Panasonic SA-XR50

Over-priced, out-gunned features-wise and out of its league

For a surround sound receiver to succeed in this very competitive price range, it had better be darn special. Sadly, this one isn't that kind of receiver. Don't get us wrong; there's nothing particularly shocking about it - well, apart from tinny casework and a sonic presence that gives up the ghost at high volumes with action films - it's just that there are so many better amps available for the same or less money. When you consider that you can pick up Denon's slightly bigger but far better AVR-1705 for considerably less cash, it really puts into perspective how far behind the game Panasonic is here.

Posted by T3 Online on 2007-10-31