• Speaker A/B
• 50W/ch x 2ch
• 6 Audio inputs, including Phono input
• Discrete circuit for High-current drive
• iPod compatible

• Audio and 1080p Video Processing via HDMI (1 Front/ 5 Rear Inputs and 1 Output)
• HDMI (Version 1.4 to Support 3D and Audio Return Channel) with Deep Color, x.v.Color, LipSync, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio
• 100 Watts per Channel at 8 Ohms, 20 Hz¿20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 Channels Driven, FTC
• THX Select2 Plus Certified
• HDMI Video Upscaling to 1080p with Faroudja DCDi Cinema

• 80 Watts per Channel at 8 Ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 Channels Driven, FTC
• 4 DSP Modes for Gaming: Rock, Sports, Action, and RPG (Role Playing Game)
• Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Out for Playback of Separate Source in Another Room
• Overlaid On-Screen Display (OSD) via HDMI
• Audio and 1080p Video Processing via HDMI (4 Inputs and 1 Output)

• 100W/ch x 2ch
• Pure Audio mode
• XM/Sirius Ready
• 4 AV inputs and 3 Audio inputs, including Phono input
• Zone 2 Capability

• 110 Watts per Channel at 8 ohms, 20 Hz?20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 Channels Driven, FTC
• HDMI (Version 1.4a to Support 3D and Audio Return Channel
• HDMI Video Upscaling to 1080p with Faroudja DCDi Cinema
• Network Capability for Streaming Audio Files
• 7 HDMI Inputs (1 Front/6 Rear) and 1 Output

Jul 11, 2006 by subram | Posted in Home Theater

I bought a Bose Life Style system some six years ago - which is not digital. Bose doesn't offer an upgrade in India. So, I am thinking of throwing away the Acoustimass Module and the CD player, and instead buy an Onkyo Receivers. Some friends told me that the jewel cube speakers may not work with others receivers. Is it true?

Nobody I know make digitial speakers, everything is in analog, because that is how we hear.
I would think that your speakers should work fine hooked up to an Onkyo receiver or any other receiver. As long as you can hook up your Bose speakers to the speaker terminals on your receiver, everything should work fine.

Dec 14, 2007 by NF | Posted in Home Theater

I have a Denon AVR 3803 and I just inherited a Onkyo TX-DS696. I know the Denon has more power and is 7.1 instead of 5.1. I'm wondering which to use to as my main receiver for my plasma, dvd, and time warner cable box. My cable and plasma support HDTV. Which unit would be best for HDTV and for the best quality sound?

I only have 5 speakers currently so the 7.1 of the denon doesn't make too much difference.

You could by wire your front speakers with the Denon, it would help your stereo listening immensely.

Jan 13, 2009 by magesh m | Posted in Home Theater

please tell me the speaker system with cheap and best(front+ center +base+rear).. also i am interested to buy onkyo HTS 3100, please suggest me whether to buy or is there any other model....

Onkyo is a nice Receiver, but not the only one out there. My opinion is that Yamaha makes a better receiver Try the HTR 3160. Onkyo speakers are not very good as well. Infinity or Polk Audio would be a better choice and still not spend a ton of money.

Jan 02, 2008 by LEWIS W | Posted in Home Theater

I have a bose acoustic mass system with 5 double cones and a subwoofer. I have researched the Onkyo 605 and 705 and like the reviews. Can I hook either of these receivers to my current bose system? Should I buy an entirely new system? All suggestions welcomed! Help!

The speaker wires from an Acoustimass system will connect to any standard receiver ... so yes you can use an Onkyo.

That said, I'd consider selling the acoustimass and using the money to by a new speaker system. In general Bose make high priced, mediocre sounding speakers (they have a very poor midrange). There are many better speaker systems for less money. If you are serious enough about sound to trade up to the Onkyo now is the time to trade up to REAL speakers.

See the article at the link.

Dec 07, 2008 by Amy P | Posted in Home Theater

I can get my HC5000 projector to produce the picture from my receiver (Onkyo) but the picture is in black and white and alittle grainy. Sound comes through fine. Any suggestions?

Connect PS2 directly to projector, not through receiver unless your receiver has upscaling feature.

Sep 09, 1971 by ebitda2k | Posted in Home Theater

I have a Vizio TV and onkyo receiver with speakers attached via the reciever. When I use the TV as the sole source the sound comes out from the TV speakers. When I select HDMI input, the audio/video comes from the receiver and the TV speakers go dead.

