Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'll start by saying I'm not an Audiophile.I just wanted a decent mid-range receiver that does all the latest lossless audio formats and has 7.1 channels so it's ready to take advantage of BluRay as that format evolves.So my primary focus is on a system that plays audio for movies and video games as it's primary function.Currently I have this receiver setup in a 5.1 configuration since that's the type of receiver it replaced.I have more speakers on order to expand it out but to be honest, right now if you're building a home theater from scratch, you only need 5.1 .The 7.1 specs aren't really supported yet and DVDs and Playstation/Xbox are all 5.1, so if you're starting from scratch save some money and setup for 5.1 first and expand as support grows.

I used the automated speaker calibration feature to setup all the channels.This is where you place the provided mic at ear level at three different listener positions.The receiver then sends out tones which will drive you and your dog nuts for about 15 minutes while the entire process goes on.Once it was done however, I was/am very pleased with the results.

I've heard some people ask about humming, i can detect no humming.I have some WiFi equipment close by which is 2.5 ghz and so far have not heard any humming.Some other people have said the Receiver runs hot to which I would ask those people, is this your first receiver?They do run hot !This one runs no hotter than the old one i replaced from a different manufacturer so as far as I'm concerned, the heat issue is normal.I have it in a small component rack that's enclosed on the sides and back with a door on the front, it's got maybe half an inch space around the sides and 2 inches of space on top and so far everything is good.

The back has tons of inputs, but the primary reason I waited for the 606 over the previous model is the number of HDMI ports, the next generation audio/video cable which is a requirement for full resolution BluRay playback.They're rev 1.3a to support all the latest audio formats as well (none of which are currently supported by the discs themselves yet though).The receiver will pass through a 1080p signal from a BluRay or other high def video source.If you feed it a standard def 480i video source, it will upscale it to 1080i or 720p.It does a decent job but i would say upscaling isn't the receivers strong point, it does an acceptable job though.But lets face it, Onkyo doesn't build TV's, their bread and butter isn't video, it's audio.

I'm pleased with the performance and the styling of the receiver, it's just very basic and sleek.No built in graphical user interface and all that other nonsense that receivers 3x this price but no more times the performance come equipped with.This receiver for a mid end system for movies and video games just really can't be matched in terms of performance per dollar spent.

I have matched this receiver with some Polk Audio speakers.Specifically i have a Polk CSi3 center channel and six Polk RTi4 bookshelf speakers (all of which you can find at great prices here on Amazon where I ordered them from) and I am very very happy with the results.The Polk speakers like the Onkyo 606 receiver are over achievers for their price point, so they match together extremely well.

The only thing I have left to say is buy it, I wouldn't hesitate recommending this receiver to anyone looking for a solid movie/video game home theater experience.

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Product Description:
As part of the second generation of Onkyo high-definition-capable receivers, the TX-SR606 is at the forefront of affordable home theater. The key is to have the most capable version of HDMI. The TX-SR606 provides high-definition video and audio processing for four source components-another first for Onkyo at this level. From Blu-ray Disc players to gaming consoles and cable/satellite boxes, you have everything in the digital realm covered. Apart from 1080p video, the TX-SR606 can upscale all video signals to 1080i, regardless of the connection, for output via HDMI. Onkyo's own RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) also gives you inter-operability with the displays and playback components from other leading brands. And with an expanded version of Audyssey's room correction technology, the TX-SR606 maintains the fullness of surround sound audio quality at low volume levels. The TX-SR606 offers all-round excellence rarely seen at this level.

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Onkyo TX-SR507 5.1-Channel A/V Surround Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I did a lot of research (including Consumer Reports) and settled on this Onkyo as the best compromise between performance and price.I've had it 2 weeks now and am very happy.

The auto setup function works better than a much-more expensive Denon unit I set up for a friend.I used the microphone (included) to measure speaker levels at 3 different locations in the room and the Onkyo did everything else.(It's connected to some older Polk speakers-- they sound so much better through this amp!)

I bought this primarily to process audio from our new BluRay player and the Onkyo does an outstanding job.The sound is better than in most movie theaters!Especially BluRay DTS or HD Master.Wish more movies were recorded in these formats.

We also have our DirecTV HD DVR hooked up to the Onkyo.Audio and video travel through the HDMI Cables, so there's no need to hook up audio separately.Very nice and a feature you will find missing from some more expensive amps.

The amp does get very warm.I put a small fan in the back of the cabinet and that seems to help.

BTW although this is a 5.1 channel amp is DOES support 7.1 if you want the 2 extra rear speakers... you just have to hook it up to your old amp (or any cheap 2-channel amp) and process those 2 channels that way.The 7.1 decoding IS built into this box.

