Samsung HW-C500 AV-receiver
It does not have the standing to equal sound luminaries like Denon, Yamaha and Onkyo, but the HW-C500 may bring owners who enjoy their system's collars and cuffs to match.
It seems as slick as a panther, adorned with a few unique touches on the leading panel and draped in lustrous black. Disappointingly, there aren't any outlets on the front panel for plugging in devices while back-panel connectivity is adequate but hardly exhaustive.
With Samsung shoving 3D hard it is pleasing that all the HDMI outlets (four in, one out) are defined as v1.4. That means it will pass to a 3D-ready TV along with extracting the required digital audio signal, which can be very beneficial to owners of Samsung's BD-C6900 Bluray deck and its own single HDMI output signal on total high definition 3D graphics.
There is a wholesome quantity of connections and other AV input signals for the furnished iPod/iPhone dock, but any audiophile aspirations are abandoned by Samsung with its springclip loudspeaker terminals, making this feel more like a one-box system with no loudspeakers than home cinema hardware that is serious.
The bodywork that is light means your chiropractor can not sleep difficult. Its distinct digital amplifier design does away with a lot of the weighty elements located inside many AVRs.
At its heart is the new Crystal Amplifier Pro of Samsung. This group contains Multi-Variable Feedback, which keeps sound away that is bothersome, and Intelligence Power, which injects additional grunt when the volume peaks to prevent cutting.
Another let down is the dearth of onscreen set up screens, which you will find on most budget competitors. Having said that, the clear, rational frontpanel screen allows you fix the sound settings and to put input signals, while the remote is a joy to work with.
Inexperienced users will value the Vehicle Audio Calibration mode, even though the continued bang of orchestral music utilized as a test tone will make you pray for death's sweet relief.
Testing time
Happily, time's sound performance is a whole lot more tolerable. The soundtrack offers plenty of sonic peaks and troughs' dynamic range to be tested by it, yet it does not come out smelling absolutely of roses.
The sound is incisive and sharp so it does not have any problem conveying the energy of the Fight for Pandora or landscapes including the Thanator pursuit.
There is a good amount of in between action pictures the Samsung ekes out Pandora's tapestry detail swimming across the soundstage and gradually rustling leaves.
There is additionally a pleasant clout as the conflict suits that are robotic thump back on the floor, while a stampede using a deep, rumble.
Up to now, so great, but we are not entirely enamoured with it as it frequently seems too brash. Clattering machine gun fire strays into teeth- grinding land, while creatures that are screeching and colliding alloy hardware can seem harsh.
Dialogue can be unsatisfactory. Intelligible yes, but again there is a little hardness to vocals where there ought to be body and smoothness. The HW-C500 feels like a compromise, although for GBP250, we should not expect wonders.
