The interface panel is basic but the volume knob feels nice and sturdy. Has a mic input in addition to a standard 6.35 headphone jack.
Comes with the same universal remote that currently comes with other Sony receivers. Also Bluetooth compatible.
Has all of the basic inputs needed for a 5.2 home theater system, five hdmi slots is nice. While the main left/right speakers have 5 way binding posts, the center and surround merely have spring clips. Not sure why they couldn’t have made all the speaker inputs binding posts, makes life a lot easier set up wise.
150 W per channel is plenty to power pretty much any speakers someone would hook up to this.
Components are well placed apart, with plenty of room to breathe on all sides. Solid heat dispersion, was never hot to the touch (just a little warm) when we ran it for extended periods of time.
Overall Take, As Compared to the Competition
Sony is a longtime reliable brand for av equipment, and while the STR-DH590 has some slightly annoying lack of features, mainly no binding posts for the surround speakers, it’s seriously inexpensive, often the best deal by far for a fully equipped 5.2 receiver. Likely the best choice for an entry-level system in our opinion.
See our current picks for the overall best 5 channel receivers for the money
