Onkyo TX-SR806 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Reviews

• Would rate 5 stars if it worked

  
  By A1PJCX4XRXFQJ1 on 2008-09-07
  I have had the TX-SR806 for about two weeks now, and it's a mixed bag at best. Overall it's a good/almost-great receiver for a home theater, but there are some problems that are leading me to return it. Not sure if I will try another 806, stay with Onkyo or jump brands.
  
  Good:
  * Audio quality is superb: clean, low distortion, and plenty loud for anything a normal human would need
  * 5 HDMI inputs is an awesome feature.
  * The remote control has presets for every other component I own, and seems to be almost completely compatible with them (this is a first)
  * Not sure what the difference is, the but the Audyssey calibration routine produced much better results with this receiver vs. the TX-SR705 I had earlier this year.
  
  Bad:
  * Receiver does not correctly handle the component video output from my Wii (blue screens after a few seconds of showing Wii output)
  * The remote does not have a backlight
  * The remote needs a few "general purpose" buttons -- I have no place to assign the A,B and C buttons from my Time-Warner DVR
  * The remote only has two macro buttons -- last year's TX-SR705 had three
  
  Ugly:
  * This will be the third Onkyo receiver I have returned to Amazon because it didn't work right. The first one (TX-SR705 bought in ~March) arrived with two of three HDMI input channels completely dead. The second worked fine for about a month and then one of the HDMI inputs died. This one is going back because of the Wii component video issue.
  * Onkyo's tech support is truly unhelpful. They refuse to even consider that the problem might be something in the receiver, despite the fact that the Wii works just fine with every other display device. I suspect that the problem is something in the fancy Faroudja video subsystem the 806 uses, and that Onkyo has not tested the 806 with a Wii over the component output. The tech guy from Onkyo simply recommended I go back to the composite output (ugh) and refused to help otherwise.
  
  If everything worked properly, I would rate the receiver 5 stars. But with my *third straight* Onkyo receiver having video problems, I have to question Onkyo as a brand.
  
  
  
  

• An Advanced HD Receiver

  
  By A3UIJLSPVJCMGX on 2008-09-12
  The Onkyo TX-SR806 will process all the latest High Definition formats flawlessly. It's all here at a price that other receivers can't touch at twice the price. Outstanding Audio Quality from Stereo to 7.1 channels. I have had high-end receivers before, but this model is the best. My speakers never sounded so good and I hear sounds that were not possible until now. Blu-ray discs with True Dolby HD or DTS Master Audio are heavenly perfection. The receiver will pass-thru HDMI Video or the built-in processor can enhance it. The receiver set-up will automatically adjust the acoustics or you can tweak the nearly indefinite number of adjustments available to enhance the sound quality to any way you like. There are no heat concerns (like last years model) as the unit operates at a cooler temperature.
  
  The only part of the package that could be improved is the layout of the remote control. Some buttons like the remotes volume control should have been bigger, more conveniently located and back-lit.
  
  If you are looking for an HD receiver for today and tomorrow this one will entertain and thrill like a never ending roller coaster ride.
  
  

• Good Unit - Problem handling composite connection

  
  By AP2YCRJ6KRYQA on 2008-10-02
  I purchased a new Sony Bravia 52" LCD TV as well as this Onkyo receiver about 2 weeks ago. My Motorola Comcast cable box only had a composite hook up which I ran to the reciever and then HDMI to the TV. I immediately noticed video drop outs of several seconds when changing channels and at TV commercials. Audio worked fine during the drop outs. It was suggested that I check the video signal strength. Had it done and Comcast said it was fine but put in a signal amplifier anyway. I ended up replacing the Comcast box (with another Motorola) to get an HDMI out to the receiver and it all works fine. Very disappointed in the Onkyo performance using composite. If you only have a composite connection I would not buy this receiver.
  
  Other than that this receiver is very good. The picture with HDMI is better than composite. The sound quality is superb. The reviewer's comments re the remote are right on but I purchased a Logitech remote - simply great so I do not have the remote problems.
  
