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Onkyo 2012 Midline Receivers Preview [0.13] by tom,April 10, 2012 07:35

Onkyo has long been known for having the most features for the money in their receiver offerings and the TX-NR717 and TX-NR818 receivers are no different. It is easy to get excited about the $1000 TX-NR717 until you see what the extra $200 for the TX-NR818 gets you. Audyssey XT32, 13.5 extra pounds and 25 extra watts per channel, full 9.2 outputs, DTS Neo:X, and a host of installer features including ISF calibration controls? It's hard to see why you wouldn't spend the extra cash. With both having THX Select2+ certificaiton, 9.2 channels, 8/2 HDMI 1.4a connections, full featured networking, and loads more, consumers have a lot to drool over.

Onkyo BD-SP309 3D Blu-ray Player First Look [0.13] by tom,April 20, 2011 02:45

In a post Oppo Blu-ray world, the only thing you can do to compete it to release a player at a lower price point. Onkyo has come in at half the Oppo's price with their new BD-SP309 Blu-ray player. That's a pretty significant savings. But the question is what features did they have to cut? Well, not the important one. 3D is on board as is dual USB ports. You can stream Internet radio, Pandora, Netflix, and VUDU natively. The downside? If you don't have an HDMI input somewhere, you're out of luck. While power users will want to look elsewhere, those wanting 3D and not really caring much about anything else can save a few hundred dollars over other options with the Onkyo BD-SP309.

Onkyo THX Certified BD-SP808 Blu-ray Player First Look [0.13] by tom,September 02, 2010 06:05

The Onkyo THX Certified BD-SP808 Blu-ray player is Profile 2.0 with all the BD-Live features that entails, has an SD card slot, and an HDMI Source Direct mode for outboard video processing. It streams Blockbuster Video on Demand, is DNLA 1.5 certified, and includes remote in and out 3.5mm jacks and an RS-232 port for installer use. The premium Marvel Qdeo chipset upconverts all video to 1080p. What's it missing? Basically 7.1 analogue outputs for integration with legacy receivers and $200 off the price. If you're not interested in the 7.1 outs (or DVD-A, SACD, 3D, or a host of other streaming features available right now on players that cost less), the Onkyo BD-SP808 is for you.

Onkyo CS-345 CD Mini System Preview [0.13] by tom,November 22, 2011 10:00

At $300, the Onkyo CS-345 looks to be well priced and featured for the market. The integrated iPod/iPhone dock will appeal to many and the stereo input will appease the rest. Video output from your docked iDevice is a nice feature for students looking for an easy way to get new content in their dorms. The subwoofer output shows how Onkyo understands that this type of customer is likely to be looking for additional bass before they need additional inputs. The CS-345 may be limited, but it has just about everything a college dorm, bedroom, or office needs.

Onkyo TX-NR609 THX Select2 Plus 7.2 Network Receiver Preview [0.13] by tom,February 14, 2011 03:00

Seeing networking as low as $399 is pretty impressive. Seeing the feature set of the $599 Onkyo TX-NR609 is even more so. We love the Mavell Qdeo upconversion (same as in the new Oppo BDP-93 BD Player), the powered Zone 2, the six HDMI inputs, the front mounted USB that word with iPod/iPhone, and the overlaid on-screen display. The PC input and 4k upconversion will speak to the techie, the room correction and Audyssey Dynamic EQ/Volume and overlaid OSD will speak to the neophytes, and the 3D, 7.2 Channel, and price will speak to those that love buzzwords and deals. If you are planning on buying a receiver, either for yourself or your family, and know that once it is installed it won't be touched until it is replaced, this is a fantastic option.

Onkyo M-5010 Stereo Amplifier Preview [0.13] by smunz,July 12, 2013 09:45

Onkyo is a company known for delivering feature packed receivers at relatively low prices; they aren't necessarily a company most think of when looking at external amplifiers. Enter the M-5010. Priced at an affordable $349 and rated to deliver 75wpc @ 8 ohms, it looks like a decent budget amp. We think its best application is pulling multi-zone duty. Considering that the M-5010 has a street price of only $249, can be daisy chained to other amps, is 4ohm stable, and has a volume control and 12v trigger, we think it would be a great companion to an AVR lacking amplified zone 2 outputs. In the past, for $250 a consumer could just buy a stereo receiver if their main AVR didn't support zone 2, but with the advanced network features built into modern AVRs, an external amp makes more sense.

AV Rant #181: Dog Pillow [0.13] by tom,May 24, 2010 04:35

This week on AV Rant, Tom loses it. Also on tap this week, Onkyo partners with Walmart, the LifeLock dude needs to change his keys, Steven gets a better answer, and moths might just make your next display much better. Hate HDMI? Hello MHL (which, Tom discovered after the podcast, is not the same thing as Mobile HD). Netflix streams HD to PCs. Pandora - a study. We are REALLY sorry and video didn't work this week as you would have seen Tom cry. Yes, cry.

AV Rant #81: Wall-E Damage [0.13] by clint,July 06, 2008 21:27

Another threesome - this time with J and Dina. Jaime's Flaming Onkyo update. Paul wants to know if he should be interested in tube amps or not. Do Tom and J have Audiophilenervousa? Tom's theory of esoteric speaker design. J and Dina went to see Wall-E this weekend and had tons of stuff to share. J is old. Getting free tickets at the theater. Tom's got a new series of editorials coming out soon. Something to look forward to or avoid depending on what you think of Tom. DRM in the future - government controlled? Tom will be on vacation next week so it will probably be Clint and Dina. Thanks for listening and don't forget to vote for us at Podcast Alley.

AVRant #96: Sorry Ted [0.13] by tom,October 03, 2008 08:00

This week on AV Rant: Ted is mad about a few things. Tom responds. Under $300 Blu-ray players are in stores. J found them. Read the comments below the post for some FANTASTIC information from Rob and others. What is the future for consumer electronics? Jaime gives us the last flaming Onkyo 805 update. Could Tom do a budget display shootout? Maybe… How to properly use your SPL meter. A discussion of Wal-Mart sponsored piracy. iTunes is a black hole of information. Listen in for all this and more.

Onkyo 2012 Budget Receiver Line Preview [0.13] by tom,February 22, 2012 22:20

There is very little that we find more interesting than new budget receiver offerings. Onkyo has made a name for themselves over the last few years for offering the highest feature to dollar ratio. So when they announce that they are updating their budget offerings, we can't help but perk up. While Onkyo has placed their WRAT amplifier typology throughout this entry-level line and have tried to incorporate as many streaming and convenience features as they can at all price points, they don't have any room correction for any offering under $500. While we think users of all but the bare bones TX-SR313 will appreciate Silicon Image's InstaPrevue feature, mostly would be more impressed with a room correction system than a better amplifier typology. We'll have to see how the public receives the new Onkyo 2012 line to know for sure.