Overview of the Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver
Onkyo TX-SR606 is a 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver that has taken the world by storm!
Since we became aware of the impending arrival of the Onkyo TX-SR606, the replacement for last year's What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Award-winning - and best-selling - Onkyo TX-SR605, it seems everyone has been searching websites for the smallest nugget of information.
They have also been searching for retailers willing to take their hard-earned money to own one as soon as possible.
It's here
Anyway, that's enough of the history - the Onkyo TX SR606 is here, and here's what it looks like.
Buy Here (Price Comparison showing you the best prices)
Click here - to buy from Comet £391.48
Click here - to buy from Amazon (Black) £499.95
The receiver also now handles RIHD - remote control via the HDMI link -, with Onkyo stating that it is compatible with Panasonic's Viera Link, Toshiba's RegzaLink and some Sharp Aquos Link products. So the remote can, theoretically, drive a complete system via HDMI links; it also sports a preprogrammed remote, able to control a range of different components.
So the new model should be easier to use and more flexible, especially in a world where there are increasing numbers of products with HDMI outputs, all requiring being switched and fed to a TV or projector.
The great news is that the engineers have been busy - for those fanatical about specifications, they've engineering a whole load more new 'stuff' onto this product. And for those who are happy with really useful features, there's still plenty to get your teeth into.
Same power
The new model in delivers the same output as the old model: it's claimed at 7x140W, but actually delivers something like 90W all round when the figures are measured against meaningful parameters like frequency response, distortion and impedance.
It still has the Onkyo Wide-Range Amplifier Technology, a characteristic of the company's products for several years, and Audyssey 2EQ automatic set-up and calibration, meaning you need only connect a microphone and press a button and the unit can run a set of test-tones and adjust speaker level and delay to match your room and speaker location.
Better sound when listening quietly
Something that's new in the enhanced version of 2EQ found here though, is another bit of Audyssey technology, Dynamic EQ adjusts the equalisation, and therefore the the surround level, and frequency response, the result is that you obtain more convincing results when listening to the system at low volume levels without having to have the rear channels high enough that they're prominent when playing much louder.
Also included in the audio section is a new Music Optimiser, engineered to improve compressed music played through the receiver from an iPod or MP3 player, via Onkyo's DS-A1x or DS-A2x docks. This operates by enhancing the top frequencies typically lost in compression, consequently giving a more open balance.
As with the Onkyo TX-SR605, the latest model is capable of receiving and decoding all the existing surround sound formats, together with the HD flavours of DTS and Dolby Digital, as well as accommodating LPCM from players unable to output raw bit streams.
But the most exciting feature on this new receiver is the introduction of video up scaling. The Onkyo TX-SR606 receiver will pass a 1080p signal, for example from Blu-ray players and the like, though 'untouched', but will also up convert and upscale lesser formats & resolutions.
The Onkyo TX-SR606 is a convincing performer
The Onkyo TX-SR606 is a real powerhouse of a receiver at the price, proficient in slamming out everything from the Casino Royale airport chase sequence to the attack in Letters from Iwo Jima with a genuine room-shaking punch, provided your speakers can handle it. However, it still manages to have all the openness and finesse necessary to make even tiny effects clear, and from time to time astonishing, and keep dialogue crystal clear.
With the Onkyo TX-SR606 there is by no means the sense of the whole thing being thrown at you that's sometimes noticeable with lesser receivers; the Onkyo manages to merge an all-encompassing sound field with outstanding effects steering and plenty of bite.
We should also mention that the Dynamic EQ works beautifully as well: it's completely inconspicuous when you're playing the receiver at significant volume levels, but when you reduce the volume there's none of that reduction of excitement. The system is understated, but very definitely effective - and a good deal better than those often rudimentary 'midnight' settings you come across on many receivers.
If you desire a receiver that'll mostly be used for watching Blu-rays, TV or DVDs, or connecting to a games console, the Onkyo TX-SR606 will serve you very well indeed, while still being completely useable for the occasional blast of music. Buy one!
