Customer Reviews

Sony HT-DDW700 Complete 5.1-Channel DVD Home Theater System

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you want a budget home theater system for under $200 there is probably not many systems better then the Sony HT-DDW700. This system is ideal for small rooms such as a bed room or a tiny living room.

Considering the price, sound quality is actually better then expected for me. The tiny cube speakers presents pretty good clarity. They may look like cheap computer speakers but they aren't and are a bit heavier then they look. The center channel may be a little underpowered since dialog during dvd movies sound a tad soft and a little too low. The surround effects during movies in dolby digital and dts are very good though.
If set up properly the speakers handle surround effects very well.

Some minor complaints is that the speaker wire attached to the speakers are very thin. They are fixed and can't be replaced. Also, if you want heart stopping bass then this system might not be for you. The 8" subwoofer is okay considering the price of the system. It is currently better then any other sub included in a home theater system under $200. It isn't powered, is very light (only 9 lbs) and you have to be pretty close to actually feel the bass. The volume would have to be cranked up extremely high for the sub to actually rattle your walls.

The receiver comes with 1 optical and 1 coxial digital input and 4 rca analog inputs. It should be enough in most cases. An extra digtal input or two wouldn't hurt but again the system is under $200. Setup couldn't be easier. You just hook up the included microphone, place it at your listening postion and press a button on the remote. The system will automatically sets up the speaker distance, delay and volume levels. The receiver comes with the basic pro logic II music and move modes to upmix your stereo sources. It also has other sound fields and effects to enhace the sound but they don't really seem to enhance the sound by that much if at all.

Basically, if you want a home theater system for a small room and for under $200 then there isn't much better then the Sony HT-DDW700

I purchased this item recently and it's excellent in all aspects. It took me less than a hour to set it up and the super cool auto calibration takes cares of calibrating the speakers without having the pain of doing it manually. The subwoofer delivers a meaty bass and the surround speakers are very impressive. The centre channel could have been powered up a bit more so that it can deliver the movie dialogues in depth, but still it does a good job. Overall, I would say it's an excellent choice when you compare the cost vs performance.

After researching this unit on the internet I purchased one at a retailer location near my work. The service was Horrible but the heavily discounted price made the hassle well worth it.

For a small to medium sized room this is the best unit out there for under $300, much less under $200. Yes more expensive units will allow for greater expansion and more options for input and output of sound. But if you have a large space and large plasma or LCD (over 46") then you can probably afford the the pricier units which will allow for future growth of additional equipment and changes in technology. But if like me you have a nice sized city condo and smaller LCD (40") then this is the perfect unit, no matter what price point.

Each of the satallite speakers (front and rear) produce loud and crisp sound while the center speaker perfectly mimics voice. The non-amplified subwoofer is more then enough (and despite what other reviews have said the volume output can easily be lowered through the menu options).

Hook up to DVD, Cable through digital is very simple and the unit allows up to 3 additional non-digital connections.

Other reviews have also mentioned a low output of total volume, but this is because of user error. Dolby and Prologic decoders will lower the volume of sound that is not originally created and recorded in as high of quality as Dolby and Prologic, thus lowering the volume. The very simple fix to this is for the user to actually read the manual and easily change the sound output based on what is being "viewed" or listened to and how that sound was originally recorded.

(i.e. DVD's are typically recorded in 5.1 Dolby which require no converstion by the stereo and thus will not lower the volume, but if you are watching a comedy on TV it was most likely recorded in just 2.1 stereo which requires the stereo to convert the sould to Dolby, thus lowering the volume. If however, you simply change the output when switching to TV from DVD then the volume will remain the same)

Pros:

-Powerfull little system

-Low price

-simple set up

-auto calibration (takes the guess work out of speaker placement, lets face it no one can really put the speakers right where they suggest)

-seperate volume control for each speaker (through menu)

-easily change the label to read up to 8 characters or each input

-does not include DVD player. An attached DVD player will only lower power output and cause possible play back issues with temp.

Cons:

-Does require reading the menu (as a guy this sucked because I just wanted to play with it and figure it out myself...no can do here)

-Complete dependency on the Remote (all functions are limited or even impossible with out the remote)

-Nearly impossible to expand or evolve with your system or future tech.

