Onkyo TX-SR601 6.1 Home Theater Receiver Review

Onkyo TX-SR601 Introduction

With so much competition amongst mid-fi receiver manufacturers, features and usability become almost as influential as sound quality and performance when choosing a home theater solution. Most recent $500 receivers will incorporate the following key features:

• 192 kHz/24-bit DACs
• Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS Neo:6
• Digital inputs/outputs
• Component video inputs/output (50MHz or higher)
• Multi-channel inputs for DVD-A & SACD
• 80W - 100W per channel

Onkyo TX-SR601 Overview

Upgrades, Upgrades, Upgrades.

• Added approximately 5W per channel
• PCM 192kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels
• DTS 96/24 support
• Extended crossover adjustment (added 60Hz & 150Hz)
• Additional S-video output
• Zone 2 Line output
• Zone 2 speaker output uses binding posts (TX-SR600 used spring-clips)
• 12V trigger output for Zone 2
• IR input terminal

Onkyo TX-SR601 First Impressions and System Setup

First Impressions Are Not Always Correct

• First Impression: Analogue input appeared to result in low power output, forcing me to raise the volume to levels higher than I would have anticipated.
• Second Impression: The incredibly useful IntelliVolume feature allows you to set matching input levels for all audio inputs.
• First Impression: The remote control appeared to lose connectivity to the master unit almost randomly, forcing reinsertion of the batteries.
• Second Impression: User error. Depending upon the last mode used, many receiver functions cannot be accessed (including input selection & power off) unless the RCVR button is first selected (more on this later).

Setting Up the System

Having the ability to choose the crossover setting will serve a wider variety of user speaker configurations. There are currently shipping receivers in this price range that do not offer this very useful feature. In addition, I believe it would be even more beneficial to allow for different crossover settings for two channel and multi channel modes. I personally would like to be able to set the crossover of my subwoofer at around 40Hz for two-channel music and around 60Hz for home theater use.

Onkyo also has a feature that allows bass output to both the subwoofer and main speakers, though it does not appear on this setup screen. It is accessed through the Audio Adjust menu (though in my opinion it would have probably made more sense to incorporate it in the speaker setup area). In order for the "Double Bass" setting to function properly, you must set your Front L/R speakers to "Large". Now a really neat feature: You can still choose whether or not you would like to have subwoofer output when playing stereo music through the use of the remote control. Selecting "STEREO" on the remote sends low frequency output to the subwoofer, while "DIRECT" bypasses all DSP and routes audio to the main channels for purer quality signal transfer from analogue sources. There is no subwoofer output in "DIRECT" mode.

Onkyo TX-SR601 Additional Features and Remote Control

IntelliVolume and Other Neat Tidbits

Being a long-term subscriber to digital cable TV, I have always been plagued by a common problem shared by a majority of these set top boxes. The volume of the digital coax output and the analogue stereo outputs are often off by 3-6 dB. With IntelliVolume you can customize the input volume settings for all of the inputs connected to the TX-SR601. You can vary the settings +/- 12dB to achieve even levels when switching from one component to another. Wow, two years of cable TV frustration eliminated with one innovative feature!

The next incredibly useful feature I discovered on the TX-SR601 was the powered zone 2 output. Not only do the zone 2 outputs allow you to send the current source input to the second zone - they actually provide for processing separate stereo sources at the same time for each zone, or sending the same signal to both. So, for example, if I wanted to listen to my CD player in my office, while my wife listened to cable TV in the living room, we could do so using the zone 2 powered outputs. There is also a zone 2 pre-out that can be used in conjunction with an external amplifier - another nice touch, and new to the TX-SR601.

Onkyo RC-515M Universal / Learning Remote

Remote controls are generally hit or miss. One important thing to note is that for mid-fi receivers, you want the manufacturer to spend the majority of their money in manufacturing the receiver itself, not delivering an expensive remote control.

I haven't yet met a mid-fi receiver remote control that was perfect. With that in mind, there are some things that I believe should be included in any receiver remote that are not available in the RC-515M:

• Audio-follows-video switching - this is an efficient way to ensure that by hitting just one button, audio and video are switched to the desired input device. As Onkyo already has a complex audio input routing matrix, this would be a wonderful and welcome change for their next-generation remote control. It also would result in reclaiming about 1/5 the remote area for other uses as the INPUT SELECTOR section would not be needed.
• Temporary source selection for controlling devices other than the currently selected A/V input, almost necessary with audio-follows-video switching and generally accompanied by a small LCD screen or device selector switch.
• Dedicated system power & standby buttons - similar to the dedicated volume controls, these would always affect the receiver, not just the selected device. A separate power button could be supplied for affecting power to temporary source-selected components.

• Press the RCVR mode button
• Select V1 (where I have the cable TV inputted)
• Select CABLE mode button
• Tune to a channel using the channel buttons
• Adjust the receiver volume
• Press the RCVR mode button
• Select the Power Off button

• Press the CABLE mode button (audio and video switch simultaneously)
• Tune to a channel using the channel buttons
• Adjust the receiver volume
• Select the Power Off button

Onkyo TX-SR601 Listening Environment and DSP Music and Movie Modes

The Reference System 3 listening room is characterized by a series of natural baffles and a good combination of neutral materials. Lots of time it is necessary to hang draperies and build or purchase fancy bass traps to eliminate problems in a room. I prefer to do it naturally, and as I built my home, I was able to construct a room where the furniture and natural materials could do most of the work for me. Bookshelves serve as diffusers, and 9' flat ceilings with berber carpet produce a room that is lively, but not highly-reflective.

