but should become available with a future firmware update.

The DENON DVD-A1UD will hit Japan at the end of January (price: a whopping $5,800). At time of writing, DENON said the device will become available in Europe in March 2009 with an MSRP of 4,000 Euros. Buyers can choose between a black and a silver version.

Denon Japan announced it will start selling a turntable [JP] that features a USB port to transfer music from analog records to USB memory sticks as digital music files at the beginning of next month. The DP-200USB will be available in black and silver  (price: $300).

Denon says all that users have to do in order to save music as MP3 (in 192kbps quality) is to play their 30cm or 17cm records and press the “record” button.

There is no word yet if the turntable will ever be sold outside Japan as well, but chances should be pretty good.

Most large manufacturers at CEDIA this year are showing off their latest Blu-ray players. A good amount of the ‘new players’ are unfortunately profile 1.1 and therefore, not BD Live capable, but there was a buzz going around the show floor concerning Denon’s upcoming super player. Something about a $3800-$4000 Blu-ray king coming out early next year.

I managed to snag sometime with the Director of Product Development & Systems Integration who told me straight-faced, that they will have it at CES. Initially, he wouldn’t comment on anything else, but he eventually indicated that yes, it will be a Profile 2.0 player. I can’t wait for CES — and the obligatory early leeks.

And you wonder why people are still uncommitted to Blu-ray. Denon, by no means a cheap brand, mind you, has said that they’ll begin shipping its “low” priced DVD-1800BD this October, for $749. Denon hasn’t even released its full specs yet, so it’s impossible to evaluate if this is even worth the money.

Once again, I think I speak for most of the gang here: if you’re thinking about going Blu-ray, especially in time for the holiday season, your best best is to go with the PS3. Not only is it future-proof, but, eventually, it’ll have some decent games on it, with apologies to MGS 4.

Denon, purveyor of reasonably-priced Ethernet cables, will be releasing its natural wood and mahogany AH-D7000 headphones in mid-September. You can currently grab the lesser AH-D5000 headphones for about $700.

The AH-D7000 cans will have an MSRP of 800 Euro, which is just under $1,200 USD – roughly 1/3 of what my first car cost. It was a 1990 Mitsubishi Mirage.

[Press Release (translated) via Akihabara]

NBC has turned to Denon with help on the audio control for this years Olympics. As it turns out, this is the fifth straight Olympic games that Denon has been involved with. The AV company suppled NBC with their top of the line gear for work in post-production. Denon’s flagship audio/video receiver, the AVR-5308, plus a DVD-1940 are installed in the Executive Board Room, while two AVR-2808 and two DVD-1940′s are elsewhere for NBC meetings. 

If you ask us, this says a good deal about Denon products – or Denon paid good coin to be at the games. Your guess.

Today Denon announced [JP] they will start selling their first noise-cancelling headphones at the begining of August. The on-ear AH-NC732 will be available in black and silver.

The headphones come with a frequency response of 5Hz-28,000Hz, an impedance of 40Ω and a maximum power input of 100mW. Denon claims noise will be cut by 99%. One AAA battery is needed for 40 hours of active noise cancellation.

The headphones will cost $350 in Japan. Denon already offers a number of headphones in the USA, for example, so it would be no surprise to see the AH-NC732 find its way to markets outside Japan soon.

Reviews for that $500 Ethernet cable being sold by Denon are in full swing on the Amazon.com product page, located here. Here are a couple of choice tidbits…

“A caution to people buying these: if you do not follow the ‘directional markings’ on the cables, your music will play backwards. Please check that before mentioning it in your reviews.”

“I installed one of these cables between my gigabit ethernet switch and my Canon Pixma 6700 color printer. I know it’s not a sanctioned use, but I was looking for the ultimate in speed and color fidelity. I’m freaky that way.

The first time I downloaded a picture to the printer over this cable, the bits moved so fast the printer collapsed into a naked singularity, right there in my office.”

“Marked down 1 star because it still won’t let you do the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs.”

“Like a fool, I bought these cables on a whim because of the low price. However, I got what I paid for when I installed them in my TARDIS. Before long it shorted out my chameleon circuit and Amazon refuses to pay for repairs! I guess it’ll be stuck looking like a 1963 police call box until I can somehow get enough money for a replacement.”

"I accidentally dropped one end of my Denon cable into a glass of Tuscan whole milk I was drinking. Later when I finished my milk (yeah, I still drank it; should I not have done that?), my right arm (lost in an accident in 1987) spontaneously grew back.
Is that normal?"

"I used 6 of them to connect up my time machine to my Starship. But now my cell phone won’t work. Must be interference from the planet being out of phase with my blue tooth headset.

On the bright side…it negated the affects of the Aurora Borealis over my house."

