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Friday, October 21, 2011

Onkyo HT-S5200 7.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker Package with iPod Dock (Black)

If you want an idea of where Onkyo’s home theater packages are heading, the HT-S5200 is well worth checking out. Like previous Onkyo 7.1-channel receiver/speaker packages, the HT-S5200 delivers reassuringly hefty amounts of power and all-round performance. And in line with other recent offerings, it’s also perfectly suited for high-definition entertainment in the home: 1080p video takes center stage from sources such as Blu-ray Disc, DVD, HD broadcasting, and gaming. The emphasis is still on Onkyo’s audio prowess, so the HT-S5200 is equipped with three groundbreaking Audyssey technologies that will give you the edge in terms of surround sound. It also features some exciting innovations from Onkyo: a dedicated port that connects the iPod via the Dock for the iPod and DSP modes specifically designed for gaming.

Amazon Sales Rank: #30462 in Television Color: Black Brand: Onkyo Model: HTS5100B Dimensions: 31.25" h x 30.69" w x 20.25" l, 52.00 pounds 130 Watts per Channel at 6 Ohms, 1 kHz, 1% DTS-ES™ Discrete/Matrix, DTS Neo:6®, DTS 96/24™, Dolby® Digital EX™, Dolby® Pro Logic® IIx Decoding 4 HDMI™ Inputs and 1 Output for Video, HDMI Pass-Thru*1 (Version 1.3 Compatible with 1080p, Deep Color™, and x.v.Color™) Dedicated Port for Single-Cable Connection of the Dock for the iPod SIRIUS™ Satellite Radio Ready

The Onkyo HT-5200 7.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker - Package Stacked with Options and Versatility If you want an idea of where Onkyo's home theater packages are heading, the HT-S5200 is well worth checking out. Like previous Onkyo 7.1-channel receiver/speaker packages, the HT-S5200 delivers reassuringly hefty amounts of power and all-round performance. And in line with other recent offerings, it's also perfectly suited for high-definition entertainment in the home. Includes four HDMI video inputs

Most helpful customer reviews 55 of 57 people found the following review helpful. Japanese Attention to Detail By Bob If you are going to spend big bucks on a large screen TV, why not get a good quality audio system too. Any of them will beat TV speakers. Given the amount of time most people use their TV, would encourage others to get a good audio system if they can afford it. This thing brings a whole new dimension to movies as well as other programming. So far, have the center and front speakers hooked up along with the sub woofer. Like the adjustable active sub woofer volume knob. Have more speaker wire on the way for the long wire runs on my side and rear speakers. Am not using HDMI cables on my standard definition system yet. Next, will begin mounting more speakers with the Sanus mount system. The clear and deep sound quality of this powerful 1200 watt system is great for the money- as many reputable online review sources said. The powered (110 volt) 290 watt subwoofer will make the floor shake, windows rattle and my cat head for cover. One can crank up the volume to the point where the house is vibrating but it still maintains clarity and quality sound. They include cheap little plastic protective pads to keep the sub woofer from marking floors. After watching a James Bond movie with it, believe the 10" sub woofer, that is pointed straight down, was designed so viewers could feel explosions and such for it sure shakes the floorboards. It gives one a sense of being right in the action scenes when you can actually feel the movie. All of the wires are fully color coded making it easy to hook up with no mistakes. It would be hard to be unable to get this system up and running properly if you pay attention to the easy set up guide. Consumer Reports rated the Onkyo 5100 model that this system recently replaced their highest rated choice for a home theater system. It was the only model that they rated "very good" for sound quality. All of the rest only rated "good" per their opinion. This 5200 model is a new release to replace their 5100 system. Wonder just how many systems CR tested total. You can't go too far wrong here for high sound quality at a budget price. One review source said Onkyo consistently beats other brands. My goal was high quality sound and realism at a reasonable price. Will add extras (blu-ray player...) after I have the system set up and properly tuned with their included syncronization mic system that automatically adjusts the system for each unique application, room size, etc. Everything about this HTIB is big including the large, heavy box it comes in. Physics is physics- that's how they get the clear, deep, high quality sound out of the sound chambers. All of the speakers have a real wood grain laminate exterior finish- look good. There are numerous higher priced Onkyo home theater systems and one lower priced model than this one. Oct. 6, '09: Consumer Reports has now put this one- the Onkyo 5200 system in their number one spot with a Yamaha YHT-591 model second at $600 and a cheaper Yamaha YHT-391 ($300) in third place. They have these three systems rated "very good" for sound quality currently. Been enjoying mine about everyday now. Especially using it for XM music from my Direct TV satellite connection. Am now working on getting a good old fashion TV antenna 34' feet into the air with a powered pre amplifer on it for all of my regional broadcast stations. The amplified rabbit ears have to go with what's available free off the airways nowadays. Nov. 13, 2009: Am definitely getting my money worth out of this system. Use it a lot for XM music. Usually last less than five minutes before I switch from TV speakers to the home theater system and turn off the TV- great sound quality. There is no comparison with TV speakers. It is comparable to a high quality stereo system. Dec. 9 2009: Consumer Reports now has the Onkyo 7200 model ($800) in 1st place with the 5200 model in 2nd. They rated the Yamaha YHT-391

