Easy Set-up and Configuration
Everything you need to set up the
HTS-GS1 is included in the box. Using the handy Quick Start Guide, we
had the entire system wired in less than an hour. The easy-to-follow
instructions and color-coded wires made the set up of the center speaker,
subwoofer, and two rear and two front speakers a cinch. One word of
warning: the included wires are an adequate length for a small-to-medium
sized room, but if you really want to spread out, you'll need additional
wiring to complete the task. But for our purposes, the HTS-GS1 provided
everything we needed to get the job done.

The HTS-GS1 is an ideal choice for any small-to-medium sized space that is dedicated to Xbox 360 gaming.

Once the speakers were in place, we took advantage of the system's
auto MCACC microphone calibration technology. We simply placed the ultra
high-end calibration microphone on the back of the couch -- directly
behind our favorite gaming position -- and the HTS-GS1 automatically
adjusted the sound for the distance, volume, speaker size, and
equalization. Once the system calibrated the speakers to match the
layout of our room, we were off to the races --literally -- tackling the
toughest race tracks available on Project Gotham Racing 3.

Although all the connections were easy to distinguish and connect, we
do have one complaint: there are loads and loads of wires to deal with.
This is not a problem unique to the HTS-GS1, but we found it a bit
ironic that a home-theater-in-a-box designed to complement the Xbox 360
-- a gaming system noted for its clean design and wireless capabilities
-- would be so overloaded with wires.

Sleek, Xbox 360 Design
This surround sound system offers an attractive
white design, accented with gray speaker grilles, and features five
small satellite speakers (center, two front, and two rear), and a large
subwoofer that is about the size of a standard CPU tower. Although the
subwoofer is a bit bulky, it houses all of the system's electronics and
connectivity jacks. And since this theater system lacks a DVD player
(the assumption is you'll use your Xbox 360 for movies), the display
unit is quite small; in fact, it's not much bigger than the included
remote control. It features tiny, silver control buttons and a large,
circular power button. The front panel delivered all the information we
needed via a scrolling single-line display. The included easy-to-use
remote control is packed with features, and, like the rest of the system,
it also matches the Xbox 360 design. With it we could control all of
the system's features, as well as our Xbox 360 gaming console.

Sound Designed for High-Performance Gaming
With the HTS-GS1 we could
hear every audio effect the Xbox 360 had to offer -- from the lightest
wind to bone-rattling explosions. The system delivers great audio
performance with a powerful 600 watts of total RMS power, and dynamic 5.
1-channel surround sound with Dolby Digital/Pro Logic II and DTS
decoding. In addition to playing video games, the Xbox 360 also plays
DVDs and MP3 files. We took advantage of both and spent an afternoon
watching movies, and an evening listening to a stack of CDs. The system
responded to every form of entertainment that we could throw at it --
games, film, and music -- with crisp, clear, and powerful sound.

The HTS-GS1 also features Front Stage Surround Sound, a virtual
surround-sound feature. To test this function, we moved all the speakers
to the front of the room. Through its sophisticated digital sound
processing and directional speakers, the system can mimic surround sound
without the hassle of running wires to additional rear speakers.
Although the traditional surround sound set-up delivered the best audio
surround sound quality, the Front Stage option was still much better
than our regular, old television speakers.

The HTS-GS1 can be a bit pricey when compared to other
home-theater-in-a-box systems, but Pioneer's design may trump the cost
for those who want an attractive, surround-sound option that matches the
Xbox 360's style. And even though his system may not be the optimal
home-theater system choice for a large family room, the HTS-GS1 is an
ideal choice for any small-to-medium sized space that is dedicated to
Xbox 360 gaming.

Pros

• Attractive, Xbox 360 design
• Simple set-up and great sound
  
• Ideal for any small-to-medium sized gaming room

• Lots and lots
  of wires
• A bit pricey when compared to similar HTIBs