Summary

Gateway's combination of a proven speaker set that we've already rated as an editor's choice, a quality digital receiver and a choice of DVD player makes the KAS-303 an excellent option for a home-theater setup. The small speakers are easy to place (providing you have a location for center rear) and the small receiver should fit just about anywhere, making this ideal for apartments, dorm rooms, and home-theaters.

 

By pairing HSU-Research's Ventriloquist technology with Sherwood's TruDigital, Gateway has come up with a solid performer at a very reasonable price. Music lovers and movie buffs alike will appreciate the ease of use, versatility and quality sound.

 

With connections for any analog or digital source, the KAS-303 makes an excellent addition to a home-theater or a great centerpiece for a new setup.

Full Review

Introduction

 

While Gateway has been known to put out some solid performing desktop and laptop computers, they have also made a reputation in the consumer electronics marketplace in the last few years. Building upon the success of their plasma TVs, digital cameras and digital audio players, Gateway now also offers home theater equipment.

 

The centerpiece of Gateway's home theater offerings is the KAS-303 system, featuring a 600-watt, 6.1 channel digital receiver, a set of 6.1 channel speakers and one of three DVD options. The speakers are designed by HSU Research, and include five satellites, one center channel speaker and a 150-watt 10-inch subwoofer.

 

Gateway packages the KAS-303 with either a progressive scan DVD player, Gateway's Connected DVD Player, or their AR-320 DVD Recorder, with packages priced at $799.99, $999.99, and $1099.99 respectively.

 

The KAS 303 shown here with the included Gateway Connected DVD Player.

Features and Design

Our test setup was the middle option with the Connected DVD Player. We chose to review the Connected DVD Player separately from the home theater and that review can be found here.

Keeping with the same industrial design, Gateway chose the same color scheme that we called 80's-ish in the DVD review. Of course the components match with each other, but the goldish-brown metal and black plexi-glass front. Again we'll say that it's not terrible and we applaud Gateway for shying away from the standard black or silver, but the color may be a turnoff to some potential buyers.

The receiver, designated model number LN-520, is a low-profile design with minimal controls on the front and myriad connections on the back. Gateway doesn't manufacture its own components — as we mentioned in the Connected DVD Player review, that product is a re-branded Go-Video product — and the LN-520 is a re-branded Sherwood R-903. The LN-520/R-903 features a technology that Sherwood calls “TruDigital.” According to Sherwood, TruDigital maintains a digital signal path from the amplifier input to the output stage, eliminating one step in the normal amplifier chain and making the sound cleaner with better bass and imaging. “Ordinary” amplifiers dissipate over half of their input power into heat, but the TruDigital design allows for a smaller chassis size and an over 90-percent efficient amplifier.

The LN-520 receiver features "TruDigital" technology for a cleaner sound.

The LN-520 includes virtually all surround sound formats, including DTS-ES and Matrix, Dolby Digital Surround EX, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic II (for movies and music), and Dolby Virtual Surround. The TruDigital amplifier can send up to 100 watts to each of the six channels. Other features include:

• 19 DSP modes 
• 2 Optical digital inputs - 1 Coaxial 
• Frequency response: 20Hz to 22kHz 
• S/N Ratio: > 95dB 
• Crystal CS-49326 24-bit digital processor 
• Subwoofer preamp output 
• Pink noise generator for surround sound balancing 
• Advanced AM/FM Tuner w/ 30 station presets 
• Headphone jack 
• 24K Gold plated Input / Output jacks

For more details, click here to visit the specifications page.

Features and Design (continued)

 

Taking advantage of the 600 watts of digital power is the 6.1 channel speaker system designed by HSU Research. Based on the company's innovative Ventriloquist VT-12 setup, it includes a patent-pending Ventriloquist center channel, five micro satellites, and a 10-inch 150 watt powered subwoofer. HSU Research's Ventriloquist technology aims to address an issue inherent with micro speakers that leave a hole in the 80-250 Hz range which makes male vocals, guitars and pianos sound distant and thin. HSU Research's center channel features two 4-inch by 6-inch woofers that handle the deeper notes for the satellites, resulting in small speakers that don't sound so small. The two front speakers are actually wired through the center channel speaker, allowing it to handle that 80-250 Hz gap for them.

 

The Ventriloquist center speaker handles the lows for the front speakers.

 

In addition to the sound quality offered by the Ventriloquist center speaker, the setup includes a rear center channel that allows six-channel sound from five-channel sources by matrixing the back rear channels.

