Dear forumers,

I have another noob question and I hope those who know can share some knowledge.

I plan to get Sony STR-DH810 due to small budget but the device supports 7.1 channel speaker system.



Can I use it as 5.1 if I do not utilize the L/R ports?

Any reasonably priced 5.1 speaker package for entry level HT system?

Planned setup = HDX BD1 + Plasma + STR-DH810 + reasonably priced 5.1 spkr.s... [is the setup = ok ? ]

Yes you can use a 7.1 avr in a 5.1 configuration.
5.1 means you use the front L/R, centre , Right and Left surrounds and subwoofer.
You should omit i.e not connect the rear surround speakers.
Later, when budget allows, you can add either a single or 2 rear surrounds for a 6.1/7.1 set-up.

Where can get the STR-DH810 from?

Cant remember from which MY site, that someone mentioned about it. The price could be much cheaper than the Yamaha 465 or Denon 1610.

I am still digging like mad about the mentioned site... cant remember where i bookmarked it.

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Added on April 20, 2010, 7:01 pmThanks bro Klimal... I thought this cannot be done initially.

This post has been edited by RayKazansky: Apr 20 2010, 07:02 PM

nice receiver u have.. its difficult to find in here

Yeah..I dun think its a local set..was tryin to find one everywhere could find...had to settle for a Sony AVR older model.

LOL, I just plan to get it... but since according to bro Azbro.... I dun think we can get it here

can i know the price of this Sony STR-DH810 ?

I just had a quick glance at the website and if not mistaken, the price is just below 1K. Sadly, I cant find back the URL for the website.

Hope you guys dun get mad at me about the price mentioned, if you guys find it more expensip on retail tag.

If any of you guys manage to get the price, do share with me yeah.

p/s: regarding the performance, I would not expect this item to be better than Denon or Yamaha (around same category)

This post has been edited by RayKazansky: Apr 21 2010, 12:16 AM

I dont thnk so this will be below 1k.... should be more than 1.5k or 2k



US Sony Style Price : http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores...ategoryId=27925

This post has been edited by devil'z070: Apr 21 2010, 02:37 AM

Sony STR-DH810 cost around USD230 at it was out in March, last month.

Probably Sony MYS not going to have this sooner in store. Cant find any of the web in MYS.

Yeah...I called up Sony Malaysia to ask abt Sony AVR models thats marketed in US and UK....no..they will not built a one off for you due to warranty and electrical safety regulation issues.

Also take note, if you want to import it from overseas, make sure it comes with ALL the standard packing.

The most important is the box and Styrofoam (or paper pulp). It has to be the standard stuff......This is because Sony AVR is popular for dry solder that will effect the sound coming out. There are a lot of cases ppl had to take apart the amp to solder back the rear terminals, components etc....I know cause I'm using a Sony AVR and this happened to me......and I'm not alone...the are many - many cases of this poor soldering happening.
But dun worry, dun let that deter you if you are a real sucker for Sony stuff (like i am ). So far if you go to any electrical shop there will mention Sony Products has lesser returns.

And do not compare it directly to dollars or pounds....over there Sony is cheap...but in MY and SG they mark up the price...even though its 'Made in Malaysia!'


This post has been edited by azbro: Apr 21 2010, 08:20 AM

Yeah, I think the price range should be around the same with Denon 1610 or Yammy 465. Since this is the case, this unit would not be budget unit anymore for me.

You're right Azbro (my HT Guru hehe), I also afraid if the electrical setup on the mentioned unit does not fit the usage in our country. Just imagine you buy today, test it for few minutes and you fried it. Gone your $$$.

OK... let say i get something like this unit, could be Yammy or Denon 1610... what kind of 5.1 speaker set that will not burn my wallet but the performance is not bad for entry level HT ?

err..me not HT Guru...I only know what I experienced or info from googling around...
Some other members here have more experience and knowledge.

I know abt Sony AVR because I wanted to get one of those US models which like you said, find the prices very attractive...but its actually different country to country...

Well, can say I classify speakers into 2 easy category....ones that make sound (or noise), and one that is musical. Of course there is an inbetween.
Those that make noise are those cheapo speakers that usually come with HTiB sets.....it just makes noise....so if you want a guitar, drum or flute to sound just like real life...err....you'll be disappointed....but these kinda speakers also have their market for movies where most of the time its vocals, some orchestra music...but more to crash, boom, bang sort of thing.

For you I give two choice:
1.New... http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1341807?hl=onkyo
Seems like lots of ppl are buying them and very less complains....at those prices...you can't beat that.
Pair it with a 12inch Sub...can always find no brand Subs if you want to upgrade later.

2.2nd Hand stuff...well...you can get really great stuff if you look around....even solid Mission Floor-standers can go for a song!
But always test first...when you test try testing louder than usual to make sure it doesn't flap so easily.

Below 1K...I also wan to get one unit..

Can PM where to get that?

If those specs less than 1K can get one in Malaysia, Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, Marantz can close shop oledi...haha...unless its second hand unit

Never compare with the US / UK prices...funny electrical stuff are cheaper there even though 'Made in Malaysia'!!

Very true... about those that can close shop.

U gip me 2 choices... both bagus! Contacted the seller for onkyo... no reply pulak.