The central listening position is a sofa located in the center of the room, 11 feet from the front wall, and 8' from the rear wall. The M80ti(s) are 8' apart and the QS8(s) are 7' apart on the rear wall to allow for reflectivity of the quadpolar design. The EP350 is situated outside of the left M80ti with the 180 degree phase switch engaged.

Due to the impedance of the Axiom Audio speakers, the Onkyo was in for a challenge. The M80s are rated at 4-ohms each, with the remaining 3 speakers coming in at 6-ohms. The Onkyo receiver is rated at 150W per channel according to JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association), 120W per channel according to DIN (Deutsche Industrie Norm), and 110W per channel according to the FTC when connected to a 6-ohm load at 1kHz (2 channels driven), < 0.1% THD). The FTC rates the SR601 at 85W per channel into 8-ohms with < 0.08% THD (2 channels driven, 20Hz - 20kHz). When connected to the Axioms, I was pleased at how well the Onkyo could power the speakers at relatively high volumes. As the M80s can play extremely loud, cranking up the Onkyo to near its maximum yielded some audible distortion - this was not entirely surprising given the technical ratings of the equipment.

DSP Movie & Music Modes

I would not call myself a DSP purist, at least with respect to DVDs and television. In fact, I am known to watch a majority of my movies with some form of DSP or other. In the case of the TX-SR601, however, there isn't much available to choose from.

The Onkyo comes with the standard Dolby Digital (including EX), DTS (including ES and Neo:6) and Pro Logic II modes. If you are a purist, your bases are covered. Some modes are available in both 2-channel and multi-channel modes, but I will place them where I believe you'll find them more useful. I'll explain some of the non-standard modes below:

Movie Modes

• Theater Dimensional (T-D): This interesting mode is created for those who have only two speakers and still desire a surround sound experience. It essentially creates a pseudo surround experience around a fixed listening position (the characteristics of this position can also be adjusted through the receiver setup menus.)

• MonoMovie: Excellent for old black and white mono movies. Keeps the original soundtrack in the center channel where it belongs and adds some ambience into the Front L/R speakers.
• CinemaFILTER (on/off): This EQs some high frequency out of the signal, taking the edge off of speakers or movie soundtracks that are "too bright". I thought this mode eliminated a lot of detail and do not recommend it use in most applications. If your speakers sound too bright perhaps you can adjust some of the acoustical properties of your room to compensate (add a throw rug, for example) or experiment with positioning.

Television Modes

• Enhance: Selecting the enhance mode will engage your surround channels in a soft ambient manner, also placing dialogue and main action into your center channel. I found this mode to be more of a hindrance on 2-channel music, but effective when watching sports programming.
• TV Logic: This mode claims to be geared towards a studio-based television program, enhancing surround sound and adding clarity to the center channel. I found that it basically accomplished this through sending some of the Front L/R information to the surrounds and over-accenting the center channel signal just a bit.

• ALL ST (all stereo): Located on the remote, this mode produces an all-encompassing background music presence. The front, surround, and surround back (if present) channels create a large, wide, stereo image.
• DIRECT: 2-channel source audio is output to the Front L/R speakers and not the subwoofer
• STEREO: 2-channel source audio is output with bass management information sent to the subwoofer according to the crossover settings and Speaker Setup menu.
• Orchestra: In this mode the center channel is muted and the surround channels enhanced to create an artificially more expansive surround environment. This is an effective mode for opera or when attempting to simulate a large hall or theatre. Warning: Don't try this mode on regular music as your head may explode.
• Unplugged: This mode enhances the Front L/R channels giving you the impression that you are closer to the stage performance of an artist. Try this mode on just about any CD and you'll instantly get a more intimate positioning of the sound field. Warning: You may not want to get this close to certain artists!
• Studio-Mix: Having recorded and mixed numerous tracks in the studio I found this mode to be reminiscent of a rushed 4am studio monitor mix - complete with crushed vocals and a relatively flat mix. If you like recessed vocals and a more subdued mix it might be fun to play with this mode.

Onkyo TX-SR601 Listening Tests and Conclusion

In listening to several movies, the Onkyo did a great job at decoding Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks. In addition to a month's worth of movies which my wife and I rented or purchased, I played a few of my favorite scenes through several times to gauge the spatial performance of the receiver in comparison to a model costing twice as much with additional DSP. The first test I performed was Part 7 of Band of Brothers, entitled The Breaking Point . This episode features one of the most intimidating bombing sequences I have ever seen or heard, and the Onkyo drove my speakers with authority.

Conclusions and Overall Perceptions

The Score Card

The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for. The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating roughly equal to:

Performance × Price Factor/Value = Rating

Audioholics.com note: The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing of the product in question. The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. If you notice better performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers in certain areas, be aware that the value factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on performance, and each reviewer has his/her own system for ratings.

Audioholics Rating Scale

• — Excellent
• — Very Good
• — Good
• — Fair
• — Poor

Metric	Rating
Multi-channel Audio Performance
Two-channel Audio Performance
Video Processing
Bass Management
Build Quality
Fit and Finish
Ergonomics & Usability
Ease of Setup
Features
Remote Control
Performance
Value