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Onkyo TX-SR806 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black)

Onkyo TX-SR806 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black)

Amazon Sales Rank: #35147 in Television Color: Black Brand: Onkyo Model: TX-SR806B Dimensions: 7.63" h x 17.13" w x 16.94" l, 37.50 pounds 130 W/Ch Minimum into 8 Ohms, 20 Hz?20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 Channels Driven, FTC THX Ultra2 Plus Certified HDMI Audio and Video Processing (1080p; 5 Inputs and 1 Output) Push-Pull Amplifier Design with 3-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry XM Satellite Radio and SIRIUS Satellite Radio Connectivity

Onkyo TX-SR806 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black): A Mid-Range Receiver Breaking into High-End Territory with Advanced High-Def Audio and Video Processing The Onkyo TX-SR806 occupies a unique position in the Onkyo line-up. Onkyo classes it as a mid-range A/V receiver. But with its advanced capabilities and THX Ultra2 Plus certification, it's a worthy challenger for high-end status. Built with high-definition entertainment in mind, the TX-SR806 accommodates up to five HDMI™ sources that can handle both 1080p video and studio master-quality surround sound. That's more high-def sources than you'll find on any other Onkyo A/V receiver. If that weren't enough, onboard Faroudja DCDi Cinema™ scales all standard definition sources to 1080p for HDMI output, or to 1080i for component video output. Endowed with the amplification power and dependability expected from an Onkyo A/V receiver, the TX-SR806 stands out as a natural choice for high performance home theater. Superior Performance and Reliability Includes Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding To ensure that all mid-range and high-end A/V receivers in Onkyo's 2008 line-up meet THX's comprehensive performance standards, THX engineers spend countless hours testing and analyzing sound quality, usability, and interoperability for each model. This enduring relationship between Onkyo and THX guarantees even greater reliability and quality from certified A/V receivers. The 2008 range features two new THX standards: THX® Ultra2 Plus™ and THX® Select2 Plus™. These standards include THX® Loudness Plus™, which enables home theater audiences to experience rich detail and ambient sound in a surround mix at any volume level. Advanced Faroudja Video Processing with 1080p/1080i Upscaling The Faroudja name is synonymous with high-quality video processing. The Faroudja technologies incorporated into Onkyo's 2008 A/V receiver range give you the power to bring out the best from both high-definition and standard-definition video content. The Faroudja DCDi Edge™ video processor converts interlaced video signals to progressive scan signals and effectively eliminates video artifacts from HDTV images. The Faroudja DCDi Cinema™ video processor is a more sophisticated version that drastically reduces video noise without sacrificing image quality and sharpness. Both processors can scale standard-definition sources up to 1080i--and DCDi Cinema can additionally upscale to 1080p--for output to HDTVs. This system features a high-bandwidth processor capable of transferring 1080p (Ver. 1.3a/Deep Color, x.v. Color) through the HDMI output; and 1080i HD upconversion is achieved with a powerful Faroudja DCDi processing chip. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. With playback specifications that meet the standards of professionals, it features HD component video (2x inputs/1x output) switching for high-resolution low-distortion video reproduction. Audyssey Technologies for the Ideal Listening Environment Onkyo A/V receivers use Audyssey's MultEQ™ XT, MultEQ™, or 2EQ™ to counter distortion in dedicated home theaters. All of these solutions focus on the frequency response and time domain (where most of the problems lie) across the entire listening area. The results are immediately obvious--a clear, well-balanced and natural sound. The 2008 A/V receiver range features two new Audyssey technologies: (1) Dynamic EQ™, which selects the best frequency response and surround levels moment-by-moment, for the best listening experience at any volume; and (2) Dynamic Volume™, which maintains the desired listening level for all content while optimizing the dynamic range. Bi-Amping Capability Taking a cue from the world of high-end audio, you'll find bi-amping capabilities in Onkyo's 2008 line-up. This allows for a number of different home theater set-ups beyond the standard surround-sound configurations. Compatible front speakers can be bi-amped for separate tweeter and woofer inputs. Technical Specifications Power Output: 130 W/Channel (8 ohms, 1 kHz) THX Certified: THX Ultra2 Plus™ Amplifier Frequency Response: 5Hz-100kHz S/N Ratio (LINE IN): 106dB HDMI video up-conversion with DCDi Cinema technology Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding DTS Decoder: DTS-HD Master Audio Music Optimizer: Yes Audyssey Dynamic EQ: Yes Faroudja DCDi Edge™ 192K/24 Bit DACs: Yes Multi-Band Speaker EQ: 5 Band Audio I/O: 8/2 Digital Audio IN (OPT/COAX): 3/3 Composite I/O: 5/1 S-Video I/O: 5/1 Front-Panel Optical: Yes Component Video / Bandwidth: 2/1/50MHz HDMI V1.3a repeater:: 5in/1out, 1080p compatible 480i to 480p Processing: DCDi Cinema 1080i Upscaling: DCDi Cinema 1080p Upscaling: DCDi Cinema Powered Zone2: Yes Zone 2 Line Out: Yes iPod Ready: DS-A2x, DS-A2, DS-A1 Auto Speaker Calibration W/Mic: Audyssey Multi EQ Choosing an Onkyo A/V 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver for Your Home Onkyo offers several quality A/V receiver system and speaker packages that are just right for your home. Which A/V receiver system you choose depends on how much you are willing to spend and which features you prioritize in a home theater environment. Here is a quick breakdown of these A/V 7.1 channel home theater receiver systems.

