When I searched the forums, I found few useful reviews of EMP speakers except the AH RBH TK-5C review comparable to EMP EF30 bookshelfs used in the EMP HTP-351 5.1 (Bookshelf) Speaker System. I therefore decided to take the time to write a user's review of the EMP HTP-351 5.1 (Bookshelf) Speaker System and Onkyo 606 receiver for any others that are interested in EMP speakers.
Below is a link to my review of an EMP HTP-351 5.1 (Bookshelf) Speaker System (list $1319, sale $489 AH Store (list $1196 EMP website.)). (I am no expert, but the review answers some significant questions.) It also includes links to other EMP information, including the RBH TK-5C equivalent review and the discussion leading to a buy decision where Gene (AH President) offers some good new EMP insights and recommendations.
After hearing the EMP HTP-351 5.1 (Bookshelf) speaker system for myself, I think it is probably competitive at it's retail price and definitively is a great value on sale (60% off AH Store limited time). Where else can you get an enthusiast-quality 5.1 speaker system for $489, including a good subwoofer which is worth the package price alone?
Reviewed in conjunction with the Onkyo 606 receiver's Audyssey system, the subwoofer was smoothly integrated into overall speaker system so that the bookshelf speakers worked out fine in a large room without the need for towers. (The comparable 351T tower system now appears to be back up to full retail at $1870 on the Audioholics site, and $1682 on the EMP website, but there are other tower (and other) EMP systems still on sale at these sites.)
EMP HTP-351 5.1 (Bookshelf) Speaker System /Onkyo 606 Receiver Review by Exit (AVS Exit9)
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums...ad.php?t=51036
As of 1/4/08 at the posted time, the EMP HTP-351 5.1 (Bookshelf) Speaker System was still available on sale for $489 at the Audioholics's store link below:
http://store.audioholics.com/section...45ccee663a6447
EMP on-line store link:
http://emptek.com/EMPOn-linestore/ca...7addf9975377f7
I thought the subwoofer (using Audyssey) was worth the system price by itself, although the other speakers are equally good. In perspective, I have got a SVS PB12+2 subwoofer, so I have that basis for judging. (This system was for my brother). There are a lot of possibilities at this price and not much money to risk. You could probably use the system for awhile and if later upgrading, sell it to a friend or relative for what you paid or more and it would still be a good deal for both parties. Also there is a 14 day return policy.