  

• mmmm THX

  
  By A3HDS90T9G930O on 2008-10-28
  This receiver is amazing. Setting it up was a breeze. For the nontechnicaly advanced and new comers everything is color coded.
  
  When it came to setting up the speakers I came into a small problem. A slight error on my part. So I hope this advice helps others when setting up the speakers. This receiver comes with a mic that is used to electronicaly test the distance from each speaker to 1 of 6 seating positions one at a time to ensure best sound in all 6 seating positions. When using the set up mic to automatically adjust your speaker setting without having to do it manually make sure the surround speakers from your previous 5.1 plug into the "surround" speaker outputs NOT the "Back surround" speakers. The Back surround is for a 7.1 connection which I still need to upgrade to. If you plug them in the wrong outputs of the receiver you will get an error message while performing the auto speaker set up. This will also cause a problem if you try to manually set up the speakers too.
  
  Aside from that small mishap- sounds great easy set up- self explanatory remote- and the reason I bought it, the THX certification.
  
  The THX certification basically means Onkyo paid Lucas to certify that the equipment meets the THX standards. There are several units on the market that might meet the THX lever of quality but unless products pay for the certification we wont know. To me this shows Onkyo cares about letting you know what you are getting. Some people don't need or want this. If this is you Id suggest looking for a model or 2 down the line. This certification is why this unit has the sticker price it does.
  
  
  This unit also has 5 HDMI inputs to plug all sorts of HDMI items in like Xbox 360, PS3, a Blu Player ETC... and one HDMI out to connect to the TV. I also like the blue backlite volume knob and the green display on the face of the unit. If you connect the HDMI out there is a on screen option that allows you the visibility of reading off your TV set vs. the small display screen on the unit. This is good when setting up the speakers.
  
  
  This unit also reads several of upgrade audio options found on the Blu DVDs.
  
  

• Almost perfect

  
  By A2VDOY2OWQO4XK on 2008-10-30
  I love this AV receiver. The only issues I have had are 1) that there's no switched power outlet on the back and 2) that the upscaling feature doesn't work well on everything. My projector has DVI and Component RGB connectors, and Onklyo says their upscaling isn't supported if you have to use an HDMI-to-DVI converter. I wish I had known that up front, but I plan to replace my old projector soon anyway. Everything else is great, and I suspect my new projector will allow everything to look wonderful.
  
  
• Great Receiver, Not quite what I expected
  By A2CGKZY75SQ1F on 2008-11-06
  I really like the quality of the Onkyo SR806. Great layout, awesome automatic calibration (the result is WAY better than any auto-calibration I had ever run before)
  
  BUT.....
  
  I bought the Receiver primarily to do two things:
  1- Upconvert / Downconvert all video for output to 1080i
  2- Process the Dolby TrueHD and DTS MasterAudio from my playstation 3.
  
  Unfortunately, I was thwarted in my goal, I think largely due to the equipment I am hooking up to it.
  
  As far as Decoding Dolby TrueHD goes, the Playstation3 does not bitstream that format out of the HDMI connection - it must send it as a 6-channel PCM signal, which is not processed by the receiver. This is most definitely and issue with the PS3, not the ONKYO. After much web research, I found that most BluRay players currently decode those signals onboard and then passes them on to the receiver. So I'm getting the TrueHD output, just not processed by the receiver, so the nice little lights never fire up. I'm not sure that there is a compromise in sound quality by doing it this way. In thinking about it, I'm not sure how much of a difference I should expect with a lossless signal, the Dolby Digital signal is great on its own. One important point is that the optical digital connection cannot carry the multichannel PCM signal, so a receiver with HDMI inputs was a necessity anyway (my previous receiver, an awesome Pionneer Elite, does not have that capability so it has been demoted to my bedroom system.
  
  More disappointing is the video upconvert / downconverting. My HDTV is a 5 year old 65" Mitsubishi which has a GREAT picture but only component video inputs. The receiver will NOT upconvert ANYTHING to 1080i via the Component Connection. If I had an HDMI connection on the Mitsu, it would upconvert everything to 1080p. Again out of luck, but not the problem of the Onkyo.
  
