CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 03/08/2005
- Released on: 04/15/2005
The same can't be said about the DE698's setup procedures, which are much less intuitive than the setups on the similarly priced Pioneer VSX-D914-K and the Onkyo TX-SR502. And like most receivers in this price range, the DE698 lacks onscreen menus, so you'll probably get a little frustrated trying to decipher the cryptic messages flashed across the receiver's display during setup. All together, the DE698 makes balancing the speakers' volume levels, size, and distances confusing.
The DE698 delivers 90 watts to each of its seven channels, making it the most affordable seven-channel receiver on the market. Most $300-list models sport only five or six channels.Surround processing options include Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS, DTS ES, Neo:6, and 96/24. Sony also includes a set of proprietary surround modes. AV Sync is a rarely seen feature on budget receivers--it delays the audio from all channels, which could come in handy for owners of LCD or plasma TVs whose images lag behind the audio. Unfortunately, the delay time isn't variable; it's fixed at 85 milliseconds.
The receiver has five digital audio inputs--two coaxial and three optical ins--and one optical digital output. Two assignable component-video inputs are available, along with a somewhat anemic three A/V inputs with S-Video. Three analog stereo jacks are provided for three audio-only sources, as is a 5.1 SACD/DVD-Audio input. There's also a set of front-panel A/V inputs, and the DE698 will upconvert composite video to S-Video. It's great that Sony provides banana-plug-compatible multiway speaker binding posts for all of the speakers, including the front-channel B speakers. But they do feel a little flimsy, so be careful back there.
The Day After Tomorrow DVD unleashed enough wind, rain, hailstones, thunderstorms, and giant waves pounding into Manhattan to provide a home-theater thrill fest. The STR-DE698 weathered the assaults without any signs of duress, though we did note the sound wasn't as realistic as we've experienced through some of our favorite receivers. It's acceptable, but it won't make you sit up and gasp for air when all hell is breaking loose on the screen. Continue readingMost helpful user reviews
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