Customer Reviews

Onkyo TX-NR905S 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Silver)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After a lot of research, I purchased the 905 last year. Onkyo had some production issues (strong demand) and so I waited MONTHS before one became available. On paper, the specs look very good.

Ultimately, Onkyo bought-back my receiver from me because of several design flaws that firmware updates could not fix. For example, the DSPs are poorly designed such that there is a delay of 2-3 seconds when locking onto and audio stream. So every time I fast-forward through a commercial, the video plays for 2-3 seconds with no audio. Changing audio streams on Blu-Ray movies had the same delay.

In addition, there is a significant audio delay that causes a mis-sync between audio and video. Again, Onkyo says a firmware update cannot fix the problem. I bypassed the Reon video processor to help with the problem, but then you lose the built-in scaling feature.

Only service centers are permitted to do firmware updates. In my case, there was a 2-3 week backlog. Thankfully, one update leaked to the internet and I was able to do it myself. However, Onkyo found out about the leak and was not happy.

Onkyo also makes no mention of any firmware updates on their web site. So unless a consumer calls in regarding a problem, they will never know an update is out there. They should clearly state on their product support web site an update is available and to call their service center for more information.

If they can fix these and other defects in the 906 model (due mid 2008), then it would be a winner. But the 905 has so many issues that I switched receivers and now own a Denon. For more insight to the problems, check out the avsforum site where there is a large discussion on this model.

The primary reasons for me choosing the TX-NR905s were:
1. 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs and 2 HDMI 1.3a outputs
2. video upconversion to 1080p
3. usb port
4. internet radio and hi-def radio built in
5. ethernet port
6. THX certification

It's been great for me on all these points. I haven't noticed the time delay the others talk about. So far, the sound has been amazing perfect and right on queue with my video equipment.

I haven't needed the firmware updates, but then, I JUST got it 2 weeks ago, so maybe the firmware updates are already in there. I think one of the reviewers said he got his a year ago.

I only have a few, very minor, complaints:
1. The first one I bought had a short in the front right speaker jack, so I had to return it. Luckily, I bought it from J&R, so this was amazingly no-hassle, even with shipping. J&R paid for shipping (both ways) and had UPS come to my house to pick it up!
2. Switching between the 2 hdmi outputs requires walking up to the receiver and pushing a button - there's no button on the remote. This wouldn't be such a big deal (normally I'd only need 1 hdmi output), except that one of the hdmi outputs is used for upscaling and the other is not. So, I want my blu-ray, my Tivo, my cable-box, and my upconverting DVD player to go through the first output (no upconversion), and I want my vcr to go through the second output to upconvert. If I switch from watching TiVo or a DVD to watching a videotape, I have to walk up to the receiver and press a button, and I can't program that button into my Harmony Universal Remote.
3. It weighs almost 70 lbs! So, if I do need to bring the receiver in to an Onkyo service dealer for say, a firmware upgrade, it's a major undertaking, being that it weighs almost as much as I do.
4. I wish there were 2 usb ports - one in front, one in back, so I could keep my hard drive connected all the time without it looking bad, and so I could add, say, my ipod on an ad-hoc basis from the front.
5. I wish it had wifi.

Otherwise, though, I found the setup to be super easy (and remember, I had to do this twice since I returned one), the sound is great, the HDMI inputs work like a dream, the speaker jacks are easy to deal with, even without banana plugs, and it looks really cool.

I actually highly recommend this receiver if you have the same reasons for buying it that I did.

A couple of years ago I bought a Denon 3805 for $1,000 - it was perfect for my needs at the time, but it didn't have HDMI.

A couple of months ago I replaced my wonderful Denon with the Onkyo 905 - for $2,000. I didn't take this purchase lightly - after much research, I decided that the dual output, HDMI 1.3a, Reon HQV, and better DACs than my Denon would be just what I needed. On paper, the Onkyo was head and shoulders above everything else (in the price range) on the market.

It isn't that great. The menu system is pathetic. The dual output is 1 at a time and requires navigation through the menu system to change. The sound isn't better than the Denon it replaced. The Reon HQV is just ok - not spectacular. It gets VERY hot. HDMI handshakes and other A/V to and fro takes too dang long to lock - 3 seconds is an eternity for a $2k high-tech receiver. The USB port is on the front under the drop down panel making permanent connections unattractive at best. The remote isn't bad, but you have to switch modes to control the receiver's secondary functions - even though the buttons aren't doing double duty. The A/V sync is always wrong - you fix it, and then it gets out of whack again.

