Sony STRDH790.CEK 7.2 Channel Dolby Atmos/DTS: X 4K HDR AV Receiver - Black

Product Information

The STR-DH790 gives you several different options for setting up your speakers. Even if you're starting with a pair of stereo speakers, you can still enjoy immersive surround sound effects thanks to Sony's front surround sound technology. There were some wrinkles with the HDMI equipment I used. Specifically, neither of my Beyonwiz PVRs would work with the HDMI input labelled BD/DVD. Both worked perfectly with the Game and Media Box inputs. The Beyonwiz T4 also worked with the SAT/CATV input, but while the picture came through from the T3 on that one, the sound wouldn’t. I tried different HDMI cables. Who knows what was going on there. The BD/DVD input worked fine with the Sony disc player (above) and my own selection of UHD and Blu-ray players. A useful button on the remote displays video and audio signal information on the screen, so you’ve got some information to work with.

The STR-DH790 provides up to 1015 watts (145 watts per channel) total output power to let you enjoy a more theater-like sound. And as if this is not enough, the receiver offers you multiple options of setting up your system in any living or entertainment room. Measuring the power output of the Sony STR-DH790 proved a little problematical because Sony has built in an automatic circuit to prevent the output devices from overheating. This means that the power output of the amplifier is completely dependent on the temperature of the rather small heatsink inside the unit. This heatsink relies on passive radiation—it is not fan-cooled. When this heatsink’s temperature is lower than 25°C, Newport Test Labs found that the Sony STR-DH790 will deliver 162-watts per channel into 8ohm with one channel driven and 136-watts per channel into 8ohm with two channels driven. Sony STR-DH790 AV Receiver is a 7.2ch Home Theatre AV Receiver with Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth and 4K HDR support. There is a time gap between the visual display on the TV and the audio output from the speaker connected to the receiver.

What's in the box:

Functionality is great, lovin' the Bluetooth input that is a comparative breeze to use. (Previously, I had one of those separate little receiver things - what a faff!)

The STR-DH790 processes DTS:X, HD, HDMA, ES, and 96/24 object-based audio signal information codecs. The average consumer will find these formats to offer crystal clear and surprisingly lifelike audio. Tuning Capabilities And notably there is no support for networking at all, either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. However there is Bluetooth, which may be far more important for those seeking a receiver at this price point. It supports the AAC codec, so most Apple device users should get the best Bluetooth sound possible. It doesn’t support aptX, nor Sony’s LDAC. Further, much of the networking stuff may be duplicated in your TV—especially given that Sony’s own models (such as its award-winning KD65-A1 OLED) favour the Android interface which is absolutely born to network. I didn’t have the A1 to hand, but for Netflix I used the Netflix app on an LG OLEDPut yourself at the heart of the action with an immersive 5.1.2 channel surround speaker system, delivering lifelike audio from every angle – even above. If you’re using a different combination of speakers and audio components, Sony’s DCAC (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration) speaker calibration system is a great feature to have onboard. The receiver automatically examines the room acoustics or speaker distance and adjusts the settings to optimize the system in any room. In addition, the included microphone aligns the characteristics of the left channels to be in phase with the right channels to deliver a matching and more effective sound quality. Up to 3 DSPs

pass-through is great and with the X700 BD player upscaling my discs, the whole PQ is superb. Audio also, with separation giving a fantastic sound-field - although I did have to raise the volume a little on my ceiling speakers. Further, much of the networking stuff may be duplicated in your TV — especially given that Sony’s own models (such as our award-winning KD65-A1 OLED) favour the Android interface which is absolutely born to network. We didn’t have the A1 to hand, but for Netflix I used the Netflix app on an LG OLED TV and had it deliver the sound to the Sony receiver via the HDMI cable using the Audio Return Channel. This arrangement worked almost as seamlessly. The STR-DH790 features a dedicated electronic Audio Return Channel (eARC) HDMI input that streamlines connecting your compatible television to allow audio signals to run both to and from the television while requiring only a single video signal cable.The 790 has a lovely rich tone, that adds an extra warmth to any music. Action scenes and ambience have that extra dimension (now) thanks to the addition of Atmos. The primary way you’ll send signals to the receiver is through the HDMI inputs. The STR-DH790 from Sony offers four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. You’ll use these for connecting gaming consoles, Blu-Ray players, and other media sources. All of the inputs are 4k-capable at 60 Hz with one HDMI cable being designated for 4k/120 hz. eARC-Ready I'm surprised at the very basic GUI when compared with other Sony AV Amps that I've seen. I think a lot more could have been made with that, especially with some of the finer set-up tweaks like reassigning inputs etc. Most of the sound- field settings ended up with a rather strong bass, much higher than that normally provided by AV receivers. Who does it right? Yamaha, Denon, Marantz on the one hand, with a more subdued subwoofer lev­el, or Sony on the other hand, with one that’s at least 6dB louder? I brought down the bass level a little, but really, let your subwoofer’s capacity, your own taste and your neigh­bours’ complaints determine the optimum level for you. I had pleasant experiences listening to both CDs and Bluetooth-streamed tunes during my time with the STR-DH790.