Overall I Strongly suggest getting this unit at or well under $200 (I paid $150)..."IF" you do not want a massive amount of obnoxious, loud noise to bother the neighboors and/or wish to purchase a system which can expand with you and tech for the next 5 years, but are simply looking for a system which provides phenomenally better sound then any TV will ever provide alone; this is the system for you!

I got a new system off craigslist this evening and I must say I am VERY happy with my purchase. Set up was a breeze. I have my Comcast DVD hooked up to the coax and my 360 hooked up to the optical. Simple. I watch movies on my 360 so no need to use the other standard RCA inputs. Speakers sound great, sub is plenty for my apartment. If you only have $200 or so to spend... buy this system you wont be disappointed.

I purchased this unit for our master bedroom. The number of inputs were perfect for our setup; Digital Coax for the DVD and Optical for the Digital Cable box.

Setup was fast, but I had to go online to get a good feeling about speaker location. The only real problem I had was no sound at first. This was after the auto sound setup, which worked fine. I was afraid to turn it up too high because I thought the problem was the inputs from the DVD player and Cable box. However I finally turned up the volume and started getting sound at around 30 (volume goes from 0 to 60). So to get good sound I have to turn the volume up to 50 to 55.

There may be some problem with the unit's volume, and I'm verifying with Sony's support. I didn't see any other comments here about having to turn up the volume.

For me the subwoofer was too loud, so I turned it down using the menu and remote. Unlike others, I didn't have any problems understanding the menu system. I also turned up the center speaker a few decibels.

My main complaint is there is virtually no instructions about the remote. I have a Sony TV and DVD player, and pressing the TV button on the remote doesn't change the remote to control the TV. TV I/O still turns off the surround system. I'm working with Sony support on that now.

Overall I'm happy with the system for the price.

Purchased because of loyalty to SONY, wanted small HTIB for HDTV in game room. System performed well for one week then, in the middle of "Saving Private Ryan" system flashed PROTECT and shut down. Went through very cryptic trouble-shooting routine in the user manual and then contacted SONY support. They were not particularly helpful other than to say it would require SONY service and directed me to a location far, far away. I called Amazon and they were very helpful and immediately sent me a return authorization. I am now shopping for another system.

This is my first AV receiver system. I didn't know what to expect. I like Sony products and decided to give this a try as it was cheap in amazon (even before using my gift card).

Sometimes, i feel the bass is too high even when i reduce it. But, overall i feel it's an awesome purchase. Especially, watching DVDs with DTS 5.1 output is awesome using this system.

One problem with the receiver is that the controller (or whatever it's called) is too big and has very few buttons to control it. Most of the controls are in the remote control. The remote (kinda) operates as a TV remote (i have a Sony Wega TV), but the controls are really dumb. I have to hold a button named 'TV' everytime i want to use the receive remote as a TV remote. I now have 4 remotes :( Some receivers come with an universal remote, but they are expensive. So, you get what you pay for. I consider this a good purchase.

I bought this for a gift and from what his wife tells me, he is very happy with the set-up---had it up and going Christmas Day. I have a similar set-up by Sony and have really enjoyed the sound.

Already had a DVD player and wanted a system to complete the package. Sound quality is great. Haven't turned it up all the way because the sound that comes out is ample. Most important thing for me was being able to hook up my AirPort Wireless to it. Now I run my itunes wirelessly from my lap top and don't have to mess with a CD. Works great and there are still three more plug-ins for any other devices I want (VHS). Had a Panasonic, what a piece of junk, returned it and got this. For under $200, what more could you want?

The system was very easy and quick to set-up. Make sure you know that this is not a wireless system. Also, the rear speakers are not really effective unless you have some space behind you. I ended up not using them. This is because the automatic program that senses the output will lower the volume almost to nil for speakers on the wall right behind you. Still the system certainly upgraded the sound. I purchased a new Sony XBR2 at the same time and you can definitely tell the difference. Like fine wine it would be hard to go back to flat sound once you set this up.