Is there any way to get sound from both the receiver speakers AND the TV speaker (for the center channel)?

There is no way to get sound at the same time.

Jun 05, 2008 by Matthew M | Posted in Home Theater

I tried hooking up my PS3 to my Onkyo receiver via HDMI. My PS3 is hooked up to the HDMI in and the out is hooked up to my TV. The video works, but the sound is still coming out of my TV.

I already changed my audio setting on my PS3 to HDMI and automatic.

Please help!

Well you GOTTA DEAL with your Onkyo reciever to get the sound INTO the Onkyo.....

Have you read the instructions in your Onkyo book about ASSIGNING inputs to the various inputs like your Tv input or your Video 1 input ??

You see, those selectable inputs have choices of WHERE the audio comes from..... Like the RCA TV input or OPT(ical) 1 input or HDMI 1 input.....

You have to assign that specific input to read the HDMI input you have connected.....

And the instructions on how to do that are located in your Onlkyo instruction manual.

The book will have a chapter/section listed in the index about "assigning inputs"

You read that section and you'll have your HDMI "assigned" in no time......

Aug 13, 2007 by Shockwave562 | Posted in PlayStation

i just bought a brand new onkyo 705, which supports hdmi video and audio. my ps3 however will not play in true digital audio unless i hook up an optical cable. i know that both my xbox 360 and my sattelite receiver are hooked up to the receiver as well using hdmi and i get dolby 5.1 out of those. i have checked the audio settings on the ps3, i have dolby 5.1 as a usable output, but it always comes out in stereo through my sound system, any advice?
the receiver supports hdmi 1.3, the cable is a monster 300
also note that my xbox 360 is the elite, i am using the hdmi cable that came with the 360 in the box, i am getting full 5.1 surround with the xbox and the receiver

Make sure your hdmi cable is a sony 1.3..

Or try hooking it up in a different hdmi slot. If the Hdmi port you have on your Onkyo doesn't support hdmi 1.2 or 1.3 then you are SOL unless you use the composite cables like with the 360.

Apr 03, 2007 by chrishw | Posted in Home Theater

I have a sony ewga tv and I'm wondering if there is a way to connect it to my onkyo receiver for surround sound with regular t.v. The receiver has plenty of connections but the t.v. has an audio out red and white but nothing happened when I put it into the t.v. There is a digital optical cable port that goes out but it didn't do anything either.

Sony TV's require you to make a menu change to enable audio outputs. Push menu on the remote and look for the sound options tab, there should be something labeled output or audio out. the two options fixed or variable allow you to use the TV as a local gain/volume control(variable) in addition to the receiver( set the Receiver to 3/4 point of volume, or fixed means the receiver only will function as a gain/volume. This is for the stereo output only.

Newer model Wegas that have HDTV Built in, have a 5.1 Dolby Digital(No DTS) surround decoder built in. Connect the optical output from the TV to Receiver(you may need to configure the onkyo see their manual) and you will need to complete a similar process to the previous to enable TV to output. Also your signal needs to be HDTV 5.1 DD to get a true 5.1 surround sound experience.

If this is a new TV you may want to call Sony for help. Or take all your manuals to a qualified electronics retailer (NOT A BIG BOX STORE) and most will help you to get the proper hook up and configuration.

Please Note: quality cables make or break the system and always use some form of power protection with all you electronics preferably on with a connected equipment warranty.

May 28, 2008 by moosehed | Posted in Home Theater

Just got an HD TV and I looking to pair it with a quality HD surround receiver and speakers. I want to spend about 350-400 on each. Right now the top Onkyo TX-SR605 (the 606 is the newer model) and the Infinity TSS-4000 are at the top of my list.

Just wondering your thoughts and opinions. thanks.

Both have a good reputation. The Onkyo's have been appearing on "Editors Choice" lists and "Best of the Year" lists in some magazines.

