Entered CNET Catalog: 06/02/2005
SKU: 0027242667242
Manufacturer: Sony Electronics, Inc.
Manufacturer description
Looking for a big sound from your home stereo but worried you don't have the room? Sony's DAVFX10 is the answer you've been looking for! It's the DVD Home Theater System that will give any room that state-of-the-art sound (and look) you crave. Packing a whopping 1000W of power, features include a 5-disc DVD changer with Progressive Scan Output and 6-channel S-master fully digital amplifier/receiver with coaxial/optical inputs. The DAVFX10 also comes with a slim center speaker and a 285W subwoofer that can be hidden almost anywhere. Finish it all off with a pair of 143W micro-satellite speakers for superior center and surround sound and a pre-programmed remote with Theater Sync and Sony TV Direct button and you have the home theater you've always dreamed of. Whatever the room, the sound decision you've searched for is here. The Sony DAV-FX10 5.1ch DVD Home Theater System. Music, movies and much, much more.Product summary
The good: Attractive design; five-disc slot-loading DVD/SACD/CD changer/receiver; microsize satellite speakers; standard-size subwoofer.
The bad: The receiver/DVD changer takes up a lot of shelf space; inability to modify bass, treble, or subwoofer volume; meager input and output options; confusing onscreen setup menus.
The bottom line: The Sony DAV-FX10 delivers the goods as an affordable and attractive home-theater solution, but competitors offer more for less.
Average user rating: from 4 users
3.0 stars
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 01/27/2006
The Sony DAV-FX10 sounded nicely balanced even before we tackled the grueling task of sorting through Sony's less-than-intuitive menus. Even so, you're probably not off the hook; most of you will still have to navigate some menus to match the FX10's video output to your TV.
The slim-line remote mimics the receiver's crisp styling, and its minimalist button count simplifies everyday use (more buttons reside under a slip-down cover). The catch is that the remote doesn't offer basic amenities such as bass and treble controls or direct access to subwoofer volume--and those functions aren't available via the receiver either. If you like to fiddle with the sound, this isn't the HTIB for you--you're stuck with plain vanilla.
The front and rear silver-plastic satellites have a generic HTIB look, but they're nice and small at just 6.5 inches high and have keyhole slots for fuss-free wall mounting. The 11.6-inch-wide center speaker's threaded insert eases mounting chores. Sony offers matching floor stands--the adjustable-height WS-FV11 model goes for $100 a pair and the WS-WV10D/S wall brackets run $40 a pair.
The subwoofer's silver finish and sculptured front panel visually complement the receiver/changer and speakers--the solidly built medium-density fiberboard sub measures 8.2 inches wide and 15 inches high and deep. The receiver/changer head unit of the Sony DAV-FX10 includes a digital amplifier that claims to deliver 143 watts per channel to each speaker and 285 watts to the subwoofer--a dubious promise if there ever was one. The receiver/DVD changer's surround processing covers the usual Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II, DTS, and proprietary Sony surround options. The five-disc changer plays DVDs, Super Audio CDs, CDs, and MP3 and JPEG discs.
Connectivity options are limited to the bare essentials: two A/V inputs and two digital audio inputs (one coaxial, one optical), as well as the standard set of component, S-Video, and composite outputs that go to your TV. That'll do for small bedroom or den systems but not much beyond that. At first, we thought the penny-pinching designers even left off the headphone jack, but a 3.5mm jack is tucked away on the front-right side of the unit.
The Sony DAV-FX10 offers an A/V Sync feature to reestablish lip-sync with TV displays that lag behind audio. While that sounds great, since you can't fine-tune the delay to match your TV, the feature is practically useless.
The speakers all feature the same oval-shaped 2.75-by-4-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter. The subwoofer has an 8-inch woofer on its right flank.
The Sony DAV-FX10 is currently Sony's most affordable Dream system. The problem is that the competition in this price range--including the JVC TH-C6, Panasonic SC-HT930, and HDMI-enabled Samsung HT-HDP40--is fierce. For instance, the Samsung offers HDMI output for $100 less than the Sony. You might not expect a HTIB with such small satellites to summon up the power to do the latest installment in the Star Wars saga justice, but Revenge of the Sith sounded great. The opening salvos of John Williams's score rumbled with impressive authority over the Sony DAV-FX10's spunky subwoofer, and the satellite speakers kicked the opening space battle into high gear. Even the Pixies Sell Out thrash-'n'-bash concert DVD couldn't overtax the FX10.
