The "Why does Sony Suck?" Thread

[epborden]

Really, why do people say Sony is bad?

[dave_thomas]

Heck if i know. Thats the only kind of deck that i've ever had and i've never had any problems with the 6 that i've had.

[Structureboy]

A lot of it (I believe) comes down to build materials and quality control. While some users may have had bulletproof sony decks, the real idea is that there seems to be more of a general consensus that sony decks are just more cheaply made and of lower quality than other, more reputable brands in the car audio industry.

take for instance their speakers. I was browsing through crutchfield's catalog last year and came across a sony speaker that was retailing for $100 that was still using a paper cone tweeter. other brands such as kenwood, pioneer, and infinity were using high-tech materials like fiberglass, ceramic tweeters, etc. Granted the sony speaker was somewhat aesthetically pleasing design, but you see sony tries to sell by design aesthetics and not by mechanics.

another reason has to do with sony just being the all-around company that sticks its ass everywhere. It doesn't really say, specialize in any one consumer region (okay- they do make great tvs). So you see, they sort of try to sell off by using their brand-image. When first-time users come into a relatively new area; whether it be car audio or home audio, they look for that brand-recognition. Sony just happens to be a very placeable brand- like toyota is. People are familiar with that brand. They can't really look at other brands like alpine, jl audio, denon, etc. b/c they don't hit home as familiar. So, essentially sony is just selling sub-quality products by throwing its name around- and it can get away with that. many first time audio users will go to stores like walmart and see a sony headunit for $100. and go, "Wow! what a great deal. Sony quality for $100!" Of course, consumer who generally buys audio stuff at walmart isn't exactly a veteran of audio equipment.

Well, that's my take on it.

[Stealth]

I think Sony Car Audio is not manufacturered by the same root company or something... cause everything else by Sony is high quality.

[MenaceSQL]

During the NOPI Natls, the best sounding vehicle that I heard IMO was the SONY IS300. I personally won't buy Sony car audio products but that demo vehicle did kick ass in sound quality. BTW, I use Alpine for my head units, Audio Control for EQ/X-overs, Monster Cable wiring, US Amps for amplification, and Boston Acoustics for my speakers. I might probably switch to Stinger wires and accessories and to Image Dynamics for my subs then back to MB Quart for my highs.

[epborden]

I think if you can do Sony right, it will sound fantastic. I have a Sony CDX-L600X 52wtx4 rms and it sounds amazing, has nice functions and eq to boot.

[EMEX]

I have a sony deck, and though to say I like the style and the options after a year of having it the deck started fucking up. It is a flip down, detachable plate. and the connection between the unit and the face plate began to fuck up.

[dave_thomas]

I thought this was just about Sony decks but then I read it again. I've never had any problems with the decks themselves but I won't use their amps or speakers, gotta go with Kicker for those.

[oibone781]

Same thing on my sony deck.. When you flip the face into on position the display wouldn't come on, so you would have to keep pushing on the face until the display would show up, i just said fuck it and went and bought a kenwood mp-kdc919, best cd player i've had yet...

[brink]

I think structureboy has it. They're selling brand recognition rather than quality. At least that's the impression I've always gotten. Plus, I seem to recall hearing that their driving focus was to sell "affordable" home electronics... with audio stuff, there really is a rule that you get what you pay for. There are exceptions to this of course, but I think it's a good rule of thumb -- and sony stuff is pretty cheap.

[Stealth]

Well if you want to look at selling brand names look at RF, JL, and Alpine just to name a few. Not saying that Alpine isn't good, but they're not as good as they used to be.

[mauibuilt59]

Image Dynamics, Xtant, MB Quart, Alpine REPRESENT!!!! haha
Sony IS trying to sell everything based on their reputation for other quality electronics. Sony doesnt spend nearly as much money on the research and development in their car audio department as the more well-known companies. The sony's are not only made cheaply, but they are also over-rated. My friend has one of those sony amps that supposedly push 1000+ watts...it doesnt sound too great and not loud at all. Well I dont want to be too overly harsh on sony, because they do make some bad ass tv's and computers. So if i had a choice to buy a sony, aiwa, jensen, or blaupunkt....I think I would choose the sony.

[epborden]

I think Stealth has it, I think name brands like Alpine and so forth try to sell their name from past performance. I don't think Sony sucks per-say, but is rather a good alternative for the value end of car audio, or at least a good starting point.

I think the people who say "Sony sucks" do not have the intention to purchase these value end Sony car audio products. They want more of the perfomance/better build material/research companies like Rockford.

As far as building materials, yes Sony may be lower on the scale, research too, but again saying that the company puts out value end products goes toe-in-toe with the statement.

[EKam]

The infamous Sony joke:

"Why would any company want to name their product 'EXPLODE'???"

[SolaraTRD]

Man, that sux.

My dad gots like SONY wega plasma/lcd watever. Too high tech for my a$$. But that shiz is SO CLEAR! But man, too bad the audio ain't. "They try to hard." ~Some dude at Bestbuy