Infinity has dropped in popularity -but they have always been a well-respected line. I've not heard the TSS-4000 series so my only advice is to take a favorite music CD and audition them. Speakers have 'flavor' and you need to decide if you like what you hear.

www.jr.com Onkyo TX-SR606B 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver, Onkyo home audio receiver for home theaters product review by JR.com,

10.01.10

The 3D effect was good to very good on many sets, but no matter how good the image, I just can't see everyone wearing gray glasses to watch TV. Remember that everyone who is going to see your TV properly has to wear these special glasses, as without them the image is totally unwatchable. While the technology seems to have significant problems in its implementation I suspect we will be seeing these sets out sooner rather than later. The upside to this new technology is that current TV's took a drop in price since the show began and will likely drop more before the new crop of 3D TV's are released to the public.

Wisdom Audio Krell came on full force with a significant improvement to the already exceptional Evo amps and a new, badass Blu-ray player. Anyone in the crowd could easily hear the difference between the new Evo 402e and the original Evo 402, surprising given how good the original Evo amps are. For those with the current models, don't fret; an upgrade is planned, but it will require your amps to go back to the factory to be done. This is a major rebuild of the entire output section and is no in-home swap out. The new amps also are likely the first things Krell has ever made that would be considered eco-friendly. The new amps have power supplies that go into a green mode dropping power consumption to 2 Watts in standby as opposed to the normal (for the Evo 402) of 370 Watts. The downside is the amps will take longer to reach normal operating temperatures but the cost savings on your power bill will likely outweigh the warm up time. The new amps come in at just slightly more than the current models and will ship in March.

Transparent Audio Once again new receivers were everywhere, with Dolby PL IIz seeming to be the big new feature. I don't know how many people will ever use the front height channels. New receivers and AV preamps from the likes of Onkyo and Arcam seemed sweet and offered dual simultaneous HDMI outputs, another trend I am glad to see emerge for those with dual display systems, while Sherwood offered integrated internet connectivity, and Bluetooth, as well as some ultra inexpensive 5.1 receivers retailing below $150.

The receiver market is the toughest area of our field to keep up with as new features show up in receivers several times a year and new models are created to incorporate them. I would like to see separates keep up, or preferably the receiver market slow down. It just doesn't seem right that a receiver bought only months ago should be discontinued for the addition of another, minor feature. I think the consumer needs to really decide just how many of these 'latest and greatest' features they will actually use and buy just what they need.

Music Hall Audio - the quote of the show

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08.01.10

January 8th, 2010 at 11:11 AM - Columns and Opinions by Ted Landau

Yesterday was the day. The day that I tackled CES in all its immensity.

I started small— in an outpost at the far end of the CES galaxy (otherwise known as the Venetian Hotel). Here, in relative quiet compared to the rest of CES, is where the vendors of high-end audio equipment are located. I browsed around and admired the latest in top-of-the-line receivers and speakers, some of which have yet to come to market. Unless you are the sort of person willing to spend upwards of $10,000 to achieve sound nirvana, you won't soon be purchasing any items here. But you can at least enjoy window shopping. In the realm of "just maybe" purchases, possibly within my budget, were some slick-looking new AV receivers from Onkyo, starting at just under $1000.

Next, I was finally off to the main hub of CES: the multi-hall Las Vegas Convention Center.

iPod and iPhone products

My first stop: the iLounge Pavilion , occupying a moderately-sized section of the North Hall. With over 100 vendors, the Pavilion was billed as "an exhibition of new iPod, iPhone, and Mac hardware and software." At one point, months ago, there was speculation that this could wind up as a competitive alternative to Macworld Expo. Not this year. The Pavilion contained virtually no Mac software and precious little Mac hardware. Rather, it consisted almost entirely of iPod and iPhone peripherals, with the typical emphasis on cases, chargers and headsets. I suppose this is in keeping with the emphasis of the iLounge Web site, but I found it rather dull for the most part. The best I can say is that it established a presence for Apple-related products at CES, a presence that is otherwise almost nonexistent.

One trend worth noting: With the release of iPhone OS 3.0, third-party vendors could create iPhone apps that directly link to the vendor's hardware products. A few examples of such linkages were on display at CES. At the Griffin booth in the iLounge Pavilion, I watched a demo of Griffin's iPhone app for iTrip (a hardware device to wirelessly connect your iPhone to your car's radio). With the addition of the app, which has been out for a few months, you can do all of the iTrip's setup and control directly from the iPhone screen — rather than from the smaller iTrip itself. Unfortunately, the app only works with the latest iterations of iTrip. If, like me, you have an older model, you're out of luck.

