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Sony STR-DE698

7-channel home theater receiver

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Item# 158STD698B offer details

Item# 158STD698B

Review Sumary

 
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Sony

Our take on the Sony STR-DE698

Sony's STR-DE698 plants you right in the middle of the movie action. It's got the power to drive seven home theater speakers, letting you experience all your favorite films in enveloping 360° sound. But the wraparound audio doesn't end with DVDs — this receiver has built-in processing that can turn any stereo TV program, VHS tape, FM station, or CD into involving multichannel sound.

The 'DE698 offers plenty of inputs and outputs to hook up your other audio/video components. Sony's also added some cool convenience features to keep your whole system running simply and smoothly. The multibrand remote gives you handy control all of your components. Front-panel inputs let you quickly and easily hook up a camcorder, game system, or portable MP3 player.

This receiver lets you connect a variety of video sources — like a VCR, a cable box, and a digital video recorder — and send their signals to your TV with a single S-video cable. This feature not only streamlines hookup, but also simplifies switching between your components. To preserve maximum picture quality for higher-resolution sources, there are component video inputs for a DVD player and an HDTV tuner.

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Highlights:

  • 90 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.09% THD
  • Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS Neo:6, and Pro Logic IIx processing
  • Digital Cinema Sound modes
  • A/V Sync helps align out-of-sync audio and video for digital sources
  • composite-to-S-video conversion
  • multibrand A/V remote
  • 5.1-channel input
  • component video switching (2 in, 1 out, 80MHz bandwidth)
  • digital inputs: 4 optical (including 1 front-panel), 2 coaxial
  • optical digital output
  • 3 audio inputs and 4 A/V inputs (including 3 S-video and 1 front-panel)
  • no phono input
  • 30 AM/FM presets
  • 2 sets of main speaker outputs
  • banana plug-compatible binding posts for all main-room speakers
  • 16-7/8"W x 6-3/16"H x 15-1/4"D
  • warranty: 2 years
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee
 

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and Specs

Features and Specs
General
Stereo RMS Power (watts)
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THD in Stereo
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Frequency Bandwidth (stereo)
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FM Sensitivity
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11.2 dBf
Built-in DVD Player
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No
On-Screen Display
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No
Multiple Zones
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No
HDMI Standby Pass-through
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Composite Video Conversion
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S-Video Conversion
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Component Video Conversion
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Internet-ready
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Apple AirPlay
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DLNA Certified
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Multibrand Remote Control
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Learning Remote
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No
LCD Remote
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No
Width (inches)
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16-7/8
Height (inches)
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6-3/16
Depth (inches)
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15-1/4
Weight (pounds)
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Parts Warranty
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2 Years
Labor Warranty
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2 Years
Surround Processing
Dolby Digital
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Yes
DTS
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Yes
Inputs & Outputs
Phono Input
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No
Audio-Video Inputs
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4
Audio Inputs
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3
S-Video Inputs
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3
S-Video Outputs
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1
S-Video Monitor Outputs
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1
Component Video Inputs
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2
Component Video Monitor Outputs
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1
Optical Digital Inputs
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4
Coaxial Digital Inputs
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2
Optical Digital Outputs
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1
Coaxial Digital Outputs
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None
HDMI Inputs
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HDMI Monitor Outputs
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Subwoofer Outputs
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1
Preamp Outputs
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1
Main Speaker Output Pairs
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2
Main Speaker Terminals
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Posts
Ethernet Port
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USB Connections
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None

Product Research

Product Research
What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

  • Black AM/FM/Dolby Digital/DTS receiver
  • Wireless remote control (RM-AAP001)
  • 2 "AA" batteries
  • AM loop antenna
  • FM wire antenna with attached slip-on coax connector
  • Operating Instructions
  • Easy Setup Guide
  • Important Safeguards
  • Product Registration sheet
  • Warranty sheet
  • Sheet on correct loudspeaker connections using the binding posts (taped to top of receiver)

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Features
Remote Control
Inputs and Outputs Notes

