I agree that it sounds weak with regular stereo music, but when paired with SACD, they sound like nothing else, simply amazing, but it could be the SACD too.

Pair them with SACD, and I can't think of a better system

Way cool design, great for HT, great sound from satellites and stunning bass from the woofer

Not so great on music, poor cable connectors

I have used the speaker system for more than a month together with the Denon AVR-3802 and am very pleased with the performance. The small but massive satellite speakers are well matched to the subwoofer and cover a large frequency range. Chrystal clear sound, especially at higher volume levels. The sub is a monster all the way down to frequencies you need for your movies, I had it set too loud first and it almost blew the neighbours away.

The music performance does not compare to a dedicated stereo system, but hey, unless you spend a lot of $$$ on a 5.1, that's a fact of life.

The total system is absolutely stunning considering the price I paid.

Similar Products Used:

none

sound quality, full range bass, 20-70Khz frequency.

center speaker, maybe

For the price I don't think you can beat these speakers. The range is amazing and the subwoofer is plenty powerful, reaching all the subtle lows and hums necessary for todays movies. Distent thunder and artillery fire (Saving Private Ryan) sound totally clean and realistic. Although I have the knob on the woofer cranked about 80%, I haven't had to make any ajustments on my receiver. They are heavy little things which is reassuring considering their size. My only concern is the center speaker. It's no differant than any of the other four, at first this was a bit disconcerting but I got over it. However, I feel if Sony would have worked a bit harder they could have made it a bit crisper for dialogue. But tweeking my system may help that (it's in a cabinet below my TV, although as far forward as possible, it has no headroom.)

The frequency range from 20-70khz is hard to beat. I bought this system after reading a Consumer Reports review in which they rated it Excellent - 92 or 3 (they were down on the Bose.) I'm happy with it so far and would recommend it for anyone looking for quality, well matched speakers with monster bass for under $1000.

My only future addition may be a center speaker if I can find one that will match well and I'll just move the center to the back to complete my 6.1.

Etronics also sells these speakers individually should you need to upgrade to 6.1 or 7.1.

My system:
Onkyo 898 receiver
Toshiba dual disk DVD
Toshiba 50HX81 Projection

Similar Products Used:

jbl, pioneer

Design, 24Hz-70KHz soundfield, satellites have that heavy expensive feel :), Matches my VVEGA 20"

The sub woofer lacks the room filling bass that i want(below 24 Hz), i just added a jbl 12", sounds great now, no flaws.

This is one of the best speaker packages you can buy in this price range. I havent heard any problems with cd music or radio. Though some other reviewer has reported this. I've got the pro logic II so it works really good with 2 channel audio.

Someone also said there was a lack of mid range sounds, i havent noticed anything like this. If there is too much treble and bass turn them down if you can, you get more midrange.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwoods base speakers that came with the htb-504 package, the receiver is awesome though. I just sold the crappy speakers though.

Good Sound

Poor bass

Very Good

Similar Products Used:

Bose, Jamo

Compact, extremely stylish design, excellent home theater performance, decent bass

Stereo music performance, particularly at low volumes

Sony's SA-VE815ED speaker system is frustrating--something I really WANT to like, but still have reservations about. On the one hand, it's the best-looking satellite system on the market by far. It also seems to be extremely well-constructed, with solid, nicely finished parts all the way through. And its performance in home-theater applications is outstanding, particularly compared to the cheaper Sony satellite systems (like the SAV-E525, which I tried and returned) and other home theater systems in a similar price range. (These retail for $1500, but are sold at most retail stores for about $1000, and are available at a few discount electronics stores for $650-$700.)

The drawbacks to this system are in its musical performance. You would think that considering the original price of the speakers and the fact that they are designed to compliment Sony's new SACD format (designed for much improved CD playback), that they would shine when being used for stereo music as well. Sony even sells a two-satellite version of this system in Europe that is soley for music. And these speakers really don't do too bad at high volumes, especially for music with a lot of highs, like jazz or acoustic music with female vocals. But the midrange is almost lost entirely at low volumes, leaving the listener with a few high notes and thumping bass that overpowers what little music you can hear. As mentioned above, the same is not true for Dolby Digital use--soundtrack music and special effects sound perfect, no matter the volume, and the center channel does admirably, considering its size.

I'm still holding out hope that I can optimize my system for better sound out of these--I've played around with soundfield and equalizer settings, and of course adjusted the bass on the subwoofer, but I need to find someone who really knows what they're doing, or invest in an optimization DVD.

If anyone reading has suggestions for getting better musical performance out of these, please send me an e-mail.

The rest of my system:

Sony STR-DE845 Home Theater Receiver
Sony CD Changer
Panasonic DVD-30

Similar Products Used:

Sony SAV-E525, Polk RM6600, Bose Accoustimass

Good Sound

Poor Bass

Very satisfaid

Craftmanship, sound quality for such small speakers. Excellent for surround sound, Dolby DTS.

Some CD music lacks midrange.

These set of speakers sound a look great. They go great with my Wega 36" TV. I bought these speakers after listening to some Jamo Apollo Speakers among others and decided on the SA-VE815ED for better looks, surround and musical performance.

I paired these speakers with a Sony STR-DB940 A/V receiver and followed the receivers' setting recommendations listed on the speaker manual, which prove to be the key to optimizing the sound from these small jewels.

I am totally satisfied and would recommend them highly as a good quality, unintrusive system that performs great for surround, Dolby DTS, and quite adecuate for CD music (not all CD music).