Most helpful customer reviews 49 of 54 people found the following review helpful. mmmm THX By AnimeGod981 This receiver is amazing. Setting it up was a breeze. For the nontechnicaly advanced and new comers everything is color coded. When it came to setting up the speakers I came into a small problem. A slight error on my part. So I hope this advice helps others when setting up the speakers. This receiver comes with a mic that is used to electronicaly test the distance from each speaker to 1 of 6 seating positions one at a time to ensure best sound in all 6 seating positions. When using the set up mic to automatically adjust your speaker setting without having to do it manually make sure the surround speakers from your previous 5.1 plug into the "surround" speaker outputs NOT the "Back surround" speakers. The Back surround is for a 7.1 connection which I still need to upgrade to. If you plug them in the wrong outputs of the receiver you will get an error message while performing the auto speaker set up. This will also cause a problem if you try to manually set up the speakers too. Aside from that small mishap- sounds great easy set up- self explanatory remote- and the reason I bought it, the THX certification. The THX certification basically means Onkyo paid Lucas to certify that the equipment meets the THX standards. There are several units on the market that might meet the THX lever of quality but unless products pay for the certification we wont know. To me this shows Onkyo cares about letting you know what you are getting. Some people don't need or want this. If this is you Id suggest looking for a model or 2 down the line. This certification is why this unit has the sticker price it does. This unit also has 5 HDMI inputs to plug all sorts of HDMI items in like Xbox 360, PS3, a Blu Player ETC... and one HDMI out to connect to the TV. I also like the blue backlite volume knob and the green display on the face of the unit. If you connect the HDMI out there is a on screen option that allows you the visibility of reading off your TV set vs. the small display screen on the unit. This is good when setting up the speakers. This unit also reads several of upgrade audio options found on the Blu DVDs. UPDATE 4/27/09 A few things to add... when connecting electronics in through the HDMI you can choose how it will be displayed when it leaves the receiver and shown on the screen. In the options I selected to have all images displayed as 1080i since that is the native resolution picture my current TV supports. So my 360 and blu ray all have their images altered via the receiver to the native resolution my screen can handle over all offering a better image. (only through HDMI) I can also set each sound format (DTS-HD, DOLBY DIGITAL, Dolby TRU HD, ETC.) to be automatically switched to the sound preset of my choosing offered by the receiver. For example NOT THAT I WOULD EVRE DO THIS but if my Blu Disk had a Dolby TRU HD soundtrack I could set my receiver to send the signal out in mono. Doing so will automatically adjust every Dolby TRU HD soundtrack to mono. This is good if you have a specific sound option avail on the receiver you tent to enjoy most. The amp will make a slight click noise to let you know it switched over and boom you get the sound option you want vs reaching for the remote and searching for the sound option you desire. Also each input, Game, DVD, Tape, CD etc. has its own memory. So whatever you set for the DVD option will not be automatically applied to the game option. This allows me to pick my favorite sound options for each input. You can also set the default volume setting when you turn the receiver on. So if you shut it off without turning it down it will not turn on at the last volume but rather the preset desired volume. You can also select the volume of how you "mute". Either 50% of the current volume or completely off. You can also pick any volume level between the lowest and the highest available. If you dont

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

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

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.

Amazon Sales Rank: #22307 in Television Color: Black Brand: Onkyo Model: TXSR507B Dimensions: 5.94" h x 17.13" w x 16.38" l, 19.40 pounds Hard Disk: 0unknown-units 80 Watts per Channel at 8 Ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 Channels Driven, FTC; 90 Watts per Channel at 8 Ohms HDMI Audio and Video Processing (1080p; 4 Inputs and 1 Output), HDMI™ Audyssey 2EQ™ to Correct Room Acoustic Problems Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Out for Playback in Another Room (Separate Source) DTS-HD Master Audio™, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio™, DTS-HD Express, Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby® Digital Plus Decoding

The Onkyo TX-SR507 Home Theater Receiver - Bring HD Audio to Entry-Level Home Entertainment 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. Includes a suite of Audyssey Technologies(Shown in silver)

