Sony STR-DH590 Receiver

Product Information

The 4K pass through did not disappoint. Sony says that their pass through hardware allows for visual data to pass through the receiver without compromising the visual integrity of your display. The result is 4K quality video that actually look like 4K quality video. The STR-DH590 is also HDCP 2.2 compatible, which means that you shouldn’t have any trouble streaming any 4K or HDR content. On the home menu, you will be greeted with a simple monochromatic on-screen display that shows you five options – This is a world of difference in the video quality enabled by this receiver with an HDR pass-through when compared with other receivers that don’t come with this feature. The visual clarity and contrast are significantly pronounced, and the images are more vivid.

Sony STR-DH590 5.2-channel home theater receiver with Sony STR-DH590 5.2-channel home theater receiver with

The image contrast was much more defined and the visuals were much brighter. We also noticed a major increase in shadow detail and highlights, resulting in a much more colorful and immersive experience. The STR-DH590 supports the latest HDR standards, including HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) and Dolby Vision. Because of its versatility and HDR performance, the STR-DH590 is one of the more impressive 4K receivers we have reviewed. 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. Can you cheat and go with four-ohm speakers if you already have them? We would never recommend that you do, of course. But if you must, then just be cautious with levels. When you start up the receiver it presents a kind of basic user menu across the screen of your TV. This can overlay whatever video signal is being throughput, even UHD HDR BT.2020 stuff, and it can be invoked at any time with the ‘Home’ key. The four options are ‘Watch’, which lets you choose one of the four HDMI inputs, ‘Listen’, which lets you choose from Bluetooth, the FM tuner (there is no AM tuner) and SA/CD analogue or digital, ‘Easy Setup’ which invokes a settings wizard, the inappropriately-named ‘Sound Effect’, and ‘Speaker Settings’ which allows manual adjustments to speaker settings.The remote control also has an Options button that adds some extra features to the toolbar: Pure Direct on / off, Sound field selection, Night mode on / off, Dual Mono and AV Sync. You can adjust the speaker size / level, HDMI inputs, select digital audio inputs, bass and treble, perform AV synchronization, and HDMI settings such as ARC. By default, all four HDMI inputs are set to Standard, but to send the full 4K / 60p 4: 4: 4 HDR signal, the BD / DVD and Media Box must be set to Enhanced. Performance of the Sony STR-DH590 The controls are displayed very systematically, keeping you from getting confused and taking time to figure the settings out over time. Unlike some other appliances that seem to be burgeoned with a slew of controls, dials, options, and buttons, this surround sound receiver offers a clearly comprehensible layout and ease of use. Though you will not find an on-screen menu for advanced AV settings, you can modify some controls through the LCD on the front of the device and the “Amp Menu” button on the controller.

We have tested the Sony STR-DH590 5-Channel AV Receiver!

This results in the output seeming tailor-made for the specific room’s needs as if installed and calibrated by a professional. This is one feature that makes this receiver as perfect as it is. 7. Smart Connectivity While every now and then most of us like to take out time to watch a movie at the cinema, how awesome would it be if you could bring the experience home? That is exactly how the concept of home theaters came to be. We continued the tests with the 2018 sci-fi film Replicas. The DH590 AV receiver has both excellent 3D and HDR10 capabilities. The flaws This receiver comes with a compact remote with a methodical, clean layout and pretty much all the controls you need to operate the speaker system. What you will also find in the box with the Home Theater receiver are foldable headphones, a charging cable, a carry case, and an audio cable for a wired connection. Pros and Cons Pros Anyone who has installed a sound system at multiple locations, rather it be because you had to move or just decided to set up a surround system in a second room, knows that every room handles sound a bit different. Everything from the insulation, to construction material, to the rooms dimensions can affect the way that sound is perceived. Sony’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (D.C.A.C.) system is the most convenient and user friendly way to optimize your sound.

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Complete with signal handling, multiple ports and inputs, and a host of other advanced features, this is one of the most attractive options in its category out there. A simple, value-oriented piece of technology that comes with the supremely convenient feature of Bluetooth connectivity, this is arguably Sony’s best middle-range option for surround sound receivers. Unboxing the Sony STR DH590 Additionally, the audio performance of the Sony STR-DH590 is equally impressive. It delivers clean and precise dialogue, along with a dynamic and intense sound that envelops you in the action on screen. The inclusion of features like S-Force Pro Front Surround adds depth to the soundstage but falls short of a true surround sound setup. Increased Power Output: The Sony STR-DH790 boasts a more substantial power output of 145W per channel, ensuring clearer and more dynamic audio performance, especially during demanding and high-volume scenes. This power advantage enables the receiver to easily drive larger speakers, delivering a more captivating and impactful soundstage. This means you have to constantly recalibrate the speaker settings or optimize the speakers’ placement around the space to achieve just the right output. This can be a tedious task. It no longer has to be one with the Sony STR-DH590’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration System (DCAC). 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 six decibels higher? 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.