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| Date Reviewed: 07/10/2007 |
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Strengths: Excellent sound quality, support for the newest audio formats, HDMI 1.3, On screen display, Audyssey auto speaker setup, low cost
Weaknesses: Inability to change the labels that display for each input
Summary: This is an upgrade for my existing receiver. I am a PS3 owner and wanted to buy a receiver that could handle audio over HDMI. I originally was researching a completely different receiver, but then I discovered this receiver and it had everything I was looking for. I found that not only did it have HDMI 1.3 but it supported the newest audio formats as well. The price was also excellent. I was very impressed how easy this receiver was to set up. The Audyssey speaker set up was VERY easy to do and the on screen setup was excellent. The process of plugging in all of my components was also very easy, as the back of the receiver is labelled very well. The color coding for the speakers is a definite plus. I am not an audiophile, but I think the sound is fantastic. It blows away my old receiver. I currently only have a 5.1 setup, but the ability to upgrade to 7.1 easily is a bonus. I do not currently have an HDMI capable TV, so I have been unable to test the video qualities of the receiver, just the audio. My only negative for the receiver is the inability to change how the inputs are labelled on the receiver's display. I know that a couple of them can be changed to alternate text, but I wish there was a way to customize what displays. Of course, I may not have found how to do this yet. But this negative is so minor to me that it does not impact my rating. Overall, this is an excellent receiver for an excellent price. While it is probably not a receiver for high end audiophiles, it is a great receiver for new home theater users or someone looking for an inexpensive upgrade. I give this receiver a very high recommendation.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/05/2007 |
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Strengths: Audio: This budget minded receiver supports Dolby TrueHD.
Weaknesses: Video Processing (although minor)
Summary: Audio: This budget minded receiver supports Dolby TrueHD which is the audio supported by Blu-Ray and HD-DVD formats. It makes this receiver the cheapest one that offers this feature. On top of that, it offers a full range of Dolby and Neuroaudio surround modes to suit any audiophile. It also supports up to 7.1 and XM/Sirus radio. The sound itself is excellent and clear. Onkyo has a long history of excellent audio quality.
Visual: Most receivers in this price range don't even offer video processing so you basically get video upconversion on this onkyo for free. It uses Faroujda edge DCDi upconversion technology to make 480i television input into 480p so that it looks less blocky on a huge HDTV. It is a huge plus for TV watching. It can also upconvert to 720p, but the aspect ratio becomes sort of strange. I didn't notice any different between 480p and 720p on my 720p TV set.
Connection: Two HDMI 1.3 inputs and one HDMI output is great for this price. Most A/V gear has HDMI now so this is a huge plus and makes cabling much easier! It has plenty of component, optical and composite inputs for most casual HT and AV users.
Definitely the best bang for the buck, highly recommend!
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| Date Reviewed: 08/13/2007 |
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Strengths: Feature set, HDMI 1080p switching (1.3), and low learning curve.
Weaknesses: Remote control is limited.
Summary: Great value for the money. I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a receiver loaded with features but does not break the bank. You are not going to find a receiver with these features at this price point right now than the Onkyo 605.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/15/2008 |
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 Beware If You Get A Bad One Strengths: Sounds great when it works. Very flexible with inputs and outputs.
Weaknesses: Build quality, warranty service, support. Relay clicking is fairly annoying when sound modes switch.
Summary: Bottom line of my experience is their service, support and warranty people have no interest in making a serious problem right. Up until my problem occurred I really liked the receiver, but once it failed the experience left a really bad taste in my mouth.
I've owned the receiver for three months and the surround left back channel just failed and fried my speaker. Found speaker to be open circuit with a meter, smelled burned and insulation on internal wiring is melted.
The authorized service center told me that the output transistors had failed and that the amp protection circuit didn't work to save the transistors because the main board had a crack in it which prevented protection from working. They said they repaired the traces and replaced the transistors. I expressed my concern about repairing the circuit board rather than replacing it but they assured me it would be fine. On getting the receiver home I decided to look under the hood at what they had done and on close inspection I found a crack in the same board through a hole occupied by a plastic spacer similar to the damage they had described. However, in another location, the main board was broken and a small piece of the board is missing and I found another cracked circuit board near the main power transformer.