Most helpful customer reviews 60 of 60 people found the following review helpful. great bargain receiver By D. Schillinger 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!) 47 of 47 people found the following review helpful. Good but not ideal for a variety of components By M. Klimp I am replacing my 17 year old Onkyo receiver and bought this after a bit of research. Much improved over the years and sounds better than the old unit. I love the sound and the easy setup. The instruction manual is great. I have a variety of components, some HDMI, some composite video, some digital video, etc. As mentioned in other reviews, this unit will only output the same format that is input. This means that if you have composite video in, you will need to output composite video. For my situation, this meant a variety of output cables and additional button pressing when switching between components (e.g. cable box to DVD player). Considering the cost of cables, I decided to go with the TX-SR607 because it converts all inputs to HDMI output. This means no adjustments to the TV input when switching components and no additional cables. Wish I knew this before I ordered the product and thought I would share my experience. If all of my components were HDMI I would certainly choose this receiver. 31 of 31 people found the following review helpful. Great reciever, easy setup, less cables By jray Just got this TX-SR507 set up. Here are some initial impressions. The setup is very easy and fast. Had all the connections complete in less than 15 minutes. Despite some misinformation out there this receiever is not HDMI passthrough for audio. Instead it has HDMI repeater technology. This is way way better than pass through. What this HDMI repeater technology allows you to do is to run a SINGLE HDMI cable from each source (cable box, blueray, dvd player, roku box, or any other device that has hdmi out) to the reciever (you can hook up all the items into this as its loaded with HDMI inputs. From the receiver you run a SINGLE HDMI cable to your TV. Meanwhile the audio is processed by the reciever and sent out to your surround sound system. No additional toslink or analog cables needed. This feature alone is worth the extra to buy this unit. If it was only HDMI passthrough you would need to run separate cables for your surround sound in addition to the HDMI to get your audio output from the reciever to your

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Sony SA-W2500 Performance Line 100-Watt Subwoofer with Stereo Cable and Wall Mounted Surge Protetor

Feel the power of 100 amplified watts of pure bass. The SA-W2500 performance line subwoofer makes music come alive and elevates the movie-watching experience to theater-like levels. For cinematic effects, crank up the bass level and let the 10" mica-reinforced cellular woofer do the rest. KIT INCLUDES: * 100FT SPEAKER WIRE SPOOL. * PIVOT SURGE PROTECTOR.

Amazon Sales Rank: #602 in Receiver or Amplifier Brand: Sony Model: SA-W2500 Sony SA-W2500 Performance Line 100-Watt Subwoofer Wall Mount Pivot-Plug 3-Outlet Surge Protector 100ft Speaker Wire Spool

Monday, October 17, 2011

Onkyo TX-NR906 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black)

Onkyo TX-NR906 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black)

Amazon Sales Rank: #59694 in Television Color: Black Brand: Onkyo Model: TX-NR906B Dimensions: 7.63" h x 17.13" w x 18.06" l, 54.00 pounds 145 W/Ch Minimum into 8 Ohms, 20 Hz?20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 Channels Driven, FTC Network Capability for Streaming Audio Files and Internet Radio Massive Toroidal Transformer and Two Separate Transformers for Audio and Video Processing Microsoft PlaysForSure Certified and Certified for Windows Vista USB Port for a Mass USB Storage Device (Audio Only)

