Samsung debuted the HT-BD2T early this year with much fanfare; it was after all billed as “the world’s first Blu-ray home theater (in box) system.” That was then, but now that it’s no longer the lone Blu-ray HTiB, the HT-BD2’s features lineup still seems pretty impressive—there’s full HD 1080p capability, and not just for Blu-ray discs, but DVDs as well. And while most HTiB’s make-do with 5.1 channels, the HD-BD2 offers 7.1-channel sound! It’s a sleek, contemporary design and will look great partnered with your big screen set.
Consider this HTiB if: You want a 7.1-channel system, a system that includes a bonafide powered subwoofer, and a system that looks as pretty as a sleek plasma HDTV.
Look elsewhere if: You realize for this much money you could buy a Blu-ray player, A/V receiver and a decent sat/sub speaker package. Also look further if you want to switch video sources such as a cable box or game through the HTiB (the HT-BD2T doesn’t support these options).
What Comes in The Box?

• A 1,100 watt (total), 7.1-channel, FM-only A/V receiver with an integrated, slot loading Blu-ray player.
• 7.1-channel speaker system featuring four 51-inch tallboy speakers (for use as left/right main and side-surround speakers), a matching centerchannel speaker, two smaller rear surround speakers, and a 150-watt powered subwoofer.

Accessories include a remote control, color-coded composite video, speaker, subwoofer cables, and an FM antenna. You’ll need an HDMI cable since none is included.
Setup and User Interface
The four tallboy speakers consist of three parts: a circular, weighted base, a lower column, and the speaker itself. They plug into each other and we had them assembled in just a few minutes. Otherwise, the HT-BD2T’s hookup was easy as pie—the speaker wires all have locking connectors that plug into the receiver/Blu-ray player and bare wire ends that you insert into the speakers spring-clip connectors. Considering the HTBD2T’s top-tier status, you might expect auto speaker setup or calibration, but alas you’re on your own.
That said, the out-of-the-box sound was more than decent, but a fussy sound-quality-minded listener (like me) will want to run test tones through all the speakers in order to adjust volume levels for each channel. Unfortunately, the owner’s manual doesn’t make it easy to figure out how to turn on the test signals, so here’s a head’s up—test tones can be switched on by pressing the red {A} button on the remote. After running the tones we noted the center and surround channels were a little loud, so we nudged them down a few decibels. The subwoofer has its own volume control (a rarity for HTiB subs), so adjusting the bass volume is a snap.
Video Performance
The HT-BD2T delivers up to 1080p with 24 frames-per-second (fps) playback over its HDMI 1.3 output and upscales DVD discs to 1080p. Please note: the HT-BD2T is only Blu-ray Profile 1.0 compliant. Loading times were on the sluggish side.
Movie (or Soundtrack) Performance
The Doors Blu-ray sounded mighty good in DTS-HD Master Audio (but no better than standard Dolby Digital). Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison sang the tunes as if his life depended on it, and when he whipped the mic over his head in the middle of “Five To One,” the whooshing noise sounded like a helicopter about to take off. Sure, the surround mix was a little overdone at times, but it fully exercised all seven channels. The whole band sounded great, and when the camera zoomed in on the drums, I literally felt the beat.
A quick spin of the Iron Man Blu-ray confirmed the HT-BD2T’s home theater skills, which sounded big and surprisingly dynamic. Still, there was a bit of a gap in the bass between the subwoofer and speakers, and the sub’s bass was a smidge boomy for my tastes.
Music Performance
J.D. Souther is back from a long hiatus: in the seventies he cowrote some of the Eagles biggest hits including “Best of My Love,” “Victim of Love,” “Heartache Tonight,” and “New Kid in Town.” Souther’s stellar new CD If The World Was You [Mri Associated] picks up where he left off, but with a jazzier, looser feel. The HT-BD2T pulled off a feat few HTiBs can; namely, it sounded sweet in stereo. The skinny towers developed a large soundstage, with some degree of depth and openness. Even the horns came through unscathed, without the ragged edge that we too often experience with HTiB speakers.

Conclusion

We think the HT-BD2T’s sleek design looks slick, especially the curvy receiver/Blu-ray player. The system’s gloss black finish completes the impression of upscale componentry. Overall sound quality and dynamic punch are better than average. Then again, judged from a price/performance standpoint you can do better. Consider, for example, Samsung’s very similar but less expensive ($799) HT-BD2ET Blu-ray Home Theater System as an alternative. It foregoes the towers and is a 5.1-channel system, but still provides support for the latest HD soundtrack formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.