 

The five satellites feature 2 1/2-inch drivers and compliment the center channel well.

 

Bass is delivered by the 150 watt SW-303 10-inch down-firing long-throw subwoofer. It features an auto-on switch, a user variable 40-180 Hz active low-pass 24 dB/Oct crossover, phase switch, gold plated binding posts and RCA jack, spiked feet, and a three-inch diameter flared port.

 

Each of the speakers is constructed of black laminate MDF and feature rounded corners, gold plated binding posts and removable grilles.

 

Also included with the KAS-303 is a macro programmable universal remote (batteries included), user's guides and quick setup poster, and all of the required cables and wires (minus an S-video cable for on-screen setup).

Installation and Setup

 

Installing the KAS-303 is fairly straightforward but will take some time. First timers need to make sure they read the quick setup poster and the separate receiver and subwoofer manuals before starting the project. But even home-theater “experts” should familiarize themselves with the documentation beforehand. While it is not a terribly difficult task, there are a lot of connections and a lot of cables. Proper planning will reduce the possibility of having to do troubleshooting afterwards. Since the Ventriloquist center speaker requires that the front channel speakers be wired through it, there are two extra speaker wires in play here.

 

We noted in our review of HSU Research's Ventriloquist VT-12 speakers that the company does a great job of helping customers with speaker placement. Location is a very important part of the overall sound quality of a home theater system — especially with micro speakers - and the experts at HSU Research can really fine-tune a system. Unfortunately that is not offered through Gateway, but the included manual and on-screen setup does a good job of walking the user through placement, as well as other options.

 

Gateway's on-screen display allows the user to send test tones to each channel to make sure they are wired up properly. It also allows for level adjustments to each speaker, input selections, surround mode selections and specifying the distance each speaker is from the main listening position. All of these functions can also be adjusted with the remote control by itself and don't require the OSD. The manual does a good job of explaining both setup options.

 

The on-screen display allows for a quick setup.

 

The remote control allows up to 10 macro functions, which allow you to program a series of button operations that can be executed with the push of one button. For instance, a macro can be recorded to turn on the power of the receiver, select an input source, turn the input source on (such as a DVD player), and start playing a disc. Macros are easy to setup with the KAS-303 and work well.

Testing and Usage

 

We put the KAS-303 through plenty of use, giving the speakers time to burn-in and giving us time to ensure the proper placement of the satellites. Since we went into depth about the Ventriloquist speakers in our HSU-Research review, we'll refer you to that review for more information on the speakers. As we found with our VT-12 review, the center channel speaker was very clean and did a good job of making the dialogue stand out amidst an array of background noises.

 

Movies encoded in Dolby EX, such as Finding Nemo sounded excellent on the KAS-303 as the rear center channel did its job with EX. Dolby Digital 5.1 channel titles, such as the Band of Brothers box set, immersed us in the scenes and we were able to pick out the sounds of voices, equipment and weapons from all directions. The 10-inch subwoofer had no problem handling the bass in any of the titles we tried and the Ventriloquist center speaker handled that important 80-250 Hz gap, allowing the micro speakers to concentrate on the highs.

 

Music also sounded clean, even at very high levels, including digital music streamed from our network to the Gateway Connected DVD Player.

 

There were a few items that we took issue with, however. One in particular is the radio tuner presets. The LN-520 allows for 30 preset radio stations, which is more than anyone should need. More than you need is always nice, except for in this case where it means that you have to fill up each of the 30 slots with a channel. There is no deleting of channels so unless you have 30 favorite radio stations you'll want to program the presets over and over again. For instance, if you only have six favorites, you'll have to scan through the remaining 24 channels to get back to preset one when you are navigating your presets. This can be fixed by inputting repeat entries for each channel, but unless the number of your favorites is divisible by 30, you'll skip a channel or two at the end. You also can't just type in the preset number you want so you'll have to advance through your channels in order.

 

Besides that and the choice of color, the only other issue of note was the heat generated by the receiver. With the center channel speaker stacked on top of the receiver it covered the top vents and really made the unit hot — so hot that you could only touch it for a few seconds. Since our test setup didn't have an audio rack, stacking was our only option so we had to move the center channel speaker between the DVD player and the receiver. This helped a bit but the unit still generated a lot of heat. While we experienced no heat-related issues, buyers may want to consider this fact when deciding on placement.

 

Conclusion

 

Gateway's combination of a proven speaker set that we've already rated as an editor's choice, a quality digital receiver and a choice of DVD player makes the KAS-303 an excellent option for a home-theater setup. The small speakers are easy to place (providing you have a location for center rear) and the small receiver should fit just about anywhere, making this ideal for apartments, dorm rooms, and home-theaters.

