Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

So, I've been vigorously auditioning both the Denon AVR-3808CI and Onkyo TX-SR875 over the past 30 days and have finally come to a decision as to which one to keep. I thought my decision and rationale may come in handy to someone looking at the same options. Note that both are really great receivers, but one of them just seemed to suit my needs better. This is a lot of information, so I will try and organize this review as best I can for those looking for a specific feature.

OBJECTIVE
Find an A/V receiver that will noticeably improve standard definition image quality while maximizing sound performance in a 9.1 surround system with 2 pairs of side surrounds.

EQUIPMENT TESTED
61" Panasonic PT-61LCX Rear Projection LCD @ 720p native
Klipsch Reference 10 Series speakers (RF-10, RC-10, SW-10, RS-10, RB-10)
Motorola DCH3414 DVR/Cable Box outputting SD @ 480i and HD 1080i (HDMI)
Pioneer DV-410-V-K DVD Player outputting 480i (HDMI)
Playstation 3 outputting 720p (HDMI)

SOUND QUALITY
My home theater room is fairly large/open room. Additionally, my speakers, though Klipsch Reference, are entry level and I do not want to upgrade them as of yet. So getting a "full" heavy sound out of what I have to work with was important to me. The Audyssey setup for 8 listening positions on both units did not provide this. The sound was left hollow and weak with not enough surround while testing "expanded" 6.1 sources bitstreamed from DVD's and Blu-Rays in DTS and Dolby Digital. While leaving the Audyssey EQ setting untouched, I played around with the remaining settings of both units (tone controls, crossovers, distance, output levels, etc.) and got the Denon up to producing the sound I was looking for. I was about ready to declare the Denon the obvious winner for this round, until I spent some extra time with the Onkyo. In the end, I am equally satisfied with the sound quality of both units, with the Onkyo still seeming to place a tad bit more of an emphasis on the highs. What does this mean? Basically, the sound quality for the units would not factor in to my end decision, but if I had to choose one based on SQ alone, I would select the Denon as it was the easiest to obtain the desired sound.

I only did some minor testing with CD Audio, since my setup will mainly be used for home theater. Both systems were comparable in quality for 2 channel CD sources. The sound was good whether processing 2-channel, 2.1, or using Pro Logic for surround. They didn't blow me away, but then I would need to upgrade my fronts to get that effect. The receiver can only do so much with the tools at hand. It should be important to note that the Denon had more customizable features for 2 channel sources and seemed to have more useful simulated surround modes than did the Onkyo.

VIDEO PROCESSING
Before I start talking about picture quality, I want to point out that I did calibrate my TV first using DVE. The calibration was done via the TV settings with the Denon scaling a 480i DVD image to 720p. I then re-ran the calibration with the Onkyo scaling the image, and used the picture control settings on the Onkyo to compensate for any discrepancies between the two receivers.

Knowing that the Onkyo's Reon HQV video chip was supposed to be superior Denon's Faroudja DCDI, I was still optimistic for the Denon since the DCDI chip is used in some of the more higher end upscaling DVD players. So I began with comparing DVD quality. I used Gladiator as my test movie as it has a great combination of light and dark scenes and a good mix of zoomed out/close up shots. Without getting into too much detail, the Denon's picture was slightly better than my $100.00 DVD player doing the upscaling. The picture seemed smoother, but not necessarily clearer. The Onkyo, on the other hand, was much sharper/cleaner and the colors were definitely more brilliant. Minor jaggies and noise that were still there with the Denon were virtually nonexistent with the Onkyo. The level of clean detail was incredible. In fact, to the non AV enthusiast, I would go as far as to say that it could be mistaken for pure high definition without a side by side comparison. Where the Denon seemed to gloss over some of the zoomed out battle scenes earlier in the movie, I could make out each individual soldier in shocking clarity with the Onkyo. Just for the heck of it, I decided to compare them both to the upscaling feature in my PS3, which I had not utilized prior due to HDMI constraints. I was shocked to find that the PS3 scaling of DVD's to 720p was noticeably improved from the Denon with a quality almost matching the Onkyo. But minor imperfections still remained when looking for them, such as PQ noise and the occasional 3:2 pull down issue. If I wasn't so concerned with burning out the PS3 (as many did with their PS2s), I would be hard pressed to consider using it as my primary DVD player and having it do the scaling. But then, what would be the point of having a $1,000+ AVR if I'm not utilizing it's scaling?

