Receiver AM/FM / Audio-Video 5.1 Sony STR-DB840 QS (2000-01)

"By this receiver Sony continues to introduce its Digital Cinema Sound system into the devices of QS series. The number of special modes and their combinations with Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic exceeded 20.

The solid screw terminals for connecting the main and additional loudspeakers directly indicate the capabilities of the amplifiers.

On the remote control the buttons are located in two "floors". Another button field is under the flip-down cover. The option is rather necessary than unusual: the console looks less overloaded, and you have to use Surround setting rarer than other functions.

We adjusted the receiver, set the distance to the rear, center, then to the front, but we did not like the sound received. Continuing the setup, we were confused to find that not all those parameters that we entered were set into memory. It turns out that when the distance to the front is changed the others automatically change in the same proportion too... The frontal distance was the last, and the clever processor simultaneously reduced the distance we had already set to the center and the rear. Other "pitfalls" were not found. The amplifier easily "got into character", and all further attempts to move the parameters influenced the sound too exaggeratedly.

Having a good transfer of frontal displacements and a fairly accurate portrayal of objects in the rooms and outdoors, the stages had the lack of drama. I really wanted to add low frequencies, but we decided not to touch the timbre adjustment, being afraid of phase distortion. In order not to violate the established balance, we had to significantly raise the level of the sub, although this did not remedy the situation all the whole way. Most likely you should choose for Sony STR-DB840 the loudspeakers with a more powerful bass or, conversely, take a small theatrical set and, when setting, install the Small type of speaker system in order to strengthen the effect of the sub."