Sony STR-DB940 A/V Receivers

Sony STR-DB940 A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

Dolby Digital/DTS Receiver

USER REVIEWS

Showing 41-50 of 163  
[Jul 07, 2000]
Mark
Audiophile

Strength:

Everything, sounds, dts, dolby digital, remote

Weakness:

None!!!

Got the DB-940 today, and hooked up easily. Popped in a cd and the sounds rocked. Kicked my Pioneer's behind. Great sound all around. Felt and looked like an es reciever. For those who don't like the remote, well I love it. Coolest thing I've seen so far for a remote.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-D608

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 25, 2000]
James
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Superior bass management, great DD/DTS decoding, pretty good stereo performance.

Weakness:

Non-assignable digital inputs. DVD/LD has two digital inputs that one is wasted! I'm using it but a switching headache!

JUst upgraded this from the DB930 and my initial impression out of the box was it sound a little better for stereo. Could be the bass management but I'd swear it sounded a little cleaner. The other upgrades such as OSD, cosmetic changes and mild upgraded remote are nice but the real deal is the bass management. User selectable crossover from 60hz to 150hz in 30hz increments. I have all of my speakers set on small and 60hz and it's wonderful!

My speakers are Monitor Audio Silver 5i's wired with 10ga. OFC Sound King from PartExpress. Sources are Toshiba 3109, Sony CDX333 or DSS.

THis is the best value in the under $1000 range going right now

Similar Products Used:

DB930, 777ES and just about everything else.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 23, 2001]
Dr. Bob
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

solidly built, some great features, xlnt value for the $

Weakness:

too many features, manuals are weak,

I have few complaints with this unit, so let's gett'm outta the way now. Set up on this receiver is not the easiest and the manuals are not the best source for figuring it out. What is? Time. Just keep playing with it and as you go from layer to layer you will come to appreciate a lot of what this receiver has to offer. In some ways it seems Sony put too much into the Bells and Whistles. 15 or so different Surround Sound effects are just unnecessary.
The sound that this delivers is fabulous! Right now I am playing it throughout a set of Boston Acoustic Satellites and a Yamaha Sub Woofer. I took the volume to almost 4 watching the LAKERS in Surround sound and thought I was sitting next to Chick in the Staples Center! I had read other reviews where owners went on about units having a hissing problem. Not here! The AV jacks in the font of the unit are also a nice touch. Customer service was the most helpful of any online store I spoke with and I spoke with a lot before I final bought at Vanns. Buying from an authorized Sony Dealer, not someone who tells me they "buy from an authorized Sony Dealer, so don't worry about the warranty" was also important to me.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 24, 2001]
shanth velupillai
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

power, looks and great clarity for dvd

Weakness:

none

this reciever has it all from the power to looks to great clarified sound which blows you away

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 17, 2001]
Tolga Kutal
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

The sound is really good.QS real digital sound gets perfect to ears.Design is also perfect.Everybody complain about the remote control.with a little effort it become a full master control unit for all units that have remote unit.I got a lot of units.Before 940 I used to control 6 separete remote controller.Now they all go to trash and I use only 940 remote for all.Thats perfect for me.

Weakness:

Little heat after a long time working.(not harmfull )
Very funny tuner anthenna.

My ex receiver was Sony str-de-545 and it was reall a mass.
The sound was very bad because of loud hisssss.But 940 is a really leading hme theatre machine.I found it excelent

Similar Products Used:

Sony str de 445,str de 545

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 19, 2000]
Rob
Casual Listener

Strength:

Great appearance. Excellent DSP modes. Very cool remote.

Weakness:

Learning the remote functions.

This is my first surround system and I must say I'm rather pleased. This system looks great and I'm content with the DSP modes. Honestly, I'm a novice to AC3 so my learning curve is steep. That being said, I've researched the Sony product enough to know a good system when I 'hear' it. I'm using a Paradigm 'Cinema' surround system with a Sony 36" XBR and a Sony 530D DVD player and an older Toshiba Cinema Series VCR. Everything works with the 940. I have custom-set the visual display and I am in the process of learning the remote. I must say, the remote is not very easy to learn. This will take some time.

I've used 12 gauge speaker wire with a combination of Monster, and other high-end cables. I've not heard any of the hissing sounds as outlined in this forum.

I have not had the chance to play with the on-screen menu. This could be perhaps because I require a separate cable from the 940 to the monitor.