  I'm keeping the Onkyo because I love the way it sounds and I think it will work well when I upgrade to a flat screen 1080p unit with HDMI inputs.
  
  
• Performs great, but runs HOT
  By ATP23GXO2G0CV on 2008-11-26
  I bought this a few days ago, and was completely impressed by the quality of the sound. The automatic speaker setup was a breeze, and the manual does a good job of explaining the complex procedure of assigning inputs to different components.
  Negative: This thing is HOT. I mean scorching hot. I'm going to get a new equipment stand with more ventilation. I'm actually worried to put anything near it.
  Also, the remote STINKS. I had to keep going back to the top rows of buttons to select a component, then back to select "receiver," etc. It should have a dedicated "menu" button for the receiver. Also, although it will control TiVo and all my other equipment, there just aren't buttons on the remote for all the TiVo buttons. I am SO happy that I have a Logitech Harmony 880 because that made all the difference!
  It is very complicated with all the different sound options, so let it choose one automatically, and it will do a super job of that.
  
  
• Video issue - Clips black, at below black.
  By A1K3GX1ZU2TC1I on 2008-11-28
  I've had experience with this receiver for 2 months.
  
  Recently, I noticed an issue with video. Very minor, however I thought something wasn't right. I've calibrated my setup many times over the years, so I thought maybe settings had drifted. Skipping ahead, I recently popped in a calibration DVD, and sure enough, there were no "below black" bars on a sample pattern.
  
  Turns out, a few weeks ago, another web site reviewed this receiver, and noticed the same issue. I just found out about that today.
  
  Now, if this issue happened when I was letting the Receiver upconvert, or similar, I'd have no issue with it, and just take it as a quirk of the upconversion. It wouldn't matter to me much anyway, as the only thing I'd have it upconvert may be a SVHS machine.
  
  This TX-SR806 clips black when HDMI is set to THROUGH. When I think of through, I think the signal is, well, "passing through" the receiver, without any alteration.
  
  From what I've noticed, this problem may be here to stay.
  
  I suggest, if you are looking to spend this much for a receiver, and video issues such as this bother you, save a bit more money and try the 876. I've not personally played with that model, however I've been todl that it doesn't refuse to show, "Blacker than black".
  
  I'm told the 805 is also a nice receiver.
  
  ---
  
  Audio - Excellent, no complaints there, other than this receiver does not include MuliEQ XT, and only MultiEQ.
  
  ---
  
  I'd give this 5 stars if it weren't for an option that CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, Clipping black.
  
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• This thing rocks
  By AKH6N84CBOBJ6 on 2008-11-27
  Monitor: 56" Samsung DLP (780p Native Resolution, 1 HDCP enabled DVI input only)
  Speakers: Front - Tannoy, concentric drivers. Trust me these are legendary.
  Surround: Can't recall, they are good. Sub is a 2k Martin Logan.
  Replaced: Nakamichi 1aZ. About 7 years old. Great for its time.Still amazing for Stereo. And have Krell/Martin Logan stuff.
  Replaced: Oppo Digital HDMI Video Switcher
  Sources: DirecTV HR21, PS3 (BluRay mostly and NO BUZZING), Oppo Digital 980H, Some JVC VHS machine with an S-Video out.
  1) For the first time in my life I'm running all the video thru an AV Amplifier. The video quality on all sources is an improvement over the Oppo Switcher which was a great machine. There's review out there trashing this machine's HDMI output and it's BULL. Don't buy it. You'll see an improvement.
  2) The Audissey automatic setup is Amazing. I'm finally hearing seamless surround sound worthy of the money I put into good speakers. Let's face it, only a computer can do THX etc. correctly.
  Have fun!
  
  
• Works for Me
  By A25OYFBNT7WW0E on 2008-11-22
  I am definitely not smart enough to use all the capabilities yet but I am totally happy with the sound. I replaced a 30 year old Onkyo amplifier and reciever with this system. Onkyo is the best buy for the money.
  
  

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