I have read many posts on the web regarding the Spectrum RS232 speaker set and only one poster out of dozens actually wrote why they were negative on this set - the poster said there is no amplifier in the set!
THAT IS TRUE - it is a SPEAKER SET and does include not a stereo amplifier.
Basically this is a Chinese knock-off of the BOSE speaker system. The speakers work fine, clear and distortion free whether you use the included sub-woofer for your home theater or not.
To test I moved the speaker wire from my existing Home Theater system over to the Spectrum RS232 speakers and found they were very clear sounding with no distortion even at high volume. I cranked it up with music, then with TV and DVD - all passed without objection!
SUB-WOOFER: NOTE the SUB-WOOFER (SW) is not a powered unit!! It is a passive SW and does not require any electricity to work! Also note that you do not have to use the SW at all - the speakers work fine without it.
Further testing with the sub-woofer was positive. Note their wiring diagram shows just the front speakers routed through the sub-woofer while the rear and center speakers are wired directly from your Home Theater amplifier to the speaker - bypassing the SW.
Even at high volume all 6 speakers were clear and distortion free (2 front, 2 rear, 1 center, 1 sub-woofer).
You do not need the sub-woofer for the speakers to work.
Also, You can use your existing SW if you have one. I own a Teledyne powered sub-woofer and I am using that instead of the Spectrum SW and the speakers work fine.
Wiring help:
FRONT SPEAKERS ONLY: Assuming you use the included Sub-woofer -
Using good speaker wire - Connect YOUR previously installed (home theater capable) stereo amplifier speaker outputs to the INPUT on the Sub-woofer; then connect wires from the Sub-woofer OUTPUT to each of the FRONT speakers.
Center and rear speakers: Connect speaker wires directly from your (home theater capable) amplifier to the CENTER speaker. Do the same with the REAR speakers - connect directly to your amp.
SUMMARY: This set is not worth the over-inflated MSRP of $1,795 (or whatever shows on the box you see) that is on the sticker on the box. That part is 'scammy' for sure. This set should be about $150-300!
These 'out of van' sellers are hitting one state after another. NOTE if you walk away from the deal a couple of times you will likely find the price keeps dropping - my guess is if you are willing to blow the deal and keep walking away you can get the set for $100.00 (note I paid $200 and now that I installed and listened to the set I am fine with that).
I would say the set is worth no more than $200. to be a real deal.
One last thing - this kind of deal supports intellectual theft by the Chinese. I am sure Dr. Bose would be very unhappy to know his hard work and decades of superb advancements in sound is now being peddled from vans and trucks in Home Depot (and other) parking lots and street corners.
I regret supporting this whole 'black market' approach.
However, the speaker set is good enough to keep and use...IF you get it for under $200!! Good luck