Onkyo TX-SR607

Message understood - but all I'm saying is that given its all round performance and functionality it is more of a 5 star product to me than a 4 star - although I could understand the Award Winner prize going elsewhere.

One trick ponies don't win The National, players of the beautiful game don't always win the League (poor old Arsene) and other sporting metaphors.

As much as I love Pure DAB products, I love their features and DAB channels, not their sound quality.  So I suppose I'm trying to understand your consistency.

But then without subjectivity we wouldn't have great forums and right to reply sections, would we?

Thanks, Andy.

Thanks, Andy, for your reply.  However it terms of where to start - how about:

"Sorry, guys, and now for the full review."

Whilst i can understand such a small review for the print mag - although i remember them being bigger in the past - surely on the www you have the opportunity to write as many words as you like.  Surely that's the point of this website - detail.

From what the salesman in the shop told me and what i've read elsewhere I'm not sure you've understood the 2 subwoofer point for a start - i cannot explain it but i'm sure the guys at Onkyo can do a better job of that.  Jump in here any time, Onkyo guys, please.

Sound isn't everything to all your readers.  I'm sure some will agree and others won't.  But i want a receiver that has good enough sound (don't need to squeeze that extra 5% out of it - and i don't need it for music), and flexible features.  I need all 6 HDMI inputs on this, I need the game modes (demo'ed in store and was hooked - already been on Amazon updating my PS3 games) and I need/want/have just discovered the new sound formats.  So pleeeeeeease consider all your readers - we aren't all audiophiles.  Some of us just love this technology and want excellent products, not niche products.  The Yamaha 863 does sound great, but i refuse to use an extra HDMI just so i can use it.  It isn't that flexible.

Maybe we'll just have to agree to disagree.  I'll get the unit this weekend anyway and enjoy it.  I look forward to glancing at your group test - to see if you find anymore out.

But anyway, thanks again Andy for your response.

Whilst I can admit to being an Onkyo fan having enjoyed their units over the last couple of years, I must now confess to being more than a little disappointed with the review of the TX-SR607.

For a first test of the market leading AV Receiver brand you don't go into enough details and you've left me hungry for more information - which sadly I can pick up on other review websites.  

You don't explain what brings you to the conclusion that Dolby IIz is only subtle.  Where did you place the speakers, which speakers did you use, what tracks were you playing to discover this information?  I struggle to accept that Dolby would introduce a "subtle" new sound format. What does it bring to the party, do you feel more immersed in the film, is the sound on top of you?  What did you actually notice?  I notice that Denon are bringing Dolby IIz to the UK as well, so it must be good.  How do I persuade the family that I am going to put up 2 more speakers into the living room?

You omitted the Audyssey Dynamic volume feature, which means you don't need to reach for the remote control every time the adverts appear on TV.  Surely this is of worthy note.

I can of course forgive the typo, when you call it the "'SR706", but how does it compare to previous Onkyo units not just your class leaders.

You also fail to mention to 7.2 channel capabilities.  Am I wrong or is this the first receiver at this kind of price point to offer a 2 subwoofer system?  Please tell me how this sounded - I'm sure you must have tested this.

What are the game modes like?  Again I would assume you tested it with a PS3 or xbox360.  I'm not a fan of shoot-em-ups, but how is the sports mode and music mode?

Also why do you doubt Onkyo's power ratings?  Do you now have a process to measure power, or is this still a preconception from the post of that guy from Arcam last year? You come across very critically here. I'd love to understand why?

I am a big fan of your mag and your website generally, and whilst I do like Onkyo, this review reads like you haven't really listened to it very much.  It is also surprising to see you start the headlines with a negative word like "Not".  Surely all the amps from Onkyo, Denon, Sony and Yamaha all have great products - and at least this one is on the market and widely available.  

Perhaps I am too critical too soon, and a more thorough test is due for the group test when the new amps from Denon, Yamaha and Sony come out.  After all you did call it a first test.

Think I might have to just buy one and see for myself though - but any light you can shed on the above would be great.

We state that the Onkyo has impressive features for the money and it sounds entertaining with movies. Sound quality isnt quite up to the very best at this price point, hence the four star review - for readers who are happy with 'good enough' sound and want all the extra HDMI inputs etc, the Onkyo is a great option. In fact, it sounds exactly like the kind of amp you're after, so enjoy it!