Onkyo's TX-NR906B A/V Home Network Receiver: A Natural Leader of the Pack, by Any Standard You Choose Multi-dimensional, superbly crafted, and loaded with impressive specs, the TX-NR906 A/V home network receiver is a true champion for the age. With seemingly endless abilities--including HQV Reon-VX video processing, dual high-def HDMI outputs, Audyssey room correction technologies, and multi-room audio and video distribution--the TX-NR906 leaves no base uncovered. Built around an isolated power block and pre-processing unit, this network receiver reveals the full potential of virtually any media.This includes any internet- or computer-based sources accessed via its network apparatus (which incorporates a new vTuner interface and certified for Windows Vista® status). It's also equipped with CD-quality HD Radio, Satellite and Internet Radio, and XM HD Surround sound capability. The TX-NR906 is the first receiver of its kind to include ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) video calibration, further enhancing its groundbreaking pedigree. Network Connectivity The TX-NR906 has 9 audio inputs and 2 audio outputs The network capability of the TX-NR906 gives you access to internet radio and digital music files including AAC, WMA, MP3, WAV, OGG, and FLAC, via an ethernet network between the TX-NR906 and your computer. It also enables you to access music files from a USB mass storage device or a portable audio player, through a USB port. It's also equipped with CD-quality HD radio, satellite and internet radio, and XM HD surround sound capability. Complete with a parallel push-pull amplification design for maximum power. It also comes with a three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry massive Toroidal transformer and two separate transformers for audio and video processing. Superior Audio Sound With an overall frequency response of 5 Hz to 100 kHz and Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-Bit audio DACs (PCM1796) for all channels, you will be able to feel the sound as well as hear it. The TX-NR906 comes with three TI 32-Bit DSP chips for advanced processing, bi-amping and BTL capability for enhanced music and movie sound effects. It also comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT to correct room acoustic problems and to calibrate speakers. Audyssey Dynamic EQ is included for loudness correction. Audyssey Dynamic Volume makes for optimal listening level and dynamic range VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) for all channels. Multi-Room Capable The TX-NR906 comes with powered zone 2 (audio and video), zone 2 and zone 3 pre-outs, independent control for volume, balance (zone 2 and zone 3) and bass/treble (zone 2 only). There is no loss of control or quality in the second and third zone. Technical Specifications # of channels: 7 Power (8ohms 20-20kHz 0.05%)/Ch: 145 watts THX certified: Ultra2 Plus Amplifier frequency response: 5Hz-100kHz BTL capability for front: 230W DOLBY Decoder: DD Plus, TrueHD DTS Decoder: DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD® High Resolution Audio VLSC: All channels Multi-Band Speaker EQ: 7 Band Audio I/O: 9/2 Phono Input: Yes Digital Audio IN (OPT/COAX): 3/3 Digital Audio OUT (OPT/COAX): 1/0 Composite I/O: 6/1 S-Video I/O: 6/1 Front-Panel A/V: L/R/V/S/USB Front-Panel Optical: Yes Component Video / Bandwidth: 3/2/100MHz HDMI I/O: 4/2 HDMI Version: V1.3 Repeater iPod Ready: DS-A2x Built-in HD Radio Tuner: Yes XM Radio Ready: Yes SIRIUS Radio Ready: Yes Auto Speaker Calibration W/Mic: Audyssey MultEQ XT Choosing an Onkyo A/V Receiver for Your Home Onkyo offers a number of quality A/V receiver systems that are just right for your home. Which A/V receiver system you choose depends on how much you are willing to spend and which features you prioritize in a home theater environment. Here is a quick breakdown of these A/V receiver systems.

