Sony Home audio

The Bottom Line: The Sony STR-DN1000 offers solid sound and basic AV receiver features at a bargain price, but it's not nearly as good as last year's STR-DG920.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, Universal remote control (Infrared), Gloss piano black

The Bottom Line: The Sony BDV-E500W is an attractive home theater system with built-in Blu-ray and wireless rear speakers, but it's too expensive and lacks streaming media services such as Netflix or Pandora found on cheaper competing systems.

Specs: Home theater system, Speaker system, Blu-Ray disc player / AV receiver, CD, DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, Surround Sound, 1000 Watt, Universal remote control (Infrared)

The Bottom Line: Sony's STR-DH700 is an inexpensive 7.1 AV receiver, but its lackluster sound and dearth of features make it tough to recommend.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Universal remote control (Infrared), 16.9 in x 12.7 in x 6.2 in, 17.6 lbs

The Bottom Line: If Blu-ray compatibility isn't a consideration, Sony's HAV-HDX589W home theater system offers a good balance of features and quality.

Specs: Home theater system, Speaker system, Receiver with speakers, DVD changer / AV receiver, DVD changer, CD, DVD, CD-R, SACD, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R DL, Video CD, Surround Sound, 1000 Watt, Universal remote control (Infrared)

The Bottom Line: The Sony HT-SS360 is an inexpensive home theater system with generous HDMI connectivity and satisfying sound on movies, but don't expect it to deliver with music.

Specs: Home theater system, AV receiver, Speaker system, Surround Sound, 1000 Watt, Universal remote control (Infrared)

The Bottom Line: Sony's STR-DG920 is a standout midrange AV receiver, with a basic graphical user interface, four HDMI inputs, and solid video processing.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 770 Watt, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Remote control (Infrared), 16.9 in x 13.9 in x 6.2 in, 23.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: Hailed by audiophiles as one of the greatest tuners ever, the Sony XDR-F1HD is arguably the best--and most affordable--way to add HD radio to any stereo system.

Specs: Radio tuner, Stereo, Remote control, 7.1 in x 6.3 in x 2.4 in, 2.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: Sony's HT-CT100 soundbar/subwoofer audio system is a phenomenal value that sounds great with movies and music.

Specs: Home theater system, AV receiver, Speaker system, None, Surround Sound, 250 Watt

The Bottom Line: With six HDMI inputs, an intuitive graphical user interface, and excellent audio and video quality, the Sony STR-DA5300ES raises the bar on what to expect from a high-end AV receiver.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Universal remote control (Infrared)

The Bottom Line: The Sony STR-DG810 delivers three HDMI inputs at a fairly low price, but connectivity, features, and sound quality shortfalls spoil the deal.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 660 Watt, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Universal remote control (Infrared), 16.9 in x 12.2 in x 6.2 in, 17.6 lbs