I am not using the "Zone 2" feature but it's very unusual to have that in a receiver in this price range.You can watch a movie in one room while someone else listens to an iPod or FM in another room.

I don't think you can find a better receiver in this price range (and keep an eye on the price-- it's falling!)

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Product Description:
If you're looking for a budget-friendly A/V receiver that offers versatile connectivity and compatibility with the latest processing technology, Onkyo's TX-SR507 has you covered. With four HDMI 1.3a inputs, it can accept up to four high-definition sources-from Blu-ray Disc to HD broadcasting to high-def games-and output them to your compatible HDTV. HDMI 1.3a also enables you to enjoy the pristine "lossless" audio of Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™, as well as secondary audio on Blu-ray Disc via DTS-HD Express. The TX-SR507 comes with a suite of Audyssey surround-sound technologies to help tailor audio output to the unique dimensions of your entertainment space. Meanwhile, a new universal port makes it easy to incorporate an optional Onkyo Dock for the iPod® or Onkyo HD Radio tuner into your system. With all this, plus four high-impact Game Modes and the ability to send different audio to two rooms simultaneously, the TX-SR507 puts a huge amount of entertainment potential at your fingertips.

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Onkyo TX-SR607 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)My previous receiver was a 9 year old Sherwood. It was a little above a low end unit. It started buzzing and I decided it was time for a replacement. I have 2 nice Wharfdale floor speakers, a nice center, decent rear surrounds and 2 really decent sub woofers.

I read extensive reviews on several brands and decided that I would purchas Onkyo. I went to Fry's looking for the 606 model. They were sold out and just received the 607. I purchased the 607.

I wanted something HDMI based that allowed audio through the HDMI cables. The thing was a snap to set up. Make sure to run an HDMI cable to your TV from the receiver so that you can do on screen programming.

As I said, I have 2 sub woofers and the 607 has two output RCA jacks to enable 2 subs. No more RCA splitters. I fired the thing up and was shocked at the sound quality. The thing sparkles and the lows are clean and deep. I adjusted the individual speaker levels with a Radio Shack db meter on an easy to use Onkyo menu. I did not use the calibration system built into the receiver. A few trips through the menus and you have them mastered. The menu system is REALLY SIMPLE.

Unless you have some REALLY expensive speakers, this is the unit for you. Great sound quality, simple setup and easy menus make this a good choice for the novice or mid range home theater enthusiast.

I highly recommend the unit.

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Product Description:
The TX-SR607 raises the bar once again in the competitive world of mid-range home theater. With HDMI 1.3a inputs for up to six components, it's ready to handle all your high-definition video and audio needs. Whether it's a Blu-ray Disc player, a cable or satellite box, or a gaming console, your video signals will be traveling first class. Lower-resolution analog video signals, meanwhile, can be upscaled to 1080i and fine-tuned by Faroudja DCDi Edge™. HDMI version 1.3a also transports the master-quality HD audio formats, DTS-HD Master Audio™ and Dolby® TrueHD. The very latest Dolby technology, Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz, enhances the spatial sensation

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QS8 Surround Speaker - Boston Cherry Review

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(More customer reviews)These babies are universally hailed as THE surround speaker.I can't disagree.Their ability to envelope you in sound is amazing.Watching a movie that has any 'rain' scenes is a trip.You'll think you're getting wet!

Given that enveloping ability, they are also superb at directional sound if need be.

Simply put, if you're in the market for some new surround speakers.These should be at the top of your list.

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Product Description:
Stunning surround sound that will turn your living room into the neighborhood's favorite place to watch movies. You may never go to a movie theater again!With twin titanium tweeters and dual aluminum woofers top and bottom, the QS8 delivers all the dynamics present in Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks. Every home theater review cites the QS8's stunning envelopment as the key to an amazing listening experience.

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Onkyo TX-SR608 7.2-Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Unlike a lot of CEs, Onkyo may have indavertantly cannibalized its own model lineup by pushing so much featureset into an entry level receiver that it might deter buyers from their higher end models. I recently did a thorough comparison of the Pioneer VSX-1020 and Denon AVR-791 and the Onkyo nudged out the Pioneer due to its beefier amp section and OSD capabilities. That said, I must caution users that its value is marred by what appears to be a bug with its ability to pass through HDMI video signals unmolested, even in "Through" modes. This bug manifests itself in two ways: 1. 24 bit sources (like cable hdtv) are upconverted to 30 bit when output on a display; AND 2. for some inexplicable reason, 1080p 24fps sources stutter intermittently as if a frame is dropped. The latter might be more noticeable to plasma owners whereas 120hz and 240hz LCDs might compensate for the frame stuttering with their interpolation software (ie the soap opera effect).