Most helpful customer reviews 42 of 46 people found the following review helpful. Simply Amazing! By B. Johnson Simply amazing! I must say, this has to be one of the most sophisticated pieces of electronic equipment that I've ever owned. I don't even know where to begin. Did I mention this thing is amazing? I was running a Bose Lifestyle 48 prior to this, but when I finally decided to make the most of HDMI connections, I shelved the Bose and stepped up to the ONKYO. What a breath of fresh air! There are so many features of the TX-NR906 that I like. Starting with the remote control--I'm sure it's common practice nowadays for receiver remotes to be fairly smart, but this guy is really bright. I've managed to teach it all the commands from my three main remote controls (TV, BD & CD Players), more or less, just by pointing the controllers at each other and clicking. I'm referring to commands that aren't usually part of a universal controller's arsenal. The large number of connection choices are really coming in handy, as well. I'm maxing out the HDMI inputs and have one of the two outputs connected to my TV. There's a ton of digital audio options as well. The front panel offers a number of connection choices, including a USB port for playing MP3s. Another aspect of this receiver that I really like is the fact that this system not only sounds phenomenal when playing movies, but sounds equally as incredible playing CDs or listening to music from my PC. With previous systems it always seemed like one was better than the other, but with the TX-NR906, I really feels like I'm getting audiophile quality sound from all components. Oh yeah, did I mention? HD FM radio sounds phenomenal! I don't have XM or Sirius yet, but that's on the short list of near term upgrades. There's an antennae connection for both. This receiver is the hub of my home theater. Putting things in perspective, my setup includes a Samsung LN46A750 46-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color, Panasonic DMP-BD30K 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player, a Sony 5-Disc Carousel CD Player, Dell XPS Pentium D 3.0 GHz/3.0 GB RAM/VisionTek Radeon HD4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express Graphics Card, Playstation 3 80GB, Motorola digital cable box/DVR , and Aperion Audio's Intimus 5T Hybrid HD speaker system. All this, combined with the TX-NR906, really sounds and looks incredible. I'm utilizing HDMI for video on all components. I'm also supplementing the digital cable box's audio with a coaxial cable. Similarly, I'm augmenting the BD Player's audio by connecting audio cables via the multichannel jacks. I bought the TX-NR906 in October 2008 and so far, I haven't found anything I dislike. The only minor thing I will point out is with the remote control. When you are teaching it commands from your other remotes, you might have to try it a couple of times. At first, I thought that some of the commands weren't going to be able to be taught, but I stuck with it and eventually was able to teach it all commands. No big deal, just don't give up if it doesn't work right away. Whether you're watching HD TV, listening to your favorite music, watching the latest release on Blu-Ray, or playing the hottest shooter on your PC or PS3--if you have the money, this receiver is the perfect addition to any home theater. 