Customer Reviews

Onkyo TX-SR702 - AV receiver - 7.1 channel

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

 

 

This is my first serious A/V receiver. I own a Bose Lifestyle 12 (Series 1) since 97 and then upgraded to Lifestyle 12 Series 2 two and half years ago by paying a $500 upgrade fee in order to hook up with HDTV and Dolby 5.1. I didn't do enough research at that time. Now, I really regret that upgrade.

This time, I did a rather careful research since the summer and finally decided to buy this one before the holidays. I was very very impressed with the range of functionalities this A/V receiver provide. To name a few, the following are the features that are very impressive.
1. A very complete collection of decoders (such as) Dolby 5.1 ETX and a very thorought collection of "presentation mode" of differnet kind of music formats. The user's manual (downloadable from Onkyo's website) has some good explanations and a detailed table of these functions. It is fun to use these and try all the options. Awesome!
2. The A/V input/output are probably the most comprehensive among all the models that I have considered. In particular, this SR702 is probably the only one (among the models that I hace considered of course) that has a digital coaxial output.
3. The automatic speaker setup is easy and actually pretty accurate. I did very minimal adjustment just to prove that I am better LOL.
4. The user interfance of the control, on screen display (big screen) are very clear and intuitive and fun to watch. It feels like high tech.
5. The sound is great. It has a very fine equalizer that you can use to boost some particular frequency response range according to your own listening habit.
6. Engineering is great. The hardware looks solid and sturdy.

I absolutely love this receiver!! Has amazing sound and everything that I need for a reasonable price. With 7 digital audio inputs and 2 digital outputs, you shouldn't have to worry about having enough hookup spots like on many cheaper receivers or those from a year or two ago. ALso has 3 compnent inputs and 1 output for your DVD or HDTV hookup. A great feature is the video upconversion. This allows you to plug in a yellow video cord from your VCR (or anything else), and upconvert the signal into a compnent output for better quality. It isn't as good as if it were a direct compnent output but it looks better than a standard yellow video cable would. The THX certification shows that the sound quality is fantastic. I would definately recommend this receiver. The only thing that I don't like is that it takes a few seconds to play sound from a DVD when you first switch to DVD mode, other than that this is close to a perfect unit!!

About 150 years ago, I use to be quite proficient with gadgets and new technology. Sadly, my brain hasn't kept up with today's leapfrogging pace. My personal requirements haven't made that necessary. So, it was with great delight that after doing some Internet research and comparisons, I settled on this unit. It was very easy to set up and if you happen to get confused, the Onkyo Web site has hookup diagrams. It's really a piece of cake. It's powering my:

1. TV monitor sound
2. Dual cassette deck
3. VCR
4. DVD player
5. Laser Disc/Karaoke deck
6. CD Recorder/player

all from the Onkyo remote.

I set the unit on a sofa and following the easy-to-read manual, carefully and meticulously attached and labeled all of my cords directly to the back. Once done, I put the unit on my shelf (the back is enclosed so the prep was necessary in my case). I then ran the labeled cords to their proper inputs/outputs on the respective decks and I was in business.

The sound is great. I got a great deal on this at another location (18 months/same as cash and $80 cheaper) but would have paid the price quoted here. I've got four speakers hooked up to it and will probably soon invest in a subwoofer. There are options for several listening modes so you don't have to listen to CDs in surround sound! I couldn't be happier. Now my brain can go back to concentrating on simpler things such as listening.

I just bought this receiver used off of Craigslist for a very good price. It replaced my Denon 2802, which I've been somewhat unhappy with for the past 4 years due to distortion at high volumes. This Onkyo TX-SR702 blows the doors off my old Denon. Louder, with clean power all the way to the top. My speakers hit their excursion limits before I heard any audible distortion (I guess I need new, higher wattage speakers now). It is such an improvement that even my wife noticed.

I haven't used the included remote, as I use a Logitech Harmony instead. The speaker outputs are very close together, so I got (and recommend) banana plugs, to avoid frustration. The only thing I wish the receiver had was 7.1-channel preamp inputs instead of just 5.1, so I can use my sound card's analog outputs. I've figured out a workaround using the Zone 2 input/outputs, but it still seems like a kluge. HDMI switching is taken care of by my TV with the Harmony remote, so that feature is unnecessary. I use the receiver for my HTPC and Xbox 360.

Overall I'm very impressed with the receiver.

This was the heart of my audio-video system for two or three years and I was very happy with it when it was working. Unfortunately one day it simply stopped outputting sound. No power surge, no abuse, didn't even touch it -- it just failed. It still powers on, but won't give me any sound. Not even with headphones.

From a bit of web searching it looks like this is a common problem. I don't know about all of Onkyo but this receiver model is certainly not reliable. Not recommended.