Onkyo HT-BD3315 review

There's a perfectly good Home Cinema system crying to get out here, but this Onkyo is hamstrung by its lacklustre speakers Tested at £500.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Two-thirds of the way there (and in some style) but this Onkyo system is crying out for more accomplished speakers

Pros

  • +

    Flexible spec

  • +

    swift and sure effects steering

  • +

    detailed, colourful images

Cons

  • -

    Speakers let it down

  • -

    motion issues

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In this instance, for 'home cinema in a box' read either 'separate components at a special price' or 'home cinema in several boxes'.

The Onkyo HT-BD3315 consists of HT-R380 multichannel receiver, BD-SP308 Blu-ray player and HTP-338 5.1 speaker package, and its pros are almost exactly equal to its cons when judged against more integrated systems.

The most obvious 'pro' is the HT-R380 receiver. Three HDMI inputs make it more flexible than most all-in-ones. Separating disc transport from the electrical noise of amplification can't do any
harm, either.

A system like this occupies a fair bit more space than your usual all-in-one, though, and better-integrated systems don't show up with two remote controls.

Decoding the DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack to the ferocious Ninja Assassin, the Onkyo establishes a secure, relatively expansive soundstage and moves the effects around with speed and precision.

Just one weak link
Images enjoy good levels of detail, a nicely balanced colour palette and convincing skin-tones.

For all its general poise, though, the Blu-ray player is sometimes panicked by motion and doesn't offer quite the insight into or differentiation of black tones that some other affordable standalone players can muster.

The HT-BD3315's biggest drawback, however, is its speaker system. For all the good work the amp does, it can't do much about the thin voices with which the speakers sing.

There's a coarse and gauzy quality to the top of the frequency range; and the subwoofer seems, at best, on nodding terms with its five partners. To be fair, though, that's a failing of almost every all-in-one system we've heard.

There's an extremely competent system struggling to get out here, but while it's saddled with these speakers it's never going to compete for top honours.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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