Comparing TV video processing was not so cut and dry. Despite what CNET says about my TV, I've never had an issue with it's deinterlacing/downscaling of 1080i to 720p. Additionally, the Denon doesn't touch 1080i signals. So does the Onkyo converting 1080i-->720p do a better job than my TV? Sure... I guess... maybe??? I didn't notice much of a difference. Like a Blu-ray source, true HDTV just simply looks good. I guess I could say that the Onkyo seemed to handle the conversion of HD signals that are not natively HD (say, an old episode of MASH broadcasted over an HD channel) more smoothly than the TV. But differences are subtle. So that leaves scaling and processing of standard definition TV. In comparing the four, here's the quick and dirty: The Panasonic TV does a less than average job of scaling/processing with pictures tending to look soft and blurry, the Motorola STB does a terrible job leaving images filled with noise and framerate problems, and the Denon AVR does a slightly above average job displaying a picture that is sharper than the TV processing but with a few noticeable 3:2 failures. Though not as bad as the TV, the Denon generated a picture that was still pretty dull. Then there's the Onkyo... the Reon chip only outputs images in full 16:9 aspect, meaning it stretches all 4:3 480i incoming signals creating what is known as "Fat TV." For some, this could be compensated by the TV, but my television does not allow changing the aspect ratio for incoming HD signals. So unless I get a new TV or STB that has that feature, I'm stuck with the stretching. At first I hated this, but I was intrigued when I noticed how much better the Onkyo's stretched image was than the Denon's stretched image (which is obtained by setting aspect to "Full"). So I did some additional calibration and noise reduction/edge enhancement tweaking. In the end, I was able to make a "quality" standard definition signal look shockingly good, even when stretched. In fact, the detail and color clarity was so good, that I actually preferred watching the upscaled/stretched SD programming of Psych on TBS over the TBS HD programming. Although this was definitely the exception in my testing. And it's important to note that while still better, channels with a poor signal (ie. BBC America) are still hard to watch even with Reon processing. But for a good SD signal, the difference is incredible.

I am not going to discuss Blu-rays in this section since I am having the PS3 handle all of the video processing. But for the record, the PQ just as fantastic whether going through the Denon or the Onkyo.

FEATURES UNIQUE TO THE DENON
Ability to change the aspect ratio of 4:3 images from "Normal" 4:3 to "Full" stretched
Separate terminals for A/B Side Sourrounds (sharing 1 amp)
Beautiful and easy to use overscreen GUI
Larger display on unit/inclusion of incoming & outgoing channel info
Easier to use more customizable remote (I know I'm in the minority with this one)
Network made updating the firmware a REALLY easy 10 min. process
Ability to reset the Audyssey settings without re-running it

FEATURES UNIQUE TO THE ONKYO
Ability to deinterlace/downscale 1080i to 720p (Denon will not)
Video Processing controls for noise/block reduction and edge enhancement of SD sources
THX Processing Modes (They seem to brighten the sound too much, so I keep them off)

BUGS
I only encountered one bug with the Denon, but it was a big one. When the Denon takes a 480i image output via HDMI from my Motorola STB and upscales it to 720p in "Normal" aspect so it's not stretched, the picture is displayed with a green bar at the edge of the picture (1/4" thick on my 61" screen). This does not occur when using component cables (which is noticeably lower quality), nor when I have my STB or the TV perform the scaling. In talking with Denon, they told me that the problem lies with the Motorola STB not having the most recent repeater flag firmware update, which is for HDMI communications. Meanwhile, Comcast claims that their boxes have the most recent firmware, but also pointed out that they do not support HDMI issues. This leads me to believe that even if there was a firmware update for the repeater flag, that they wouldn't necessarily issue it out. After trying three different cable boxes from Comcast and adjusting every relevant setting I could find in the Denon and STB, I gave up on troubleshooting this issue.

