Home-theater systems 
By John P. Falcone (March 8, 2005) 
Sony's penchant for head-turning design is once again evident in its 2005 audio products. In addition to its plasma-friendly flat-speaker package (the SA-FT7ED), the company has updated its DVD Dream System lineup of all-in-one home-theater systems (see 2004 models here). Anyone looking to avoid stringing speaker cables around the room will appreciate the two models, featuring wireless rear speakers (up from just a single version last year), as well as the "2.1" design of the DAV-X1, which eliminates rear speakers altogether. Likewise, HDTV owners will appreciate the improved DVD image quality offered by the three models equipped with HDMI output.

Model	Price & availability	Specifications	What's cool about it
Sony SA-FT7ED  Check prices	$2,000 Summer 2005	5.1-channel surround speaker package; includes wall-mounting brackets; 150-watt powered subwoofer	Part of the ES lineup, the FT7ED speaker package is designed to match the flat-panel aesthetic of today's plasma and LCD TVs.
Sony DAV-FX10  Check prices	$500 Summer 2005	Home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) system with slot-loading five-disc SACD/DVD changer; one optical and one coaxial digital audio input; 1,000 watts total power	The DAV-FX10 is Sony's entry-level HTIB in Sony's 2005 DVD Dream System line. Like last year's DAV-FR1, it features a slot-loading five-disc changer.
Sony DAV-FX80  Check prices	$700 Summer 2005	HTIB system with slot-loading five-disc SACD/DVD changer; 720p/1080i HDMI output; one optical and one coaxial digital audio input; 1,000 watts total power	The DAV-FX80 is Sony's most affordable DVD Dream System to offer HD upscaling of DVD video. Like the entry-level DAV-FX10 (above), it also includes a slot-loading five-disc changer.
Sony DAV-X1  Check prices	$1,000 Summer 2005	2.1-channel SACD/DVD HTIB system; simulated surround from two speakers; 720p/1080i HDMI output; one optical and one coaxial digital audio input; composite, S-Video, and component-video outputs; two composite A/V inputs	The DAV-X1 Platinum DVD Dream System provides simulated surround from just two front speakers and a subwoofer, delivering fewer cumbersome wires and easier setup. The single-disc system can also upscale DVD video to high-def 720p and 1080i resolutions via its HDMI output.
Sony DAV-FX100W  Check prices	$900 Summer 2005	HTIB system with five-disc SACD/DVD changer; wireless rear speakers connected via Sony's DIAT infrared system; 720p/1080i HDMI output; 1,000 watts total power	Like last year's DAV-FR10W, the DAV-FX100W DVD Dream System uses Sony's Digital Infrared Audio Transmission (DIAT) system to provide a wireless connection to the rear speakers. This five-disc changer can also upscale DVD video to high-def 720p and 1080i resolutions via its HDMI output.
Sony DAV-LF10  Check prices	$1,500 Spring 2005	SACD/DVD HTIB system; wireless rear speakers connected via Sony's DIAT infrared system; touch-panel remote	The DAV-LF10 Platinum DVD Dream System emphasizes high-end styling, with a plasma-friendly "floating" glass design for the main unit and thin, tallboy speakers that are height adjustable or wall mountable.