Sony STR DE675 Dolby Digital DTS Receiver A/V Receivers
Sony STR DE675 Dolby Digital DTS Receiver A/V Receivers
[Nov 19, 2001]
kaanage
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Lots of sound modes. Very adjustable. Lots of inputs.
Weakness:
No audio 5.1 preOuts. Maybe a bit thin in sound. Max volume setting a bit low. No Prologic II. This is my first AV Receiver so I have nothing to reference my opinions against. Having said that, it has fully satisfied my requirements for home theatre and is adequate for music. It certainly outperforms the rest of my ht audio system. When I upgrade my speakers and subwoofer, then I may become more critical but for now it's fine. Similar Products Used: none |
[Jan 18, 2002]
Ray
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
DTS/Dolby Digital, 5-way binding posts, DSP effects
Weakness:
Limited EQ I bought my first receiver, a Sony, with Dolby Pro Logic. It had 4 speaker jacks for front L/R and surround L/R. I was disappointed when I tried to hook up a center channel speaker (part of a Technics 3-pc. center/surround package) and found nothing to connect it to. That was 1992. I was single, newly graduated, and didn't have a ton of money to spend. Well, after saving my pennies for the past ten years and convincing my wife (of 7 years) to spend some of my bonus money on grown-up toys, I recently bought a STR-DE675 for about $300 at Best Buy, mainly because I was satisfied with my previous receiver and the 675 had the minimum features I wanted (5.1 decoding for DD/DTS, aux jacks, S-video) and because of a special offer, which gave me an 8" Sony subwoofer for free. I couldn't pass up a deal like that! With new sub in hand, new cables, and 100 feet of 16-gauge speaker wire, I dusted off that Technics center speaker and hooked the other 4 speakers up (JBL LX-22 for mains and Technics for surrounds). I used banana plugs for the speaker wire terminations to the receiver. Connecting/disconnecting speakers is a breeze with the 5-way binding posts (definitely a must for any quality receiver). I just got a Sony DVD for Christmas and played "The Phantom Menace". After some tweaking of speaker placement and the receiver setup, I am very happy. I wish I had more flexibility with the EQ, but I think I'll have to be content until I get new speakers. (I'm hoping to audition the Energy Take 5's someday.) Regardless, my Home Theater experience has been elevated an order of magnitude. I know there are better, more expensive receivers out there, but I'm pleased with its performance. (And yes, that blue light indicating 5.1 decoding is cool.) Similar Products Used: 10-yr old Sony receiver w/ Dolby Pro Pogic |
[Nov 29, 2001]
Geoff
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Many options, easy functionality (got it set up without using the manual), enough inputs/outputs, perfect for above average audio enthusiasts.
Weakness:
Volume seems a little weak, I have to really crank it. Volume levels 1 to 50, I usually need volume 27-33 to fill my basement during movies and with music Sony was recommended to me by other audio enthusiasts. I decided this receiver would work until I moved out into my own place. It is very cheap, has a lot of power, many options, easy set up, and perfect for anyone who loves music and wants a good home theatre setup. Similar Products Used: Philips mini-hifi system, SHARP (they suck!), Aiwa |
[Nov 26, 2001]
Ben
Casual Listener
Strength:
Nice sound, lots of options, good price, easy to setup.
Weakness:
i have never had a problem so far but that does not mean that it is perfect hehe. i had the str-de915 for about 2 and a half years and it was really good but then it tosted two transistors and my rear channels did not function so i am getting that repaired and selling it. i was without a receiver for a wile then i saw the str-de675. good price for what you get it is not as customisable as the 915 was but it is still well within the lines. very easy to setup i dont think i ever looked at the manual. i would agree with the fact that the volume does cut off a little early but for dvd's with a digital signal it is plenty loud i dont know when people would complain about that hehe. and my computer i can ajust the signal strengths so i dont even need to go past 35/50. Similar Products Used: Sony str-de915 receiver |
[Dec 03, 2001]
Damon Friedeck
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
brut power and clarity
Weakness:
none so far i've only had this receiver for 1 week Similar Products Used: aiwa a/v reciever |
[Jan 21, 2002]
Lee Trevino
Casual Listener
Strength:
Great price point w/dolby digital and dts. Great speaker posts.
Weakness:
None so far except for the manual. Had a little trouble getting the digital sounds to work but was strictly my problem because the setup for the DVD was not considered when trouble shooting (for 2 days). I was a little embarassed to find this out, so check the setup on the DVD to play DTS and to stream the digital tracks. I play it through two JBL bookshelf speakers and some advent surrounds ($50) that I bought at costco as well and a cheapy center that I put behind my Sony Wega 27 inch Flat Screen TV. I have no sub hooked up, but with medium speakers it has more than enough bass for the average adult. Sony's Sound Fields that are on the reciever are great and you can set up the sound fields to your rooms size. At about 32 to 35 on the volume it rocks my living room which is about 300 sq ft. If your looking for a good middle of the road A/V reciever that will fill a medium size room this is it. Listening to friends systems with much higher end components mine sounds just as good or better and with clearer sound especially the rear surrounds. (Speaker placement is key) Don't waste your $$ on components that don't sound any different to the average movie buff, spend the money you save on a good TV. To the reviewers who say that it heats up to quickly - how loud and long are you listening to this receiver? Similar Products Used: First surround reciever. |
[Jan 17, 2002]
Drew Peterson
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Versitle, Great Looking, and sounds great!
Weakness:
None yet! This is my first time purchasing a reciever, so I really don't have any thing to base it on. However, it has given me nothing but audio bliss since I started using it. Similar Products Used: None, first reciever... |
[Dec 26, 2001]
Robert
Audio Enthusiast
This is a follow-up to below review. Need some help. My older 36" Toshiba TV only has RCA audio out. I hooked it into the TV/Sat input on the 675 and the sound is not good. You can barely hear the two rear speakers. I tried all the mode settings with not much difference. I found where you can adjust the speaker distance and level on the front, but did not see the level adjustment on the rear speakers. Am I missing something here? My old Sony receiver sounded great when playing the TV. Anyone else found this to be a problem? |
[Dec 26, 2001]
James Jones
Audio Enthusiast
Re: Roberts Problem |
[Nov 23, 2001]
rodney wiley
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Value, eq, lots of nice features
Weakness:
none so far For 269.00 This is an EXCELLENT receiver.Lots of set-up features. Nice remote VIDEO SWITCHING! It does tend to run a little warm but It has never had any problems so far. It also tends to lack a little on the low end but my powered subs make up. I would recommend this unit to any one who is on a budget and needs a new receiver. Plus it has a really cool blue light! Similar Products Used: jvc, rx770vbk |