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Onkyo TX-SR606

*Est. $400

Reviewed November 2008
Onkyo TX-SR606

pros
  • Good sound quality
  • Automatic speaker setup and room equalization
  • On-board decoders for high-definition audio
  • Great bang for the buck
cons
  • Poor video upscaling
  • Can run warm
  • Better performance with movies than music
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 

Average Customer Review

(250 out of 303 reviews)

for $379.99

Search Reviews

Works great for awhile, then progressively gets worse, November 24, 2009

If you plan on using this receiver with a Playstation 3 or any other game console, be warned that eventually the receiver will no longer get a signal from these devices. It progressively got worse over time, and now I am unable to use my PS3 at all with this system. I found that this is a very common problem from googling, and Onkyo has offered no support whatsoever in the matter. Also, the product when on but not in use still uses an insane amount of power and is very hot to the touch. Bad design all around. The reviews are very good, but many of these are based on short times of ownership. AVOID THIS PRODUCT.

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Great for a year, November 21, 2009

I purchased this unit a year ago to tie together all my HDMI equipment. DirecTV DVR, PS3, etc. A year later I'm dealing with the same issues listed here already. It stopped recognizing the PS3. I thought maybe an issue with the cable and changed that out. No luck. Reversed the working tv input and game input. DVR plays in all inputs, Game in none. Game works on other TV's and even on this TV through another HDMI input on the TV. I tried Onkyo's suggestion and held the DVR button while powering up to hard reset the reciever. That didn't work either. Unreliable. Maybe a bargain at the begining - but it's a headache later. Stay away from this one.

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Usuable....For a while., November 19, 2009

This receiver was good for the first few months that i had it, but now it is barely functional. I've had it for a year now, and I can only use the surround sound function on bluray discs, because every other source makes this annoying buzzing sound in the background. My xbox 360 will not work through the receiver any more, the video flashes in and out so much you couldn't possibly play it. To get it fixed you have to pay to ship it to them and insure it, so what is the point. I highly recommend if you are thinking about buying this product, you do not. It's worth the money to get something that is higher quality.

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Stay Away from this AV Receiver, November 14, 2009

I bought this receiver as part of the 7100 home theater system back in December of 2008. Initially I was impressed and happy with everything. But after about 6 months the receiver started having handshake issues with HDMI (PS3), sometimes not recognizing the signal from the PS3. Shutting everything off, unplugging devices, but still no recognition of HDMI signal. Then I tried unplugging all HDMI connections and plugging back in, and it worked...until I shut the power off on the receiver. The next time I powered it on, it went back to not being able to recognize the PS3 input signal. So, now I have my cable set top box inputs going straight to my Panny 50" plasma HDTV, and my PS3 HDMI input going straight to my HDTV as well. Then I ran an optical cable from the PS3 digital optical out into the 606 receiver's "game/tv" optical input. How does everything work now? BETTER THEN WHEN THE SYSTEM WAS BRAND NEW OUT OF THE BOX! The video picture quality was being degraded even just "passing through" the 606 receiver. Now that it is wired straight from source to HDTV, it is a vast improvement for me. Also, the audio being output via optical from the PS3 to the 606 is an improvement over past audio quality. Bottom line I guess is that I'm pissed that this receiver is defective and won't recognize HDMI inputs or play video, but I'm happy because I found a work around that provides better picture and sound quality then when the product was wired as intended to be used. It's still under warranty, but since the 606 has widespread issues with this, I've heard it takes 2 months of aggravation trying to deal with repair of the unit...so, I'll just roll with it as I have it hooked up now and just hope the receiver continues to process the audio signal for me. But, I'll never buy Onkyo again.

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Great for a while, October 27, 2009

This reciever has great features - HDMI, the new Dolby and DTS standards, 7.1 surround, loads of inputs...and the price is great. however, like too many others, mine has bit the dust as well. it started with component video input dying, then it kept taking longer and longer to negotiate the HDCP handshake for bluray. and now, it won't play blurays at all, leaving me with HD Audio downconverted to 2ch audio. it looks like onkyo may have skimped out on the circuitry in these units, as it seems they die after 9-12 months for a lot of people. so, be warned!

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Where To Buy

Our Sources

1. Ultimate AV Magazine

UltimateAVMag.com has the most comprehensive review of the Onkyo TX-SR606. The report includes both comprehensive real-world testing and bench testing. The receiver is not rated, but it is compared to a Sony STR-DA4300ES (*Est. $800) and is said to beat it in most regards.

Review: Onkyo TX-SR606 A/V Receiver, David Vaughn, June 2008

2. Home Theater Magazine

Home Theater magazine also provides a highly detailed report on the Onkyo TX-SR606 home theater receiver. Kim Wilson concludes that it's "far and away the best AVR under $600 (heck, under $1,000) that I have had the pleasure to review," and the magazine names it a Top Pick in its buyer's guide for AV receivers.

Review: Onkyo TX-SR606 A/V Receiver, Kim Wilson, Aug. 2008

3. CNET

CNET's report is also lengthy, though more discussion is spent on features and functionality rather than performance. Steve Guttenberg and Matthew Moskovciak seem to like the Onkyo TX-SR606 well enough, but they are disappointed by video upscaling capabilities and say performance is better with movies than music.

Review: Onkyo TX-SR606 Review, Steve Guttenberg and Matthew Moskovciak, July 15, 2008

4. TechRadar.com

Despite some small technical differences, this review of the Onkyo TX-SR606 in Britain's TechRadar.com provides some valuable insights. Like CNET, TechRadar.com feels sound is better with movies than music, but the Onkyo TX-SR606's overall performance and features add up to an extraordinary value.

Review: ONKYO TX-SR606, Editors of TechRadar.com

5. What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision

Britain's What Hi-Fi? covers the Onkyo TX-SR606 in a brief review. All the important points are covered, however, and a star rating helps accurately rank the receiver against its competition.

Review: Onkyo TX-SR606, Editors of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision magazine

6. Amazon.com

After nearly 100 owner-written reviews, the Onkyo TX-SR606 home theater receiver racks up an impressive overall rating of 4.5 (out of five) stars. While the quality of the individual reports varies, many are detailed and truly helpful.

Review: Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver, Contributors to Amazon.com

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