14 DAY TRIAL // Hi-tech audio/video receivers were always expensive pieces of gear as they offered exquisite features for the true sound and video quality lovers exclusively. Nowadays it seems like this state of facts has changed and such gear comes fully loaded technology-wise, with pro-grade performance and at a reasonable price as well.
Onkyo is the name of the company to make this breakout in the home tech world and their name comes from the two Japanese words On - Sound and Kyo - Harmony. As I'm thinking about the AVR I'm about to briefly introduce to you, I'd rather say that the physical result exceeds the name meaning.
It's the case of Onkyo TX-SR605 AVR, the first affordable such receiver to sport HDMI 1.3a inputs and on-board decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio tracks, now very popular in HD or BluRay discs. Besides this last-hour tech, the Onkyo TX-SR605 is Sirius AND XM ready so if you're into satellite radio, this receiver is all you need (provided you're already a subscriber and so on?)
Not being an entry-level receiver but rather above the mid-range gear, the Onkyo TX-SR605 sports other features which were exclusive specs for $2,000 and more similar receivers hitherto. The 605 has a multiroom functionality for 2 zones and sports a very hi-end Audyssey MultEQ auto speaker calibration which will analyze two reference points in your listening area and will adjust the delay and other specs of the amplified output stage accordingly for the best listening conditions.
Finally, the Onkyo TX-SR605 blasts a maximum of 90W on each of the 8 audio channels thus being loud enough for any room size. It sports S-video as well and for displays not compatible with the 480i standard, the built-in Faroudja DCDi video processing unit will provide with appropriate decoding services.
Now, the best feature of all, the Onkyo TX-SR605 will be out in May and the suggested retail price is $599! This means a very serious threat for the rest of the AVR manufacturers; now it's obvious they must consider Onkyo as a reference point - quality, features and awesome pricing all in one!
