Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony HT-DDW740 Dolby Digital/DTS Home Theater System

Sorry, but I have to beg to differ with the reviewer ...that was not impressed with this system. I purchased this system ...and within a couple of hours (mostly taking down my old system and restripping the speaker cables) I was listening to full dolby digital. Be sure to use either the coaxial hookup or the optical for full digital, which is fully explained in the manual. I recommend watching the Mini Cooper chase scene from Bourne Identity to get the full effect of the system, or the THX intro on Monsters Inc. You'll be blown away by this system that performs as well as much more expensive options.

Not only are there a number of sound configurations including hall, concert, and jazz for music (without surround/center as it should be) there is also a special "game" setting for video games. As for the inability to set the level of the various speakers, this is simply not true. The manual explains how to do this by using the "Level" button just to the right of the center jog wheel. Not only can you adjust balance, you can also set each of the 6 separate speakers (including the subwoofer)from a minimum of -10 db to a maximum of +10 db. If that's not enough bass for you, you can also adjust the bass (treble also) to a maximum level of 6. You can tell the receiver whether the surround speakers are to your sides or located behind you. You can set the distances of the speakers as the previous reviewer mentioned, but this honestly don't have a lot to do with the volume and quality of the sound. All of this is covered in the manual, which makes set-up and tweaking a breeze.

One note for buyers - this system does not come with a DVD player as many in this price range do. Sony made up for this with the receiver, which supplies ample connections for all your audio equipment, and 450 watts of power. The satellite speakers are small and unobtrusive and the subwoofer is solid enough to sit on.

All in all, I have no complaints with this system, and it is a perfect compliment to any home theater system. By the way, my rec room is approximately 24 x 28 feet and I have no trouble filling this fairly large room with awesome sound. When the cows moo and stampede on the THX demo on Monsters, Inc your windows will rattle and you will need to check your teeth for loose fillings. Buy this system. You won't be disappointed.

I have been a long-time fan of Sony, so it was my first choice when I began looking for a HT system. I bought the 740 and set it up with little trouble - loved the compact size of the satellite speakers.

I cranked it up and the disappointment began. Even with the powered sub turned up full, the bass response was dismal, and leaving it on full produced a hiss. The sound was sent heavily (it sounded like 60% - 70%) to the center channel speaker, which greatly reduced the surround effect. You are also very limited in your ability to redirect sound or set levels for the surround speakers; essentially you set their levels by setting their distance from the viewer. The catch is that the reciever limits the range of distances you can set. If you set the front speakers at 15', you can't set the rear speakers at 5'. Basically all distances must be within 5' of each other, which keeps all speaker levels about the same. I wound up hearing very little out of the rear channel speakers, even when playing cds. When I chose one of the music settings, like jazz, concert or hall, the center channel problem was avoided, because it wouldn't be utilized, but the sound out of the other speakers was tinny and flat.

I gave the system 2 1/2 months to win me over. In the end, I broke the ladder back out, took the whole system down, and returned it to the store. I knew I had not paid a ton for this system, but I expected more than I got. I found it mediocre at best.

I have been a long-time fan of Sony, so it was my first choice when I began looking for a HT system. I bought the 740 and set it up with little trouble - loved the compact size of the satellite speakers.

I cranked it up and the disappointment began. Even with the powered sub turned up full, the bass response was dismal, and leaving it on full produced a hiss. The sound was sent heavily (it sounded like 60% - 70%) to the center channel speaker, which greatly reduced the surround effect. You are also very limited in your ability to redirect sound or set levels for the surround speakers; essentially you set their levels by setting their distance from the viewer. The catch is that the reciever limits the range of distances you can set. If you set the front speakers at 15', you can't set the rear speakers at 5'. Basically all distances must be within 5' of each other, which keeps all speaker levels about the same. I wound up hearing very little out of the rear channel speakers, even when playing cds. When I chose one of the music settings, like jazz, concert or hall, the center channel problem was avoided, because it wouldn't be utilized, but the sound out of the other speakers was tinny and flat.

I gave the system 2 1/2 months to win me over. In the end, I broke the ladder back out, took the whole system down, and returned it to the store. I knew I had not paid a ton for this system, but I expected more than I got. I found it mediocre at best.

I picked up this system on 1/20/03. It was a breeze to set up, instructions were color coded, full picture diagrams indicate where to plug in all equipment. I was amazed at how long all the speaker wires were, normally the front is so short, not in this case though. I do admit the remote control should have been a universal, it can only control sony products, but they system makes up for that by giving you excellent sound and great bass from that subwoffer. The subwoffer is active, it has a seperate level control on the unit. And if you look at movies at night there's a great function for night viewing... works out great for me in my apartment complex. Overall I was very impressed that a system for less that $300 could produce the sound and have the features that this has. A++

If you already have a DVD player, or you don't want to get locked in to a DVD player that doesn't have all the features you want, this is the home theater system for you.

Since it doesn't include a DVD player, it's a lot less expensive than one that does have one, and you can get a player with features like Progressive Scan to add to this great system to really make your home theater watching experience shine.

Overall, quality from Sony has always been high, and this unit is no exception. Recently listed in Reader's Digest magazine, its overall rating there was "very good", with sound quality, ease of use, and features, all listed at "very good".

The true 5.1 surround sound can only be appreciated live, in a room set up correctly. One of the things you will really enjoy is how the sounds seem to come from in back of you and then zoom around to the front. But its fairly small size makes it easy to set up, even in an apartment. You won't believe your ears when you hear it, and you won't believe the price when you see it. It's the only complete system in a box for [the price]....

I don't think I could recommend this system any higher for those who already have a DVD player and want to add the home theater experience, or for those who want to get a DVD player with different features than a whole package deal.