Onkyo HT-S5100 7.1 Channel Home Entertainment System (Set of Nine, Black) Reviews

• You don't actually want this

  
  By A34Q5F3POUV57Z on 2008-07-09
  Yeah, it's a 7.1 system in the sense if you have a decoded 8 channel analog output you can get a full 7.1 surround as it was intended.
  
  But, for any other source, there's no real 7.1, end of story. Optical and coax inputs can only handle encoded formats with more than 2 channels. So any Dolby True HD or DTS HD Master 7.1 sources you may have will not work over optical or coax. Sure, you can get 5.1 through them and setup the Onkyo to "fill in" the missing speakers, even though you actually have the data for them on your source. That's not what you want, though.
  
  The reason is the HDMI Pass Through, which, ironically is touted as a feature. The only way to get 7.1 digital audio is over HDMI, and this Onkyo receiver cannot process HDMI audio of any format. It simply passes it through to the TV, acting like an HDMI switch. Your TV ultimately demuxes the audio: displaying the video, and sending the audio back to the Onkyo through an optical or coaxial audio cable.
  
  So, unless you have a standalone Blu Ray player with 7.1 analog outputs or a PC with a 7.1 surround sound card and are going to use the analog outputs (over 4 mini stereo to RCA cables), keep on looking for a receiver that decodes HDMI audio rather than passes it through. You simply cannot get 7.1 audio from this over a PS3 or a cable box. Blu Ray movies would need a standalone BD Player, and not a cheap one that only decodes to 5.1.
  
  On the other hand, if you were looking for a 5.1 system, this is a pretty good 5.1 system. The speakers are pretty nice, and the subwoofer is more than capable. It has no problems playing 5.1 through optical and coax sources, and has 2 of each, which is plenty for most people. And you get a free HDMI switch with it, if your TV is short 1 HDMI input, that's a good $150 savings over a seperate HDMI switch.
  
  

• Very good entry level system

  
  By A3JCBC2UEJ6OTH on 2008-07-13
  Really simple to setup. 2EQ audio calibration works wonders... The sound became more clearer and very crisp after the calibration. If you plan to upgrade your existing dvd player to a blu-ray in the near future then DO NOT get this system! You will loose out on Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio decodings(True 7.1). Better get a THX certified system capable of decoding these HD formats!
  The receiver runs really hot!!!You need an air conditioned room to keep it running longer. I purchased a $6 small fan from Target and it keeps the system running very cool. If any of the speaker wires gets short circuited or if the system becomes very hot then automatically the system shuts down to protect the circuitry and there are instructions in the manual on how to reset the system...pretty neat feature.
  Also you need speaker stands especially for the satellites and the front speakers. you can get Gemini I and II speakers stands from circuitcity or bestbuy. Not very expensive...Goes great with the black speakers!
  
  Overall very good entry system and so far the best sound you can hear from this set is a DTS ES 6.1 Discrete (Lord of the Rings)based DVD. The DTS decoding is amazing!!!
  Also if you connect your cable box to the receiver, try using digital optical out and then use DTS Neo6 (I found this to be better than Dolby PLIIx) DSP setting. The surround effect is really very good.
  Iam very happy with this system so far...
  
  

• Excellent HT at a reasonable price

  
  By A2NUAB1AG4H0UL on 2008-06-27
  Crisp and clear sound, setup required 30-45 mins....there is a caliberation mike which I have not used but even then the quality is pretty good, Only missing thing is bravia sync which is not an issue for non Sony user, also its an HDMI PASS THROUGH only and requires sepertae audio connection, 3 HDMI input so you can connect all your components....Overall very good ONKYO HT system at an entry level price
  
  

• Awesome!

  
  By ABLCEEFEV8A41 on 2008-08-25
  This system is insanely incredible.
  
  I baught this system with both eyes open. I knew the HDMI connections were video pass-through only. I knew the connections available weren't up to snuff with the 'bigger boys' (Onkyo 606 and on). But I didn't care... The quality I get for the price tag is a complete steal.
  
  In this package, you get 7 speakers and a beasty powered subwoofer (290 watts). The receiver has 2 HDMI inputs and 1 output, 2 component ins and 1 out, 2 optical inputs and I believe 1 coaxial. There are a bunch of extra connections for VCR's, DVD players, game consoles, etc.
  
  Now, for quality....
  This system is LOUD!!! I owned a sony htib before this and they're child's play compared to these. After some manual calibrating, I popped in the HD DVD version of 'Transformers' and... WOW!! I was hearing stuff I didn't know was in the sound field. Music is very crisp and clear. You could hear every instrument during jazz or acoustic sessions. Games are unbelievable on this setup.
  
  The calibration mic setup didn't sound too good to me. It was a bit flat for my standards. But, to each his own, right?
  
