MID PRICED HOME THEATER KIT.
Sony not only raised the bar with the DAV-FX500, they made the competition look like toy systems. The astonishing number of features only adds value to what is already a top performing system.
– Check the Amazon website here for more information on this product.
Sony Wins on Style and Performance
Amazing number of features at a price that can’t be beat.
Simply put: Wow. There is nothing else I could have asked for in a home theater package, especially not in this price range.
Home theater kits are a dime a dozen nowadays, and finding the right one, something you would be comfortable giving to your mom for a birthday present, is tough. When you do find a kit you enjoy there are often trade offs you make between price and quality. I’m amazed to report that there are no trade offs with the Sony DAV-FX500.
Home theater packages need to be evaluated not only by their performance, but also on their overall package, setup, ease of use and features. Basically on everything that would make you want to buy a kit rather than separate components.
Some highlights from the Sony kit include 2 sets of speaker stands for the satellite speakers, one tall, one short (no more having to buy stands separately) nad HDTV connectors. It is a rarity to find HDTV components in a mid-priced system. Perhaps, most impressive is the inclusion of an auto calibrating routine and calibrating microphone. This was a shocker, you usually have to break the $1000 price point before manufactures add auto calibrating features to their home theater packages.
After getting over my initial shock at all of the features it was time to test the system. I do not have an XM subscription so I was unable to test the satellite radio functions, but everything else was top notch. It is important to note that if you do plan on using satellite radio you will have to purchase the antennae separately, it doesn’t come with this kit.
Sound quality was great, everything sounded sharp with clear differentiation between all of the audio channels. There was no noticeable noise or distortion at any volume level, and the speakers were packing enough power to work well in a large living room.
The Sony home theater package is something special, and at under $500 it should be at the top of anyone’s list if they are in the market for something both powerful and new.
Technical Info:
Model number: DAV-FX500
Audio power output: 1000 W total, 143 W x 5 + 285 W (1 kHz, 10-percent THD)
Input/output: 2 x analog audio inputs, 1 x coaxial audio digital input, 1 x component video input, 1 x component video output, 2 x composite video inputs, 1 x composite video output, 1 x 3.5-millimeter headphone input, 1 x HDMI output, 1 x S-Video input
Sound mode: Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital, DTS, Digital Cinema Sound Technology
Tuner type: AM/FM
Tuner memory: 10 AM, 20 FM
XM satellite radio ready: Yes
DVD system: 5-disc changer
Media compatibility: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, SA-CD, VCD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW
Compatible file format: MP3, JPEG
Power requirement: AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power consumption: 160 W, less than 0.3 W (standby)
Remote control: Yes
Dimensions: 17.53 x 2.75 x 15.75 inches / 445 x 70 x 400 millimeters (WxHxD)
Weight: 13 pounds / 5.9 kilograms
Speaker system: 5.1-channel speaker system
Front speaker: 143 W x 2
Center speaker: 143 W
Surround speaker: 143 W x 2
Subwoofer: 285 W
Impedance (front, center, surround): 3 ohms
Impedance (subwoofer): 1.5 ohms
Speaker driver (front): 2-way, 7 x 10-centimeter woofers, 2.5-centimeter tweeter (nano-fine)
Speaker driver (center): 1-way, full range
Speaker driver (surround): 1-way, 7 x 10-centimeter woofers
Dimensions (front): 3.625 x 8.66 x 3.15 inches / 92 x 220 x 80 millimeters (WxHxD)
Dimensions (center): 15 x 1.875 x 25 inches (WxHxD)
Dimensions (surround): 3.625 x 8.9 x 3.15 inches / 92 x 226 x 80 millimeters (WxHxD)
Dimensions (subwoofer): 5.91 x 15.58 x 17.36 inches / 150 x 396 x 441 millimeters (WxHxD)
Weight (center): 1 pound 2 ounces / 0.5 kilograms
Weight (surround): 1 pound 12 ounces / 0.8 kilograms
Weight (subwoofer): 17 pounds 10 ounces / 8 kilograms
MSRP: $599
See the Amazon page for SONY DAV-FX500 XM-READY FIVE-DISC DVD SYSTEM Review here