If you are on the market looking for a talented entry-level AV receiver then you should really check Sony STR-DH790 out. It is an award-winning AVR that has high-quality sound and visuals, not to mention, it is also loaded with features. You will need to pair the STR-DH790 with matching speakers so that this AV receiver will be able to unlock its full potentials.
Matching speakers based on their specs is important and matching them by sonic characteristics is as crucial too. We will be listing out the best speakers to partner with your Sony STR-DH790 after we have learned more about the AV receiver itself and this information can be useful for you as well when searching for matching speakers.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Sony STR-DH790
It is a 7.2 channel AV receiver with the latest 3D audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, for an entry-level AVR at this price point, these surround sound formats are a welcome feature. The Sony STR-DH790 is also capable of processing 4K HDR and supports Hybrid Log Gamma, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 delivering you stunning home cinematic visuals. Instead of Audyssey, the Sony STR-DH790 uses Advanced D.C.A.C as its auto-calibration technology. Usually, you will need to use the D.C.A.C for the initial setup and after you have broken in your speakers.
The power output of the Sony STR-DH790 is 90 Watts into 6 Ohms with 2 channels driven and at 145 Watts into 6 Ohms with 1 channel driven which are quite good for an entry-level AVR. The frequency response of the AV receiver will be 20Hz-20kHz. With these specifications alone, we know that bookshelf speakers with 6-8 Ohms impedance and are quite easy to drive will be the ideal choices. Floor-standing speakers must be efficient and have high speaker sensitivity then they may be viable choices. You can connect up to 2 powered subwoofers but both of them would be counted as one.
More Details at Amazon – Sony STR-DH790 7.2-ch Home Theater AV Receiver
The first impression of the Sony STR-DH790 AVR is that it is made to entertain, the bass performance is powerful and really bold. It seems there is an emphasis on the low-end reproduction which delivers prominent mid and deep bass frequency. If you like the bass delivery of the STR-DH790 then just leave it as it is but the emphasized low frequency may overwhelm the rest of the higher frequencies from time to time. You can simply adjust the bass level of your AVR and connected subs to your liking. Overall, the bass reproduction provided us with an entertaining and enjoyable home cinema experience.
Sony STR-DH790 is capable of accurately delivering surround sound effects and sonic elements, providing us with quite an immersive movie experience. The clarity of the overall sound reproduction is good and may get a bit bright when been played at high volume levels. There are plenty of details but the subtleties can be a bit clearer though. At this price point, we shouldn’t complain much and it still dishes out very audible dialogues, great for TV series too. For music listening, you might want to try playing your favorite tunes using Pure Direct mode which provides more clarity and details.
All in all, the Sony STR-DH790 is absolutely terrific for action-packed movies and TV series. It is quite good with music playbacks but the home theater performance is what makes this AVR shines. Still, there are a few notable features such as Bluetooth connectivity, DSD decoding, and others, which help improve the music listening experience. The Advanced D.C.A.C may need some manual adjustments after the auto-calibration which can be quite a bummer. We have the necessary details we need to start listing out the best speakers to match with the Sony STR-DH790 entry-level AV receiver.
Sony STR-DN790 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 90 Watts into 6 Ohms (2 channels driven), 145 Watts into 6 Ohms (1 channel driven)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Wireless: Bluetooth Connection
- Inputs: 4 HDMI inputs, 4 Analog inputs, 1 Optical input, 1 Coaxial input
- Outputs: Headphone output, 1 HDMI eARC, 2 Subwoofer outputs
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 430mm x 133mm x 297mm (17″ x 5.2″ x 11.7″)
- Weight: 7.4kg (16.3lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Sony STR-DN790
The SVS Prime Satellite 5.1 will be fantastic speakers to match with your Sony STR-DH790 AV receiver as it consists of a powerful SVS SB-1000 sealed cabinet subwoofer. The tight control and accurate rendering of the low frequency complement the Sony STR-DH790 bass performance really well which also improves the music listening experience. Connect another matching SVS SB-1000 powered subwoofer then you got an impressive HT sound system. The SVS satellite speakers will match well with the subwoofers too, delivering a cohesive sound reproduction. Just remember to set the SVS Prime Satellites to small speakers in your settings.
