The Sony STR-DH800 is one of the early entry-level AVR models that garnered rave reviews when it first came out and has gotten plenty of accolades over the years. This AV receiver provides its users with high sonic performances at a modest price which makes it so attractive back in the day. If you are planning to get new speakers for your beloved Sony STR-DH800 then you are at the right place.
We will be sharing with you a list of the best matching speakers that you can go for and partner with the Sony STR-DH800. Before we start, we will need to learn more about this AV receiver such as its strengths, limitations, and characteristics. So without further ado, let’s find out more about the sonic prowess of the Sony STR-DH800 AV receiver.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Sony STR-DH800
For an entry-level AV receiver, the Sony STR-DH800 really packs a lot of muscles, it is able to pump out 110 Watts into 8 Ohms with 2 channels driven. This allows us to pick both bookshelf speakers and easy-to-drive floor-standers as potential speaker choices for our Sony STR-DH800 but they need to have a nominal impedance of 8 Ohms. The frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz which is expected. It is a 7.1 channel AV receiver and allows you to connect to 1 active subwoofer. Since it can only connect to one subwoofer, it is recommended to get a larger and more powerful sub if your home theater room is medium to large size.
It is able to deliver a Full HD 1080p but if you want high visual quality, you may need to go for the latest AVR models. Denon and Marantz currently have AV receivers that can process up to 8K UHD video quality, for instance, Denon AVR-X3700H and Marantz SR8015. The Sony STR-DH800 may not be able to process the latest 3D audio formats but Dolby True HD and DTS HD can be pretty immersive as well. It comes with its own room correction technology called Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (D.C.A.C) which may require manual adjustment after the automatic calibration is done.
The overall sound reproduction is smooth and clean sounding, even at high volumes, the treble doesn’t get too excited. The lack of harshness allows longer hours of movie listens without the worries of listener fatigue which may cut short your home cinema experience. When it comes to bass performance, the Sony STR-DH800 really does pack a punch and is eager to impress its listeners. The powerful delivery of the deep bass reproduction does tax the subwoofer and it is recommended to get a high-quality active sub with plenty of power.
The size of the sound field is good for an entry-level AV receiver and is filled with accurate details where surround sound effects are delivered with precision. The clarity of the sonic elements is amazing and dialogues are produced with crystal clear quality. At times, the subtle details and effects do get overwhelmed by the onslaught of bass reproduction. You can lower down the bass gains on your Sony STR-DH800 and/or powered subwoofer if you find it a little too much.
For music, the Sony STR-DH800 is competent but we find that it performs much better when it comes to home theater performance. It is an entertaining AV receiver, the full-bodied sound reproduction and punchy performance make every action scene an exhilarating movie experience. Even for the horror genre, the low rumbling of the deep bass provides that intense dread feeling when things are about to go down. It may not have the refinement and finesse for music playbacks but it sure knows how to deliver an exciting home cinematic experience. All the Sony STR-DH800 needs are matching speakers to make it happen and we will be listing the best that you can go for.
Sony STR-DN800 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 110 Watts into 8 Ohms (2 channels driven)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Inputs: 4 HDMI inputs, 4 A/V inputs, 2 Analog inputs, 3 Optical inputs, 1 Coaxial input
- Outputs: Headphone output, 1 HDMI output, 1 Subwoofer output
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 430mm x 157mm x 322mm (16.9″ x 6.2″ x 12.6″)
- Weight: 8.3kg (18.3lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Sony STR-DN800
When it comes to budget and easy-to-drive loudspeakers, Klipsch is one of the top choices. To fit the entry-level price range of the Sony STR-DH800, we will be looking at Klipsch R-41M compact bookshelf speakers as your left and right main channel speakers, as well as surround speakers. Coupled with the matching Klipsch R-52C as the center channel speakers and Klipsch R-12SW as the powered subwoofer, you got yourself a home theater system that has a high level of clarity and can be driven at high volume levels by your Sony STR-DH800 with ease. The Klipsch loudspeakers can be quite bright-sounding and it is recommended to audition them first.
