Getting a new Onkyo 7.1 reciever for xmas

[Matrix0507]

Onkyo 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver (TXSR604)


ONK TXSR604
• 7.1-channel
• XM-ready
• Audyssey 2EQ

• MP3 player-compatible
• HDMI
• Digital video switching



Link

It's going to replace my 4 year old Onkyo that has been in the shop once (costing me over 100 bucks) and currently has a busted center channel. It has been good to me over the years but I think its time to finally move on...besides, this one is HD ready, so when that day finally comes that I get my behemoth of an HD tv...I'll be ready

Anyone have any comments on this? Perhaps someone that has one? Everything i've read has been positive and i've been extremely happy with my other midrange Onkyo 5.1 (unfortunately, I've not had actual 5.1 set up for a while because of the center channel prob i had mentioned previously )

[Tyr-Sog]

It's awsome. I'm a huge fan of Onkyo and am currently using an older 5.1 model. It's actually my second Onkyo over the coarse of 7 years and I never had any problems with either. My next reciever in a year or two will be an Onkyo. Just make sure you have a set of nice speakers to compliment that nice reciever.

Also I remember that there is a certain way to get the HDMI to work with that reciever so don't be discouraged if you get it and you can;t get it working smoothly. I can't remember exactly what it was but I beleive it's detailed in the manual and if not I'm sure a simple google will solve it for you.

[Matrix0507]

It's awsome. I'm a huge fan of Onkyo and am currently using an older 5.1 model. It's actually my second Onkyo over the coarse of 7 years and I never had any problems with either. My next reciever in a year or two will be an Onkyo. Just make sure you have a set of nice speakers to compliment that nice reciever.

Also I remember that there is a certain way to get the HDMI to work with that reciever so don't be discouraged if you get it and you can;t get it working smoothly. I can't remember exactly what it was but I beleive it's detailed in the manual and if not I'm sure a simple google will solve it for you.

yea...speakers are expensive....right now the only good speakers I have attached are two polk bookshelf speakers for the rear surround and a decent pioneer center speaker...The two front are these ancient brown wooden hemp grilled dinosaurs ugh....shoot me

Edit: also have a decent 10'' home theater subwoofer.

[painkiller]

BTW is there any good 5.1 recievers anymore? I would much rather buy a 5.1 reciever with better quality than a 7.1 reciever and poor quality compared to the 5.1 system for the same price. But it just seems to me that there aren't anymore good 5.1 recievers they are just dumped down version of 7.1 recievers

[NYHecK]

I love my Onkyo HT. Wish I had a black one like yours thou.

[Matrix0507]

I love my Onkyo HT. Wish I had a black one like yours thou.

Yea, it is quite sexy...too bad the vents on the top allow sperm to seep in

[CR2500]

Meh... I'm waiting for the HD audio format compatible receivers

[Matrix0507]

Meh... I'm waiting for the HD audio format compatible receivers

Wouldn't you need some kind of speaker that can handle that type of high definition audio? kinda like how you need a certain type of tv to handle a hd video signal? if so count me out...i'm fine with what i'm getting

[HalcYoN [nV]]

It's awsome. I'm a huge fan of Onkyo and am currently using an older 5.1 model. It's actually my second Onkyo over the coarse of 7 years and I never had any problems with either. My next reciever in a year or two will be an Onkyo. Just make sure you have a set of nice speakers to compliment that nice reciever.

Also I remember that there is a certain way to get the HDMI to work with that reciever so don't be discouraged if you get it and you can;t get it working smoothly. I can't remember exactly what it was but I beleive it's detailed in the manual and if not I'm sure a simple google will solve it for you.

We have an Onkyo 575 that is on playing music for 9 hours a day (the dog loves her classical) and two of surround TV audio ever night. This usage, mind you, has been over the last seven years. I keep telling the wife that sooner or later it will finally die. No dice. Still going strong. I even think it was the store demo.

Onkyo has at least earned serious consideration for the next tuner. The short list is Denon, Onkyo and Yamaha.

[gts007]

BTW is there any good 5.1 recievers anymore? I would much rather buy a 5.1 reciever with better quality than a 7.1 reciever and poor quality compared to the 5.1 system for the same price. But it just seems to me that there aren't anymore good 5.1 recievers they are just dumped down version of 7.1 recievers

The Harman Kardon AVR 145 is 5.1 and an extremely good-sounding, high quality one, maybe the best sounding in that price range (not alot of inputs though and no pre-outs). I was going to get one but then found a 140 (6.1) display unit at Circuit City marked all the way down below cost so I couldnt resist.