 

By pairing HSU-Research's Ventriloquist technology with Sherwood's TruDigital, Gateway has come up with a solid performer at a very reasonable price. Music lovers and movie buffs alike will appreciate the ease of use, versatility and quality sound.

 

With connections for any analog or digital source, the KAS-303 makes an excellent addition to a home-theater or a great centerpiece for a new setup.

Specs

LN-520 Receiver:

Amplifier
Power output, stereo mode	6 ohms, THD 0.3%, 40 Hz~20 kHz | 2×100 W
Total harmonic distortion	6 ohms, 50 W, 1 kHz | 0.09%
Intermodulation distortion	60 Hz : 7 kHz= 4 : 1 SMPTE, 6 ohms, 100 W | 0.1%
Input sensitivity, 47 k-ohms	Line (AUX) | 200 mV
Signal to noise ratio, IHF "A" weighted	Line (TAPE) | 95 dB
Frequency response	Line (AUX, TAPE), 20 Hz~44 kHz | ±3 dB
Output level	TAPE OUT, 2.2 k-ohms | 180 mV
Bass/Treble control	100 Hz/10 kHz | ±10 dB
Surround mode, only channel driven	Front power output, 6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 0.3% | 100 W+100 W Center power output, 6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 0.3% | 100 W Surround power output, 6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 0.3% | 100 W+100 W Surround back power output, 6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 0.3% | 100 W
Digital Audio
Sampling frequency	32, 44.1, 48, 96 kHz
Digital input level	Coaxial, 75 ohms | 0.5 Vp-p Optical, 660 nm | -15 ~ -21 dBm
Video
Video format	NTSC
Input sensitivity (=Output level), 75 ohms	Video (Composite(normal)) | 1 Vp-p S-Video (luminance signal) | 1 Vp-p (chrominance signal) | 0.286 Vp-p
FM Tuner
Tuning frequency range	87.5~108 MHz
Usable sensitivity, THD 3%, S/N 30 dB	17.2 dBf
50 dB quieting sensitivity, mono/stereo	20.8/41.2 dBf
Signal to noise ratio, 1 mV, mono/stereo	72/65 dB
Total harmonic distortion, 1 kHz, mono/stereo	0.2/0.4%
Frequency response, 20 Hz~15 kHz	±1 dB
Stereo separation, 65 dBf, 1 kHz	45 dB
Capture ratio	4 dB
IF rejection ratio	120 dB
AM Tuner
Tuning frequency range	520~1710 kHz
Usable sensitivity	500 µV/m
Signal to noise ratio	40 dB
Selectivity	25 dB
General
Power supply	120 V~60 Hz
Power consumption	110 W
Dimensions (W x H x D)	17-1/8 × 2-7/8 × 10 inches (435 × 73.5 × 254 mm)
Weight (Net)	4.2 kg (9.3 lbs)

Speakers:

Satellites

Video-shielded, 2 1/2-inch (6.4 cm) full range driven

Enclosure: Black vinyl laminated MDF

Dimensions: 5 3/4 inches (14.6 cm) H × 3 7/8 inches (9.8 cm) W × 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm) D

Center-Channel

Video-shielded, two 4-inch (10.2 cm) × 6-inch (15.2 cm) woofers, one 2 1/2-inch (6.4 cm) mid-high driver

Enclosure: Black vinyl laminated MDF

Dimensions: 5 1/4 inches (13.3 cm) H x 16 1/2 inches (41.9 cm) W x 8 3/4 inches (22.2 cm) D

Subwoofer

Amplifier Power: 150 watts RMS (325 max.)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Greater than 80 dB, Damping factor > 500

Crossover: 40-180 Hz. (user variable), active low-pass, 24 dB/octave

Subsonic Filter: 18 dB/octave below 20 Hz

Driver Complement: One 10-inch (25.4 cm) long-throw woofer

Frequency Response: 23-180 Hz ± 3dB

Output: 112 dB average from 27 Hz-100 Hz

Dimensions: 18.5 inches (47 cm) H × 17 inches (43.2 cm) W × 14 inches (35.6 cm) D

Shipping Weight: 41 lbs. (18.6 kg)

Finish: Black laminate

System Specifications (including subwoofers)

System Frequency Response (KAS-303 System): 23 Hz-18.5kHz ± 3dB

Characteristic Sensitivity: 90 dB @ 1 watt, 1 meter

Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms

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