59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
Another great receiver!
This is my second Sony Receiver in a row. In fact, the only reason I even upgraded my STR DE697 7.1 receiver was because it didn't have HDMI inputs--aside from that deficiency I was completely satisfied. So after researching the Yamaha (RX-V464BL), Onkio (RX-V463BL), and Sony (STR-DH700) I stuck with Sony and purchased the STR-DH700 7.1-channel A/V receiver. Now, most...
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
Set up Instructions not good
Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black)
This a very good unit but Sony instructions for setup are very bad.It walks you through the first step by having you clear the memory.Well when you do that it will not set up the speakers automaticly.It will default to (NO). So after racking my brain why the back speakers would not work and wondering why the Auto set...
This review is from: Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) (Electronics)
This is my second Sony Receiver in a row. In fact, the only reason I even upgraded my STR DE697 7.1 receiver was because it didn't have HDMI inputs--aside from that deficiency I was completely satisfied. So after researching the Yamaha (RX-V464BL), Onkio (RX-V463BL), and Sony (STR-DH700) I stuck with Sony and purchased the STR-DH700 7.1-channel A/V receiver. Now, most will say I'm crazy for not going with the Onkio, but I've always been pleased with Sony and I wanted to 1) save some $$$ and 2) avoid a steep learning curve (I'm very used to Sony's products).
PROS: My favorite feature has to be the quick set up for the speakers. With the push of a button in just 30 seconds my speakers were auto calibrated via the calibration mic. GREAT FEATURE!
CONS: The music settings i.e. Jazz, Stadium, Hall, etc. are useless to me due to the fact the subwoofer is excluded from all the settings in this mode except Portable (setting for MP3 players). I'm not sure why Sony did this, but it really stinks since my Polk front channels are rather small and depend on my 8" sub for quality sound. Again, this is my only complaint and because 99% of what this receiver is used for is cinema I'll survive!
Overall I'm very pleased with this entry level receiver. For an extra $100 I could have gone with the STR-DH800 which includes Dolby® TrueHD Decoding, but since I'm only running a 3.1 set-up I figured I'd be okay. I would; however, suggest paying the additional $100 between the STR-DH500 and DH700 because the HDMI connections in the DH500 only carry video, so you'd have to run separate cables for audio.
My Set-up:
TV: Vizio XVT series 42"
RECEIVER: Sony STR-DH700
BLUE RAY: Sony BDP-S360
SPEAKERS: Polk Audio surround RM10 set w/ PSW111 Subwoofer
UPDATE: 2 May 2009 - I'm attempting to edit this post again. Basically, the issue with the music sound fields was due to my assumtion that the auto-calibration would set the speaker size. WHAT WAS I THINKING? Once I changed the speaker settings from LARGE to SMALL everything worked like a champ!
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This review is from: Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) (Electronics)
Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) This a very good unit but Sony instructions for setup are very bad.It walks you through the first step by having you clear the memory.Well when you do that it will not set up the speakers automaticly.It will default to (NO). So after racking my brain why the back speakers would not work and wondering why the Auto set up for the speakers would not work and ready to send it back I finally read the last 40 pages of the setup and finally noticed that when you reset the unit it faults to NO on the automatic speaker setup.After changing that manually everything worked like magic.Not for the faint uf heart!
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This review is from: Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) (Electronics)
I'll be the first to admit that I have not used all of the features of this device (7 speakers, wireless, ipod connection), but based on my experiences to date, I am VERY happy with this unit.
My configuration:
Westinghouse 37" LCD - connects via HDMI
Comcast DVR - connects via HDMI
Oppo DVD - connects via HDMI
Roku Netflix box - connects via HDMI
Harmony One remote control - manages all of the above
Setting up all of the above was a breeze - took about an hour, most of which was adding the receiver to my existing hardware on the Harmony One (which I also love, by the way). All the HDMI connections worked first time and there have been no issues.
I'm using an older Bose 3-speaker setup for now but will ultimately add a 5 or 7 speaker system, maybe utilizing the S-AIR link. Part of the reason I bought this unit is because I want some future expansion flexibility.
Just one very minor gripe - the remote sensor is a bit picky, even with the Harmony One, so I have had to reposition the unit accordingly.
For ~$250, this was an easy purchase and an easy setup.
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This review is from: Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) (Electronics)
I got this receiver about 3 weeks ago as a replacement to my old Sony receiver. This receiver sounds great when connected via hdmi and/or optical sound cable. You can also assign optical or coax cable ports to be used with other inputs which I found very useful. Active HDMI ports make life easier to connect both audio and video. You can also rename the inputs. The sound quality is amazingly good for a unit that doesn't break your wallet. This receiver does not decode TrueHD or DTS-Master Audio which is a downside, but I don't mind. However, I had a hard time setting up this receiver. I connected 5 speakers and a subwoofer and used the AUTO Calibration feature. After the calibration was complete, I inserted a blu-ray movie in my PS3 and got ready for some action. I realized that the the subwoofer was only working when extreme explosions happened. All the other times, my regular speakers were trying to recreate the bass. After a lot of searching around online and the receiver menu, I realized that the auto calibration had set all my speakers to "LARGE"(even though they are not) which made majority of the bass get redirected my speakers instead of my subwoofer. I then manually changed it to "SMALL" and then everything worked perfectly! Just beware of the auto calibration as a tip to future buyers. Overall, great buy!
