Customer Reviews

Sony DAV-FX900W 5-Disc DVD Dream System (5.1 Channel)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had just purchased the Samsung HL-S4666W 46" DLP HDTV and I felt I needed a surround sound system to go with it. However, I didn' have thousands to spend, and I needed to get a progressive scan DVD player too. This system answered all my problems at once.

The set-up took about 1-2 hours (mostly just putting the speaker stands together, which are made of metal not cheap plastic). It was probably just as long to actually figure out how everything works. The manual has everything in it; however, it isn't in any logical order.

PROS:
-over 1000W of power
-"wireless" rear speakers w/separate amp (If you step in the way the connection is broken, but it goes back on within a second of walking out of the way)
-HDMI output & optical audio input (plus component, RCA, etc, etc)
-Auto-Calibration mic (I thought it worked pretty accurately, it tells you the distances that it thinks the speakers are from the mic, and they were dead-on in my case)

CONS:
-DVD turntable EXTREMELY slow (I was aware of this before I bought it, and I think most people can deal with it)
-DVD insertion is sort of sketchy (It doesn't tell you when to push the DVD into the slot, you just have to hold it there and hope it sucks it in. I find the easiest way is to "eject" the empty slot and then push the disc in right after the word "eject" comes off the lcd, I've looked all over the manual and haven't found a clear explanation of what I'm doing wrong)
-DVD FF/RW only has 2 speeds (really stupid)

Overall I love this system. I hooked up my PS2 with RCA audio to the receiver and started playing "Guitar Hero", and the sound was great. I've also thoroughly enjoyed watching concerts I have on DVD (Audioslave, Offspring, The Police, Depeche Mode, etc.). They all sound excellent. I have a DirecTV receiver, with the optical connection. It's great watching sporting events and such with this system.

I'm not a professional speaker guy by any means, but for what I use this system for, it sounds great. The DVD player is excellent barring its minor setbacks. On my TV the movies look great through the HDMI cable.

All in all, great starter system with everything included.

EDIT: Now that I've had this thing for a few months, I have a bit more to add. I think there should have been more inputs included with this item. I have a DirecTV box, a PS2, and a record player, and I can't hook up all 3 at the same time. There are a plethora of input types on the back, which is really nice so you can practically hook anything up, but only two things at the same time. Other than that its a great system. It has plenty of power, and I love cranking it up and listening whether it is NFL football or music CDs.

I recently purchased this system for my living room. It performs really well for my needs. Surround sound is great and DVDs look awesome on a Sony XBR970 tv. Two things I don't like. 1.) Auto calibration mic was pretty inaccurate determining speaker setup and 2.) cheesy speaker cable out of the box.

That being said, the thing sounds good, looks good, and I had it set up in about 1 1/2 hours. For the money? Very, very nice.

I hate the fact that since I live in a Town Home, my neighbors bang onto the wall sometimes when I am listening to the music or watching a movie at a "loud" volume when it is only 07:30 pm, party poopers!

Oh, about the system...
I bought it about two months ago. I was undecided between the Onkyo 5.1-Channel-HTS894 (which runs about the same price) or this one. I do not regret about my choice as I love the fact that the rear speakers are wireless to the receiver; I do not have to deal with more wiring other than the front speakers and the sub-woofer.

Great DVD quality when combined with the Sony 50" SXRD-HDMI cable connected. Now I actually have the feeling that I am at the Movie Theatre (only that I can pause the movie whenever I feel like going to get me a refreshmet).

CONS- I do have to agree with other reviewers that the DVD/CD reading is way too slow when changing from disc to disc. The sound is very good, not crisp clear yet, but I am satisfied. I still give it a five stars rating.

PRICE- Excellent system for the price! Very disapointed with Best Buy, as they have this same system but, you can only get it as a "special order", which means that you have to pay $799.00 for the product, plus $250.00 for S&H. Yeah right! Amazon was there to the rescue! Only paid $649.00, plus S&H was free!

By the way, did I mention the fact that if you blast the volume and do not live in a single home, it could be a very good way to meet your neighbors? (ha,ha).

I have owned this system a little over two months and use it nearly every day.

Pros: Adequate surround and subwoofer, great for movie sound, good for background music. The wireless surround speakers work great! The speakers come with stands. It's easy to set up.