Wow, where do I start?

- firstly the SR605 and SR606 were deemed great amps in their own right and in comparison to other models at this price point. Im not sure why its unfair to compare to the Yamaha AX763 or the Sony DA2400ES - they are current five-star products and both performed better than the Onkyo. And, until Yamaha and Sony replacements arrive, these amps will continue to be the benchmark. These new amps will of course be compared to the Onkyo in due course. I can assure you we are not Yamaha fan boys as (I dont think wed have given their Blu-ray player a three star review if we were or dropped the RX-V3900 AV receiver from 5 to 4 stars). And, just because the amp has extra features, doesnt mean it automatically deserves a good review. Sound quality has to be taken into account too.

- with regards the power ratings, I wouldnt say that we were over critical. Onkyo quotes 7ch x 175W at 6ohm, 1kHz, 1ch driven which is a very generous set of conditions to apply for a power rating. Of course, Onkyo isnt the only company to do this but its fair for us to highlight it.

- Pro-Logic IIz was tested as Dolby recommend i.e. using speakers that matched our Mordaunt Short reference models. The format is designed to process non-directional sound effects through the extra front speakers. We tested some game content provided by Onkyo and used the format with films too. Remember that no films as far as we know are encoded with Pro-Logic IIz so in effect the amp is forcing effects through the extra speakers, in the same way that amps force effects to surround back speakers. Considering the cost/benefit/whether the other half approves analysis, we are yet to be convinced of the merits of PL IIz. Also we dont subscribe to the theory that just because Denon are bringing PL IIz to the UK that it must be good.

- with regards Audyssey Dynamic Volume, the review was written for the magazine and was written to fit a word count. Receivers tend to have so many features that we have to be careful not to scrimp words relating to sound quality. Its a similar case with the missing subwoofer comment. And in reality, you can run dual subwoofers from any AV receiver. All you need is a dual adaptor to connect to the amps subwoofer pre-out.

Tend to agree with Jock Scott very little detail in the revue.

I just checked out the Website of a leading US Mag. who do measure the output of amplifiers and surprise surprise the Onkyo's measure very well but the Sony STR-DA5400ES is positively feeble measuring less than an Onkyo 606.

Unless you can back up your comments with measurements you would do well to avoid commenting on power outputs. It makes you look rather silly to anyone who can be bothered to use Google !

I'm sorry Jock Scott but saying - "it is more of a 5 star product to me than a 4 star" and therefore being annoyed that What Hi-fi rated it as such is neither here nor there.

The review of the Onkyo wasn't specifically tailored with you and your requirements in mind nor anyone elses for that matter. It was reviewed taking into account all factors as is all other equipment. And due to certain areas where it was slightly lacking it therefore got a 4 star review instead of a 5 star one. I can't see any problem with that.

Totally agree with the comments below; for as much as I love the mag and im addicted to the web site I must say that I find alot of the WHF reviews quite vague. I waited in anticipation for this months magazine just to read this review and I was very dissapointed. I had already ordered my Onkyo at this point and was looking forward to an in depth review; but having read it, I felt as though it left me none the wiser.

Never mind; it has finally arrived and sounds awesome in my opinion, although im no expert and unfortunately cannot answer any of Jock_Scott70's questions; would like WHF to answer them though?

I feel this review is unfair because the receiver is being compared to old receivers. For example, the Yamaha AX763 is discontinued/unavailable and isn't subjected to the weak GBP like the 607. Because the price of the 607 is so much higher I suspect you're comparing it to the AX863 which again is unfair as that product is discontinued and unavailable. I think this review will be redone once Yamaha and others have released their new ranges, I say this because I predict their new receivers will be even more expensive and therefore level the playing field. Conclusion - don't compare the 607 to discontinued items.

If it wasn't for the weak pound the price fo the 607 would probably have been �350-400.

I purchased this not too long after I got a blu-ray player & therefore needed to be able to decode HD audio formats (that my old system didn't). Hooked up with Thatcable HDMI's to a LG BD370 & Q-Acoustic 2000 cinema pack. I was able to get it for £280 back in Nov '09 and have been very impressed. I think the fact it was a best seller in '09 shows how well regarded it is. Yes it's not perfect but it's hard to beat at the price I got it for!