Customer Reviews
Best Buy for the Money 
2007-04-16
I purchased my system online from Amazon new for $369.99 which also included free super saver shipping. I eventually recieved my unit in 3 days. Sound is great for a box system. Easy to install...automated sound calibration feature is slick. I'm using the system with the Sony 52" XBR LCD display also purchased online from preferred sales out of Southern CA, saved over $1000.00 from purchasing in store and included free mount, HDMI cable and additional 2 yr in home warranty. Truly a Dream System.
Sony DAV-FX500 Excellent value and performance 2007-04-12
I have the Sony DAV FX-500 connected to a new Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR2 LCD television (superb TV). I was looking for something to replace a Denon home theater system that was a pricey piece of junk (poor sound, problems playing DVDs after two trips to the repair facility). I didn't want to spend the $1300 I wasted on the Denon, looking more in the $500 range. After considerable reviewing of systems (Internet, Consumer Reports, etc.), I listened to as many as I could (tough to do that though) before making a decision.
The system is installed in a smallish room, with the listeners sitting approximately 9 feet from the front r/l speakers. Becauses the room is small, I have the rear speakers mounted close to the ceiling, but angled down, pretty much adjacent to the listener. The system, by the way, comes with two stands for each speaker, one each tall and short. Nice touch.
PERFORMANCE: I find the sound to be excellent. I have set the base so as not to be overwhelming (my tastes). It has plenty of range, so I suspect one could crank it up to get the neighbor's attention. The highs are crisp and distinct. The rear speaker sound (you couldn't even discern the Denon's rear speakers) is the same as the front, well balanced and very nice.
SET UP: Some people complain about the speaker wires. I find them quite adequate. Forget high priced cables, which have been proven to be a waste of money. The cable lengths were much more than sufficient in my room. You have considerable control of the sound, i.e., what type of venue you prefer to replicate (auditorium, jazz club, etc.). Set up is a piece of cake and the system sounds excellent right out of the box. I used low cost HDMI cables to the TV.
REMOTE CONTROL: This is like findng a good Mexican restaurant, everyone has a different opinion as to what is good. Personally I think the remote is logically designed, and in my case with the Sony TV you can essentially toss one of the remotes since they are very similar.
Overall, this system can't be beat for the cost. It runs all over the Denon I had (sound, operation, ease of use, etc.). And if you purchase it over the Internet, you can find it for consideraby less than list price. It's a steal even at list.
Good for the price 
2007-04-10
This system has everything you need for a beginner home theater system. Easy to set up and has a good sound. Not to crazy about the remote, to many buttons a little confusing.
Great sound for the money. 2007-03-28
This is an amazing value. I was all set to purchase the same system on eBay when I checked Amazon. Not only was the price as low as any listing on the auction site, but it included shipping at no cost.
The system was very well packed. Someone put a lot of thought into getting this product from China to my house without damage.
Setup was a breeze. No need to get your kids to show you how to connect the speakers. Well thought out. The calibration process using the enclosed microphone was positively excellent.
The sound overall is very good. Probably not up to Bose, but then consider the cost differential. My one complaint is the disk changer. Loading more than one disk is verrrry slow. So slow that I thought the system was defective. Had to drag out the kid to figure it out. This is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
Cocolalla, Idaho
great sound 2007-03-28
This is the second dream machine I have bought, first got destroyed by a storm.
Great equipment, also buy a surge protector to go with it.
Sony DAV-FX500 XM - CD/DVD STACKER BROKEN 
2008-03-07
My CD Stacker/DVD Stacker broke right after the year warrantee ran out also!!! I bought it for my husband for a Christmas present and we have been using it all year, but then in February one year and one month later, it won't play any movies. Sad to say we are using my eight year old daughter's DVD player from WAL-MART that works great and it was a whopping $29.98!
Beware!!! 
2007-12-24
Well, I bought this system after Thanksgiving. I really enjoyed the sound over the last year. But recently, the 5CD stocker broke down. The system can't eject DVDs nor can play them... I just can't do anything with it now... and it happened right after the limited 1 yr warranty expired :(
Unreal 2007-10-04
I purchased this system while I repaired my flood damaged house after Katrina. Before I closed the walls and ceilings with sheet rock I put the rear side speaker wires inside the walls. Somehow my dog got hold of the package which contained the rest of the speaker wires and chewed up one of the wires. The wires to this system have special plugs that plug into the rear of the system. I contacted Sony thinking that I could get a replacement for that wire. Well I was told that I would have to buy all the speaker wires which would cost me 65 plus dollars. I haven't even installed the system yet and had I known that Sony would force me to buy the whole set I would not have bought the system. I will never buy another Sony product again. There are a lot of good systems out there but Sony has left me with a bad taste in my mouth about their company. If I could afford it I would throw the whole system in the trash.
Sony Dream System 2007-05-15
For the money, it is a great buy! looks and sounds very good. I compared the sound of other similarly priced systems and this one definitely had the better sound (at least to my liking).
Value exceeds the price 2007-04-25
Just recently purchased this from amazon, a few hiccups with the shipping but these things happen, and since the price online was great and the shipping was free it doesn't hurt to bad to overlook the mishap.
It's hard to begin to praise the quality of sound and picture your going to get for the amount of money that you pay with this HTIB (home theater in box) system. I am by far no expert but I have worked in the car audio industry for 5 years now and have a few friends with expensive surround systems so I know the difference between quality sound, decent sound and bad sound. There is a noticable difference in quality between this and the high end stuff which is to be expected, but for the price your paying this sony system can't be beat. The set up is a breeze and connecting everything is very easy. The sound is crisp and clear. I got my 42 LCD tv a few weeks before this and for a while I was watching movies off the Xbox360. The picture was great but the sound really didn't add up. This system has provided a sound level with a quality to equal the picture. There have been a few times when I have jumped up while loungin on the couch cause the sound was so real. Also if your a gamer pick up an optical cable for the 360 and run it through this system it will broadcast games in 5.1 digital which will change your life. If your a gamer and have digital cable, you'll need to pick up a digital coaxial cable as well otherwise you'll have to switch the optical from the 360 to the cable if you want to watch cable in 5.1
Picture wise DVDs look great, I can tell a noticable difference in quality with the upscaling vs watching a dvd on a reg. player. Bear in mind it is not going to look like an HD DVD or a Blu Ray movie does but its pretty close and should satisfy most people.
Now for addressing some of the critics out there.
It does load really slow and it can be hard keeping track of discs. My point is why would you have 5 dvds loaded in the first place you only watch one movie at a time, unless your marathoning the sopranos or a sergio leone movie night there is no need. I've been keeping slots one and two open for dvd and leaving the other 3 for music which seems to divide things up and makes it more easy to keep track of things.
The sub is way to loud. I'm amazed that sony didn't put a control knob on the sub box, as my previous and cheaper phillips system as well as my computer speakers did. This is the reason why its not a five star system. Contrary to other claims you can adjust the sub. You have to go to the setup menu and customize the setup (this is after you do the auto cal.)
The sound quality for music isn't the greatest, cds sound pretty good but if you hook a laptop up digital music volume is pretty low.
When its all said and done, the quality you get for this system is well beyond the price tag. It has a few kinks and doesn't sound like a ultra high end system, but you really don't need something like that in your house unless you have a huge home theater room anyway. The styling of this system is retro and pretty cool the speakers look great, and the picture and sound are awesome.
