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Sony STR-DH500

Sony STR-DH500
alaScore 77

243 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 243 reviews of Sony STR-DH500. The average rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews.

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Sony STR-DH500 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 77/100 = Good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 243 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

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Showing 1 - 182 of 183 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (60)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony STR-DH500

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1 user review of Sony STR-DH500 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk.

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony STR-DH500

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 171 user reviews of Sony STR-DH500 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com.

91% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Andrew Robinson (hometheaterreview.com)

Sony STR-DH500 Home Theater Receiver

 

The STR-DH500 is a modestly priced and reliable alternative to far more expensive models. While limited on flashy features, this receiver "delivers the core essentials for a true 5.1 home theater. Our reviewer: "for a cheap receiver with modest power...

The Sony STR-DH500 is quite possibly the cheapest way to enjoy the latest 1080p formats be they HDTV or Blu-ray ; Sure the STR-DH500 is a bit limited on flashy features; however it does provide and deliver the core essentials for a true 5.1 home...

The STR-DH500 doesn't upconvert or transcode analog video sources to digital via its HDMI output, though I would argue that keeps the signal pure and truer to the source ; The lack of audio support through the HDMI inputs is a bit of a bummer here and...

While it may seem easy to fault the Sony STR-DH500 for its lack of features, one can't lose sight of its asking price. For under $200 the STR-DH500 will connect to and playback 1080p HD signals, which includes Blu-ray discs, HD Broadcasts and more and...

Aug, 2009

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Bad Design

 

Not what I would expect from Sony. HDMI without sound is absurd. This, by the way, is not mentioned in the manual, and had to be confirmed with Sony tech support.

If you want low end technology, this is it

HDMI inputs do not carry sound, you must add an additional Coax or optical cable from your input device. All-around functionality is very limited on this model

Feb, 2010

Consumer review (newegg.com)

No HDMI Repeating on this Model

 

This may be a good receiver, but if you want only HDMI cables between your components, then you need to pass on this one. You need to find a model that has a HDMI "repeater".

n/a

This model doesn't meet my needs. I want the audio decoded and played through the receiver from the HDMI sources. As other have stated -- I should have read their reviews -- this model only contains a HDMI switch or pass-through meaning that you will...

Jan, 2010

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Cheap and Cheap

 

Conclusion: The price is cheap, but so are some of the options. I'd gave this receiver 3 eggs because even thought the center channel was bad, the sound was very exceptional using the Toslink cable, for a low cost receiver. My main concerns with this...

This receiver is okay considering the price. The sound was really good using the Fiber Optic cable (Toslink). Very basic options ( that could be a pro or con ). This receiver's design is simple and looks decent that will complement any home theater system

First off the center channel did not work properly. The channel was cutting on and off casuing popping sounds and distortion. I thought it was my speaker, so I tried different speakers and all my testing lead to the same conclusion. Volume was not loud...

Jan, 2010

Consumer review (newegg.com)

sent it back

 

In order to make sure that this unit did what I wanted, I downloaded and read the manual. But still I was mislead by the capabilities due to typical lousy Japanese manual which does not explain what it really does. I wasted four hour trying to get it...

unbelievably low price -- it is hard to believe they can make something this quality for this price ; I knew that an extra cable is needed to get audio from the HDMI sources, but that is not really a problem

Confusing and misleading manual. I had an argument with support over the meaning of several of the phrases ; Very difficult user interface. Knob to switch inputs is quite sensitive, and you have to understand the meaning of cryptic indicators on...

Jan, 2010

Consumer review (newegg.com)

SONY 5.1-Channel Home Theater A/V Receiver STR-DH500

 

I'm sure there are much better receivers out there, but at this price, this one does everything I need.

Great bang for the buck. Lots of power. Clean sound. I thought that the fact that you could enter the distance of all of your speakers was really cool and you can actually hear the difference when you set that up right. Tons of inputs and outputs for...

HDMI does not output sound. You MUST get optical cables or digital coax if you want sound out of your HDMI components

Jan, 2010

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Almost an Antique

 

I have had good results with my previous Sony receivers the HDMI limitations were the many reason I returned this unit.

It worked, but not the way I wanted

HDMI was limiting as I could not get sound from my DVD player to this unit without a separate cable. It does little more then pass HDMI onto the TV. Spend more money and get a more current receiver

Dec, 2009

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Ok, but.

 

This is the first AVR I have bought. I tried it for 3 weeks then discovered that the Pioneer VSX-519V-K looked like a much better product for about the same price, so I returned the Sony and ordered the Pioneer.

Good amp

Poor tuner, constant and poor reception. Have to use extra cables for sound. Very basic capabilities

Dec, 2009

Consumer review (newegg.com)

SONY 5.1-Channel Home Theater A/V Receiver STR-DH500

 

I bought this as an upgrade to an old receiver that I had. I needed 2 optical inputs (one Out from my TV and one Out from my PC) and this has done the trick. Unhooked the speakers from the old receiver, hooked into this, plugged it up and away it went....

None so far

Oct, 2009

Consumer review (sony.com)

Great Value

 

"Sony's new entry level A/V receiver is a clear step up from the old model. Sound quality is very good. The HDMI switching and Bravia-sync are a bounus espcially since the rest of the components I have are compatible. The menu is not intuitative but...

Nice sound quality for the money

HDMI not used for audio

Mar, 2009
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Price comparison for Sony STR-DH500

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