I attempted to return the unit to the service center to have them correct the defects. They refused saying all they were authorized to do was electrically repair the unit. I called Onkyo USA support and last spoke to a Diane who identified herself as the warranty manager. She indicated the warranty doesn't cover cracked circuit boards. So, I tried Circuit City where I purchased the receiver. They said since there is no indication of physical damage to the exterior of the unit or the shipping carton indicative of shipping damage, they couldn't do anything about it.
I've filed a complaint with the BBB against Onkyo USA and I'm contemplating one against the repair shop. This is like having a repair shop fix your car and the car works fine except later you find they did the job with bailing wire instead of factory parts.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/26/2007 |
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Strengths: Great sound, HDMI 1.3 support for video and audio. Easy installation and setup
Weaknesses: No onscreen display for volume when the devices are connected with HDMI
Summary: This is a great system for the price. It was a breeze to install and set up thanks to automated set up using the microphone that came with the system. You can connect your components using the HDMI cable and connect the system to TV using the HDMI as well. It has support for both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. I would like it better if it had better Onscreen display. But it is not a deal breaker for me.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/01/2008 |
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Strengths: Music, Movies, DVD's sound great!! 2hdmi ports in and 1 out.
Weaknesses: it is a little confusing to set up.
Summary: This receiver eliminates the cables coming out of my TV down to just one HDMI cable and the power cord, which is great because i have a plasma TV mounted above the fireplace. I have a up-converting DVD player, a DVR, a Nintendo Wii, and VCR feeding into the receiver and 1 HDMI cable feeding all of this into the TV. It's great. I also have an ipod connected to the receiver. They all sound awesome. The antenna for the tuner is pretty weak and i constantly have to move it around to get some of the local radio stations but its rare i listen to the radio at home. I am still shopping for a subwoofer and 4 satellite speakers which i think will make this system kick @ss!!!
100% of People (1/1) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/21/2007 |
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Strengths: 7 x 90 watts @ 8 Ohms, Full A/V Processing via HDMI 1.3a with Upconversion (2 in 1 out), Faroudja DCDi, Audyssey 2EQ Room Acoustics Correction, TrueHD decode
Weaknesses: none--great receiver for the price
Summary: There is a secret menu available by holding down the AUX button and concurrently pushing power. It is a huge beast and generates some heat. Upconversion and upscaling information:
a. Analog transcoding
Takes native composite & S-video streams and transcodes through Component Video Out
b. Digital processing
Takes a native composite, S-video, component video and outputs to HDMI Out @ 720p
c. Deinterlacing & Up-Scaling
Takes a 480i & 480p native video stream and outputs to HDMI Out @ 720p
d. 720p, 1080i and 1080p capabilities
Takes a 720p or 1080i or 1080p native digital video stream and passes these through to HDMI Out
96% of People (24/25) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/04/2007 |
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Strengths: SIRIUS satellite radio capable, iPod integration, Audyssey 2EQ auto speaker setup, dual-room/dual-source audio, high-current amplifier design, 192kHz/24-bit DACs, 1080p-compatible HDMI switching, etc
Weaknesses: Learning remote leaves a bit to be desired.
Summary: This is an awesome receiver that delivers exceptional audio and video performance from today's newest generation of high-def components. The receiver's 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs let you hook up two high-def sources and switch easily between them. Analog-to-HDMI video conversion lets you pass the video signals from all your components to your TV via one HDMI connection. This simplifies hookup and maintains the best picture quality possible for every source in your system. For the most accurate home theater sound possible, the receiver includes Audyssey 2EQ, a sophisticated speaker calibration system from Audyssey Laboratories. This receiver's dual-room/dual-source audio capability lets you enjoy home theater in your main room while a housemate listens to stereo music in a 2nd room. Overall, this is one solid piece of hardware!
