Best Onkyo AV Receivers

The Onkyo TX-NR7100 9.2-Channel THX Certified AV Receiver is a powerful and versatile audio/video component that offers complete control over your home theater system. This receiver boasts nine discrete outputs: seven channels of 140 watts per channel, as well as two subwoofer outputs for added bass response with up to 150 watts of power each. It also features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity so you can stream music from virtually any device in the house or access streaming services like Spotify Connect, Tidal HiFi Music Streaming Service, Amazon Prime Music & more directly on this unit without having to switch components or use complicated settings menus. Moreover it has multiple HDMI inputs which supports 4K pass through video at 60 frames per second while providing high definition sound quality thanks to Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X™ object based surround sound formats plus many other cutting edge technologies supported by this amazing product!

Onkyo TX-NR545 review

Despite the fact that Onkyo TX-NR545 is considered an entry-level receiver, it gives a soft, but at the same time dense and surround sound in the game mode and when watching movies, and also pleases with a wealth of shades of sound and good dynamics in the music listening mode. However, Onkyo TX-NR545 review with all the technical advantages and nuances of this device should be described in more detail.

Design

If on the front panel of last year’s TX-NR636 model, there were a USB port and an HDMI input, now they have been replaced with composite video input and stereo RCA, as well as a 6.3 mm headphone output. The rest of the Onkyo TX-NR545 specs don’t differ from each other: the same durable case in the black or silver finish, strict and neat, as well as a convenient remote control with practical dimensions and a thoughtful arrangement of buttons.

Features

The sound calibration does a great job. Features and sound are really good and the volume fills a space easily. It is great, an affordable system with 2 zones, TV inside and music outside. This is a solid receiver for an affordable price, one that is always on. As a budget-friendly receiver with 4k capabilities, it should last you for years.

Performance

The clock radio amps in this thing have an audible distortion rate, but that's not the real world, just don't put it in too large a room. And since you can't put an amp on it, I would strongly suggest you do what's called "BI-AMPING", that is if your speakers allow it. This receiver can receive various audio files wirelessly via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. In addition, this device supports the AirPlay interface.

Sound Quality

Changing the video/audio source is as easy as selecting the source on the Remote Control and presto, you are watching what you want to see and hear what you want to hear. The Bluetooth feature is nice for listening to the music; select Bluetooth on the remote and start enjoying. Great surround receiver, and good for listening in a non-critical fashion. Being of audiophile pretensions, this is not for serious audio, but not what it’s built for.

Connectivity

Support for Airplay (iTunes speaker mirroring not noticing ANY delays or echo, but I have a good home network), Bluetooth, and DLNA, as well as online services such as Pandora, Sirius. Spotify and Deezer. The amplifier with which this device is equipped is made of discrete elements, due to which the device demonstrates impressive performance, especially in the new surround sound mode - Dolby Atmos.

Pretty good audio automatic calibration system. Six HDMI inputs, 3 of them with the latest protocols necessary for ultra high-def. Can make even mediocre speakers sound pretty good.

Setup

Setting up Onkyo is no more complicated than most similar receivers; all connectors are clearly signed. Turn on the device in the network, connect the microphone to adjust - and everything will turn out by itself.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that this receiver is ranked as a class of initial Hi-Fi equipment, it can compete with more expensive models for its functional equipment. The obvious advantage of such an acquisition, since with excellent technical indicators, this device is not too expensive.

Onkyo TX-8270: Multifunctional Stereo Receiver

The Onkyo TX-8270 is a modern stereo receiver that provides a truly impressive functionality. It offers both wired and Wi-Fi network connectivity. It also supports Spotify, Deezer, and TuneIn. While it's enough for most users, the receiver is also able to provide a built-in Chromecast, AirPlay, DTS Play-Fi, FireConnect, DLNA, and even DAB/FM tuner radio support.

Design

The receiver has 12.8 x 17.1 x 5.8 inches in size and weighs 18.1 pounds. It has a classic, square-shaped minimalist design and goes in black finish. The front panel is aluminum. There you can find all the knobs (volume, input, bass, treble, balance) and buttons (on/standby, play/pause, enter, return, etc.) to control the unit. There is also a headphone jack and one USB port. All the other connectors are located on the receiver’s rear side.

Features

The 32-bit/384 kHz DAC delivers the best possible quality when it comes to digital audio formats. Plus, the VLSC filtering allows for a decent sound from any digital source. It’s also compatible with Sonos Port which means that the receiver can turn on and set the right input automatically.

