AV Receivers
Sony STR-DH590 Review: A Simple 5.2 Receiver That Just Works
Quick Take
The Sony STR-DH590 is a set-it-and-enjoy-it starter receiver. Owners highlight clear dialogue, stable day-to-day behavior, and a painless first setup. It passes 4K HDR cleanly, streams Bluetooth without drama, and has enough muscle for small to medium rooms. On the flip side, you won’t get fancy room correction or next-gen gaming features, and some users wish the interface looked fresher. If you want reliable 5.1 surround with dual-sub flexibility and minimal fuss, this Sony keeps things easy.
Pros
Cons
Introduction
A good beginner receiver should handle modern video, keep speech clear, and avoid turning your living room into a science project. Sony’s STR-DH590 aims squarely at that target. It’s a 5.2-channel design with four HDMI inputs and one output, 4K/60 with HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision passthrough, and Bluetooth for quick music. There’s D.C.A.C. auto speaker calibration to get you in the ballpark, plus two subwoofer pre-outs so you can smooth bass with a pair of subs later. While it skips network streaming and the latest gaming standards, the pitch is simple: plug in your sources, run the mic, and start watching.
STR-DH590 Key Features
5.2 channels with dual sub outputs
You get five amplified channels for a classic 5.1 layout and two subwoofer pre-outs. Two smaller subs placed asymmetrically don’t just deliver “more” bass; they deliver better bass—smoother and more even across the couch. That’s because dual subs help cancel room peaks and fill nulls, so dialogue stays clearer and kick drums sound like pitches, not thumps.
4 HDMI inputs / 1 output with 4K/60 and HDR passthrough
The STR-DH590 passes 4K/60 (4:4:4) and supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. Your disc player, streamer, and console can plug in and feed a modern TV without constant input juggling. Because the HDMI stage is stable, input switching feels snappy and predictable for the whole household.
ARC and CEC (Bravia Sync)
Audio Return Channel lets TV apps send sound back to the receiver over the same HDMI cable, and CEC means one remote can handle power and volume. That single-remote life cuts daily friction which is key if you’re sharing the system with non-enthusiasts.
D.C.A.C. auto calibration with included mic
Sony’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration handles distances and levels so you’re not guessing. It isn’t as advanced as Audyssey or YPAO, but it consistently gets dialogue centered and surround timing coherent in one pass. Pro tip: run the mic at ear height on a small stand or a firm pillow (not the squishy seat), then bump the center channel +1 to +2 dB for extra speech intelligibility.
Bluetooth receiver
There’s no Wi-Fi platform, but Bluetooth covers the “play this from my phone” moments. Tap to connect, send your playlist, and you’re done. Perfect for guests and background listening.
Compact, light chassis
At 17″ × 5-1/4″ × 11-3/4″ and about 15 lb 11 oz, it’s slimmer and lighter than many rivals, so it fits media furniture that wasn’t built for pro gear. Leave a few inches above the top plate for ventilation and the Sony will run cool and quiet.
Friendly speaker compatibility
The amp is specified for 6–16-ohm speakers and is rated 145 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 1 ch, THD 0.9%). In practice, with average-sensitivity speakers at normal seating distances, it’ll reach lively movie levels without strain.
Sound Quality and Setup
The most consistent praise is for dialogue. Users moving up from TV speakers or older receivers say voices finally “lock to the screen,” making news, dramas, and YouTube far easier to follow. The midrange balance hits the safe zone, clear without sibilant bite, so you can watch for hours without fatigue. Many owners also appreciate that the STR-DH590 stays quiet at idle and behaves predictably: once it’s wired, it mostly disappears.
For music, expectations matter. Over Bluetooth, the sound is about convenience and a pleasant tone, not critical hi-fi. Playlists are easygoing with a touch of warmth in the mids—well-suited to pop and sports highlights. Feed the receiver a cleaner HDMI or optical signal and stereo imaging tightens, with better separation between vocals and instruments. If you’re craving heavier bass, remember that speakers and placement decide the bottom octave more than the amp. Bookshelves generally want an 80 Hz crossover; slim towers often sound best at 60–80 Hz. That “good enough” crossover map offloads deep bass to the sub, keeping your main speakers’ cones from swinging so far that mids smear during loud scenes.
Make D.C.A.C. Work Harder
D.C.A.C. is basic, but technique boosts results. Run it in a quiet room, mic at ear height. After the pass, raise the center channel a click or two if voices sit back. If bass feels like one long note, don’t reach for EQ first. Instead, move the sub 6–12 inches, rerun D.C.A.C., and listen again. Location beats sliders nine times out of ten.
Dual Subs: Why the Second Output Actually Matters
Using both sub outputs with two modest subs, front left quarter and rear right quarter is a great starting frame. This flattens the peaks and valleys most rooms create. The audible change is bigger than you think: less boom, more texture, and clearer dialogue because bass bloom isn’t masking the midrange. This is one of the STR-DH590’s quiet superpowers.
A Quick Reality Check on Power
Power numbers can be misleading. With speakers around 88–90 dB sensitivity at 8–10 feet, the Sony reaches lively movie levels without sounding strained. If your room is a large open plan or you run low-sensitivity speakers, prioritize adding a sub (or two) to share the heavy lifting. Offloading the deepest notes makes the Sony feel “bigger” than its wattage suggests.
