We've had this system for well over a year now. It is paired up with a Samsung LE40A656 in our bedroom. The room is 11 feet by 13 feet, and in this environment the Sony is absolutely ideal.
There is some discussion about the sound output being low, but I don't think this is the case at all. You need to have the control set to 60 to 65, which is most of the way, but at this position the sound output is exactly what you need for a good action movie. You couldn't have it at this level in a joined-on house, the neighbours would probably set the dog on you. Some people have suggested that the high level of the volume control means the unit is going to run out of headroom. This is not so, it is only a control position, nothing more. The amps are all very well specified, and produce all the power you need (in a room this size). I never tried it in a bigger room, and now the cables are under the carpet, I'm unlikely to.
Basic setup is easy using the calibration mic provided. I found some slight tweaking was needed afterwards.
Sound is effortless and clear. Can be a bit heavy on the (sub) bass, but this is easily adjusted. Most people who hear this sytem are stunned by the quality, and can't believe the sound is coming from such a small system.
The unit has an optical input, a coaxial input, and a pair of phonos. The phonos duplicate the optical input, and the optical has priority. If you need the additional inputs, you need to turn off the device feeding the optical. I think this might be a problem if this was your main system. We have the TV connected to the optical, the PC (for Blu-Ray) connected to the coax. If we want to play the mp3 player or another device through it, we have to use the phono connectors and make sure the tv is off.
I don't think this sytem is available any more, but similar ones are. Highly recommended for a small room, no experience in a larger setting.
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Aug 7th, 2009
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