Economical Stereo Receiver
Written: Oct 22 '05
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Pros: Price Point
Great Sound for Price
Sony Reputation
Great Radio Reception
Cons: Lack of Sound Control
Remote not backlit
Cheap speaker wire connects
The Bottom Line: Inexpensive, above average sound quality. Bose can eat it!
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| mortsgreb's Full Review: Sony STR-DE185 2 Channels Receiver |
I bought this receiver to power bookshelf speakers (Sony SS-MB150H) for my home office. I wanted an economical and reliable system that had adequate sound. I have been impressed with the overall sound quality when listening to local radio shows, XM Radio, and even CD's (on a Sony CDP-CX250).
It is important to remember to keep your expectations in line with this product. To expected it to power floor standing speakers or incorporate it into a home theater set up is foolish. For these demands you need a real amp by Yamaha, Denon, Rotel, Marantz or many others. This is a budget amp and should only be used in small rooms with small (bookshelf) speakers. You will sacrifice sound at this price point, it is a given.
My goal in putting together these products was to shut up my Bose loving Father and Brother (both rave about the Wave Music Systems $500). I wanted to show how a superior sounding, less expensive stereo sound system could be put together. It is my opinion that this can be accomplished many ways, with many different manufactors. Bose makes an ok product, what they truly are is a marketing company. What you overpay in product feeds the marketing end of their business. Marketing is what they do better than anyone else in the electronics business.
My Sony system cost under $200 dollars. I am using an 8yr old cd player, however, a new budget multi-format disc player can be had for under $150 bucks, easily. This would give me a far superior sounding system, from a reputable manufactor, that is $150 bucks less that a Bose Wave System. The only place I get beat is on looks.
If I want a great sounding system I go downstairs to my dedicated home theater/music room. I enjoy the music and movies on a real system of Yamaha/Paradigm/Marantz products.
Don't expect a miracle at this price. Expect a good sound at a cheap price. I recommend the receiver highly for this purpose.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $125
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Epinions.com ID:
mortsgreb
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