Home Theater in a Box

Niro 1.1 Pro HTIB

Build Quality: 85
The subwoofer cabinet sounds hollow when you knock on it
The non-learning remote has too many tiny buttons

Value: 87
There are good 5.1 HTIBs that cost less, but this is ideal for someone who can't accommodate 5.1 speakers
There's also a $599 Niro 1.1 Std model

Features: 85
The sub comes with brass feet and brass discs to protect your floor
No video, digital audio, or 5.1 analog audio inputs

Performance: 87
Impressive dynamics from a single speaker enclosure and subwoofer
The soundstage may not be fully enveloping, but it's close

Ergonomics: 86
It takes only a few minutes to set up, and there are few controls that require tinkering
You don't have to run wires around your room

Overall Rating: 86
The Niro 1.1 Pro is perfect for the movie lover who can't—or doesn't want to—fit a 5.1 system into his or her room. It does a convincing job of re-creating 5.1 channels out of a single speaker cabinet and subwoofer, and it's easy to set up.