Features

Digital Cinema Sound (DCS): Digital Cinema Sound is the concept name of the surround technology for home theater developed by Sony. DCS uses the DSP (Digital Signal Processor) technology to reproduce the sound characteristics of an actual cinema cutting studio in Hollywood. When played at home, DCS will create a powerful theater effect that mimics the artistic combination of sound and action as envisioned by the movie director. The DCS soundfields used in this receiver include:

  • Digital Cinema Sound EX A: Reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony Pictures Entertainment "Cary Grant Theater" cinema production studio. This mode is great for watching most any type of movies.
  • Digital Cinema Sound EX B: Reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony Pictures Entertainment "Kim Novak Theater" cinema production studio. This mode is ideal for watching science fiction or action movies with lots of sound effects.
  • Digital Cinema Sound EX C: Reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony Pictures Entertainment scoring stage. This mode is ideal for watching musicals or films where orchestra music is featured in the soundtrack.
  • Headphone Theater: Allows you to experience a theater-like environment while listening through a pair of headphones.

Dolby Pro Logic IIx: Dolby Pro Logic IIx furthers the matrix decoding of Dolby Pro Logic II to decode audio signals recorded on two channels into up to 7.1 playback channels, including the surround back channel. Dolby Pro Logic IIx also allows 5.1-channel sources to be played in up to 7.1 channels. The mode can be selected according to the source. There are 3 Dolby Pro Logic IIx modes: Music, Cinema and Game. (The Game mode is for 2-channel sources only.)

Auto Format Direct: The Auto Format Direct (A.F.D.) mode allows you to select the decoding mode you want for your audio sound. When you select A.F.D. Auto, the receiver automatically detects the type of audio signal being input (Dolby Digital, DTS, or standard 2-channel stereo) and performs the proper decoding if necessary. You can also select Pro Logic, Pro Logic II Movie, Pro Logic II Music, Pro Logic II Game, Pro Logic IIx Movie, Pro Logic IIx Music, Pro Logic IIx Game, Neo:6 Cinema, Neo:6 Music, or Multi Stereo to apply the appropriate decoding for movies or normal stereo sources such as CDs.

Surround Modes: This receiver incorporates a wide variety of surround modes to bring you maximum enjoyment from your audio and video software. The surround modes include:

  • Dolby Digital
  • Dolby Digital EX
  • Dolby Pro Logic
  • Dolby Pro Logic II (Movie, Music, and Game)
  • Dolby Pro Logic IIx (Movie, Music, and Game)
  • DTS
  • DTS-ES (Discrete 6.1 and Matrix 6.1)
  • DTS Neo:6 (Cinema and Music)
  • Cinema Studio Ex. A (Digital Cinema Sound)
  • Cinema Studio Ex. B (Digital Cinema Sound)
  • Cinema Studio Ex. C (Digital Cinema Sound)
  • Hall
  • Jazz Club
  • Live Concert

Headphone Sound Fields: When headphones are connected, you can select the following sound fields:

  • HP 2CH: outputs the sound in stereo. Standard 2-channel sources completely bypass the sound field processing. Multi-channel surround formats are downmixed to 2 channels.
  • HP Multi: outputs the analog signals input to the Multi Channel Input jacks
  • HP Theater (Digital Cinema Sound): allows you to experience a theater-like environment

Surround Back Decoding: This function lets you select the decoding mode for the surround back signals of the multi-channel input stream. When you select "SB Auto" and the input stream contains 6.1-channel information, the appropriate decoder is applied to decode the surround back signal (Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES Matrix, or DTS-ES Discrete decoder). When you select "SB On", Dolby Digital EX is applied when the output channel is 6.1 and Dolby Digital EX or Dolby Pro Logic IIx is applied when the output channel is 7.1. When "Off" is selected, no surround back decoding is performed.

