- 105 Watts per channel minimum into 8 ohms, at 20 Hz to 20,000Hz x 7 channels
- Selectable modes for 2 channels stereo and 2.1, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 channel surround
- Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry (VLSC) for all channels
- Extended frequency response - (5 Hz to 100 kHz)
- Reduced NFB (Negative Feedback)
I am by no means an expert on electronic audio equipment, but I wanted to replace my 5 year old Panasonic 300w THIB 5 disc DVD/CD system with separate components to get a better "bang" for my audio ear. I based my research on owner reviews and of course the capabilities of the units. I decided on the Onkyo TXSR804/B, almost went with the Onkyo TXSR674/B which would have saved me about $150.00 over the TXSR804/B unit, but I went all the way. I also purchased the Polk RM6750 5.1 Surround Speaker System not the best I could have, but more than enough power for my 12 x 18 room size. So, now my system consists of a Sony KDS-60A2000 SXRD 60" rear projection TV, Onkyo TXSR804/B receiver, Polk 5.1 (expandable to 7.1) Speaker System, a Panasonic DVD/VHS Recorder, Onkyo DXC39 6 disc CD Changer, and my digital cable box. Here's what I think after just two days of use:
Pros: Total system looks great, more than I could have asked for. I used the auto set-up micophone that comes with the receiver to adjust the speakers, and that worked well but I did tweak the rear surround speakers slightly to get the sound I wanted. I put in the DVD movie "The Incredibles" as a test for the sound system blew me away! shook the walls! Scared the kids! The Polk RM6750 speakers look and sound great I am glad I didn't spend more to get the Polk RB6880 (from Circuit City)at twice the cost! You will not be disapointed with these speakers. I went from using 5 remotes to using just one the one that came with the receiver. I also have only one HDMI cable from the receiver to my TV. You can also transfer specific remote functions of your choosing from each component remote you don't have to transfer "all" remote functions if you don't need all of them.
Cons: TIME to set this up It took my about a good 10 12 hours to get all components connected to the receiver and to set all the imputs and programs into the remote. You will need to read the instructions over & over until it finally "clicks" in your mind and things start to work the right way. So give yourself time. Call Fire Dog service if you need help getting this set up the right way. I almost did. My last "Con: is you'll have to teach the rest of your family members how to use the new remote, or you may find yourself mystified when something doesn't work the way you programed it to.
Bottom line: I made the right choices for my system components. They look great together and the sound is "WOW".. I may do a little more tweaking, but overall, I am very happy with my new system. I recommend this receiver highly, without any hesitation.
Buy Onkyo TX-SR804S 7.1 Channel Up-Converting THX Certified A/V Receiver (Silver) Now
I shopped and researched for several months for a new HDMI receiver. I was all set to buy the TX-SR674 but I stumbled upon this model in my search. The 804 model has 10 more watts per channel than the 674, THX sound and a cleaner front via a drop down panel. Set-up was quite easy since I was using HDMI connections for the TV, DVD & Cable Box. (Don't waste your $$ on expensive HDMI cables! I had to buy a $70 cable from the big red CC box until my $6.00 HDMI cable arrived in the mail, guess what? No difference in sound!) The instruction manual is decent but does not cover every possible scenario. ie.) To get the XM Radio Info. displayed on the TV screen you have to choose choose VIDEO 2-4, then choose the TUNER (took a little trial and error). The remote is a little big, but is easy to use and does have 3 separate MACROs available to use. I was able to program all my components into this remote. The 804s on-screen display is basic white lettering on a black screen. The new Sony's have a slick on screen GUI like the PS3s but don't get sucked into this 'nice to have'. Once you get your system set up you will rarely go back to your on-screen displays. I'm running a 5.1 speaker system for now until I can afford a new 7.1 setup. However, the 5.1 sound on my old speakers sounds terrific. My speakers actually sound better than they did on my old Yamaha. XM Radio sounds great and is super easy to add on. I did not purchase the DS-A2 iPod dock because DLO is coming out with a new dock in March with on screen album art that the DS-A2 does not have. I'll let you know how this works as soon as I get it! The only feature I wish it had was a 3rd HDMI out, this would have been an even better upgrade over the 674! You can buy better HDMI receivers but you will spend well over $1000.00. Most people will be quite happy with this receiver at this price point.
Sound: Excellent Style: Clean and Slick Power: More than adequate Features: A Initial Setup: Medium
My System:
Samsung LN-S4695D LCD TV
Samsung HD-960 DVD (waiting for the HD-DVD/Blu Ray battle to play out and a price drop!)