38 of 45 people found the following review helpful. Intense! Awesome! Feature Packed Hub of Power! By Stuart Floyd This monster at some 55lbs is the center of my entertainment. I have a 52 120Hz Samsung HDTV, Xbox, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Onkyo DVD player, HP Desktop all connected via HDMI ports being Onkyo at present is the only one to offer so many HDMI connections on one unit. I am using 7.1 channel speakers which combined with this system put out such incredible clear sound and power driven whether the TV, the gaming systems, radio, DVD, windows Media Center, Apple itunes or Netflix via the xbox 360. Everything runs like a charm through this unit and all on one remote. However, that is

Sunday, October 16, 2011

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

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.

Amazon Sales Rank: #220 in Receiver or Amplifier Color: Black Brand: Onkyo Model: TXSR606B Dimensions: 6.88" h x 17.13" w x 14.75" l, 24.90 pounds Affordable 7.1-channel home theater receiver with full HD integration and video upscaling Power output: 90 watts x 7 channels (minimum) HDMI v1.3a Repeater (4 inputs, 1 output, 1080P compatible) 1080i Upscaling powered by Faroudja DCDi Edge TrueHD, DTS-HD Decoding

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. The TX-SR606 is pound-for-pound the best value for an entry-levelhigh-powered home theater hub. View larger

Most helpful customer reviews 220 of 222 people found the following review helpful. Best Bang for the Buck in Next-Gen Home Theater Receivers By Kevin Stewardson 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. 143 of 147 people found the following review helpful. One solution to HDMI buzz By John Winters Other reviews cover this receiver with excellent detail (setup, sound, etc.) and I agree with most comments. This is a great unit for the money. Many features, easy setup, poor upscaling, great HDMI support.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Onkyo TX-NR1007 135 Watts 9.2-Channel AV Surround Home Network Receiver (Black)

As Onkyo’s first ever 9.2-channel receiver, the TX-NR1007 combines network capability and advanced A/V processing with a myriad of surround sound speaker possibilities. For instance, you can use Audyssey DSX or Dolby Pro Logic IIz to create an expanded, more immersive 9-channel soundstage for games and movies. Alternatively, you can supplement one of several different 7.2-channel set-ups in your main room with 2-channel sound in a second room. Along with the assurance of THX Ultra2 Plus certification, the TX-NR1007 brings greater convergence to your home entertainment. Audio files from a networked PC or streaming internet radio can be fed to the receiver, and then processed and output with customary Onkyo power and fidelity. Audyssey MultiEQ XT ensures a well-balanced, room-matching speaker set-up, while ISF video calibration and 1080p upscaling via Faroudja DCDi Cinema work to get the most out of your video sources. Merely cherry-picking the specs, though, doesn’t do justice to this mighty receiver-we suggest giving it an audition and letting your own eyes and ears be the judge.