71% of People (5/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/10/2007 |
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 Above Average Receiver Strengths: Audyssey Speaker Setup; New HD Format Support; Price!; iPod integration (needs DS-A2/DS-A1 dock)
Weaknesses: Weak output; Boring design; No HD radio (supports Sirius/XM)
Summary: After my trusty Sony STR-DA333ES has served me faithfully for many years, I felt like it was time to upgrade my system. I had recently purchased a 42" Panasonic HDTV and a HD-DVD player, I wanted to enjoy the new features of high definition; however, the Sony receiver just doesn't cut it anymore. My eyes were originally set for the Denon line of receivers, but they were just too pricey. I came across the Onkyo line and began to compare features. At selling price of less than $400, the TX-SR605 cannot be beat. Setup was relatively easy with the onscreen display. However, do not expect a colorful display seen in the new Denon or top-end Sony receivers. It is simple and gets the job done. The included Audyssey speaker setup system easily configures the speaker. A microphone is connected to the receiver and test tones are emitted from all the speakers. The TX-SR605 then autocalibrate settings optimal for viewing area. Several drawback are evident. The blue ring around the volume knob that once was a staple in the Onkyo line of receiver is now unavailable except in higher models. Personally, I think the design of the TX-SR605 is rather mundane. Overall this Onkyo receiver is perfect if you are searching for an inexpensive equipment with features suitable for high definition without all the unnecessary frills/features.
50% of People (3/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/04/2007 |
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Strengths: HDMI switching, audyssey speaker setup
Weaknesses: audible HD switching
Summary: Great buy for the price. Note that you have to choose between HDMI passthrough or upconversion for HDMI switching to work. In other words, you have to connect your HD components via component cables (instead of HDMI) if you have a mix of HD and non-HD components.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/30/2007 |
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Strengths: Future Proof, Great Power, Great Price
Weaknesses: Bulky, No 7.1 PCM
Summary: This is a great receiver for a great price. This is my first home theater and the Onkyo 605 is above and beyond what I had expected to get. Highly recommended.
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| Date Reviewed: 09/12/2007 |
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Strengths: Internal output allows all device connections to output HDMI. (many others do not!!)
Weaknesses: No HD-Radio, volume is really soft under 50 (max 99).
Summary: 2008-03-19 09:58:37 --I believe this is the cheapest Onkyo that internally switches everything to HDMI. While a cool feature not a necessity. Component with an optical audio cable is a completely acceptable alternative. (The SR505 might be a better value minus the above.)
--Volume seems too soft when set below 55 (max 99). I'm using 6 Ohm speakers and normally set volume to 65 to 72 for movies. (I know they are supposed to be 8 Ohm.)
--I didn't see any improvement using a 480i DVD player upconverted with the receiver (from Comp to HDMI). By the way a new Sony 77H 1080i upconverting DVD player looked the same as well.
--The assignable HDMI and Component inputs are great!! The menu screens are friendly and very intuitive. The remote is a ugly but extremely functional...you won't need anything else while watching a movie.
--The auto speaker setup was perfect. In Star Wars IV, I could hear the rocks falling all around me. Awesome!
33% of People (1/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/30/2007 |
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Strengths: Great sound quality, great price
Weaknesses: Remote doesn\\\\\\\'t have a dedicated mute button (see comments), could use more inputs. Slow response with HDMI.
Summary: As to the mute button on the remote, it is the same button as the
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| Date Reviewed: 02/28/2008 |
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Strengths: Has Everything You Would Need
Weaknesses: None
Summary: It took me a couple months to finaly decide on this receiver, and I am very glad I did. This receiver is the best choice you could make for early 2008. It even has future proof components which will make it compatable with your entire HD world for years to come. Do not skimp any more than this for your receiver. You can spend more, but you'll have to spend over a thousand more to compare to this model.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/31/2008 |
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Strengths: Inputs/Outputs, good sound and video output, and good setup features.
Weaknesses: None as of now.
Summary: I think this is the best A/V Receiver i've seen since they stopped making the Audio receivers back in the 80's or when ever it was. I was little but I remember my dads stereo and I think that when you buy something like this, you buy it for the audio quality. It's nice that they put the audio and video together but you have to make the audio the main point of the product. Yes this receiver makes a good product for me because it has great sound. The video is like a bonus to me because I can use the HDMI ports as an advantage. The price is great for me because after you spend about $800 on the receiver, the speakers, and speaker cable you will have an amazing stereo/ surround sound system for a mid priced system. This goes great with a LCD TV, a PS3, and a Xbox360.
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