Customer Reviews: Denon AKDL1 Dedicated Link Cable [Amazon] via Newsvine

Denon DJ DN-HS5500

This week: Computers, set-top boxes (like AppleTV), and AV
receivers are battling to be your household hub, streaming music and
movies back and forth across your pad until you become sterile and
glow in the dark. All this gear is versatile, but it’s hard to know
which one to pick — especially when hefty sums of money are involved.
Sonos and now Denon seem to have the most promising solutions, but
life is passing their equipment by while gadgets like the iPhone and
Archos’s 605 WiFi threaten to swoop in and take all.

If I can get my digital music from any place to any other place with
no wires in between and control it easily, I’m a happy audio geek.
But assuming you have a reasonably sized budget, how do you choose
among dedicated streaming hardware (Sonos, Squeezebox, etc.), Media
Center-type PCs, straight-up networking gear (AirPort Express,
Sondigo), and networked home stereo components?

At a press event the other day, Denon introduced some very cool
networked stereo gear that has a lot of potential, thanks to a TV-
screen interface that functions as your command center. But it’s
going to have a tough time competing with some of the stuff already
out there, not to mention what’s just on the horizon.

What’s new
Denon turned over its entire line of AV receivers for the first time
in 10 years, but the most noteworthy changes came at the top end:
Denon’s 5308CI ($5200) and 4308CI ($2500) both have built-in WiFi and
USB inputs for hard drives and some portable players. The WiFi is for
things like remote maintenance, multizone music distribution (similar
to Sonos), and Internet radio, and streaming music from an iPod (via
an optional $129 dock).

Of course, these aren’t the first WiFi receivers and won’t be the
last, but it does show that the big boys like Denon and Sony are
trying to retain the living room control they’d had in the pre-
wireless era. And other WiFi-capable stereo components are garnering
attention, like Olive’s line of high-end CD players, which can stream
music from anywhere on your network — or as I accidentally found out
back in my days in PC Magazine Labs, it can take down a swath of a
corporate network).

The hottest thing Denon introduced the other day, though, was an iPod
dock that also turns any stereo component into a wireless music
system. You just hook it up to your receiver and/or TV, and it can
access files from anywhere on your home network using your TV screen
as a navigation interface.

Impressive, but even with their reliance on handheld remotes, all of
these tether to your TV screen for browsing and controlling your music.

Best of what’s around
Sonos’s wireless digital music system and handheld controller (with a
big LCD and iPod-like scroll wheel) seems to hold the most promise in
terms of convenience, and the entry point there is $1000. It’s hard
to beat taking your music around with you and wirelessly controlling
it in every room in your home. But honestly, that controller is
pretty ridiculous to lug around while you’re hosting a party, and the
other remotes on my living room couch are scared of it.

Sonos is on the right track, but the controller could just as easily
be a bitchin’ WiFi music player (iPhone? 6G iPod?), not a big brick
with only a few more features than a paperweight. The current iPhone
could easily be rigged up to transmit signals to WiFi-capable gear
with a simple firmware upgrade — in fact, someone should do an
infrared transmitter attachment so you could use it to turn on your
TV! (Might as well… no one really talks on the iPhone
anyway, do they?)

What’s next
I remember being amazed 7 or 8 years ago when I saw a buddy of mine
take out his PDA and turn it into a fully customizable remote for the
TV set — it was brilliant! Where did this idea go? Hopefully into next-
gen music players from companies like Apple, Archos, iRiver, and
even Microsoft.

If you’re wondering whether you should make a big investment in a
wireless streaming audio setup, consider that in the next year or so,
the iPhone/iPod/Zune combined with something along the lines of
Apple’s AirPort Express or Denon’s new WiFi gear could be what keeps your digital music — and
probably video — pumping to every nook and cranny of your house.

The image above was created by Leah Perrotta, a Brooklyn-based artist and all-around lovely gal. Check out her stuff every week right here on the AudioFile, and Flickr.

Best of all, it gives you a TV-screen interface and remote to work with, so you can see what’s going where, and you get metadata and album art on songs that are playing off your iPod. Not bad for $229.99 (available in September), though if you don’t need the WiFi, you can pick up the non-wireless ASD-3N for $179.99 (available in August). Both models have Ethernet ports, RCA outputs, and S-Video outputs on the back.

The criteria of the contest are thus:

Tell Your “Home Theater Horror Story”…

Consumers will be able to enter the contest via a specially created web site, www.makeshifters.com, where they’ll be able to post homemade videos and photo essays that tell personal “home theater horror stories” about their makeshift home entertainment systems. Such makeshift systems might include a mix-and-match of outdated components (for example: a 13” CRT television hooked up to your grandfather’s 1960s-era stereo system, with PA speakers left over from your high-school garage band days).

True to Web 2.0 form, the contest is conducted with social networking features such as community tagging, rating and reviewing of entries. Users can spread the entries around through embeds and such as well.

In addition to the grand prize, the first runner up will receive a La-Z-Boy recliner and a $500 Circuit City shopping spree. Four third-prize winners will each receive home entertainment components from Denon and Boston. All entrants will receive a $10 Circuit City gift card.

MakeShifters.