PRODUCT REVIEW
In-Depth U.S. Market Review
The Sony STR-DH790 7.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver is a hugely significant product in the U.S. market, positioned squarely as the entry-level gateway to modern, immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio . It offers the crucial 7.2 channel configuration that enables a 5.2.2 or 7.2 setup, bringing overhead sound to the masses without the premium cost of flagship models. This receiver is perfect for the consumer who has a dedicated home theater space or a larger living room and is demanding the latest object-based audio experience.
This model is a noticeable step up from the budget 5.2 models, giving you two extra channels of amplification to power height speakers. Compared to the more expensive, feature-bloated 9 and 11-channel receivers, the STR-DH790 strikes the ideal balance of performance and price. You get all the essential modern audio formats and 4K HDR pass-through capability, making it a compelling, future-proofed choice for the average American household's main entertainment system.
Technical Analysis
| Specification | Detail & U.S. Context | Analysis |
| Channels & Configuration | 7.2 Channels, supports 5.2.2 (Atmos/DTS:X) or 7.2 setups. | The 5.2.2 configuration is the biggest draw, adding two height channels for immersive object-based audio, which is critical for modern home theater in the U.S. |
| Immersive Audio | Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support | Essential for taking advantage of 4K UHD Blu-rays and premium streaming tiers, delivering a three-dimensional sound field with overhead effects. |
| Video Pass-through | 4K/60p, HDR (HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision) | Full support for the major high dynamic range formats ensures no compromise on picture quality from popular U.S. streaming devices and consoles. |
| Connectivity | 4 HDMI Inputs, 1 HDMI Output (ARC) | Adequate inputs for a standard setup (TV box, console, media player), though some users might wish for more inputs given the receiver's capabilities. |
| Room Calibration | Advanced DCAC (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration) | Sony's microphone-based setup is quick and relatively accurate, automatically setting levels and distances for a complex 7-speaker arrangement. |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth (SBC/AAC codec support) | Built-in Bluetooth with the higher-quality AAC codec makes streaming music from Apple devices a better fidelity experience than basic SBC-only receivers. |
1. The Gateway to Immersive Audio (Dolby Atmos/DTS:X)
The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding is the defining feature of the Sony STR-DH790. This is what elevates it from a traditional surround sound receiver to a modern home theater centerpiece. With the 7.2 channels, you can set up a 5.2.2 system, utilizing two channels for either ceiling speakers or up-firing modules to create the crucial "sound from above" effect.
This technology allows sound elements, like a helicopter or falling rain, to be precisely placed and moved through three-dimensional space, dramatically increasing the realism of movies and advanced video games. For the U.S. consumer moving into high-end entertainment, this feature is non-negotiable for a current-generation receiver.
2. Advanced 4K HDR Video Processing
In the U.S. market, video compatibility is just as important as audio. The STR-DH790 handles 4K video at 60Hz and, crucially, passes through all key High Dynamic Range (HDR) formats: HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. This means you won't need to choose between the best picture and the best sound.
While it lacks the more advanced HDMI 2.1 features like 4K/120Hz found on higher-end models, its support for 4K/60p and comprehensive HDR makes it perfectly compatible with the vast majority of 4K content, including standard PS5/Xbox Series X gameplay at 60fps and most streaming service content.
3. Setup Convenience with Advanced DCAC
Setting up a 7.2-channel system with two height speakers can be complicated, but Sony’s refined Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) system simplifies this significantly. This system uses a supplied microphone to measure the distances, levels, and frequency response of all seven speakers plus the subwoofers.
It effectively tailors the sound output to your specific room geometry and speaker characteristics. This feature makes the powerful technology accessible, ensuring even a novice user can achieve a properly balanced and phase-corrected surround soundfield in their American living room or media space.
User Profiles
1. The Aspiring Home Theater Builder
You are transitioning from a large living room to a dedicated media room or basement setup. You understand that Dolby Atmos is the future of movie audio and want the minimum required channels to experience that overhead sound. You are willing to install two ceiling speakers for maximum immersion.
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Use Case: You are unboxing your first set of up-firing or in-ceiling speakers and need a receiver that is explicitly capable of decoding and powering them to create a 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos sound field for blockbuster movies.
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The Fit: The 7.2-channel capability, specifically the 5.2.2 Atmos configuration, makes the STR-DH790 the ideal Atmos entry-level home theater receiver . It provides the core technology you need at a highly competitive price point for your new media room.
2. The Multi-Console Gamer
You own both the current PlayStation and Xbox consoles and a smart TV. You need a centralized hub that can reliably switch between all your sources without any compromise in video or audio quality, especially the high-resolution HDR formats.
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Use Case: You are constantly switching from playing a competitive game on one console that requires fast, responsive audio to watching a high-contrast 4K movie on the other. You need seamless switching with zero hiccups in HDR passthrough.
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The Fit: With four HDMI inputs and full support for 4K/60p HDR formats (including Dolby Vision), the receiver serves as an excellent central hub for gaming and 4K media . Its solid processing core ensures reliable source switching without the need to re-calibrate or re-handshake the video signal.
3. The Large Living Room Owner
Your main living space is larger than average, and a basic 5.1 setup leaves an acoustic "hole" in the rear of the room. You need the extra coverage of a full 7.1 surround sound experience to fill the back of the room during large cinematic moments.
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Use Case: You are watching a big-budget action movie in a long, rectangular living room. You realize a 5.1 setup leaves the area behind the couch empty, so you utilize the receiver's full 7.1 capability to power dedicated rear surround speakers for a more encompassing effect.
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The Fit: The flexibility to run a true 7.1 setup (with rear surrounds instead of height speakers) is perfect for large, rectangular American living rooms. This provides the sonic coverage you need to fully immerse viewers across the entire seating area, making it a great 7.2-channel home theater option .
"Complementary HomeTechCorner Category Recommendations"
| Recommended Products | Why This Category Is Useful Specifically for This Product | Short Usage Scenario |
| Wireless Audio Transmitters | To use all 7.2 channels, you may want to connect speakers in a distant part of the room without running long cables. | You decide you don't want speaker wire snaking across your large living room and use a wireless transmitter to send the signal to your two rear speakers. |
| Home Theater Speaker Kits | This receiver's key selling point is its ability to power a 5.2.2 (Atmos) setup, requiring a full set of at least 7 speakers and a subwoofer. | You purchase a 5.1.2 speaker bundle that includes up-firing modules to immediately take advantage of the receiver's Dolby Atmos decoding. |
| Monitor Arms Stands | If you use up-firing speakers for Atmos, you might want to place them on stands to ensure they are at the optimal listening height. | You realize placing your up-firing modules on the floor isn't working, so you mount them on short stands next to your couch to bounce sound off the ceiling correctly. |
| Power Backup Solutions | A momentary power dip can damage sensitive receiver components, so a power backup is crucial for protecting your investment. | A brief storm causes a power surge, but your UPS protects the STR-DH790, preventing component failure and ensuring your expensive receiver stays functional. |
| Ir Rf Hubs | Placing the receiver inside a cabinet for aesthetics requires a hub to relay remote control commands without opening the door. | You put the large black box of the receiver neatly inside your media console and use an IR repeater to control it seamlessly with the door closed. |