iHome , maker of a popular assortment of iPhone/iPod speaker systems, had an even more impressive example of this iPhone app-to-hardware linkage: an iPhone alarm clock app linked to a physical alarm clock. The (free) iHome app, due in the App Store any day, offers numerous features beyond what you get with the alarm function included with the iPhone's Clock app. For example, you can select to play anything from your iPod Library as an alarm and you can set separate sleep-time vs. wake-time options. The app is thus useful as an independent product, whether or not you own any iHome hardware. However, you can also use the app with iHome's iA5 clock/speaker system (expected to ship shortly). When your iPhone is docked in the iA5, the alarm settings you make with the iPhone app transfer to the iA5. These settings are retained even after you disconnect the iPhone. By this summer, iHome plans to release the iA100, a more full-featured variation of this concept. The iA100 will include a built-in FM radio as well as Bluetooth, allowing you to control the unit from the iPhone remotely. (By the way, iHome was not showing at the iLounge Pavilion, but was instead in a separate meeting room on the second floor of the North Hall, with appointment-only access.)

Televisions rule!

After this, I at last ventured into the Central Hall. This is where the big guns of CES hang out: Microsoft, Intel, Sony, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, and Canon all have enormous booths here. For most of these vendors, the emphasis was on video, especially flat screen televisions. And the televisions generating the most buzz were the ones with 3D. I tried out several of them and was impressed with the quality. Overall, the 3D was as effective as what I see in theaters. All the televisions require the familiar clunky glasses for viewing 3D. However, there were some differences. In one case (I believe LG), the glasses were battery-powered, adding an additional thing that can (and did, in my case) go wrong: the glasses stop working when the battery dies. None of these televisions are available for sale yet. But they are coming this year. Before too long, you'll be able to watch Avatar in 3D in the comfort of your home. Or play 3D versions of video games on your Sony PlayStation. It will still be another few years before these devices start having wide-spread acceptance. But it's coming.

3D was not the only new television feature on display. For example, Samsung was showing a new line of LED televisions that offer much deeper blacks and higher contrast than any of their current televisions. And thin was definitely in, with several vendors showing thinner displays than now on the market.

But I need to single out LG for special mention. Their booth was, by far, the most impressive. I would have been happy to spend the entire day there. Of course, given how huge the booth is, you almost have to spend at least a few hours there to see everything. But what really made the booth stand out were: (1) how elegantly and attractively everything was displayed and (2) the fantastic array of products being displayed. As I already mentioned, there were LG's 3D televisions. When you were done drooling over that, you could stare out LG's 85" Ultra-HD television, with a 3840 by 2160 resolution — twice the resolution of the current 1080 Full HD. The additional resolution clearly makes a difference for such a large-sized screen: the image details were unmatched by anything else I have ever seen. At the other size extreme were LG's water-resistant OLED televisions, quite small but with super-rich color.

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01.01.10

A better option that would still allow you to keep your current receiver would be to use multi-channel analog cables.  Your receiver does have a 5.1-channel multi-channel analog input.  Using this, you could get a Blu-ray player with built-in Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding with multi-channel analog outputs. These players decode the new lossless surround formats internally and send the full quality audio signal over 6 or 8 cables to a compatible receiver (in your case, 6 RCA cables for 5.1 channel sound).

Unfortunately the Samsung BD-P1600 does not include multi-channel analog outputs but the BD-P3600 does.  The BD-P3600 also adds WiFi compatibility with an included WiFi USB dongle.  Other players with multi-channel outputs include the Panasonic BDP-BD80, LG BD390, OPPO BDP-83, Sony BDP-560 and Pioneer BDP-320.  Your can read more about these (including links to full reviews) in our Blu-ray Player Buyer's Guide . 

The best option would be to upgrade your receiver to one that accepts HDMI and does internal HDMI audio decoding.  This would give you the highest quality sound and the simplest one-cable connection and would allow you to keep your current Blu-ray player.  There are receivers like this starting at about $300 from Denon, Onkyo, Sony and others.               

I hope that helps, and if you have additional questions about configuration or player settings, please post them over in our forum for a response.

Regards,

-Chris

Keep those cards and letters coming... if you have a question for one of our home theater experts, shoot us an e-mail to " Ask The Expert ." We'll select among these for future installments in this column. Due to the volume of requests we receive, we cannot reply to each question personally.

For quicker answers to technical and product-related questions, try posting your question on our forum .

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