Sound Field Customizing: Depending on the Mode selected, you can adjust the following parameters:

  • Front Balance: Left +1 to +8, Center Balance, Right +1 to +8 (17 steps)
  • Center Level: -10dB to +10dB in 1dB increments
  • Surround Left Level: -10dB to +10dB in 1dB increments
  • Surround Right Level: -10dB to +10dB in 1dB increments
  • Surround Back Level: -10dB to +10dB in 1dB increments (if only 1 surround back speaker is connected)
  • Surround Back Left Level: -10dB to +10dB in 1dB increments (if 2 surround back speakers are connected)
  • Surround Back Right Level: -10dB to +10dB in 1dB increments (if 2 surround back speakers are connected)
  • Subwoofer Level: -10dB to +10dB in 1dB increments
  • Dynamic Range Compressor: allows you to compress the dynamic range of the sound track. You may select standard or maximum compression, or off.
    • Note: This feature only works with Dolby Digital sources.

Bass Management: The Speaker Setup menu allows you to set the size, distance, and location of the speakers connected to the receiver. The Easy Setup lets you set up your speakers automatically based on a pre-defined speaker pattern (5.1, 6.1, 7.1, etc.). You can also set up the speakers manually by indicating the size and presence of each speaker or speaker pair. The speaker high pass crossover frequency can be set between 40Hz and 160Hz. A test tone is available to assist you in determining the speakers' level and balance settings.

A/V Sync: The audio output can be delayed so that the time gap between the audio output and the visual display is minimized. This is especially helpful when you are using a large LCD or plasma TV or a projection TV. Note: A/V Sync cannot be used when the Multi Channel input or Analog Direct function is used.

Equalizer: You can adjust the tonal quality (bass and treble level) of the front speakers from -6dB to +6dB in 1dB steps.

Multi-Channel Input: Although this unit features built-in Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, and DTS processing, it also has a 5.1-channel input for use with an external multi-channel decoder.

Video Conversion: The STR-DE698 allows you to convert standard (composite) video signals to S-video signals. The upconverted signals are only output from the Monitor S-Video Out jack.

Station and Source Naming: Each preset station and program source may be given an index name of up to 8 characters. For example, two VCRs can be displayed as 8MM and VHS.

Sleep Timer: The unit may be set to automatically turn off after 2 hours, 1 hour and 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 30 minutes.

Dimmer: You can adjust the brightness of the display in 3 steps.

Remote Control

Multibrand Remote: The supplied remote is pre-coded to control Sony A/V equipment and most brands of CD players, DAT decks, MD recorders, tape decks, LD players, video CD players, VCRs, DVD players, TVs, DSS receivers, and cable boxes. The remote has two command modes (AV1 and AV2), allowing you to change modes if the remote is causing interference with other components.

Inputs and Outputs Notes

Front Panel Inputs: The STR-DE698 features a set of front panel inputs with left and right RCA audio jacks, an RCA composite video jack, and an optical digital input.

Speaker Outputs: There are binding post connectors for the Front A left and right, Front B left and right, Center, Surround left and right, and Surround Back left and right speaker outputs. The binding posts are not 5-way because a plastic collar prevents their use with spade lugs. The front A and B speaker pairs are wired in parallel.

SACD Output: No sound is output from the receiver when you play a Super Audio CD on an SACD player connected to the Optical digital input or Coaxial digital input labeled "SA-CD/CD In." You must connect an SACD player via the analog input labeled "SA-CD/CD In" or the multi-channel analog input.

Assignable Component Video Inputs: The receiver has 2 component video inputs which can be assigned to specific sources such as VIDEO 1, VIDEO 2, VIDEO 3, or DVD.

HD Component Video Pass-Through: This unit features 2 component video inputs and a component video monitor output. These jacks feature an 80MHz bandwidth, making them capable of passing high-definition video signals.

