Appearence

Even though the box it arrived in appeared rather banged up, the receiver itself was in mint condition. After removing it from the box, one word was immediately coming to mind - solid. All of its knobs and buttons appeared solidly intact, and none appeared cheaply attached. Weighing in at 23.1 pounds, it’s whole body felt as one piece, with no cheap protrusions. While a slight bit boxy, I was still especially fond of its sleek black look (this is the black model, not silver as shown in the picture). It’s display, while limited in size, very well serves it’s purpose clearly and understandably. It’s measurements are as follows: 16-15/16” wide, 6-7/32” tall, and 14-19/32” deep. Seemingly a little tall, the receiver still manages to fit in horizontally into a standard 17 inch opening. One part that I found a little tacky was the VCR2 inputs placed in the lower right hand corner of the face. Professionally, it doesn’t look very nice, but I later found it to be very convenient when needing to plug in a single device without yanking the whole receiver out to get behind it. Three large knobs appear more obvious then others, and those control (from left to right) the Sound Mode, the Volume, and the Input Selection.

Inputs/Outputs

As with most receivers, all of its inputs are located on the rear side (excluding the VCR2 inputs, which are located on the face). All of them fall in uniform aisles, and a very convenient small diagram drawn on the back helps to outline some of the wiring. As for digital inputs, it sports 3 opticals (CD, TV, DVD) and 1 coaxial. In return, it also has 1 optical output. 2 sets of component inputs are present, while 1 set of outputs is provided. There are a total of 3 S-video inputs, which also can be used with composite cables. Separately sitting on the face, you have the VCR2 input, which is strictly a composite input only. There is 1 S-video/composite video out. Aside from those, you also have an additional 3 stereo inputs (CD, Tape, and Phono). The tape inputs are grouped with a set of recording outputs. The phono has an available ground, if one would ever be needed. Finally, you also have classic AM/FM antenna hook-ups as well.

Speaker Outs

Since this receiver is DTS-ES compliant, it has a total of 9 speaker outs. First of all, you have the main, or front speakers. There are 2 separate sets of outs for main speakers, labeled clearly “A” and “B”. Your “A” speakers are wired and secured differently then the others, with “twist connectors”. These are made to accept exceptionally larger gauge wires, mostly because main speakers carry a very large amount of the sound that movies/music/games contain. You then have the main “B” outs, which are inline with the rest of the speaker outs. If the sets are separately used (which normally only “A” will be), both “A” and “B” outs are rated at 4-8 ohms. However, if both sets of mains are used simultaneously, they are rated at a solid 8 ohms. The remaining speaker outs are for front center channel, right surround, left surround, and the optional rear center surround. Each of these are rated at 6-8 ohms. You also have a subwoofer out, although it’s a passive signal line, meaning that you must supply the subwoofer with power (amplification) from elsewhere (better known as a “powered” or “active” subwoofer).

Remote Control

I personally found the remote control to be very suiting, and easy to operate. I’ve heard others gripe that it’s rather confusing, and hard to use. Granted that, yes, it has many more buttons then an average TV remote, but what would you expect? It’s got tons of options, most of which can be controlled with a push of the button. Even better yet, the remote can be used as a universal remote, and has codes so that you can program in a TV, VCR, Tape, CD and DVD player! So really, it can control just about any electronic with a remote port! Generally speaking, it doesn’t have quite as many buttons as more expensive receivers, but somehow manages to have about any useful options you could want at your fingertips. I suppose that would be one of the many minor trade-offs to keep the price low.

Settings

When you first get the receiver, a settings menu, along with the easily followed supplementary instructions, make is very easy to set up your system. Under this menu, you will find the following settings:

Size - allows you to choose between 2 different speaker sizes (small or large), or none at all for each speaker assignment. This helps the receiver to be aware of what frequencies will be safe to run through each speaker.

Distance – Allows you to individually set the distance of front, center, surround, and surround back speakers. This helps to create a perfect blend from each speaker, thus furthering the exciting realm of a surround sound experience.

Filter – Compliments the “size” feature by raising or lowering the cutoff point at which the frequency will be fed through each set of speakers. Run in three intervals of 50, ranging from 100, to 150, then 200.

