CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 11/20/2002
- Updated on: 11/07/2009
Sony kept this kit petite--the sats are just 4.5 inches tall, and the sub is also on the compact side at just 6.25 inches wide by 14 inches high. The sleek, aluminum receiver/DVD changer is only 14 inches wide by 15.5 inches deep.The C450 is built around the aforementioned receiver-cum-five-disc-changer, which supports DVDs, CDs, and Super Audio CDs (SACD); five one-way satellites with 3.25-inch drivers; and a sub that sports a 7.75-inch woofer. Processing modes are standard: Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic (not Pro Logic II). The C450's digital amplifier is capable of delivering 80 watts to each of the sats and 100 watts to the sub.
Like most elevator-style disc-changing mechanisms, the C450 makes a bit of noise as it goes about its business, which it does pretty slowly, requiring 20 seconds to swap discs. On a more positive note, the efficient disc-management system makes it easy to keep track of each of the five discs. The C450 refused to play any of our MP3 CDs but handled our DVD-Rs and DVD+Rs without a problem.
On the connectivity front, the high point is the component-video output. The other audio/video connections are sparse, though they are adequate for small systems.
We found the C450 online for about $300. This little unit doesn't give up much compared to the more expensive DAV-770, a cooler-looking, upmarket model that features Dolby Pro Logic II surround and progressive-scan outputs but has the same mediocre sound quality. Then again, if you already have a DVD player and are more interested in audio fidelity than style, we recommend checking out another Sony kit, the HT-DDW840. You might also have a look at competitive budget systems such as Panasonic's SC-DM3.To start our auditions, we took advantage of the C450's ability to play SACDs. First up was Big Brother and the Holding Company's classic, Cheap Thrills. This live recording benefited from the SACD's surround mix, which put us right in the middle of the hall. But this Sony's innate sound quality was a downer: the sub's definition was soft and boomy; Janis Joplin's big, powerful voice was reined in; and the sats' treble response was coarse.
We next loaded up the new Star Wars--Episode II, Attack of the Clones DVD, but the C450 refused to play it. The changer would spin the disc for 30 seconds, flash the word prohibited on our TV, and eject the disc. The C450 didn't have any such problem with the Apocalypse Now Redux DVD but instantly rejected Frailty. We assumed that the C450's parental control was somehow engaged, but that wasn't the cause of the problems. After much head scratching and manual reading, we eventually got Star Wars to play by hitting the Clear button on the remote before the system spit the disc out.
Once we got going, we headed straight to the gladiator scene where the giant crab and the rhinoceros battle it out, but the C450's bland sound muted the fun. Dynamics were flattened, treble detail and air were nonexistent, and the sub was missing in action. Even when we cranked the kit to its maximum volume, it wouldn't play all that loud. We experienced the same problem with the other Dream systems that we've tested. The loudness shortfall varied from disc to disc, and CDs could play louder than DVDs, although the sound grew even less attractive at higher levels. The little cube speakers sound awfully small.
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