  One last thing, for people who say, 'this system runs too hot', gimme a break. IT'S SUPPOSED. For the amount of things the receiver does, be happy that it doesn't blow up. Just be sure have it in a property ventilated area and you're good for 20 years.
  
  Overall, I highly suggest this system. It even comes with an iPod dock. Oh... and be sure to upgrade to 16 guage or lower wires. The ones supplied are crap. =]
  
  

• Onkyo HT-S5100 7.1 Review

  
  By A3EEG6WM6B2V3P on 2008-07-13
  Not knowing much about home electronics, I was a little reluctant to purchase any Home Theater system. I installed this Onkyo HT S5100 in my new sixteen seat four tier theater and am very happy. I am using two larger front speakers from a different Onkyo system, and the new front speakers are doing a wonderful job placed in the back of the theater. I am sure they would sound great in the front also. Do not let the so called experts persuade you from the 7.1 to the 5.1 system. Even though movies are usually formatted in 5.1, the extra side surround speakers you get with a 7.1 system give that extra sound where it is needed. It is worth the few extra bucks you will spend. When I opened the box and took out the sub-woofer, the back said it was 165w and not the 290w I was expecting. I did write Onkyo about this, and they gave me some mumbo-jumbo about dynamics and RMS. All that matters is when I got it hooked up, this sub will vibrate the marrow in your bones. Final word - Before I installed the Onkyo, my theater was awesome to look at. After I installed my Onkyo, my theater is a place to watch movies.
  
  
• CRISP!!!!!!!
  By A375B113G0A1QM on 2008-07-02
  Recently purchased and I pretty much love it. Sound is clear/ bass
  solid. The receiver is clean and laid out nicely w/ plenty of connection
  jacks for all of you other equiptmnt. does not hdmi upconvert (pass through only) but waaaay makes up for that w/ the super loud clean sound,
  the layout of the receiver, sleek sexy speakers and the very reasonable
  price for what i consider a solid well made product by a company w/a
  solid rep. Will take a little tweaking to choose preferred settings for
  your personal space. has a mic unit that it comes with and instructions
  to optimize sound (auto) haven't tried it. compared side by side w/
  polk speakers. If there was a diff i couldn't tell. so for about the
  same price as the polk speakers buy this complete sweet receiver and
  Crisp!! speakers!!! only draw back seems to put out a good bit of heat:
  runs hot. but there is a sticker on it telling you that that is normal
  for this unit. just hope it doesn't affect the units working life cuz
  it sure sounds good!!!!!!!
  
  
• excellent system
  By A1WWGLU3COINYG on 2008-08-05
  set up is a little complicated, and you do need a separate fiber optic cable for audio for your devices that use HDMI inputs. The receiver should be described as a HDMI switching device since you do need a separate audio cable. The audio for the most part it is amazing! Sometimes the base is a little overwhelming but that can be easily controlled and modified. I would strongly recommend a smart remote from Harmony to accompany this device so you don't have to have seven different remotes to do very simple task. It's nice to be able to turn everything on by pushing one-button. Although I have the Harmony 550 and I would recommend going to the next step up if you can.
  
  
• Onkyo Home theater System
  By A3NX161F8FL9LC on 2008-06-25
  Sound is amazing and three HDMI inputs really makes it more impressive. I would recommend this system at this price.
  
  
• I Like My Onyko Ht-S5100
  By ACR743SEY4Y0W on 2008-07-05
  I had enjoyed my Onyko HT-S5100 since i installed it 1 month ago. I did not use the supplied speaker wire since they were not long enough for the Surround and Back Speakers. I purchased the Monster XP Speaker Wire and my system sounds Great.
  
  
• Excellent product for the money
  By A3CZXW89JC6ZFX on 2008-07-19
  This is an excellent product. i would strongly suggest it to buyers. i bought it from amazon direct..with a good discount, and the sound is just awesome.
  
  one disadvantage though is the speaker cables are very short (especially for the surround rears), i had to buy wires from bestbuy to make it work...but still it is really worth it.
  
  

• Maxell CD/CD-ROM Scratch Repair Kit
• Maxell DVD-LC DVD Lens Cleaner
• Sony MDR-V300 Monitor Series Headphones with Folding Design
• Sony MDR-V500DJ Monitor Series Headphones with Swivel Earcups
• Sony MDR-V700DJ DJ Style Monitor Series Headphones

• HDMI Cable 2M (6 Feet)
• Fiber Optical Toslink Digital Audio Optic Interface 6 Foot Cable
• Tripp Lite A102-02M Digital Optical Audio Cable, 2x Toslink - 2M (6ft)
• Cables To Go - 40315 - 2M (6.5ft) Velocity HDMI Digital Video Cable (Blue)
• Sony PlayStation 3 Blu-ray Disc Remote