Bro Azbro, can u share with us your setup? Like... (other pls share your setup as well yeah... for knowledge sharing purpose)

Yours definately would be the non-noisy setup haha...

Example...
Display:
AV Receiver:
Speakers:
Sub Woofer:
Network Media Tank / POHD:





This post has been edited by RayKazansky: Apr 22 2010, 09:37 AM

err...me shylah...old peasant system only...only thing is I have Panny Plasma HD (never liked Sony colors), Sony AVR STR-DE497 , Sony Floorstander SSF5000 speaker + Matching Sony Center and surround, no brand 10inch Sub and old Sigma Media Player. Waiting for new gen Sigma player to come out and upgrade to 12" Sub....well those stuff were highly rated back then...now can get better features oledi.

Whoa... your system is better than what I plan so far.

Well, here's my current setup gonna be:-
- WDTV Gen 1 (bought cheap cheap from colleague, he used few times only b4 setting up HTPC)
- Getting Sharp HD ready 720 LCD TV
- Getting S530D due to WDTV G1 has no sound decoder and it comes with optical audio in

Soon maybe in near future when my new place ready, i plan to setup the following:-
- Sigma 8642 based NMT (like HDX BD1 or Dune BD Prime 3.0)
- Panasonic 42inch full HD plasma
- Yamaha RX-V465 5.1 channel [Sony STR-DH810 is out of plan liow as the price gonna be almost same as others]
- Onkyo speakers
- Reasonably priced sub woofer

What do u think, bro? Boleh ar? or overkill liow?

This post has been edited by RayKazansky: Apr 22 2010, 10:41 AM

For you current system.
I'm not really sure what is the use of the Optical and Coaxial inputs on the S530D....does it docode DTS and DD as well?
If yes, than it will be great.

For your second system....well..thats good...but pay attention to Speakers and Subs...for me Floorstanders sound more 'full' than all Satellites.
My setup will be Floorstanders (that has at least an 8inch woofer OR 2 6.5inch woofer) will be full spectrum ...center and satellites lower freq will be handled by the Floorstandards....wherelse Subwoofers are handled separately from the 5.0....Sub for me mostly for explosion and effects..this setting can be done on most Amp.

Yours setup I think is Satellites and centers lower freq will be handled by the sub...truthfully, I dun like how a sub sounds with music cause they are more for Vibration or air movers rather than sound. Its best to leave the hard bass for the Floorstanders and the Sub bass for the Sub Box.

When talking abt Sub woofer there are different types...6.5~8inch are good for hardbass...12inch above good for moving mass of air...I really dun fancy pairing satellites with a large Subwoofer....sounds uneven unless those satellites are expensive premium stuff.
Most common you'll find are Satellite paired with a 6.5 or 8 inch woofer.

Dun understand what I'm talking abt...well..you will later..

This post has been edited by azbro: Apr 22 2010, 12:40 PM

Fuyoh... my kepala . So much info to learn from u since my first post about dolby/dts. Gee, thanks. Hehe.

For current system, S530D will be the cheapest solution available for my WDTV. No decoding done by speaker (logitech has it). Direct audio out from WDTV into S530D.

For near future,
Once I get HDi DUNE PRIME 3.0 or HDX BD1, then only let the player decode whatever Dolby/DTS format. And floor standing, for me... will kill my small space... so my setup will look "like" Bose Acoustimass... hehe with small cute satellites (less loud sound) and sub woofer.

Harvey Norman did offer Yamaha v465 with floor standing...package... all for RM2.8k+. My jaw dropped and tongue rolled because it's like cinema @ home ler.

OK, I've read the S530D info....those optical or Coaxials will be only stereo sound....now here comes the problem...

I'm not sure about WDTV 1 if it has ability to decode DTS internally to stereo....I see most ppl with WDTV1 need to convert DTS to DD with is quite a hassle sometimes.

Best is to bring your WDTV1 to the shop to test it with the S530D. Make sure the movie files you have are DTS and some in DD.

Regarding your future upgrade...well..I also think floorstanders are giants filling up the small hall I have...but the sound they produce makes up for it.
I channel my low freq sound from the Center and satellites to the floorstanders woofers....sounds better than channeling it all to a Subwoofer.
Take note...nowadays ppl are innovative...so instead of huge floorstanders, they make slimmer ones with 2 6.5inch bass instead of 8 inch woofer.
Example:
Double 6.5inch


Singular 8 inch


If you still insist on all Satellites, well, you can always upgrade later when you get fed up with it...

I already know that my WDTV Gen1 cannot decode DTS .
That is why i just wanna get a simple 2.1 speaker set to make noise... haha .
DTS & DD will come later when I get better Sigma player in few months time.

Regarding the floorstanders, playing with frequency type of speakers can emit the surround sound? No rear speakers needed?

err..thats not I meant...i meant channeling the low freq of the satellite and center to the floorstanders sounds will make the system sound better.

Afaik, there is no really good substitute for rear speakers...you want surround, you got to have them...of course a few of company like Sony and Yamaha have their own technology to simulate surround without the rear speaker..

So meaning... since i wanna save space, I think I wanna opt for the tech u mentioned.

Cant setup like yours at the moment bro, coz new place not ready.

bro Azbro, soon u will be Dune's owner... congrats man. You really know good stuffs well. Hehe.

This post has been edited by RayKazansky: Apr 26 2010, 05:22 PM