Sony STR-DH820
Price: $533
Rating: 4/5
Sony has had mixed success with its AV
amplifiers in the past few years, but with the release of the STR-DH820 as the
successor to the excellent, Award-winning STR-DH810, it seemed things were
finally looking up. Following in its predecessor’s footsteps, the DH820 won our
2011 Award for Best Home Cinema Amplifier under $622, and remains one of Sony’s
go-to options.
However, a lot can change in two years.
Knocked off its Award-winning perch by its group test buddy, the Yamaha
RX-V373, does the now cheaper STR-DH820 still remain a keen option for the
entry-level home cinema market?
On paper, it’s certainly an impressive
package for its price. It offers seven channels where many competitors offer
only five, and there’s a generous 100W of power behind each channel. There’s
Dolby Pro Logic IIz on board too, so you’re able to swap out your surround back
speakers for a front height option, should you wish.
Sony
STR-DH820
3D support is on board, as is 1080p video
up scaling, and you’ll get four high-speed HDMI inputs for connecting all your
equipment – not particularly generous but about par for the course at this
price. With no Ethernet port you can forget about network connectivity or any
sort of music streaming through the Sony, though there is a USB port on the
front for hooking up any iPad, iPhone or iPod and playing either video or
music.
Set-up of the amp is simple for home cinema
newcomers: Sony’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) worked quickly, and
largely accurately, with the included microphone to get our speakers calibrated
easily. We felt the subwoofer needed turning down a few dB from the suggested
setting though, so it’s worth keeping an eye on that.
The Sony in action
We watch the opening scenes to Quantum of
Solace, and the DH820 does a good job of conveying a growing sense of
uneasiness from the edgy violin soundtrack, before the weighty roar of the
Aston Martin’s engine punctuates the start of a tense car chase. The sound of
gunfire flies around with a fair sense of space, though it’s not the most
natural spread of sound that we’ve heard at this price. And, while it does well
at the big show-stopping moments where power is key; it’s not the last word in
detail or dynamism compared with some of its newer competitors.
Switching to a music Blu-ray of Beyoncé in
concert and, in Halo, Beyoncé’s voice powers through the mix with strength and
enthusiasm. It can, though, feel somewhat removed from the live instruments
beneath it, leading to a less engaging sound than with other amps on test. Conversely
its CD performance shows good timing and a respectable level of detail for an
enjoyable all-round sound.
Our
budget amp Award winner from 2011 has a battle on its hands with new rivals on
the scene
The years since the DH820’s release haven’t
been the kindest. Some excellent competitors have entered the market, as well
as higher-specified options dropping into its price point, which means its
performance is not the revelation it was in 2011. That said, it’s extremely
affordable and it makes for a solid, capable option if you’re looking for a
very affordable seven-channel amp.
Speaker matching
This Sony needs care with speaker matching.
Its sonic balance is a little brighter and harder than the Yamaha and Pioneer,
so make sure the partnering speakers have well-behaved treble and plenty of
refinement. The Q Acoustics 2000i 5.1 package makes a perfect match for the
820.
This
Sony needs care with speaker matching
Rating: 4/5
For: Great value 7.1 channel amp; 3D
support; 1080p video up scaling; easy to set up; power
Against: No network functionality; lacks
detail compared with rivals; not a ‘big’ sound
Verdict: A capable, if not faultless,
option for those looking for a budget 7.1 channel amp
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Sony
STR-DH820 specs
·
Channels/power: 7/100W
·
HDMI in/out: 4/1
·
Component in/out: 2/1
·
Optical digital in: 2
·
Ethernet/Wi-Fi: No/No
·
Tuner/presets: FM/ MW/LW/60
·
Video Up conversion: Yes
·
Auto set-up: Yes
·
3D/4K capable: Yes/No
·
Weight: 8.5kg
·
Dimensions (H x W x D): 16 x 43 x 32cm
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