Sci.Atl. HD cable box/DVR w/HDMI
Audiovox CNP2000H XM Radio Mini Tuner Home Dock with Antenna
Monster HTS 1000 MKII Powercenter with Clean Power (Needed this due to unstable power in my area.)
I hope this helps you to make a decision!
Read Best Reviews of Onkyo TX-SR804S 7.1 Channel Up-Converting THX Certified A/V Receiver (Silver) Here
I was replacing a 7yr old Denon unit which was rated highly in its time, and served me extremely well. However, I felt the unit was losing some power and showing its age, and I needed a second digital-capable unit for another location. I spent a great deal of time researching this buy, and it came down the Denon 2807 and the Onkyo. I opted for the Onkyo due to excellent price from Amazon, very good reviews, THX rating, and a savings of about $200 over the Denon.
The shipment from Amazon was amazingly fast, appearing in just two days. Packaging of the unit by Onkyo was excellent, and installation/ integration into my setup was very straight-forward. I must say that I am accustomed to home theatre installations with lots of wires, read (and follow) instructions, and expect instructions to be confusing. In this case, the manual is very well written, in legible English, a decided plus. The Audyssey system was in no way difficult to use, and the results (speaker distances read by the system) were extremely accurate. One note here is that reviews of the Denon have stated that same Audyssey system measures sound in three separate areas, to maximize the listener's enjoyment even if they are not in the one "sweet spot." The Onkyo system measures just one location. Since I am the one sitting in the single sweet spot, I was not overly forlorn.
The unit automatically detects the incoming digital sound (DTS, Dolby, etc) so I have not had then need to fiddle with them on the fly. There are a host of settings if you indeed feel the need to modify them, but any incremental gain I might attain by fine-tuning those myriad settings just doesn't seem worth the effort. Perhaps that fact is one of the reasons I opt for a single unit versus buying separate components: Yes, I might be able to tweak the sound better in the latter, but I find it far easier to pop in the disk, let the receiver do its thing, and enjoy the results I get. I was accustomed to high end sound, and the Onkyo does not disappoint. I noticed a heightened clarity in the center speaker versus my older Denon. In some of my reference DVD material, the Onkyo did not provide an appreciably "bigger" sound vs. the old Denon (the Onk is rated 10 watts more per channel), but I notice the surround speakers produce clearer sound and separation. I am as yet focusing on the front speakers to discern a difference. In the overall, it is a testament to Denon that even with a seven year difference, their technology still holds its own vs. the new Onk.
After only a week of auditioning, it is hard to determine whether the Onk investment was better than if I had gone down the Denon path. After all, what will the $200 cost difference mean in a month, or a year? The only way to compare the two units is to play them side by side in your listening room. The fact is, the unit offers lots of great features at an extremely attractive price, and the build quality seems to be there. Some reviewers have noted a few drawbacks (e.g., only stereo in Zone 2), but the manual states that (and manuals are available for download from the manufacturer's website for those details). The remote is a tad big, but after a short while I am already accustomed to it.
Although I might yearn for more oomph, more quality, more bells and whistles from my receiver, I wanted to stay in a certain price range. The Onk offers solid performance and versatility at an excellent price; it rates 5 stars as a great value.
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I purchased this receiver for two reasons. First HDMI in/out, and second for the ability to 'up-convert' non-hd components such as a TiVo Series 1 or 2 or a VCR. While the receiver works great, I was sadly surprised that it doesn't actually upscale the signal from 480i to 1080i, which is what I really wanted. Up-converting is basically the ability to change the cable output from S-Video or composite video to HDMI. I only just figured out that what I really wanted was an 'Upscaling' receiver (which is more $$$ of course). The quality out via HDMI at 480i is the same as if I had just kept an S-Video cable attached to the TV.
I like this amp but it causes my TV (Sharp Aquos 42" LCD) to lose synch whenever the video has a sudden white flashes (NFL sports transitions, War of the Worlds death-beam blasts, Drawn Together transitions, explosions, stuff like that). The synch loss takes about 5 or so seconds for my particular TV to recover from, which is pretty annoying. When I had the problem I searched the web and found that numerous others had similar problems with this and other Onkyo receiver models, but Onkyo doesn't seem to acknowledge the issue. It's a good receiver, but if you buy it save the packing for a few weeks just in case it causes problems for your TV as well. Given that these problems seem to have been around for a good year or more and Onkyo isn't fixing them, I can only give this 2 stars.
