TechRadar Verdict
Pros
- +
Great sound quality
- +
Tone adjustments
- +
Line-in for connecting another source
- +
Remote control
Cons
- -
Blue LEDs are very bright
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There's no ignoring it – power up the Sony SRS-DB500 and a great ring of blue light pulsates around the multi-jog dial.
Any thoughts of subtle ambiance for enjoying films and games goes out of the window – as well as a blinding blue glow. We can only assume that either Sony got a job lot of blue LEDs, or it thinks this ultra-bright display looks good.
Elsewhere, the build quality is fundamentally lacking. The satellite speakers are large, but their all-plastic construction and feather-light build make them feel cheap and tacky. They also have thin built-in cables with proprietary connectors, so if the wires eventually short out you'll presumably be forced to send the unit back to Sony.
The subwoofer is weightier, but suffers from a similarly wobbly plastic construction. The illuminated jog wheel has a slightly rubbery feel, and the entire front bends slightly when you lift it. Sony's well known for its canny design philosophy, but the SRS-DB500 feels like something made by a cheap competitor. That is, until you hear it.
Despite their cheap plastic construction, the speakers do an absolutely blinding job of reproducing all the sounds of explosions you'll find in a modern action film or computer game. The bass is clear, the treble is just about right and they have a deep, cavernous sound that only Sony's 65 years of experience can bring. Music sounded great, too.
Despite the SRS-DB500's looks, Sony has packed a lot of useful technology into the speakers. There's a handy line in on the front for connecting your iPod or Walkman. The multi-jog wheel lets you customise the bass and treble to your heart's – and your ears' – content. There's also an infrared remote control for adjusting the settings from afar.
A possible explanation for Sony's design is found in the packaging – they seem to be targeted at gamers above all else. But once you get past the looks and build quality there's a lot to like here, whether you're into games or not.
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