Sony SRS-DB500

Sony SRS-DB500 review

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.