The home-theater-in-a-box concept just got an extreme makeover. The philosophy behind the all-in-one system was always a valid one: Create for consumers a single package that includes the necessary audio and video components for a complete home theater experience, designed and programmed to intuitively work together so that it’s as easy to set up and use as possible.
The problem is, in implementation, this genre quickly devolved into a super-low-end A/V solution that often provided less-than-stellar performance. With the new Ensemble HD system, Epson and partner Atlantic Technology reintroduce the all-in-one concept to serious home theater fans who value high performance, integrated design, and intuitive use.
This complete solution includes an Epson LCD projector; a 5.1-channel Atlantic Tech speaker system; an AV Controller with a built-in DVD player; a 100-inch-diagonal, motorized screen with a 1.0 gain; and a universal remote control. The catch is, these aren’t simply individual components being marketed together; rather, the various pieces are designed to integrate seamlessly with one another.
For instance, take a close look at the chassis that holds the motorized screen, and you’ll see that it contains the front, center, and right speakers. The surround speakers, meanwhile, are integrated into the projector cabinet that mounts to your ceiling.
The AV Controller includes a 1080p upconverting DVD player, an AM/FM tuner, and a receiver with Dolby Digital 5.1, DPLIIx, and DTS decoding. The input panel is solid but not as extensive as you’ll find on a standalone receiver: Highlights include two HDMI and one component video input to attach additional HD sources, like a Blu-ray player or cable/satellite set-top box; two digital audio inputs; an auxiliary input to connect an iPod or other audio device; and a USB port for photo playback.
If you choose to add a Blu-ray player, take note that the Controller doesn’t contain its own high-resolution audio decoders; and, while the HDMI inputs will accept multichannel PCM audio from an external player, the Controller outputs that signal in DPLII mode.
The subwoofer is the power hub of the system. It’s 350 watts of amplification power from its own 10-inch woofer and the five speakers, and it also provides power for the projector and motorized screen.
Proprietary, color-coded cables run from the subwoofer to the screen chassis and then on to the projector. You can run these cables through your walls, or – for an even simpler install – the system includes discreet cable-management tracks that affix to the walls.
A proprietary cable also links the AV Controller and subwoofer, and the inclusion of an additional subwoofer output means you can add a second subwoofer for smoother bass response, if desired. Epson even throws in a basic system cabinet to hold these two components.
Last but not least is the remote control, which comes preprogrammed to handle basic functions of each Ensemble HD element. This Epson-branded remote is actually URC’s MX-350, a fully backlit model that offers advanced customization options to fine-tune it to suit your system and needs.
The remote communicates with the AV Controller via IR (or you can add an optional RF base station); however, the screen contains an IR repeater, so you can point the remote directly at the screen to initiate commands for both the AV Controller and projector.
Honestly, the Ensemble HD system is so thoughtfully executed that you could set it up on your own. However, as further indication of its higher-end appeal, the system is sold only through custom installers, who should be able to install and configure it in about four hours.
Epson arranged for me to visit a local dealer who had recently installed an Ensemble HD system in a demo room. The Sound Shop of Colorado Springs, CO, was kind enough to let me commandeer its Ensemble HD Theater for a few hours of A/V testing, and I was impressed with the results.
The heart of the system is Epson’s PowerLite Home Cinema LCD projector. You can choose between the 720p and 1080p model, which determines if the overall Ensemble HD system price is $4,999 or $6,999, respectively. My review system featured the 1080p model, which set a new performance benchmark for entry-level 1080p projectors back in early 2007 (Epson plans to upgrade to one of its newer models in early 2009).
This projector offers very good black levels and uses an effective auto iris to produce a good overall contrast ratio. Colors are rich but natural, and digital noise is at a minimum. HD signals have good detail, although they aren’t quite as razor-sharp as you’ll get from some higher-end projectors. Also, when mated with a big 100-inch screen, the Home Cinema 1080’s light output is a bit low in the ideal theater mode, so a light-controlled room is important; however, the projector does include dynamic and living-room modes that improve brightness and image saturation in a room with some ambient light.
The AV Controller handles the upconversion of all sources to either 720p or 1080p (it does not allow direct pass-through of 1080p/24 from a Blu-ray player). Thanks to the Pixelworks video processor, this upconversion is handled very well, creating a nicely detailed image with few jaggies or other digital artifacts, with both film- and video-based sources.
The setup menu includes a noise reduction circuit, which isn’t really necessary given the player and projector’s clean image, and it actually introduces obvious image smearing when enabled. The player supports WMA/MP3/JPEG playback, responds quickly to remote commands, and offers generally reliable performance. At one point, near the end of the testing period, my review sample’s disc drive started giving me disc-error messages with every disc I fed it, but a hard reboot fixed the problem. Keep in mind that this is a demo unit that probably runs all day, every day.
Next I moved to the audio demos. Some sonic compromises are inevitable with low-profile speakers, but Atlantic Technology has a track record of bringing out the best in smaller HT systems. The Ensemble HD speaker system has good dynamic ability and a generally balanced sound that doesn’t veer too bright or too mellow. With two-channel music, high-frequency effects have nice immediacy without being harsh or biting, the midrange is solid (although certainly not as full as you’ll get from big standalone speaker cabinets), and bass notes are clean and controlled.
The system includes a boundary compensation control that adjusts the speakers’ bass output depending on where you’ve mounted the screen/speaker chassis. The one drawback to the L/C/R speakers’ placement above the screen is that the soundstage is a bit high for music; instruments and vocals don’t seem to be right in front of you.
With movie demos, the subwoofer continued to offer good control and presence with all but the deepest low-end rumbles and explosions. Dialogue sounds generally natural, although deeper male vocals have a hint of boxiness that’s common in thinner, smaller cabinets. The system includes a special Voices control that emphasizes vocal clarity; the control effectively improves dialogue intelligibility, but it seems to push down midrange response to achieve its results, so you’ll want to experiment to find the best balance.
Given the surround speakers’ high placement within the projector chassis, surround effects fall over and around you, as opposed to having a distinct location to the sides or rear, which still produces a nice sense of envelopment and is more like the effect you get from THX-recommended dipole surrounds.
The Ensemble HD system is really an impressive achievement. Each individual piece fits intuitively together to form a high-quality whole, and the end user will definitely appreciate how easy it is to use and how effectively it disappears into the room.
This system performs the kind of aesthetic vanishing act that usually requires a lot more installation and a much pricier bottom line. All in all, the Ensemble HD experiment successfully demonstrates what A/V manufacturers can accomplish when they put their heads together and try to think outside the box…so to speak.
* Thanks again to The Sound Shop in Colorado Springs, CO (www.the-sound-shop.com), for giving us access to their Ensemble HD demo system.
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