The receiver goes with a multifunctional remote control, but can also be controlled via the Onkyo's free Remote app (available for both iOS and Android). It also works with Google Home speaker to provide the user with voice control.

Performance

The Onkyo TX-8270 performance is truly reliable. As for me, I used it to play some broadcasts, and the broadcaster’s narration sounded impressively clear. It also works equally well with both turntable and digital sources — I didn’t manage to notice any issues.

Sound Quality

The Onkyo TX-8270 specs include a 120W amplifier which makes the sound of the receiver undoubtedly powerful and smooth. The high-current amplification keeps the sound clear and low in distortion. The non-phase-shift circuit allows for wide frequency response, so the sound quality is great with both Hi-Res audio and vinyl sources.

Connectivity

The Onkyo TX-8270 stereo receiver is perfect for connecting a huge range of sources. It features 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output (with Audio Return Channel), all being of a 2.0a version to support 4K/60Hz, Dolby Vision and HDR10. This makes the receiver a great solution for an AV system dedicated to two-channel playback. The TX-8270 also has a subwoofer output. A phono input allows for a direct connection to the turntable. 2 USB ports provide convenient access to digital music files on your smartphone or flash drive. The A/B speaker connections will let you add an extra pair of speakers. There are also 3 digital audio inputs (2 optical and 1 coaxial) and 3 analog audio inputs. You will also get 2 line outputs, IR input and output, and LAN Input with IP control capability.

The wireless connection can be carried out with the help of Bluetooth.

Setup

Since the Onkyo TX-8270 AV receiver features so many options, it may seem quite difficult to set up and use. However, in fact, all you have to do is to plaсe the receiver into optimal position, connect it to the sources via the inputs on the rear panel, and perform an initial setup using the remote control.

Besides, the provided Quick Start Guide will be quite helpful for beginners.

Conclusion

The TX-8270 is one of the most feature-packed stereo receivers on the market which works with both HDMI and vinyl. To sum up this Onkyo TX-8270 review, I can recommend this unit for those who search for a complex and reliable receiver with multiple features and connectivity options.

Onkyo TX-RZ620: Mid-level Receiver with Seamless Performance

The Onkyo TX-RZ620 AV receiver is a mid-range 7-channel device (this option is great for a home theater) that can be also used in a 5.1/5.2 or even 2.1 stereo configuration according to space where the system is installed.

Design

The TX-RZ620 is an average-sized receiver (17.1 x 14.8 x 6.9 inches). On the front panel, there are clear express buttons. The aux input is unexpectedly on the front panel of the AVR as well.

However, the manufacturer surprisingly took away the USB port from the front panel of the AVR and placed it on the back, where it’s really hard to reach. Looking at the back of the receiver, a diagram showing which output to attach all the speakers is visible that takes a minute to figure out the connections.

Features

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive effects are the prior Onkyo TX-RZ620 specs. The AVR also has HDR10 and Hybrid Log-Gamma pass-through (requires the receiver to be connected to an HLG-compatible TV), as well as Dolby Vision to ensure top-not picture quality with the right contrast, brightness, and levels of blacks to enjoy watching movies in a dark room.

The device supports a 3D signal and works with Chromecast to stream audio (but not video) content from a wide range of online services. The unit comes with an Apple AirPlay support to stream content to Apple TV and AirPlay-compatible speakers.

Performance

In this Onkyo TX-RZ620 review, I’d like to note that the manufacturers used premium-quality parts to ensure the receiver’s good performance. It’s about the custom capacitors and discrete non-phase-shift amp circuits in production to provide more accuracy, details, and dynamism for both video and audio content.

It’s not a high-end model, but it still contains a digital-to-analog converter for more sound clarity. The TX-RZ620 supports the amplification of speakers for all its 7 channels making it possible to use only passive devices.

Sound Quality

The AVR comes with VLSC processing on the front 2 channels to filter out-static/pulse noise coming digital streaming services well. The unit also features effective tone controls and a digital equalizer to provide excellent sound regardless of the type of content.

Connectivity

The Onkyo TX-RZ620 comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that only receives but doesn’t transmit the signal. That’s why it’s impossible to connect the Bluetooth headphones to this AVR. There is a headphone jack on the receiver and when headphones are used, the speakers always mute.

The device has the phono input to be hooked up to a turntable that has an MM (Moving Magnet) cartridge. It’s also possible to connect a cassette player for playback only, as this model lacks recording (“Line Out”) functionality.

The AVR plays music from a USB flash drive, but video playback is not supported.