While a lot of HTIBs that pass muster on DVD sound pretty lame in stereo, the Sony DAV-FX10 was just as accomplished on CD. The sound was still nicely balanced, thanks in large part the satellites and subwoofer's synergy. The sats sounded like much larger speakers and played loudly without strain. Bass is warm and full, but if we had to pick on one thing, it would be the treble, as there isn't much of it. Not that the balance is overtly dull, but detail isn't a strong suit of the FX10. SACDs' sound quality was about the same as that of CDs, but we enjoyed the seamless wraparound surround effects on Beck's Sea Change SACD.
In the final analysis, the Sony DAV-FX10 delivers the goods as an affordable and attractive home-theater solution. But there are plenty of alternatives in the same price range that offer better sound. For instance, we still prefer the JVC TH-C6, which delivers superior treble detail, tauter bass, and tower speakers for roughly the same price.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 4 user reviews
Not bad overall
Pros: good pre selected sound variety
Cons: That crazy disc changer
Review: The sound quality of this system is good for those wanting to step up to a medium duty low price HTIB. Good selection of sound fields to deal with the viewers tastes and situations.
However, I have never run into a multi disc changer as user unfriendly as this one! Come on Sony, I think we've been doing the multi disc thing for a while now.
Apart from that changer it has been reliable for over a year...no malfunctions. That's a good thing.
I'm graduating to Onkyo's HT-S907
However, I have never run into a multi disc changer as user unfriendly as this one! Come on Sony, I think we've been doing the multi disc thing for a while now.
Apart from that changer it has been reliable for over a year...no malfunctions. That's a good thing.
I'm graduating to Onkyo's HT-S907
User Rating:
1.5 stars
out of 4 user reviews
I have patience but this super slow Home Theater System is ridiculous!
Pros: 1000W! With Lots of Work & A Bunch Of Time You Can Make It Sound Good.
Cons: Its Extremely Slow & Its Not Easy To Make Sound Adjustments
Review: Do not buy this model! I bought this Dream System 1 year ago for $420 and sometimes I feel like throwing it through the window. It takes forever to read any CD/DVD and I consider myself a very patient individual. Ejecting CDs is also extremely tough even with the directions! Adjusting treble, bass, balance, fade and any other possible sound improvement is very difficult. You are not able to adjust any of the above while you are listening to music/DVD/TV/Tunner or anything. It takes a lot of work & time to produce the perfect sound from this Dream System. The only pro about this unit is the 1000w and in my bedroom that is a lot. The sound is good if you spend the time adjusting it but be ready to continuously readjust. Do not buy this Home Theater System!
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 4 user reviews
Great Package! Awesome sound.
Pros: Clear, crisp, powerful sound, decent inputs, plays super audio cd's, very streamlined.
Cons: If you lose the remote you're SOL(except for the basic functions) disc changing/loading/ejecting is on the slow side
Review: First I'd like to say that I was very impressed with this system. The sound this baby puts out is awesome! I read a few reviews before i wrote this, and not everything is true. The subwoofer IS adjustable(+/-6) and each channel can be adjusted(time alignment+/-6) It has quite a few sound fields to choose from and a very good range of them. The remote has all the advanced functions on it, so if you lose it you'd better buy another one if possible. I've heard a lot of systems and went through a few myself, but this one blows them all away. The sound quality is amazingly clear and full even at very loud volumes, and the system has a healthy punch(1000w). I have extra speakers everywhere including towers but adding them to this system would be useless. So this actually helped me free some space as well. The price tag is hefty, but the product delivers. You could very easily spend over $300-400 buying individual components. There are very few cons. There is no treble or bass adjustment(besides sub level), although it is sleek it does take up some shelf space for the receiver. Also when loading or ejecting discs it takes a little while. Overall I am glad i purchased sony once again.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 4 user reviews
Great Sound
Pros: Lots of Soundfield Options and lots of Inputs
Cons: Not enough amplification and a passive sub, slow loading of DVDS
Review: Sony has always had a place at my house. Always satisfied with sound quality and dependability. This digital head unit does take up a lot of space so be sure that it will fit in the cabinet you intend to put it in. Finally they give you enough speaker cord to run where ever you need, appreciate that. Great color coded layout of speaker wires makes install easy for anyone no matter what level of technical capabilities. Wish the unit had more amplification for the movies you want to blow peoples eardrums with. Lots of presets for the tuner mode. Confusing setup menus take a while to figure out. All and all a very good surround sound sytem, paid about 400 at best buy for it.
