it have be a long and arduous journey for I to find a home theater system that meet two simple expectation . when I finally find this system it not only meet those simple expectation , it blow they away . this be the third system that I have purchase , the other -lrb- a Sony and a Kenwood -rrb- be not pass muster . my first expectation be that the sound system should work , and the Kenwood fail here when its Subwoofer stop work in a literal cloud of smoke . my second expectation be that it should sound good , and this be where the Sony fail . this onkyo system sound so much better than those other model in the $ 300 to $ 350 price range that I would gladly pay twice that after have to set-up and return two system . the package be deliver by freight -lrb- for Free by Crutchfield , whom I also recommend -rrb- and it be a large , heavy box . the receiver have some real heft to it , and appear to be very well make . the speaker be much larger than the standard fare with home theater system right now , and you will be glad they be once you hear they . there be six speaker in total , include three surround . the subwoofer have a powerful ten inch driver that will really add reinforcement to action movie and good soundtrack . there be 1000 watt in total go to all seven speaker . this be a setup that be better suit for a larger room , mine be about 15 ' by 30 ' . it would probably overpower a room that be not big enough . the system itself be a little complicated to figure out but have many feature . there be a build in crossover for the subwoofer that can be set from 80-150hz , and the volume can be adjust for each speaker . Make sure you have a optical cable from to connect the dvd player to it to fully take advantage of 6.1 surround . one of the most important aspect of a system be have a well design remote control . the remote control for this unit be a little large , but the button be spread out and illuminate for ease of use , although I have not yet figure out what they all do . this system also have the ability to play a stereo signal through all of its speaker , something the Sony and Kenwood system could not do . the Onkyo will also take a 5.1 signal and convert it to a 6.1 signal by blend the left\/right rear signal together into a rear center signal . there be also a `` late night '' feature that will make quiet noise louder and the loud noise softer so that you can listen to a movie quietly and still hear everything , among other feature that I have not yet get around to discover . be warn , this system be not the easiest to set up or to operate , but the result can not be deny . it work . it sound good . buy it .