Amazon Sales Rank: #44973 in Television Color: Black Brand: Onkyo Model: TX-NR1007 Number of items: 6 Dimensions: 7.81" h x 17.12" w x 18.25" l, 51.80 pounds 135 Watts per Channel at 8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.05%, 2 Channels Driven, FTC HDMI Version 1.3a to Support Deep Color, x.v.Color, LipSync, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DVD-Audio, Multichannel PCM, and CEC Audio and 1080p Video Processing via HDMI (6 Inputs and 2 Outputs [Main/Sub]) Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz for New Surround Channels Audyssey MultEQ XT to Correct Room Acoustic Problems and to Calibrate Speakers

Most helpful customer reviews 19 of 20 people found the following review helpful. More than I needed and has some quirks....but.... By B. Williams I've been an Onkyo fan for years now. This is my 5th Onkyo receiver in about 9 years or so. I've upgraded for feature set rather than anything being 'wrong' with the prior models I've had. This is the highest end model I've purchases thus far. Hopefully I'll be able to keep this one around for quite a while. It's more than I needed but I was tired of upgrading and wanted something with enough HDMI inputs and features that I wouldn't get the itch. I have a standard 5.1 surround system for speakers so I am not using the Audyssey DSX or ProLogic IIz functionality. Nor am I using the multiple zones at this time so I have no comment on that functionality. Things I like: Audyssey MultiXT - I've had versions of Audyssey in all but maybe the first Onkyo receiver I've had. I don't know whether they changed something or I've gotten better at setting my HT system up properly but after running through the Audyssey speaker setup on this receiver everything sounded much more balanced and even than the setup I had gotten with my previous TX-SR705 The 'sweet spot' is wider and I'm not getting the slight tonal shift as audio moves from one speaker to the next across the front speakers like I used to. Audyssey Dynamic Volume - This is a fantastic feature! All of my audio for everything is piped through this receiver, whether I'm watching TV, Movies, Music or playing games. With my previous receivers I was always fumbling for the volume when I was watching a show and the commercials came on since they were so much louder. I don't have to do that any more. I have the Dynamic Volume feature set to Light. It makes soft passages loud enough to hear and tones down loud passages, and when the commercials come on they aren't any louder than the tv show I was watching. I do have one quibble with it There doesn't seem to be a feature to turn it off/on based on the source you've selected. Having this feature on when listening to music is a not a good thing. This isn't a problem with Audyssey, rather an oversight on Onkyo's part. THX Loudness - I've never really used the THX audio modes of my previous receivers much. Primarly because in order to get the sound approaching that in a theater THX recommends listening at reference volume. There are two problems with that. I live in an apartment and I like not to bleed from my ears. The THX Loudness feature works kinda like the Audyssey Dynamic volume. I find that on some movies the THX method sounds better to me than the Audyssey Dynamic Volume. Internet radio, Pandora and streaming - The interface for this could use some work (it looks like something from the 90's) but I really like the network features. Streaming audio from my PC in the office is more convenient with this than firing up the Xbox or PS3 and it's one less peice of electronics I have to have running I also like that the Onkyo will wake up my office pc if it is sleeping when I go to stream audio. I don't know if this is something with my pc that allows this or not but it is convenient. Things I don't like - I thought my TX-SR705 was loud when it did audio or HDMI switching. This is louder. I'm hoping it's due to beefier switching components. Fortunately this is only an issue at the beginning of movies where they show previews and don't steal me warnings. Also on cable when watching non-movie channels and the commercials have been broadcast in different audio then the show. One time issue with zero audio. I was watching a tv show and changed channels. After changing the channel I had zero audio. I thought it was the channel but changing the channel back or selecting a different source (tuner) didn't fix it. I was able to fix it by unplugging the receiver for about 5 seconds and plugging it back in This was disturbing but it hasn't happened since then. If it does I'll have to call Onkyo and find out.