Good Points
All the ability of the TX-SR605, plus much more flexibility
Bad Points
Styling is a personal thing
Verdict
Buy an Award-winning bargain, add on more features without affecting the quality of the sound, and at the price: the Onkyo TX SR606 is a bargain.
Specification
FEATURES OVERVIEW
- CinemaFILTER™
- Direct Mode
- Pure Audio Mode
- Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry
- A-Form Listening Mode Memory
- Music Optimizer for Compressed Music Files
- Tone Control (Bass/Treble) for Front L/R Channels
- Non-Scaling Configuration
- Color-Coded 7.1-Multichannel Inputs
- Double Bass Function
- Independent Crossover Adjustment for F/C/S/SB(40/50/60/80/100/120/150/200 Hz)
- A/V Synchronization Function (Up to 100 ms in 10 ms Steps)
- Dual Banana Plug-Compatible Speaker Posts for All Channels
- RDS (PS/RT/PTY/TP)
- 40 FM/AM Radio Presets
- 5 A/V Inputs and 1 Output
- 2 Audio Inputs and 1 Output
- 4 S-Video Inputs and 2 Outputs
- Headphone Jack
- Digital Upsampling
- Display Dimmer (Normal/Dim/Dimmer)
- Battery-Free Memory Backup
- Sleep Timer (via Remote)
- Newly Designed Preprogrammed RI (Remote Interactive) Remote Control with Mode-Key LEDs
- Aluminum Front Panel
- Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Out for Playback in Another Room (Separate Source)
- 140 W/Ch Minimum into 6 Ohms, 1 kHz, IEC (1 Channel Driven)
- HDMI Video Upscaling (to 1080i) from Component-Video, S-Video and Composite Video Inputs.
- HDMI 1.3a* Audio and Video Processing (1080p; 4 Inputs and 1 Output)
- HDTV-Capable HDMI Switching
- RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) for System Control
- Deinterlacer with Faroudja DCDi Edge™ (Directional Correlational Deinterlacing) Technology
- Audyssey Dynamic EQ for Loudness Correction
- Audyssey 2EQ to Correct Room Acoustic Problems and to Calibrate Speakers
- Bi-Amping Capability for Music and Movie Surround Effects
- DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus Decoding
- Compatible with RI (Remote Interactive) Dock for the iPod
- *Supports Deep Color , x.v. Color, Lipsync, Dolby TruHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD
- H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) Massive High Power Transformer
- DTS®-ES™ Discrete/Matrix, DTS® Neo:6, DTS® 96/24, Dolby® Digital EX™, Dolby® Pro Logic® IIx Decoding
- 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs for All Channels
- WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
- HDTV-Capable (to 720p/1080i) Component Video Switching (2 Inputs and 1 Output)
- Advanced 32-Bit Processing DSP Chip
- Subwoofer Pre Out
- 4 Digital Inputs (2 Optical/2 Coaxial)
Photos
Front view Silver
Front view Black
Rear view
Remote Control
Reviews
Good one by Ajit Philip Thomas
I had a hard time to decide between a Bose amp and an Onkyo amp. I finally decided that I buy the Onkyo considering its price and the features that were provided. So far I have not regretted my decision.
Very happy with TX-SR606 by D. G. Reid
Sound, picture and versatility of 606 are amazing. Future accommodation to new technologies are welcome provisions. Overall, I rate this Receiver as Excellent and a fantastic bargain. Well done Onkyo!!!
Easy to setup, good sound, good performance by Scott A
I only bought my Onkyo 606 today. Being my first upgrade in 8 years and I was undecided with numerous choices. The Onkyo 606 does have it all. You can't go wrong with this receiver.
Where To Buy
(Price Comparison showing you the best prices)
Click here - to buy from Comet £391.48 Click here - to buy from Amazon (Black) £499.95