mmmm THX, October 28, 2008
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...read full review
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 want it plaied too loud you can also select the loudest volume level you desire. This wont allow the volume to raise over that selected volume level.
Another feature I liked is the ability to rename inputs. I changed the name of my DVD input to read Blu Ray and my Game input to read XBOX360. Now when I uses the remote to select DVD or game the new names I relabeled show up on the onkyo display.
Over all I am happier and happier with my purchase each day. There are still so many features I have only begun to breech the icecap! minimize
An Advanced HD Receiver , September 12, 2008
The Onkyo TX-SR806 will process all the latest High Definition formats flawlessly. It's all here at a price that other receivers can't touch at twice the price. Outstanding Audio Quality from Stereo to 7.1 channels. I have had high-end receivers before, but this model is the best. My speakers never sounded so good and I hear sounds that were not...read full review
The Onkyo TX-SR806 will process all the latest High Definition formats flawlessly. It's all here at a price that other receivers can't touch at twice the price. Outstanding Audio Quality from Stereo to 7.1 channels. I have had high-end receivers before, but this model is the best. My speakers never sounded so good and I hear sounds that were not possible until now. Blu-ray discs with True Dolby HD or DTS Master Audio are heavenly perfection. The receiver will pass-thru HDMI Video or the built-in processor can enhance it. The receiver set-up will automatically adjust the acoustics or you can tweak the nearly indefinite number of adjustments available to enhance the sound quality to any way you like. There are no heat concerns (like last years model) as the unit operates at a cooler temperature.
The only part of the package that could be improved is the layout of the remote control. Some buttons like the remotes volume control should have been bigger, more conveniently located and back-lit.
If you are looking for an HD receiver for today and tomorrow this one will entertain and thrill like a never ending roller coaster ride. minimize
The Monster that Ate Your Rackspace, February 4, 2009
I really didn't want to buy a receiver. On top of that, I really didn't want an Onkyo--I didn't know much about it and the Yamahas were something I'd had a good track record with. I had to get a receiver because mine was just too old for any of these connections--Composite Video was the best it had to offer. I passed on Yamaha because the price ...read full review
I really didn't want to buy a receiver. On top of that, I really didn't want an Onkyo--I didn't know much about it and the Yamahas were something I'd had a good track record with. I had to get a receiver because mine was just too old for any of these connections--Composite Video was the best it had to offer. I passed on Yamaha because the price difference at the time was insane.
Consider me impressed: the back of the TX-SR 806 is bristling with connectors, just about anything I could imagine. It even has plugs for Sirius or XM Satellite Radio adapters. You should know that Satellite Radio will require purchase of an antenna and visible access to the sky--in a specific direction, depending where you live. [...]
As for the rest, I purchased HDMI cables...and was a bit exasperated. We had a few video problems on my Samsung PN58A550 television that were specific to the receiver, and, ha-ha, we didn't specifically buy HDMI 1.3a. Seems like an industry-wide scam, given the quick version changes and the added cost, but purchasing 1.3a stopped screen flicker and audio weirdness.
There is one other problem you should be aware of: on the PS3, some Blu-Ray titles will broadcast blue snow in the black spaces. It can get especially bad--I noticed it most in Gran Tursimo 5 Prologue--and again this is an issue with the Onkyo, not the PS3. I tried multiple configurations and the only solution was that the Onkyo can't properly pass-through a 1080p signal, so you have to downgrade your console a notch to output 1080i (I've read this happens with XBox 360s, too). You take care of this problem by stepping through a configuration wizard on the PS3: in the System menu, there's an option for video output settings, and in one step is a series of checkboxes for the different resolutions. Uncheck the top-most resolution and your signal will pass through without the blue snow. On the Onkyo, I have told it that HDMI is "Pass-Through", which means, "Don't do anything with the video signal you get coming in"...because I'm letting the PS3 handle it. You may also find the problem fixed if you don't send audio through the HDMI--maybe all that traffic on one HDMI cable is what's corrupting the signal? I don't know. These minor annoyances keep the TX-SR 806 from a 5-star rating.
[UPDATE: I believe I have fixed the Blue Snow problem - see the comments in this review for details]
When it comes to sound, the Onkyo rises back to the top: it really does an excellent job of cleanly separating signals in my speakers, dumping speech into the Center channel and beautifully moderating subwoofer output: I noticed less *whump* than my Yamaha produced, and a lot more even transition into the lower ranges. The TX-SR 806 also does surprisingly well at using a 2.1 setup to make sounds positional: I spent half an hour with the included Audyssey microphone and easily set it up to properly produce sounds. That alone probably saved me hours of tinkering with menus and details that are beyond my comprehension. Flipping from one audio mode to another is easily accomplished on the remote, and I can very noticeably tell the difference: for example, "Dolby ProLogic II" for a movie, works best on a movie, while for a game, you're better off switching to "Dolby ProLogic II Game". When you want to crank up the home-theater fun, pure unfiltered lossless digital audio will blow you out of your seat and it's as easy as pressing a button.