[tranCendenZ]

IMO you should wait until next spring when receivers that decode the new Dolby Digital Plus/Dolby Digital TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio formats are available. Though it is nice, this one will be outdated in like 6 months because it won't be able to decode the hddvd/blu-ray formats. Although, if your hddvd/bluray player has a builtin decoder this receiver will work fine.

[CR2500]

IMO you should wait until next spring when receivers that decode the new Dolby Digital Plus/Dolby Digital TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio formats are available. Though it is nice, this one will be outdated in like 6 months because it won't be able to decode the hddvd/blu-ray formats.

Exactly what I said. Dolby Digital is good for music, but average for movies, and DTS vise versa. Of course there would only be improvement for good speakers.

[tranCendenZ]

Wouldn't you need some kind of speaker that can handle that type of high definition audio? kinda like how you need a certain type of tv to handle a hd video signal? if so count me out...i'm fine with what i'm getting

No, any speaker has the potential to benefit from HD audio.

To draw an analogy to the compressed music world, current DVD audio is similar to MP3 in terms of music (lossy compressed), while HD audio is similar to WMA Lossless (lossless compressed). Now, just like in the music world, if your speakers aren't that great you might not be able to notice the quality improvement in the sound. Further, just like with MP3 vs lossless sound, it is possible in some or many recordings you wouldn't be able to tell the difference - while in others you notice a significant difference.

So in summary, no you don't need a special speaker to handle HD audio however you do need good speakers and a discerning ear to tell the difference.

[GamerGuyX]

Wouldn't you need some kind of speaker that can handle that type of high definition audio? kinda like how you need a certain type of tv to handle a hd video signal? if so count me out...i'm fine with what i'm getting

lol. Funniest thing I've ever read.

Your seriousness made it just that much better!

[Matrix0507]

lol. Funniest thing I've ever read.

Your seriousness made it just that much better!

hey, i never said my expertise was in home audio I guess since this thread is still alive I'll give a quick update.

got the reciever all hooked up. Here are how the components are arranged:
-My tv is hooked up to the component out,
-my Wii component In.
-DVD Player is Coax in with Svid. Right now I have 5.1 set up (Brings up my question: if my dvd's are playing at Dolby EX and I only have 5.1 speakers set up does it default to 5.1? or do I need to make sure its only Dolby Digital?)
-Home Theater PC (mce 2005 ) is Video 1, optical in, Svid In (should replace my dvd player when I get it outfitted with the 7.1 sound card I just bought at newegg)
-Onkyo 6 disc cd changer on CD Channel Monster cable composite (although, perhaps i'll change it to optical as I will be getting an extra opt cable soon...)
-and finally, VCR is on Video 4 composite.

Sadly, the only decent speakers I have are my two rear surround (polk bookshelf), sub (10'') and my center channel (pioneer). My two main front speakers are some bastiage old behemoths from the dark ages. haha, its funny to think that the onkyo reciever is making them sound kinda decent. Maybe someday I'll get that brand uniform 7.1 setup but for now it sounds kinda nice.

[Matrix0507]

Can anyone recommend a good set of front speakers for about 200 (or maybe 200 each...we'll see)

[gts007]

Can anyone recommend a good set of front speakers for about 200 (or maybe 200 each...we'll see)

The Infinity Primus series and Athena B1.2s and come to mind.

and these too:

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4029539

[Matrix0507]

and these too:
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4029539

is that 99bucks for both?

edit: also, I was looking for bigger front speakers...like towers

[CR2500]

edit: also, I was looking for bigger front speakers...like towers

Athena WS-60 for $159 each... they reach down to 60Hz for such small woofers

[confusedsoul]

My two main front speakers are some bastiage old behemoths from the dark ages. ......

What brand, how old, what size?

[CR2500]

What brand, how old, what size?

Im guessing they were these size:

[Matrix0507]

What brand, how old, what size?

nah, they aren't THAT big...just wooden boxes (still in wooden color) with a tan wicker grill that just screams old. They are about a foot wide and deep...probably about 2 feet tall. Not sure about the brand or size as I never really cared to look. I plan on replacing them at some point.

[Matrix0507]

Athena WS-60 for $159 each... they reach down to 60Hz for such small woofers

Oooh. sexy...these would be loud and good quality in your opinion?

[CR2500]

-Power handling goes up to 150 watts
-Freq (60-20,000 Hz, +/- 3db)
-Teteron Tweeter, 2 woofers, 4 passive radiators
-Availible in charcoal and white color