Does anyone know of another web address to discuss the remote issue(other than this one)?

Furthermore, can anyone tell me about the s-cable function in relation to other Sony products?

Thank you.

Similar Products Used:

None.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jan 30, 2001]
Frank Courtney
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Customisability, (Ability to name inputs / tuner presets, etc). General ease of unit setup, Overall performance.

Weakness:

Learning curve of remote. (Maybe I'm a tad slow?? The manual could have been a tad clearer.) Not terribly 'punchy'.

I've got to say that I'm very happy with the Sony unit. The 'Out of the box' experience was encouraging, and further tweaking and exploration of the various settings had the room really humming. DD5.1 is a real experience after the garbage Dobly Surround I was used to. DTS just blew me away. All I need now is more R4 DTS titles, and I'll be happy.

Surround and CD decoders do a great job, a real improvement over the dodgy ones in my el-cheapo Lenoxx DVD player.

Amplification seems crisp and clean, with impressive volume from my ageing Jamo p270's. There isnt the massive punch that my old mosfet amp had, but plenty for the intended use of this unit.

The learning remote is great, however some of the codes used by the reciever must be very similar to the dodgy Lenoxx dvd, which likes to pause when I'm changing an effect parameter mid-movie. Oh well, not Sony's fault, and I can live with it until the Lenoxx dies, and I get something more appropriate.

The only real negative from buying and installing this unit, is that it makes my totally mismatched ragtag collection of speakers cry out for upgrading....

Hmm, maybe a nice matched set of Klipsch's??
Damned Upgrade Path!!

Similar Products Used:

Grotty 'Sherwood' pre prologic decoder. Home built Class-a mosfet amp.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Nov 26, 2000]
Nicolas Thyge
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great sound field, Many good features, good looks and ready for power upgrade !!!

Weakness:

still looking...but can't seem to find any !!!

All in all U get a weary good receiver. Read all U can about it and U will find that it's one of the best receivers U can get at such prises !!!! go get it, and be amazed !!!!!

Similar Products Used:

sony STR-db925

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 20, 2000]
Vince
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great features, build quality.

Weakness:

Somewhat noisy at higher volumes.

I had my reservations about buying a receiver in this price range due to what I thought would be lack of quality, but I was wrong. I got rid of my Harman Kardon AVR300 due to lack of features and overall control and hit the jackpot with the strdb940! OK This is not an audiophile receiver, but it does the job just fine. Has many great DSP surround modes that are adjustable in almost every way. Has a 3 band parmetric EQ which is great. This unit also offers an almost endless amount of possiblites for surround, EQ and speaker adjustments anyone could want. The only complaint I have, is that the amp is noisy at higher levels, but because I don't listen at very high levels anyway I don't mind this too much, I knew however that any receiver in this range would have some hiss. I would recommend however that you have a powered subwoofer as this unit does seem to lack some low end punch without one, but still acceptable. After trying a number of receivers, this has got to be one of the best in this price range. I'm giving this unit 5 stars not so much for the sound quality but for the overall control one has in how one hears the sound. If your an audiophile look elsewhere, if your a music lover and H/T enthusiast that wants an all in one package, you can't go wrong with this one!

Similar Products Used:

Sony ES TAE2000ESD, Harman/Kardon AVR300

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 02, 2001]
Edward brown
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great power, loads of features, solid construction, DTS and DD are greatly improved over consumer models.

Weakness:

none

This receiver is amazing!! It was very easy to setup. The on screen menu is a nice addition to this great product. Some people talk about hiss, but i did not hear any. Perhaps they have a problem with their speakers or wires, who knows. The power is great, and the clarity is dead on for the price. I cannot afford some $3000 reciever.

Some complain about the remote, but you know, I like it. I love tinkering with the remote and once you get it down, you will enjoy it. Besides, i have a PRONTO so once i finish learning all of the buttons from the Sony remote, i will put it in storage.

I recommend that if you plan on purchasing this reciever, get it from Soundcity.com. They are wonderful. I ordered the receiver on monday and got it the next day, without paying for express shipping.

All in all, you will NOT find a better receiver for under 500, period.

Similar Products Used:

STRDE-825

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 41-50 of 163  

(C) Copyright 1996-2018. All Rights Reserved.

audioreview.com and the ConsumerReview Network are business units of Invenda Corporation

Other Web Sites in the ConsumerReview Network:

mtbr.com | roadbikereview.com | carreview.com | photographyreview.com | audioreview.com