There's a lot more that I could say--the menus offer a huge amount of options, but are not complicated, nor do they go more than 3 levels deep. The sound quality is top-notch: I think the DSP and Faroudja processing take it to the level of more expensive amplifiers, and I'm surprised at how much of a difference they make. Connections are easy to manage, can be custom labeled, and you can make your own preset configurations. If it weren't for the poor PS3 processing, I'd highly recommend this model to anyone. As it is, the adjustment is minor, and DVD upmix quality is still quite clean and colorful. minimize
This thing rocks, November 27, 2008
Monitor: 56" Samsung DLP (780p Native Resolution, 1 HDCP enabled DVI input only)
Speakers: Front - Tannoy, concentric drivers. Trust me these are legendary.
Surround: Can't recall, they are good. Sub is a 2k Martin Logan.
Replaced: Nakamichi 1aZ. About 7 years old. Great for its time.Still amazing for Stereo. And have...read full review
Monitor: 56" Samsung DLP (780p Native Resolution, 1 HDCP enabled DVI input only)
Speakers: Front - Tannoy, concentric drivers. Trust me these are legendary.
Surround: Can't recall, they are good. Sub is a 2k Martin Logan.
Replaced: Nakamichi 1aZ. About 7 years old. Great for its time.Still amazing for Stereo. And have Krell/Martin Logan stuff.
Replaced: Oppo Digital HDMI Video Switcher
Sources: DirecTV HR21, PS3 (BluRay mostly and NO BUZZING), Oppo Digital 980H, Some JVC VHS machine with an S-Video out.
1) For the first time in my life I'm running all the video thru an AV Amplifier. The video quality on all sources is an improvement over the Oppo Switcher which was a great machine. There's review out there trashing this machine's HDMI output and it's BULL. Don't buy it. You'll see an improvement.
2) The Audissey automatic setup is Amazing. I'm finally hearing seamless surround sound worthy of the money I put into good speakers. Let's face it, only a computer can do THX etc. correctly.
Have fun! minimize
Would rate 5 stars if it worked, September 7, 2008
I have had the TX-SR806 for about two weeks now, and it's a mixed bag at best. Overall it's a good/almost-great receiver for a home theater, but there are some problems that are leading me to return it. Not sure if I will try another 806, stay with Onkyo or jump brands.
Good:
* Audio quality is superb: clean, low distortion, and ...read full review
I have had the TX-SR806 for about two weeks now, and it's a mixed bag at best. Overall it's a good/almost-great receiver for a home theater, but there are some problems that are leading me to return it. Not sure if I will try another 806, stay with Onkyo or jump brands.
Good:
* Audio quality is superb: clean, low distortion, and plenty loud for anything a normal human would need
* 5 HDMI inputs is an awesome feature.
* The remote control has presets for every other component I own, and seems to be almost completely compatible with them (this is a first)
* Not sure what the difference is, the but the Audyssey calibration routine produced much better results with this receiver vs. the TX-SR705 I had earlier this year.
Bad:
* Receiver does not correctly handle the component video output from my Wii (blue screens after a few seconds of showing Wii output)
* The remote does not have a backlight
* The remote needs a few "general purpose" buttons -- I have no place to assign the A,B and C buttons from my Time-Warner DVR
* The remote only has two macro buttons -- last year's TX-SR705 had three
Ugly:
* This will be the third Onkyo receiver I have returned to Amazon because it didn't work right. The first one (TX-SR705 bought in ~March) arrived with two of three HDMI input channels completely dead. The second worked fine for about a month and then one of the HDMI inputs died. This one is going back because of the Wii component video issue.
* Onkyo's tech support is truly unhelpful. They refuse to even consider that the problem might be something in the receiver, despite the fact that the Wii works just fine with every other display device. I suspect that the problem is something in the fancy Faroudja video subsystem the 806 uses, and that Onkyo has not tested the 806 with a Wii over the component output. The tech guy from Onkyo simply recommended I go back to the composite output (ugh) and refused to help otherwise.
If everything worked properly, I would rate the receiver 5 stars. But with my *third straight* Onkyo receiver having video problems, I have to question Onkyo as a brand.
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