Customer Reviews

Sherwood RD-7108 6.1 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver with Dolby Digital EX and DTS Decoders

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just bought this receiver because it was the cheapest receiver available with Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES 6.1 and I have to say it's Great! I had read a good review from a reputable home theatre magazine so it just pushed my decison further. Don't let the name brand fool you, I have owned sherwood receivers in the past, and these things won't die! They're still kicking and they sound great even today. Highly Reliable.

This receiver is 600 watts and it has A LOT of power, I was really surprised, each speaker can be adjusted to be very loud. On my past receivers, I had a problem with not enough voice/center. Not here my friend, I can have dialog blasting in my face now while the other speakers are doing their duty.

6.1 surround sound DTS ES is sweet! I'm not too impressed with Dolby Digital EX but it does still sound good. If you're gonna listen to regular 2 channel audio, switch the receiver to NEO 6:Cinema, It sounds awesome! I can't believe the separation it was able to get in all 6 speakers from just a normal audio cd.

The only bad thing I found on this receiver is that there is a 1 second delay from when it senses the optical input and when it starts to output the sound. For Example: you are playing a DVD and it's on the main menu. The menu is playing music waiting for your choice. you decide to go to scene select. you select your choice and your dvd player has to access a different chapter to display the screen and new music so the optical output stops for a second while it goes to a new chapter to play. During this second, the receiver senses that the signal has stopped and is now searching for another signal. When the DVD player finally resumes the output, the receiver senses it and starts it back up but it has now been 1 second. 1 second of music that you missed because the receiver had to sense and engage the right input.

I don't know, to me that's moderately annoying. I suspect it is because 1 video input on the receiver can be a total of 3 types, composite,coax,or optical. It searches for one. They would have did better with a dedicated port and input.

Overall though, you can't beat the price. DD-EX and DTS-ES, Lots of power, Great sound modes, High Reliablity.

Oh yeah, don't even think about using this as a Video receiver because I heard there are no menus for anything and there isn't a single S-video jack on it, only composite. Not sure about component but I doubt it. Dedicated sherwood remote is not universal for other components. It's really a bare-bones receiver but Man!, it sounds good!

I am by no strech of the imagination, an audiophile...but I feel that I really got my money's worth with this receiver! Probably more receiver than I will ever need, but I won't have to upgrade any time soon!

For the price ($120.00--shipping included), I've gotten a receiver as good as..if not better than..store bought for a lot less. More features, better price--great combination.

I was so impressed, as soon as a Sherwood receiver with speakers came up, I bought one...($200--shipping inc), now the 7108 is in the bedroom!

RD-7108 Good choice for an entry-level EX, Neo 6 setup, but priced at close to the $200 mark, still a good deal. One nice feature with this one is the ability to change the speaker configuration with the remote. (Center, Rears On/Off, Large/Small, etc.) Dolby 'Virtual' stinks on this model as well as most of the other DSP settings. The DTS ES, Neo:6 and the Dolby Pro-Logic II work very well however. Also Sound and Vision reviewed this receiver. See Sherwood's website at sherwoodamerica.com for a link to it.