More Information at Amazon – Klipsch R-41M
More Information at Amazon – Klipsch R-52C Center Channel Speaker
If you are interested to have a pair of entry-level floor-standers as your left and right front main channel speakers then the Jamo Studio S 809 will be the ideal choice for you. The cost of the Jamo Studio S 809 speakers is well within the price range of Sony STR-DH800 and the AVR is capable of driving them. It is still highly recommended to integrate an active subwoofer into the mix. Aesthetically the Jamo Studio S 809 looks elegant and doesn’t look like budget speakers which are great. If you decide to upgrade to an AVR with Dolby Atmos 3D Audio, you can easily mount Jamo S 8 ATM, the Dolby Atmos upward-firing speakers on top of Jamo Studio S 809 floor-standers using the metal fasteners.
More Details at Amazon – Jamo Studio Series S809 Floorstanding Speakers
The SVS Prime Satellite 5.1 is one of the best home theater speaker packs that you can get and match them with your Sony STR-DH800 AV receiver. Firstly, it has some of the finest active subwoofers, the SVS SB-1000 which is amazing for both music and movie listens. The speed and agility of the sealed subwoofer complement the SVS Prime Satellite speakers really well, making them sound just like full-range loudspeakers. The SB-1000 subwoofer also helps to tighten up STR-DH800 bass performance due to the innate capability of a high-quality sealed cabinet. Definitely worth your time to check them out.
More Info at Amazon – SVS Prime Satellite 5.1 Speaker Package
Another pair of floor-standing speakers that you may be interested in will be the Klipsch R-610F as firstly it is an entry-level loudspeaker within a similar price range to your Sony STR-DH800. They can also be easily driven by your AV receiver due to their high speaker sensitivity. They are very lively speakers with plenty of clarity and details which can be overly bright at loud volumes. The sonic characteristic of the STR-DH800 AVR may ease the harshness a little. The bass performance of the Klipsch R-610F is good for their price but will still need support from an active subwoofer, especially for movie playbacks.
More Info at Amazon – Klipsch R-610F
Want a warm-sounding system without breaking your wallet? Then check out Wharfedale Diamond 220, a popular pair of entry-level bookshelf speakers that have garnered plenty of accolades over the years. They may be compact-sized bookshelf speakers but they are able to deliver low-end oomph with weight. You should still add a powered subwoofer into the mix though. The sonic characteristics of the Wharfedale Diamond 220 are smooth sounding with a touch of warmth, well-match with the Sony STR-DH800 AV receiver. You should also go for Wharfedale Diamond 220C as the center channel speaker to complete the HT speaker setup. It is recommended to have a listen to see if the sound quality is warm enough for you.
More Info at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 220
As mentioned earlier, the Sony STR-DH800 is only capable of connecting 1 active subwoofer which can be a good thing as you can focus on getting 1 high-quality subwoofer with your budget. When it comes to the home cinematic experience, a ported cabinet subwoofer is an ideal choice and the SVS PB-2000 Pro will be worthy of your time to check it out. It is a 12″ Ported Subwoofer with plenty of power to boot, it has up to 1,500 Watts of peak power, the PB-2000 Pro has the capability to handle most movie scenes. If your budget is tight, you can go for the entry-level model SVS PB-1000 Pro.
More Info at Amazon – SVS PB-2000 Pro 12″ Ported Subwoofer
More Info at Amazon – SVS PB-1000 Pro Ported Subwoofer
To Conclude
The Sony STR-DH800 may not have the latest 3D audio formats and 4K/8K visual processing technology, but it is still entertaining to watch movies with them. We find that the active subwoofer is a key factor to an exciting home cinematic experience and it should be seriously considered. The speakers listed here are some of the finest on the market and deserve an audition with you. You should hear them out together with the potential subwoofer that you are using or going to get, see if you like what you hear. Shortlist the speakers once more for a final audition to confirm the speakers that you want to go for.