But...

My biggest complaint is the firmware updates... This thing is hooked up to internet radio, but it can't download a @#$@$ firmware update?!?!?! Who is the "genius" that decided that only authorised service centers could handle this task? Give me a freaking break - the receiver should register itself automatically and notify the user of new firmware - with a message for what the update does - every time a new firmware update is released. As of right now, there is no official notice of firmware updates - you have to find out through people who've "leaked" this information. Weak... Super weak.

So, I went from a $1k Denon with 1 little shortcoming to a $2k Onkyo with a host of problems... Now, I'm waiting for the next generation of Denon receivers to come out.

See my review regarding the onkyo 875. I went ahead with the 905 in February and have been very pleased. Updating the unit has been a pain but with a little know how isn't hard. It is worth the money especially at the price offered now. Good luck finding anything much better.

I purchased this on advance order so was one of the "beta testers." If it wasn't for the firmware updates which were obtained through an audio video forum, I would be very unhappy with this purchase due to several serious problems with this unit and others produced in 2007. There have been 3 firmware updates since the release last fall which addressed most of the problems including audio lock on problems. No information about them is posted on the Onkyo website. Customer support is worthless. The unit can only be updated using the serial port. The last remaining problem is a color space issue when using the Reon. Onkyo continues to fail to address this issue so many of us who belong to the forum do not even use the Reon. Since Onkyo hasn't been forthcoming about updates and they have now released their new product line, it is not likely there will be any more firmware updates. People purchasing the new product line have not yet confirmed on the audio video forum whether the new line has the same issue. Hopefully they don't or they will be in the same boat the rest of us who bought the 2007 line are in. I will never buy another Onkyo product again. It's unfortunate rather than make their product better for their existing customers they continue to choose to ignore us. If it wasn't for the firmware updates obtained throught the forum I would have given the unit 2 stars. Poor customer support and the last remaining issue give it a 3.

It lives up to all its billing. Hookup and setup were very easy, audio and video are perfect, and my powered zone 2, which I use for whole-house audio, greatly improved the sound compared to my old Sony A/V receiver.

The Onkyo TX-NR905 is the best receiver that I have ever owned. I replaced my previous Onkyo receiver which was a TX-DS989 and at the time was a excellent receiver. The setup could not have been simpler. I loved the on screen menu which was very intuitive, I did not have to open the manual. The most incredible feature is the Audessy speaker setup. I plugged in the included microphone and immediately the setup screen popped up and told me where to place the microphone and after about 20 min of it sending sounds though the speakers it knew exactly the distance of all my speakers I was really impressed with that function it made setup a whole lot easier, plus the sound that comes from it now is INCREDIBLE!!! and it is because of this new feature it is more accurate than I or anyone could be with speaker configuration. The video up conversion has made my HD picture even more crisp, I am very impressed with that as well. There a ton of other features that makes this so worth the money for example the ipod connection, HD radio, The built in ethernet allows you to access the built in web server so you can use your computers browser (Safari, Mozilla or Internet Exploder) and enter internet radio stations. Lets see....Sirius and XM features, etc... I highly recommend this receiver.
I also highly recommend the Panamax M4300-PM for your power supply filtration needs. I like that it displays the voltage on the front and has nice LED lights that shine down on the receiver to give it a really nice ambience.
Just a FYI Onkyo only will honor its warranty if you buy from a authorized dealer.

I bought this to replace an older version (onkyo tx-ds494) of a 5.1 system. and I have to say that the sound quality was not all that much better. If you are looking for bells and whistles that's fine but if you just want great sound.....stick with a model with a smaller price tag....onkyo makes a great sound no matter what model you choose. p.s. I sent this one back and re-connected my old one!

I have been using, and living with, this great receiver for about a year... It exceeds my expectations in every category except,"Ease of Use". The reason? It's has EVERYTHING on it, and to familiarize yourself with it is a chore, but, once you do... Watch Out... The delay problem others talk about here is just a sync adjustment away from being solved. The procedure is explained very well in the manual...

Anyway, way too much for me to get into here. Suffice it to say; "This is the best receiver for the money, on the market today. I hope all who have had trouble with it to give the manual a through reading... The dividends that will pay are worth it... I promise.

G-man in San Diego

Bought this a year ago from Amazon, for my home theater. Very satisfied with the audio quality.