Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony DAV-S550 Home Cinema System

I've had one of these for an awful long time now; so long I can't remember, but it's at least 6 years with regular use throughout those 6 years. The 5.1 sound part of system is absolutely fine and it links up perfectly well with my Samsung TV and PVR, and Sony 400 CD disc changer. Where it can be a slight problem is that it makes some odd and alarming noises when going to and staying on a DVD menu, as though it's grinding the thing. However examination shows there's not a problem and I still use it to play back non-region 2 DVDs. It has never been serviced! I use the Samsung for Region 2, just to be sure and also because that upscales.

So, for the person who said, it don't last, well mine's ancient; for the person who says it grinds DVDs, nonsense. For the numbskull who plasters the wires into the wall, a real hostage to fortune.... words fail me.

The trouble with a lot of reviews is that the people who write them do so not long after they have set up the system and watched one or two movies and are punch drunk with excitement from the mind blowing looks and sound of their first home cinema! And to be honest i have fallen into this trap myself with other purchases! But on this occasion i can honestly write after years of experience with the beautiful sony DAV550..My review might be a little late as its now off the market ..but im sure there will be PLENTY of second hand models on the market....I have experienced all the previous reviewers problems and more! and what really P's me off is that i sunk all the wiring for the rear speakers into the plaster in the walls thinking i was going to have years and years of trouble free entertainment...after all it is a sony!!

OK, this is a lovely looking system and when it works, works very well.
The problem is, is that this range of systems has a known reliability issue.
After a short period of use (I'm told by 200hrs and definately by 400hrs) it stops working. Essentially this tends to be just after warantee expiry! It either totally fails to read discs, or more annoyingly, fails about 3/4 of the way into a film. It seems to be something to do with the laser and its ability to read dual layer discs - i.e. all feature length films. Realigning via the 'secret' engineers menu doesnt solve the problem. I would hesitate to buy Sony again due to my experience with 2 systems with similar problems. Shame cos it looks so good.

Sound is amazing for the package and price and after playing a mixture of DVDs and CDs I'm happy - up to a point. It has had to go back to Sony under the guarantee as the picture begins to flick on and off 20 mins or so into the DVD. Very annoying and not anticipated seeeing its a Sony. Perhaps its just my machine, I hope so, since otherwise its a wonderful package

Fantastic system, great depth in sound. This unit on What TV & HIFI Home Theatre System of the year 2002 and after hearing the sound I can understand why.

The unit is very sleek and easy to setup also, it has loads of options for the enthusiasts too giving you the options to configure the soiund according to where you sit in you living room in relation to each speaker.