With that caveat, the Onkyo is a terrific performer offering strong power (power consumption is up from the 607 to a very grown up 756 watts), terrific flexibility (four speaker terminals can be assigned to wide, height or zone 2). The Denon is limited to merely 7 speaker terminals and the Pioneer has only a pair of assignable terminals. The Audyssey auto-callibration (2EQ) is a notch behind Denon, but the inclusion of Audyssey DSX (for wide arrangements) is a feature that the Denon does not offer. While it lacks the USB terminal for Ipod playback of the Pioneer and the Denon, it does offer a computer input which might resolve the HDMI handshake nightmare many face with htpcs.

Onkyo rather smartly included a fan atop of the receiver, which is silent and all but eliminates the historical Onkyo toaster oven effect.

I really enjoy this receiver, but found the HDMI video molestation issues to quite problematic and what mar an otherwise incredible buy. Hopefully Onkyo can issue a firmware update.

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Product Description:
Sure, we call it an "entry-level" A/V receiver. But when you witness the full potential of the TX-SR608, you'll know the level you're entering is far beyond the ordinary. For a start, you get six of the latest HDMI 1.4 inputs for simple hook-up of all your high-def sources. HDMI 1.4 also brings compatibility with the new 3D video format, as well as an Audio Return Channel from your display back to the receiver. Complementing HDMI on the input front, you have an analog RGB video input for connecting your PC, and a Universal Port for Onkyo peripherals. All video sources, regardless of resolution, can be upscaled to big and beautiful 1080p via HDMI and Faroudja DCDi Cinema. Audio processing incorporates quality Burr-Brown DACs, lossless Dolby and DTS codecs, and the expanded surround formats of Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz. Three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry and jitter cleaning technology work to ensure extremely precise and faithful amplification. In recognition of the TX-SR608's outstanding A/V prowess, it has been awarded THX Select2 Plus Certification.

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Onkyo HT-S7100 7.1 Channel Receiver and Speaker Package Review

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(More customer reviews)This is probably one of the best "home theater in a box" setups you'll run across. The receiver is the 606 model which has been very well received by most reviewers. It will accept pretty much any type of input and output it via HDMI so you can cut down on the spaghetti-nest of wires. The speakers are pretty good for this price point. No, it won't put a high-end system to shame, but it will hold its own (and unusually surpass) pretty much anything in this price range.

The sub is better than I expected. Good, solid bass. It's a down-firing setup which is nice if you have pets that like to mess with speakers.

The receiver runs pretty hot, as is typical with Onkyo systems. Make sure there is lots of ventilation (i.e., don't put it into a closed media cabinet).

It also includes stands for the front L/R speakers which is a nice touch, and adds to the overall value. It does not, however, come with a DVD player. But, that's a good thing - you're far better off putting the money into a better quality receiver such as the 606 than getting a system that includes a DVD player with a lesser quality receiver.

The model below this (6100) is very similar. The receiver is virtually the same -- different model number, but the specs are 95% the same. The biggest difference is that the 6100 does not include speaker stands. If there's a big price difference, the 6100 may be a better choice if you don't need stands.

I use this as a home theater/music setup in my basement, and have been very pleased with it. It does not sound as good as the Denon/KEF setup in the LR, but it produces solid quality sound. I have a Wii and a DVD player hooked to it, with the output being a single HDMI cable to a Samsung LCD.

Setup is very straightforward. The most time consuming part is running wires for the back speakers. There are some systems out that have wireless back speakers, but those come with their own set of problems as well (such as interference with wireless routers). Plus, unless you're willing to spend a lot more, wireless speakers in this price range will not perform nearly as well as traditional wired speakers.

Speaking of wires, the only disappointment with this setup was the speaker wires that were included. Very small gauge wire - toss them, and get some decent 16 (or perhaps even 14) gauge wire from monoprice.

If you are looking to keep the cost of a home theater setup to under $800, this system should be on your short list. If you're looking to spend more there are better choices, but this is a great value for the price.

One last thing - the box is heavy!! It comes well-packed, but the total weight is 100+ pounds, so have a hand truck ready!

