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Home Theater Receivers
- Best-value 5.1 home theater receiver Yamaha RX-V465 *Est. $330
- Best 7.1 home theater receiver Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K *Est. $500
- Best value 7.2 home theater receiver Onkyo TX-SR607 *Est. $430
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Best value 7.2 home theater receiver
- Good sound quality
- Six HDMI inputs
- Dual subwoofer outputs
- Support for Dolby Pro Logic IIz
- No multichannel analog audio input
- Video processing and upconversion not the best
- The benefit of Dolby Pro Logic IIz is debatable
Critics say that the 7.2-channel Onkyo TX-SR607 offers lots of features and excellent audio quality. In addition to decoders for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, this is the lowest-priced receiver to include support for Dolby Pro Logic IIz, a new format that adds height channels to traditional surround sound to create an even more immersive effect. Critics are split on the feature -- some say Dolby Pro Logic IIz is worthwhile for movies, while others say they see little benefit. The TX-SR607 also features an extra subwoofer output, which makes it easier to run a second subwoofer in rooms where one can't provide uniformly satisfying bass. With six HDMI inputs, the receiver is a leader in terms of digital connectivity, but the lack of multichannel audio inputs could disappoint some. Reports say that the receiver is easy to use and the Audyssey speaker setup system is effective.
Video performance is the biggest letdown with the Onkyo TX-SR607. Despite the presence of well-regarded Faroudja technology, some experts say it's not very good. Additionally, while 1080p is passed perfectly, upconverting of analog signals is limited to 1080i. That leads some to say that the video side of the Onkyo TX-SR607 is better off ignored and to leave the job of scaling and conversion to your HDTV. If video performance is an important factor, reports say that the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K (*Est. $500) could be a better, albeit more expensive choice. Video performance of that Pioneer home theater receiver is among the best in its class; the feature lineup differs from the Onkyo TX-SR607, but is still impressive; and audio quality is terrific. However, for those that are content to let their HDTV handle video scaling and upconverting, the Onkyo TX-SR607 could be a better value.
The Onkyo TX-SR607 has been widely reviewed. The best professional reviews can be found in Home Theater magazine and at CNET. British sites including TrustedReviews.com and TechRadar.com have also weighed in. Amazon.com and Newegg.com have an assortment of user reviews.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
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Our Sources
1. Home Theater MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Home Theater magazine reports on the Onkyo TX-SR607 in a comprehensive review. Extensive testing is done and well documented. Mark Fleischmann expresses doubts about the benefits of Dolby Pro Logic IIz at the onset, but he's particularly won over by his enhanced movie-watching experience. The magazine grants the Onkyo TX-SR607 its Top Pick award.
Review: Onkyo TX-SR607 A/V Receiver, Mark Fleischmann, June 2009
2. CNET
CNET's review of the Onkyo TX-SR607 is less technical but just as detailed as Home Theater magazine's. Video capabilities score poorly, and reviewers are not as impressed with Dolby Pro Logic IIz. While the lack of multichannel audio inputs is regrettable, HDMI connectivity is outstanding and the sound quality is deemed excellent for a receiver in this price class.
Review: Onkyo TX-SR607, Matthew Moskovciak and Steve Guttenberg, Apr. 30, 2009
Features and easy setup are praised, and the Dolby Pro Logic IIz is called "worthwhile." Danny Phillips says the bottom line is that the Onkyo TX-SR607 sounds terrific with music and movies. The fact that upconversion is limited to 1080i is the most significant negative. In the final analysis, the Onkyo TX-SR607 earns a rating of nine out of 10 and a Recommended award.
Review: Onkyo TX-SR607 AV Receiver Review, Danny Phillips, April 26, 2009
In a review that originally appeared in Britain's Home Cinema Choice magazine, Alvin Gold says that the Onkyo TX-SR607 is capable of bold, solid, and immersive sound quality. Setup is easy and the extensive line up of features is praised; however, Gold questions the value of Dolby Pro Logic IIz and whether there might be "too many toys for comfort."
Review: Onkyo TX-SR607 Review, Alvin Gold, June 9, 2009
5. Amazon.com
Reviews are starting to accumulate here for the Onkyo TX-SR607, and everything looks aces so far. No user rates the receiver less than four stars out of five, and most give it the top grade.
Review: Onkyo TX-SR607, Contributors to Amazon.com
6. NewEgg.com
User reviews here follow a similar pattern to those at Amazon.com, with all but two owners giving the Onkyo TX-SR607 a perfect grade. One dissenter received an apparently defective unit, and another mistook a protective feature (the receiver shuts down to protect itself if it detects a defective speaker cable) for a failure out of the box.
Review: Onkyo TX-SR607, Contributors to Newegg.com
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