Speaker Output Level - Allows for individual adjustment of each speaker based on the output of the front speaker. Also includes subwoofer output volume. This is measured by a reading of 㪢dB to 0, then from 0 to +10dB

Options

First and foremost, it's important that I bring one error to realization. This receiver is a 6.1 channel receiver, NOT a 5.1 as stated in the ad title. The SA-HE100 really does have more options then I’m probably going to be able to list, but I’ll try hitting some of the big ones. Some of the best are as follows:

Dolby Pro Logic II - Simply put, it’s a more advanced version of Dolby Pro Logic. For those who aren’t familiar with Pro Logic, in surround mode (optical signal), this takes a stereo signal and translates it into 5.1 or possibly 6.1 channels, with something like a TV show, or a video game.

Sound Selection - You can choose from either stereo sound (left and right main speakers), SFC sound (see below), or surround sound (utilizing the digital inputs, it can span anywhere between 1 to 7 channels of sound)

Enhanced Surround/DTS NEO:6 – Although these 2 options slightly differ from one another, they generally operate the same, and are used to create a realistic sound field utilizing the 6th channel speaker (the rear back surround speaker). It does so by taking the 2 rear surround channels and splicing them together, thus creating a 3rd surround channel, which is placed directly behind you.

SFC Modes - This option allows for all types of audio inputs to be heard through a number of different sound experiences under predetermined sound equalization changes (AKA equalizer). It includes Hall, Club, Live, and Theater. A “Simulated Surround” option attempts to distinctly devise a 2 channel stereo sound into a 5.1 setup. Finally, the “Party” setting simply creates a stereo sound using the rear and front speakers, regardless of which way you are facing.

Decoding

When it comes to decoding DVD’s, this receiver has certainly got its act together! For the price of this receiver alone, it’s already surpassed my standards, but takes it to the next level on this behalf. As with most receivers, it can decode any Dolby Digital signal, rather it be 2 channel stereo up to 5.1 surround. However, it also comes with the ability to decode the infamous DTS (Digital Theater Sound) signal. As if that’s not enough, Panasonic took it one more step up and even made it DTS-ES complaint, which is the same as DTS, except a 6th channel has been added (which is known as the rear center surround). This option only furthers to create a better sound field. However, among all the goods must be a bad. Some say they have seen this receiver advertised with Dolby Digital EX capabilities. This is not true. It is able to decode Dolby Digital and use enhanced surround to create a 6th channel, but as for the actual specifics of Dolby Digital EX, it’s not compliant to decoding it.

Power

This is one category which I can proudly admit that the Panasonic SE-HE100 seems to excel in! Bragging a whopping 100 watts per channel (RMS) at 6 ohms, this receiver has really got its work cut out for it. I can honestly sit here and say that yes, it’s able to back up all of its stats as well. It’s ranges of volume read from 0dB being the very loudest, and 79dB being the softest. One negative that does stick with the receiver, and probably the worst part about the whole receiver is how hot it does tend to run. After watching a whole DVD at about 25dB, you can very easily feel how warm the venting slots on top the unit are. Apparently Panasonic was expecting this, because there are 2 safety features built into the system. First you have a cooling fan, and second is an auto shut-off feature, either of which I’ve yet to seem come on over the course of the last year. However, do be warned that nothing should be placed onto of the receiver at any time, especially another unit such as a DVD player or a VCR. These warnings are also printed all over the instructions, so it’s not like it’d be new news.

Sound Quality

Undoubtedly, the SA-HE100 produces a great range of sound, and projects strongly. The sound appears to be clean and clear, although sound quality for a receiver can be very hard to judge, mostly because it’s VERY easily biased by the speaker’s quality. As long as speakers are hooked up properly and phase is correctly noted when doing so, you come out with a rather clean signal. However, the saying “You get what you pay for” will always remain somewhat true. While I consider this receiver to be valued 2 to 3 times it’s price, do you really believe you’ll have the same clarity and power which follows a $2500-3500 Denon or Onkyo? Of course not. To believe that would be ridiculously naive. However, for the price range (and even about twice it’s range), it’s astonishingly beautiful.

Overview

So when it comes down to it, you be the judge. Does the Panasonic SA-HE100 stand up to the competition? Considering it has very similar options which competitive models in 2-3 times the price range sport, I’d say it’s a clean sweep for the money. This receiver has already FAR exceeded what I was expecting out of a $300 receiver. If it were to break down, I wouldn’t think twice about snatching another one up, which is now even $50-60 less! It wasn’t really a surprise to hear from another epinion-er that this receiver actually DID place number 1 over 14 different receivers that were tested in 2003’s February issue of Consumer Reports! If you miss out on this deal, you may end up paying 2-3 times as much for the exact same deal!


Recommended:
Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 300