HDMI Check
Before blaming the receiver for a black screen or handshake weirdness:
- Use certified high-speed HDMI cables under 2 meters when you can.
- Set the TV’s HDMI input to “Enhanced/UHD.”
- Configure the source to 4K/60 with HDR on, then power-cycle TV → receiver → source.
Those three steps solve most HDMI complaints across brands.
When “No Atmos” Is Actually Fine
Many living rooms can’t place height speakers properly, or the result ends up cramped. In those spaces, a well-tuned 5.1 with dual subs often sounds more coherent than a compromised 5.1.2. The STR-DH590 leans into that reality: fewer channels to wrangle, more time to nail placement and bass integration. Counterintuitively, your movies may feel bigger, not smaller.
The Sony STR-DH590 Compared to Competitors
- Denon AVR-S570BT (5.2): Adds a more modern HDMI feature set aligned with newer displays and a contemporary menu feel. If you plan to plug in a next-gen console, Denon’s HDMI is more forward-looking. If you want a smaller chassis and simple day-to-day behavior, Sony keeps the edge in ease.
- Yamaha RX-V4A (5.1): Steps up to built-in streaming (MusicCast), AirPlay 2, and app control with a cleaner UI. Great for households that want multiroom audio from the receiver itself. If you already stream through your TV and use Bluetooth for music, the Sony is plenty.
- Onkyo TX-SR494 (7.2): True 7-channel amplification with Dolby Atmos/DTS:X decoding and AccuEQ. If you know you’ll add height speakers, Onkyo offers more surround flexibility. Staying 5.1 and want a smaller, simpler box? Sony fits better.
Who Is It For?
Pick the Sony STR-DH590 if you’re building a first real surround setup, you want reliable 4K/60 with HDR10/HLG/Dolby Vision passthrough, and you prefer a receiver that doesn’t require apps or accounts. It’s a strong match for apartments, small family rooms, and anyone pairing efficient bookshelf speakers with one or two subs. If your wish list includes network streaming, HDMI 2.1 gaming, or immersive formats, the Yamaha RX-V4A or Onkyo TX-SR494 might be the better path.
Tips for Better Results
- Placement recipe: Fronts 8 feet apart, front baffles ~10 inches from the wall, ~10° toe-in.
- Dialogue fix: If voices sound thick, slide fronts forward 3–4 inches and reduce toe-in ~5°. Consonants should sharpen without losing bass.
- Even bass for the whole couch: Park two subs at asymmetrical spots (front left quarter, rear right quarter is a solid start).
- Crossover map: Bookshelves at 80 Hz; slim towers at 60–80 Hz; large towers at 60 Hz. Cleaner mids, tighter imaging.
- Run D.C.A.C., then tweak: Center +1 to +2 dB; small sub moves before EQ.
- Night preset: Lower sub trim by 2 dB and enable dynamic range control so late-night peaks don’t wake the building.
- Listen like a pro: Use a talk-heavy scene to fine-tune toe-in until speech “floats” dead center. Then loop a steady bass line and move the sub in 6-inch steps, keeping the spot where notes sound even rather than louder.
Final Thoughts
The Sony STR-DH590 focuses on the essentials and nails them. It keeps dialogue intelligible, passes modern 4K/60 HDR (HDR10/HLG/Dolby Vision) video without fuss, and gives you dual subwoofer pre-outs for a real upgrade path. You won’t find network streaming or cutting-edge gaming features here, and the interface is plain. But as a first receiver—or a reliable replacement in a living room that values simplicity—it’s exactly what many homes need. Follow the quick placement recipe, make D.C.A.C. work for you, and consider the 60–80 Hz crossover strategy when you add a sub. Do that, and this little Sony fades into the background while your movies, shows, and music take the spotlight.
FAQ
Does the STR-DH590 support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X?
No. It’s a 5.2 receiver that decodes up to Dolby Digital and DTS-HD formats, not height-based Atmos/DTS:X.
Can I play 4K HDR from my devices through the receiver?
Yes. It supports 4K/60 passthrough and HDR formats including HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision when connected to a compatible TV.
Is there Wi-Fi or an app for streaming music?
No built-in network streaming. It acts as a Bluetooth receiver for quick music from your phone or tablet.
Does it have eARC?
It supports ARC (Audio Return Channel) over HDMI. Use your TV’s ARC port to send app audio back to the receiver.
How many HDMI ports are there?
Four HDMI inputs and one output—enough for a couple of consoles, a streamer, and a disc player.
What auto calibration does it use?
Sony’s D.C.A.C. with a mono mic for measuring distance and level. It’s basic but effective for a first pass.
Will it drive my speakers?
It’s comfortable with 6–16-ohm speakers. With average-sensitivity models in small to medium rooms, it gets plenty loud. Dual subs further reduce strain on your mains.
How do users feel about reliability and ease of use?
Owner feedback often praises the easy setup, quiet operation, and stable switching; occasional gripes revolve around the plain UI and the need for ventilation.
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