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Product Description:
Onkyo, which means 'audio' or 'sound' in Japanese, has been producing precision audio components for over a half-century. This Onkyo HT-S7100 is a serious home-theater surround sound system so your home entertainment won't be compromised in any way. with up to 7.1 channels, you've got all the audio and video processing needed to take full advantage of the audio and video capabilities of Blu-Ray disc players and modern HD video displays, without the complexities of an individual component system. With one-cable HDMI connectivity, Audyssey automatic room setup and calibration, and Onkyo's signature audio performance this sound system is the perfect complement to your HDTV. The front L/R and horizontal center channel speakers each feature a pair of 3-1/8 inch cone woofers and a high quality 1-inch balanced tweeter. For a coherent and timbre-matched surround field, the included surround speakers each use the same drivers as the front speakers, but employ only a single woofer. It also includes a high-power downfiring subwoofer with a 10-inch cone driver with an internal 290 watt amplification module. All crossover points in can be set to any of eight possible settings for ideal integration with the environment and listener preferences. The HT-S7100 featurs Audyssey's Dynamic EQ algorithm, which refines the system's frequency response and surround levels moment-by-moment to compensate for deteriorations in the listening experience at different volume levels. When used in combination with the Audyssey 2EQ system, this feature tailors the receiver's output to correct for room acoustics, listening position, and playback-level distortions, delivering an overall experience that is a much closer match to what the audio production engineers originally intended. The HT-S7100 is home-theater system ready. It includes a full-function RI (Remote Interactive) remote control and Onkyo's RIHD

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Pioneer VSX-1020-K Audio/Video Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I picked up a 1020 over the weekend. I have been building custom cabinetry and needed a slimmer (and cooler) receiver for our secondary viewing room and the 1020 seemed to fit the bill in large part based upon a pleasant experience with the 919/1019 and the elite 21.

For reference, the 1020 is replacing an Onkyo 1007, which I really enjoyed, but was a bit big for the cabinet and largely unused with a baby's bedroom nearly adjacent to the area. Keep in mind, the Onkyo weighs 52 lbs and draws nearly 11 amps - not a fair fight between the two.

In comparison to the 1019/919 (which powers my second and third zones), the 1020 looks very similar, but Pioneer removed the blue led power button (they did the same with the bdp-320 from the 51fd last year as well). The front panel buttons have been reconfigured slightly, but overall the two look very similar.

I have the 1020 configured as 5.1 plus wides. The speaker setup was pretty easy, but it appears that setting it up as normal plus wides would prevent you from operating Zone 2 despite the manual saying the contrary.

In terms of audio quality, the receiver sounds very good and similar to the 1019/919. That said, when turned louder (say -5db), it appears to lose its legs a bit sooner than the 1019. I heard a bit more distortion in playing music loudly (i was alternating the same speakers and source via speaker switch before I had the two connected). That said, I would think most folks would not be able to tell a difference at normal volume levels, but the power draw cut from last year does seem to manifest itself at loud levels in my amateurish testing. Please do not try to pull every thread in my comparison - just an average guy comparing the two side by side.

Running MCACC was as simple as other pioneer models, but the system did seem to be a bit too generous as to the speaker size of the speakers in my setup (audyssey classified them as small and set the individual speaker crossovers at 100hz). I have been using the wide listening mode and have found it reasonably effective in providing a broader sound array for the wide room. I will need more critical listening time to compare it to Audyssey DSX's wide presence processing mode. Overall, I am pleased with the sound quality of the 1020, but it could benefit by a bit more power. I would caution about tying to drive large or inefficient speakers with this receiver if your listening preferences are very loud.

The remote is an improvement in that it is learning, but a step back in dark room navigation. Yes the keys glow in the dark, but labels are small and difficult to quickly identify. It is miles ahead of Denon's odd remotes, but lacks some of the simple and easy to identify buttons of Onkyo.

The receiver has run cooly, which is an improvement from the space-heater my Onkyo could be.

The receiver does offer a really good listening experience for a very light (and presumably efficient) unit. That said, I do lament a few things: onscreen osd - at least volume/source/audio codec; a slightly ergonomic remote; and assignable speakers to let you customize presence and zone 2.

Overall, I am happy with the unit and pleasantly surprise how cooly it runs.

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Product Description:
Key Features are110 Watts X 7, 7 Channel Configurable Amplifier, Surround Back. Dolby Pro-logic IIz or B Speaker, Dolby True-HD / DTS-HD Master Audio and Advanced MCACC. It has a 9 Band EQ.Auto Crossover Setting, USB to PC Graphs, PQLS - 2 Channel, Auto Level Control - Multi-Channel, Sound Retriever AIR - Multi- channel. It has a Internet radio. iPod Digital USB / USB Memory Audio. Its iPhone Certified, Sirius Satellite Radio, HDMI Repeater (6 In / 1 out), Analog to HDMI Video Conversion, HDMI to HDMI 1080p Scaler, Component Video (2 in / 1 out), Full Color GUI, iControl pioneer AVR iPhone / iTouch "APP" Multi-Zone A/V Pre-out, Preset Remote Control

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