The Onkyo on the other hand had a few more bugs associated with it, though they were minor. I did experience the famous "speaker popping" issue with the PS3, though it never occurred in Blu-Ray/DVD movie playback. Just on rare occasions when bringing up menus and what not. There are some minor lip sync issues that the Denon did not have when using the AVR at a very low volume or in night mode. However, it only seemed to be actually noticeable via the cable box and even then only on a few select channels. More tweaking with speaker distances may fix this, but I don't usually listen at that low of volume anyway. There were a couple of times when I got the "No Signal" error with HDMI switching. This seemed to be unique to when a component would be in transition during the switch (say, changing the channel while switching to cable or powering up the DVD player while switching to DVD). Finally, the volume up button on the remote sticks.

FEATURES NOT TESTED
HD audio output (DTSHD MA, Dolby True HD)
Network audio streaming in the Denon
Zonal control
Video/Sound Processing Games
Firmware updating on the Onkyo (it was at ver. 1.07)

VERDICT
In the end, I decided on the Onkyo. It was difficult decision because I really liked many of the features on the Denon that the Onkyo lacked. So I had to go back to my original objective as listed above- and the amazing video processing of Reon chip outweighed everything else that was pulling me towards the Denon. The only thing that was really holding me back at first was the fact that I would have to stretch SDTV with the Onkyo. However, the green bar issue would force me to have to stretch the Denon picture anyway. And the stretched 4:3 Denon picture was vastly inferior to the Onkyo's. After making the decision, I hosted a movie party where we watched 13 hours of DVD's straight. The Onkyo never skipped a beat, and was no hotter after 13 hours than it was after 1. It had my guests looking all over the room from the Dolby Digital Ex surround processing and I even had some people ducking at ship explosions. There was actually had one technically inclined guest that thought I was running Blu-rays on a 61" 1080p plasma when I was really playing DVD's on a 720p rear projection LCD with the Reon chip handling the video processing. Yea... for my setup at least, the Onkyo TX-SR875 is THAT GOOD.

Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

I have used this to Bi-amp my front speakers and connect all my components to my TV through a single HDMI cable. It works fantastic and setup was a breeze with the auto calibration microphone.

I think this is a champion to Dennon 3808 and at a much better price.

Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

The sound and the video up-conversion are excellent. I was worried first about the unit getting HOT and it might burn but nothing really happened. I ran the unit for 10 hours. It was just right and I put it in an open space. I have nothing to complain with this unit.

Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

Nice unit

Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

I've been more than happy having now had this receiver for 3 weeks. I haven't found anything that would prevent me from recommending this receiver to a friend!

Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

very satisfied with the product

Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

I had several issues with just about all my Sony products to include 2 recievers in which Sony failed to repair on 3 seprate occasions. I have been looking for another reciever for quite sometime between Denon, Yamaha, and the Onkyo. All three of these brands are great choices. However, due to the feature rich Onkyo TXSR875B, which offered the same or better quality then the other two brands listed, I purchased it. I have had absolutly no regrets in my choice and recomend this reciever for anyone wishing to upconvert any video source to 720p or 1080p not to mention the THX processing. Its simply an awsome bargin for what you get.

Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

This is true audiophile equipment. I hooked it to my Aperion Intimus 633-T Tower Speakers front, Aperion Intimus 533-VAC Center Channel Speaker,a high end Yamaha sub and some very nice LANZ bookshelves for the rear, it sounded great using the factory setting with the mic, but with this receiver you can customize your sound however you want, surround, stereo 4 speakers, whatever you want to do this thing will do it.

It does create heat, so if you close it up make sure you get a good fan. In the open heat is not a problem.

I've always wanted a Mac, not anymore. Very happy with this receiver.
I almost forgot, HDMI, it has 4 in and 1 out at 1.3.

Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

One of the best at a good price.

Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

Powering 5 M&K S-150s plus a monster M&K sub, this receiver sounds amazing. Video up-conversion is nearly flawless. The scaling of standard-def DVDs truly approaches HD. My one disappointment? There is no customization of the HQV/Reon video processor, like the Onkyo NR905 offers.

Comments about Onkyo Onkyo Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver:

Very good audio, but would prefer some controls to tweak the video upscaling settings.