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This review is from: Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) (Electronics)
This system was for my room with the idea that one day it might be my own living room entertainment system. This system comes with its own self calibration,and is capable of 7.1 surround out of the box. Got a 200 watt down blast Yamaha sub-woofer and truthfully have not had a chance to use it at full capacity, but why would anyone want to. I could light up a backyard with this system if I wanted. At full blast I can clearly hear this system throughout the house.
I am sure this system is not as nice as some of the more expensive systems, however, this equiptment is totally capable of taking care of any of your in house listening enjoyment. So, unless you are a professional and have to entertain a ball room, you will not go wrong with this system. As for the three on the set up of this system. It is a stereo system, setting it up is always going to suck. You have a load of wires and jacks to hook up. You want decent sound, you are going to have to do the hoof work.
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This review is from: Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) (Electronics)
I did quite a bit of research on line and with friends who have purchased Sony Amps in the past. This model was the best choice for us in a unit that was low priced and good performance. connections were simple and the instructions were straight forward. Only problem is that this unit puts out a great deal of heat, very hot to the touch after just one movie. I recommend auxiliary fan or placing outside your TV cabinet if it has glass doors.
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This review is from: Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) (Electronics)
I bought this to replace an aging Kenwood VR-405 receiver. Wow, what a difference!! This sound better and clearer. This receiver has a pretty easy setup (although I am sure I haven't done some things to make it the best I can), and I love the auto calibration thing. The instructions say that the auto calibration sequence is loud and to be cautious of your neighbors and small children, but its really not that loud. I don't know what the heck its talking about. It's as if they are going crank the crap out of the volume. It's really not that bad. In any case, I guess I would say that if you have an older receiver that you would like to upgrade from, this is a great receiver to choose.
The HDMI ports (3 in, 1 out) on it are active switching ports and is an awesome extra you normally have to pay quite a bit more for. I hooked my PS3 directly to this receiver with only an HDMI cable and it works like a fricken charm!!! Makes setup of it much easier and it makes it sound better. Even though the receiver doesn't have the DTS HD or any of the other HD codecs like that built into it, if you plug a PS3 into it you will get it anyway because the PS3 does the grunt work of decoding the signal off the disc. Like, with "Bolt", it has DTS HD Master Audio on it. The PS3 decoded the audio signal and passed it through to the stereo. I get true HD audio out from it. And believe you me, it sounds FANTASTIC!! You get a much more broad range of audio and it just sounds so great!
Anyway, all in all, I am VERY happy with the purchase so far. I have had it like a month now. It is just a great receiver. If you have any questions about it, and can figure out how, you can ask me and I will try to do my best to answer.
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This review is from: Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) (Electronics)
I couldn't find any real reviews of this unit before purchasing it. But I found plenty of the previous model, the STR-DG720. And I would have to say that about every review of that unit would be applicable here.
I was forced into buying a new receiver when my 10 year old JVC died the other night. It was a higher priced unit, so the differences in the display (more basic LED, and no on-screen), and speaker connections was not a shock. What was, was the HUGE difference in sound quality. Highs are tinny and broken. Bass is loose and muddy, and it seems like there is a whole range of sounds missing at times.
I read the other reviews and assumed since I don't consider myself an audiophile that the difference in sound quality would be barely discernible.
I used the auto-calibrate method, which did a descent job of setting up the balance of sound between the speakers. Next I tried to attack the sound quality but there is no true EQ or SEA adjustment. Just a Treble and Bass adjustment that does not have an effect in most surround modes.
I have about $2500 in JBL speakers, and this unit made my speakers sound like much smaller / cheaper speakers.
If you have smaller / cheaper speakers, this unit is actually a very feature rich option, but if you have a sensitive ear and good speakers, I'd pass this one up.Sony STR-DH700 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver (Black)
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This review is from: Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) (Electronics)
Have all Sony components except for Direct TV HD/DVR. HDMI works like a charm. The Sound leaves a little to be desired but Its ease of use and hookup outweigh that minor flaw.
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This review is from: Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) (Electronics)
One of the least expensive yet full featured 7.1 A/V systems on the market. The setup time was negligible and the performance has been stellar. The only area of opportunity is better integration of remote control of other devices; I ended up acquiring a Logitech integrated remote control in order to control my overall home theater from a single device.
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