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We gave the HT304SU a run-out with Serenity on DVD and although it's not as impressive as the HT32S and HB354BS, it still delivers passable sound quality for the money. Getting an acceptable sound balance takes a bit of careful tweaking in the setup menu and selection of the right EQ mode, but when you've found it the system delivers a satisfying, if not particularly polished performance.

Skipping straight to the massive space skirmish between the Alliance and the Reavers (Chapter 15), the LG disperses the crashes, gunfire and roaring engines with plenty of force and crispness, although high-frequency sounds do have an unmistakably harsh character. The results are a lot more enjoyable than the Samsung HT-X720G but still not a patch on a good quality separates system.

The soundstage also feels expansive, although you do need to crank up the levels of the surround channels for them to make an impact. As noted on previous LG systems, the VSM mode makes the soundstage feel more complete and enveloping, without giving you the sense that extra channels have been added - switch to Normal or Natural and the sound is much flatter and more confined.

Also pleasing is the system's distinct dialogue reproduction and power at lower volumes. On the downside, bass from the sub is slow and flabby where it should be nimble and punchy, but there's enough rumble to heighten the impact of explosions.

On a 1080p-capable TV the HT304SU produces the sort of crisp, lively picture quality you'd expect from a budget upscaler, which is good enough for everyday viewing but won't withstand scrutiny on a demanding display. There's some noise in the picture and the occasional glimpse of a jagged edge, plus blacks don't scale the depths plumbed by good standalone decks, but none of this interferes greatly with your enjoyment and at this price it would be churlish to complain.

Verdict

If you're spending this sort of money on a home cinema system, then you're inevitably going to have to compromise on performance. And although that's true of the HT304SU, whose sound quality is unmistakably tarred with the budget brush, it's far from a disaster, plus its decent feature list and smart looks make those sacrifices much easier to accept. As budget systems go, you could do a lot worse.

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