More Details at Amazon – SVS Prime Satellite 5.1 Speaker Package
The Q Acoustics 3000i home theater speaker pack is another amazing choice to pair up with the Sony STR-DH790 AVR. It consists of the Q Acoustics 3010i bookshelf speakers which have garnered plenty of accolades over the years due to their exceptional sound quality for the price. Their sonic characteristics are well-match with the Sony STR-DH790 as they are energetic sounding stand-mounters. The matching Q 3090i center channel speaker is equally expressive but we will suggest replacing the sub with SVS SB-1000. As we find SVS subwoofers have slightly higher sonic performance and are more powerful.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3000i 5.1 Home Theater Speaker Package
If you are planning to get a pair of floor-standing speakers, then we will suggest going with Klipsch R-625FA. The Klipsch R-625FA are very efficient floor-standers and have high speaker sensitivity, allowing the Sony STR-DH790 to drive them without too much effort. These loudspeakers are also integrated with upward-firing drivers which conforms to Dolby Atmos specification especially great for listeners who want to use Dolby Atmos 3D audio format, you will still need the rest of the speakers to make up the 5.1.2 setup though. The Klipsch R-625FA has amazing clarity and can move more air in the room since it is a floor-standing speaker. We will suggest hearing them out as they may sound too bright for others.
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch R-625FA
For listeners who prefer a more smooth and warm-sounding HT system, the Wharfedale Diamond 220 are the bookshelf speakers to go for. These are award-winning bookshelf speakers have affordable pricings and by matching them with the Sony STR-DH790, it will deliver full-bodied sound quality with weighty bass performance that can go deep when it needs to. Pair the Diamond 220 with a matching Wharfedale center channel speaker from the Diamond series, integrating an active subwoofer into the mix, and you will have an HT system that can be driven at high volume and won’t sound cringe. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 produces loads of details too.
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 220 Bookshelf Speaker
As mentioned earlier, the Klipsch R-625FA can be used in a Dolby Atmos set-up but if you prefer separated Dolby Atmos speakers, you can check out Klipsch RP-140SA. If your budget is tight, you might want to take a look at Sony’s very own Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers the SSCSE. It is very well-received and highly rated, worthy of your time and effort to check them out. There is another well-received speaker and is made by ELAC, called Debut 2.0 A4.2 Dolby Atmos modules, and they are affordably priced too. You can also go for in-ceiling speakers which may cost more but looks neater overall.
More Info at Amazon – ELAC Debut 2.0 A4.2 Dolby Atmos Modules
More Info at Amazon – Sony SSCSE Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers
Sealed cabinet subwoofers such as the SVS SB-1000, will provide better bass control since the Sony STR-DH790 are very generous when it comes to bass output. For bigger home theater rooms, you may need bigger subwoofers such as the SVS SB-2000 Pro. If you just prefer more bass and higher max SPL, then you should go for a ported cabinet subwoofer instead. The SVS PB-1000 is a good start and if you have a higher budget, you might want to take a look at the HSU Research VTF-2 MK5 subwoofer. The HSU Research is another brand that specializes in making high-performance active subwoofers at sane price points.
More Info at Amazon – SVS SB-2000 Pro
More Info at Amazon – SVS PB-1000 Ported Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
These are some of the best speaker packs and loudspeakers to match with the Sony STR-DH790 AV receiver. It is recommended to audition the shortlisted speakers first before making the final decision. You should listen to them first and see if you like what you hear. If possible, you should include the subwoofers that you are going to get during the speakers’ auditions for a more accurate sonic result. Do a side-by-side comparison with other speaker brands/models will be even better as you can immediately hear the difference.
