Panasonic Compact TV Sound Board SC-HTE80 (Black) Bluetooth, Slim Low Profile

Wanted to augment the sound of our Panasonic plasma television, but didn't want a "full" sound bar with subwoofer due to space limitations. The SC-HTE80 seems to fill the bill perfectly. We didn't set our TV on the sound board, but located it on a shelf below the TV. Hook up was a snap with HDMI cables. The sound is much better now, with deeper bass and clearer dialog. Understand that a full sound bar would offer better theatrical sound, but for the price the SC-HTE80 is a solid improvement.

This unit has limitations. Unlike your 2.1 or 5.1 surround sound units it does not have the range of these other units. So if you are looking for large room filling sound, look elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you are looking to improve on the TV speakers in a smaller room then this is the unit for you. I have a Panasonic TV and using this unit connected to the TV via a fiber optic cable (not included) results in good quality synchronized sound. Put out the extra money for the fiber optic cable.When I first set-up the unit I used RCA cables which I connected directly to my cable box as no output connections of this type were available on my TV. This created two problems; 1) the sound was not perfectly synced to the picture on the TV, and 2) even more annoyingly, when the unit was powered on it would default to the DVD source. Because I was using my Comcast remote, I needed to hunt down the remote that came with the unit and change the input or hit the input button on the side of the unit. As soon as the fiber optic cable was connected from the TV, the unit powers on with the TV as the input source. Problem solved!With proper expectations, a reasonably small room and a fiber optic connection I believe that you will find this a compact and acceptable improvement over the sound coming from the built-in speakers. If those are your needs, buy it.

Unfortunately I have to give it one star........when I got it and hooked it up I was thrilled with it's sound quality and performance then it died. It worked for 3 weeks then it totally fragged out. I went through all the diagnostics and suggestions to no avail. It's on it's way to Panasonic for repair or replacement. Like I said, when it worked it worked very well, great sound with a small footprint. I have always been a big fan of Panasonic products and own LOT's of their stuff, perhaps I just got a "lemon" from the factory. We shall see...............

Compact unit with good features including Bluetooth and Panasonic to Panasonic connectivity however it simply cannot handle any base. The distortion is very irritating and cannot be fixed with any adjustment. Also it is almost impossible to have both the TV speakers and the base unit running simultaneously. Returned the unit and got a Zvox 570.

I returned it after a few days, the sound wasn't much better than that of my TV (but it is alot louder) and on Optical mode there is a hefty delay for some reason (not sure if its my TV) that makes it unwatchable.Panasonic usually makes great products so this one was a disappointment for me.

Wow ! This is one Awsome little black box. I have a Panasonic Vierra TV and had purchased a nice Samsung sound bar for use to give a fuller volume . The words would not be in sync with there lips on the screen . I took it back to a local retailer and looked on Amazon . I saw the reviews on this Panasonic unit and decided to try it out. I am 100% satisfied with this small unit . Ok , it does not have the booming bass that some others complained about , but really what do you expect . If you want that than you should look into another system . My opinion is that this has added so much fullness and depth to my TV that I would recommend it to any Panasonic TV owners . Like others have said , every once and a while I will turn it off and see what a huge difference there is with this great little system.

Update to Previous Review.The next day after I posted this less-than-flattering review of this product and Panasonic, I received a call from a supervisor from the Panasonic Warranty group in McAllen, TX. I don't recall the exact conversation but she said her group would take another look at the unit. She even provided me with a pre-paid Fedex mailer. I received a call from a technician working on the unit a few days after they had time to receive the unit and he said they couldn't find anything wrong with it but would keep checking. I received another call a few days later and they said the unit had intermittent issues and would ship me a NEW unit! I received the unit a few days later and it is working as expected [so far]. Once again I am a fan of Panasonic and I appreciate their response to this issue.I have always been a big fan of Panasonic but I suggest you look for another home theatre system than this one. I also suggest you never do business with FOCUS CAMERA. The remote control stopped working 3 or 4 months after I purchased it. Amazon would not do anything about returning it to them and neither would FOCUS CAMERA, since it has been over 30 days since the purchase. I have sent the remote control to Panasonic and they sent it back saying they needed the home theatre unit and the remote. I sent them those two units and they were sent back to me still not working. I have called Panasonic technical support and Panasonic Warranty Service in McAllen, TX but no one wants to resolve the problem. Now Warranty Service wants me to send the unit to them the second time. Why would I believe the second time is going to be any different from the time before. I will never buy another Panasonic and I will surely never do business with FOCUS CAMERA.

Panasonic is not the company it once was. They have a significant quality problem with their televisions and audio products. Their customer service borders on being nonexistent and they don't seem to care. Keep in mind you will be responsible for shipping when this product eventually fails and it will probably happen sooner as opposed to later. After being a diehard Panasonic supporter I will never buy another Panasonic product.