Cons: Cannot adjust the rear volume, treble, base, or sub volume independently. Also, you have to wait on the system to load and read CD's and DVD's. It requires some patience. Remote could be layed out better.

Summary: If you need something for basic home theater, this system is GREAT. Don't buy this system if you like to tweak EQ or sound levels on your own

If you need a system that requires a wireless set-up, this is it... if you don't, keep looking. Otherwise, you're paying for electronics you don't need. The infrared transmitter has worked perfectly so far, but keep in mind you need a place to mount it/place it, and a direct path to the rear speakers.
I've been happy with the sound of the system, but the external connectivity has been disappointing... you are limited to a combination of only 2 sources, so if you have more, keep looking. All the input types you would ever need are available, but there just aren't enough of them.
I've been using an external Sony dvd player instead of the imbedded model for dvds, but the player works well for audio cd's. And the MP3 connection on the front panel has been nice to have.
As far as looks, this unit is different from standard A/V equipment I've been used to? It's wide and deep, but slim in height... the display on the front is small, but usable. Make sure you have the space to use it.
The tower speaker set-up is both a benefit and a hindrance... it's nice in the rear, where it places the sound above existing furniture, but limiting in the front speakers, so allow space for the pedestals. You will have 2 height choices... a nice addition.
Set-up was easy, and when I had questions, Sony tech support was accommodating... fortunately, I have an entire Sony configuration now. That helped.

Assembley took a bit--Sony could write better instructions. I wanted wireless rear speakers and they deliver--work great. The changer is slow, but who cares. I would buy again.

When I bought this home theater system, the first question was did I buy the Bose system. No. I wanted a 5 speaker system without having to run wires AND has HDMI. This is what I think is the best available system. It plays DVD's, CD's, MP3's, VHS tapes as a component and my wife's ZEN MP3 player. I played Saving Private Ryan the other night through the system and the new Samsung 1080p and was astonished at how well it played. My dog was dodging the bullets from around the room. The tanks sounded like they were coming through the wall. Sounds you don't normally pay attention to or hear on standard play are now audible and give a true to life experience. I have been impressed by Bose, however, this is a tremendous system; and wireless surround.

The manual is one of the worst I've ever seen. Setting up the speakers takes way longer than it should, but after the first one, its considerably faster.
Wireless rear speakers work very well for me.
Sound from DVDs is excellent; clear and plenty loud.
Sound from the TV is decent but doesn't get real loud.
FM tuner isn't bad and plays clear and loud.
Sound from front audio input plays way too soft from my SanDisk mp3 player.
Remote control is too big and not comfortable to hold or use.
You can't configure enough settings (bass, treble, relative volume from speakers). You have to take what Sony gave you.

Bottom line is I needed wireless rear speakers so its working well and I'm happy. If I could have gotten wires run somehow I wouldn't have bought this. Also, I got a sale price which made it reasonable. The $900 suggested price is way out of line as is the $721 sale price. Wait for a sale like I did and get it for $634.

I have been waiting for 6-9 months for prices to drop.
They finally did. $499.00 at Amazon. I purchased mine at the Sony Outlet store. Assembly of the speakers took a little time but once complete
the system filled my room with sound. I have 55" WEGA HD Sony TV and COX
DVR. I hooked up the DVR with optical audio to the Sony system.
All worked very well and the sound is amazing. Try Saving private Ryan
in surround sound. It is outstanding. I have tried DVD, HDTV, and CDs and all sounded great. One big surprise is SACD. This is a dying or dead technology and it is a shame. Try a SACD audio disk and the sound is absolutely incredible. All and all a great system. The loading of the DVD is slow. It has a 5 CD holder and they are stacked so like an elevator it has to go up and down as you change disks. This takes a little time but worth the wait. Surround sound adds so much to a HDTV. At $499.00 this is a great value. If you get this system a great place to buy SACDs is Amazon.com.

PROS: Excellent System appearance wise. Sound Ratings on a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 10. Lives up to the Sony name by delivering excellent sound, and the features that go with it.
CONS: Hookup can be somewhat confusing and instructions for hookup could be structured better. Explanations for proper hookup does not go into enough detail for using correct cables, and/or which setup should be used. Hookup for AM and FM radio very cheaply made which causes pause for the Sony name, by not being what is expected by the Sony brand.