Setup

The unit comes with a setup mic to customize the sound to your liking, but the auto sound calibration (AccuEQ room acoustic system) also works flawlessly. The AVR offers a second zone control feature for speakers in a different room but only by wired means (digital coaxial cable or digital optical cable.). Besides, this model doesn’t support HDMI to Zone 2.

Conclusion

The Onkyo TX-RZ620 stereo receiver for home theater integration is easy to set up due to simple instructions. It performs a room calibration for a perfect sound once being installed. Multiple configurations make this model fit any room. Some of its limitations (no wireless connection for Zone 2, for example) are typical for the AVRs in this price range.

Onkyo TX-NR696: Network Receiver with 4K and AirPlay Streaming Support

The Onkyo TX-NR696 is a smart receiver that works with Alexa and Google Assistant and supports 4K Ultra HD content. It passes Dolby Vision and HDR10 through each of its 6 HDMI inputs and offers superior home theater performance for a middle price.

Design

The receiver has a traditional boxy shape. The housing is made of plastic that looks like metal. It features a classic Onkyo design with a large volume knob and 12 direct source buttons arranged in a row beneath the display. The display is large, making the lettering on it easier to read from a distance. It also has one HDMI input on the front.

The TX-NR696 features a tried-and-true design that has been employed by Onkyo receivers for years. As a result, I give it 9 out of 10 points.

Features

The TX-NR696 can be considered as a more advanced version of the Onkyo TX-NR585. They both are mid-level receivers, but the reviewed model is more powerful (100W per channel vs 80W) and has the THX certification, proving its usefulness as high-quality, cinema-like audio equipment. It also has the THX Cinema mode that makes the sound amazingly realistic.

The TX-NR696 is AirPlay 2 compatible. Besides, it also supports such music streaming apps like Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, and others. Chromecast is pre-installed.

All the buttons on the provided remote control are black (except for the Power button) and are hard to see in the dark. It would be much better if it had some kind of backlight.

The TX-NR696 is a network-based receiver and will complement any home theater setup. For the features, it receives a 9/10.

Performance

The receiver performs great, and its interface is easy to navigate, so I was able to easily switch between all of its features. However, the manufacturer warns that the user may notice some issues with the receiver's performance if you don't download the latest Onkyo TX-NR696 firmware update (this can be done via the on-screen menu).

So, the receiver's performance can be estimated at a 9/10.

Sound Quality

The TX-NR696 is a 7 x 100W receiver that is equipped with top-quality chipsets, so the sound is crisp and clean in any sound mode. In general, it drives the speakers louder and makes dialogs more audible. The Onkyo TX-NR696 specs provide a lot of sound adjustment options, so anyone can make it sound to their liking. It supports the most required codecs such as Dolby Atmos and DTS. Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization allows you to create a height effect and make the sound more volumetric.

For the provided sound quality, I give it a 9/10.

Connectivity

The receiver has 6 HDMI inputs, component and composite video inputs, 6 analog audio ports, 2 optical and 1 coaxial port, and a USB port on the back. There is also a phono input, so you can connect it to your turntable directly. Besides, it has an inbuilt Wi-Fi module and supports Bluetooth.

This receiver's connectivity possibilities are extensive enough to earn a perfect score of 10 out of 10.

Setup

The receiver comes with a speaker setup microphone for automatic setup and a quick start guide instead of the full Onkyo TX-NR696 manual (however, you can find its digital version on Onkyo's official website). So, in fact, all I had to do was hook up my speakers and run an automatic speaker calibration.

For the setup, the receiver gets a 9/10.

Conclusion

In the final part of this Onkyo TX-NR696 review, I can claim that this receiver can provide true three-dimensional sound thanks to Dolby Atmos and DTS. It also supports streaming from the most popular music apps. As for me, it has an excellent price-to-performance ratio, so you get exactly what you pay for.

The Onkyo TX-RZ740 AV Receiver is a high end entertainment system that offers excellent features at an affordable price. It packs in seven channels of amplification, producing up to 140W per channel with low distortion levels for powerful and clear sound quality. Dolby Atmos provides immersive surround sound while HDCP 2.2 compatibility ensures the latest 4K UHD content can be viewed without issue on compatible displays. An advanced 32 bit DSP processor supports multi-room audio setups with dual subwoofer outputs to allow users to set up speakers throughout their home or office easily while Music Optimizer technology helps improve the clarity of compressed music files so you get great sounding tunes no matter what format they’re stored in. With multiple connection options including four HDMI inputs, two digital optical ports and Bluetooth connectivity it's easy to hook this receiver up however suits your needs best - making it perfect for setting up any type of listening environment from hi fi stereo systems right through 5:1 movie theatre rooms