 

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1-5 of 5 items Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness
 
4 out of 5

Well-rounded receiver

Written By Jeremy, Martinsburg, WV on Saturday, March 11, 2006
 
First, my overall ordering experience and the quickness in which I received my order from Crutchfield was excellent, as it has always been for me in the past. The cable labels Crutchfield provides are very useful. As far as the STR-DE698 goes; I'm very happy with the receiver. I have a system consisting of CD changer, DVD player, VCR, sattelite system, Boston Accoustics speakers, and, for now, a 27" Sony TV. I feel the receiver provides ample connection options, especially at this price point. The VCR is hooked up with the standard RCA connections (S-video is available though), but with the abundance of optical inputs and coaxial digital inputs, all the other audio input connections in my system are made via optical cable or coaxial digital cable. I also like the S-video up-conversion feature. All my video connections are made via S-video cable, except for the VCR, and it's nice that all I connect is a S-video cable from the reciever to my TV for all of the video sources. I currently don't need the component video jacks, but my DVD player does have that connection option and if I get a TV with those connections in the future, I'll be able to utilize them. There have been some comments about this receiver not having many EQ options, and that may be true, but with a decent speaker setup (especially if you have a powered sub to dial in a little extra bottom end; which I don't at the present time) you really shouldn't need much equillization. If you're looking for a receiver with good sound quality, connection options, a built-in Dolby digital decoder for up to 7.1 channel surround, and want to keep costs on the resonable side; this is it.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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2 out of 5

Sub-woofer issues

Written By Alan, Cambridge, MD on Friday, January 20, 2006
 
I purchased an STR-DE698 (for another dealer) There was no output to the sub. After taking it in for repair, that did not fix the problem. I got a replacement. The second unit had the same problem. Sony must have had a bad run on this model. Be careful.
5 out of 7 people found this helpful
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3 out of 5

Could be better

Written By Thomas, Springfield Illinois on Wednesday, December 21, 2005
 
The Receiver has a lot of weird things about it that make it not the best choice for a home theater setup. The Video 1 can only be set to analog stereo, you can not use the optical or coax with video1. Video 2 can be set to any input that you want (Coax, Optical, and Analog). DVD can only be set to coax or analog (Why?). If you have a DVD player and you want to use optical you have to put it on Video2. Video 3 has optical but it is on the front only and who wants their permanent devices attached to the front. The display has these annoying red lines running through it luckily you can not see them from a distance. The sound seems to be pretty clear. The system has a default remote setup that is not compatible with the Tivo remote however this can be changed. My recommendation is if you are spending your hard earned cash buy something else
12 out of 13 people found this helpful
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4 out of 5

For the $$$ you can't go wrong

Written By Brian, Knoxville, TN on Thursday, June 16, 2005
 
This Sony STR-DE698 receiver is listed here as 90 watts, but is actually 100 watts. But even with that extra power, you wouldn't want to try to fill an extra-large room with booming sound. On a normal sized room, there is power enough. The sound is clean and the set-up is not too difficult. Good features and performance at a buget price for 7.1
25 out of 28 people found this helpful
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4 out of 5

Great sounding receiver for the budget-minded...

Written By Marcus, Abilene, TX on Wednesday, June 01, 2005
 
I have to say, I'm quite impressed by this unit. The S-Video conversion is a must, and with plenty of digital inputs, it definitely fits the bill. This unit has plenty of power, but could be difficult to operate and setup for the non-technical type. I have to admit, however, as long as you actually slow down and read the manual you should have no problems, as I didn't. The Dolby Digital for me sounded great, especially coming from my old Pro-Logic only system. The remote came up short on controlling all my devices, Tivo users beware, you'll most likely need to still keep that remote around. All in all on heck of a unit for the price.
67 out of 78 people found this helpful
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1-5 of 5 items

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Extras

Component Video Cables
Connect your sources that use the component video connection.
Monster Cable 700CV
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The right rack helps you properly ventilate your receiver and conceal the wires.
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S-Video Cables
Connect your components that use the S-Video connection.
Monster® 200sv
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Also available in:
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Composite Video Cables
Connect your components that use the composite video connection.
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Professional Installation
Have your new equipment installed by qualified professionals.
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Sony STR-DE698