Denon S-101 Home Theater System

Denon: Bose Killer?

Strengths: Compact size. Very good sound quality and construction.

Weakness: Proprietary cables. No HDMI or Dvi just component, composite or s.

Many have commented how well this unit compares to the Bose 3-2-1 and after using this system for a while, I have to say the quality is indeed very good. Is it worth the $1000 retail, no, but Bose is not worth $1000 either. The system is very solidly built and the sub is extremely heavy. The unit is very small and compact and has plenty of menu options to fine tune your listening needs. The 2.1...
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Many have commented how well this unit compares to the Bose 3-2-1 and after using this system for a while, I have to say the quality is indeed very good. Is it worth the $1000 retail, no, but Bose is not worth $1000 either. The system is very solidly built and the sub is extremely heavy. The unit is very small and compact and has plenty of menu options to fine tune your listening needs. The 2.1 system works well for a bedroom setup but anything more and you will not get enough sound to fill up the room.

By customervalued - Feb 10, 2008

Denon S-101

Strengths: Easy install with all the ports you need for your tv, xbox, cable box. Easy to use remote and great sound out of just two speakers.

Weakness: Nothing so far.... No HDMI port

This Home Theater in a Box is one of the best I have ever seen/ heard. This system gives the Bose 3-2-1 system a run for its money. I was not sure if I would like this system after using a Sony 5.1. Denon's virtual surround speakers and huge sub actually out performed my old system. The technology bounces off the walls giving you the 5.1 feel and it is super loud. The remote is easy to use and...
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This Home Theater in a Box is one of the best I have ever seen/ heard. This system gives the Bose 3-2-1 system a run for its money. I was not sure if I would like this system after using a Sony 5.1. Denon's virtual surround speakers and huge sub actually out performed my old system. The technology bounces off the walls giving you the 5.1 feel and it is super loud. The remote is easy to use and Denon has made the buttons used the most huge. The help function makes for easy set up and trouble shooting. This DVD player plays all copied formats (dvd+-r, dual layer +r).


This system is equipped with every port in the world except for the HDMI output. That is probably the only downfall with everything going HD in the next year or so. The HDMI is on the S-301 version but I did not want to shell out $500 extra dollars for that, couple more functions, and a little extra power (280 W compared to 200 W).


Like I noted above, I originally went to get the Bose 3-2-1 but it was out of stock at Best Buy. The salesman showed me the new Denon system and claimed it was very similar to the Bose. I looked it over and listened to both systems in their demo booth before going with this one. To make the deal Best Buy lowered the retail price $100 (900)and gave me the high end component/ audio monster cables as well ($180 value). I have not been disappointed.

By boogertrus - Oct 14, 2005

Denon S101

Strengths: Great price, Solid Performance, Easy Setup

Weakness: No HDMI

I examined the comparable Bose and Sony sytem and found that the Denon S101 was a far better value at $549.00. This system puts out a nice surround sound for being a 2.1 system with 50 watts per channel output on the speakers and 100 watt output on the subwoofer. It has composite and s video inputs as well as optical and coaxial audio input. After looking for about 6 months i have finally found a...
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I examined the comparable Bose and Sony sytem and found that the Denon S101 was a far better value at $549.00. This system puts out a nice surround sound for being a 2.1 system with 50 watts per channel output on the speakers and 100 watt output on the subwoofer. It has composite and s video inputs as well as optical and coaxial audio input. After looking for about 6 months i have finally found a solid performer with value to boot.

By drmek - May 31, 2006

Denon S 101

Strengths: Size, Power, Convenience, Price, I can go on...

Weakness: Strange Digial Audio Connection Protocol

I wanted surround sound without all the wiring hastles. I was looking a Sony system that uses wireless rear speakers. Then a friend in the Hi-Fi business told me about this Denon System. I went down to his shop and listend to it for about 5 minutes and I was hooked! The only glitch was when I went to make the connection between the cable box and the Denon unit only to find that I the digital...
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I wanted surround sound without all the wiring hastles.
I was looking a Sony system that uses wireless rear speakers. Then a friend in the Hi-Fi business told me about this Denon System. I went down to his shop and listend to it for about 5 minutes and I was hooked! The only glitch was when I went to make the connection between the cable box and the Denon unit only to find that I the digital optical (TosLink) cable would only work for AUX 3 which has no corresponding video input. So I had to switch that cable for a digital coaxial cable which covers the audio for AUX 1 & 2. Strange that you can't assign them. Other than that this is one amazing machine.

By pidrissi - Nov 1, 2005

All Around Good Home Theater System

Strengths: Easy to set-up, few wires.

Weakness: Not very loud, surround sound effect is only 270 degrees.

Bought this based on great reviews. It is not worth the retail price of $1000. But you can find it much cheaper if you look around. It's a good system, nice alternative for those that don't want many wires or speakers.

By mumpkin - Jan 24, 2007