Do you have an Onkyo? Onkyo vs. Sony

[Red Pill 101]

Hello all,

I would like to hear anyone's opinion of an Onkyo receiver. I am also interested in hearing from anyone that used to have a Sony receiver, and replaced it with an Onkyo, or vice-versa.

Which one is better and why?

I am dancing between two receivers right now: the Onkyo TX-SR607, and the Sony STR-DN1000.

I've always been a long-time fan of Sony, but the newer Sony receivers do not have a channel B output. I have a second set of speakers that I run in a different room, and that's important to me. I could really use the B channel on the Onkyo, along with the two subwoofer outputs. I understand the GUI on an Onkyo is more basic than a Sony, but I can ignore that if they are truly good receivers.

Bottom line: I'm apprehensive about moving away from Sony to a different brand. I have read many posts on here where people love Onkyo products, and the aforementioned receiver offers everything I 'need.'

Finally, I love the Cinema Studio Ex B mode on Sony receivers. Can anyone tell me if Onkyo receivers offer something similar.

Any/all input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[lojack1976]

From a sound quality and power standpoint Onkyo is generally better than Sony. I've compared them side by side before and I just don't like Sony's lower end receivers. They tend to distort too much at higher volumes. The model you are considering would be a lot better than the ones I've looked at, but I personally wouldn't go with a non-ES Sony receiver. In my opinion you should check out Pioneer VSX919AHK or VSX1019AHK since they are in the same price range. These are very good receivers that I would take over either of the two you mention and I'm an Onkyo owner.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

but I personally wouldn't go with a non-ES Sony receiver. In my opinion you should check out Pioneer VSX919AHK or VSX1019AHK since they are in the same price range. These are very good receivers that I would take over either of the two you mention and I'm an Onkyo owner.

I agree with lojack, as I too am believing that a Pioneer is a better performer than an Onkyo, and I am also an Onkyo owner.....

[sarge1976]

Onkyo

[brett_day]

i have owned both. i was happy with my sony receiver. they make a quality product today, much better than the audio equipment they used to make. the sony 820 and 920 models are solid, great quality receivers.

I do however now own an onkyo, not because i disliked my sony, but because of a preference in overall sound of the unit. Picking a receiver is very much like picking speakers. you MUST go and audition them, because your ear will like the way certain things sound over others.

Any amount of people can come on here and say onkyo over sony or vice versa but at the end of the day only you can decide what you like to hear. Different receivers will sound different to your ear so please go and audition them if you can, then make your decision based off of your own sound preference

[ryandubbz]

ONKYO 706 Best receiver for the price. Got mine for $360

[MrRoy]

Originally Posted by brett_day

i have owned both. i was happy with my sony receiver. they make a quality product today, much better than the audio equipment they used to make. the sony 820 and 920 models are solid, great quality receivers.

I do however now own an onkyo, not because i disliked my sony, but because of a preference in overall sound of the unit. Picking a receiver is very much like picking speakers. you MUST go and audition them, because your ear will like the way certain things sound over others.

Any amount of people can come on here and say onkyo over sony or vice versa but at the end of the day only you can decide what you like to hear. Different receivers will sound different to your ear so please go and audition them if you can, then make your decision based off of your own sound preference

...and to play Devil's advocate, I used to have the 605 and now have the 920, and I like the Sony better than the Onkyo.

[webseeker2008]

Originally Posted by brett_day

i have owned both. i was happy with my sony receiver. they make a quality product today, much better than the audio equipment they used to make. the sony 820 and 920 models are solid, great quality receivers.

I do however now own an onkyo, not because i disliked my sony, but because of a preference in overall sound of the unit. Picking a receiver is very much like picking speakers. you MUST go and audition them, because your ear will like the way certain things sound over others.

Any amount of people can come on here and say onkyo over sony or vice versa but at the end of the day only you can decide what you like to hear. Different receivers will sound different to your ear so please go and audition them if you can, then make your decision based off of your own sound preference

This is SO true!!!I love my ONKYO!!!!

[petenad]

Originally Posted by brett_day

i have owned both. i was happy with my sony receiver. they make a quality product today, much better than the audio equipment they used to make. the sony 820 and 920 models are solid, great quality receivers.

I do however now own an onkyo, not because i disliked my sony, but because of a preference in overall sound of the unit. Picking a receiver is very much like picking speakers. you MUST go and audition them, because your ear will like the way certain things sound over others.

Any amount of people can come on here and say onkyo over sony or vice versa but at the end of the day only you can decide what you like to hear. Different receivers will sound different to your ear so please go and audition them if you can, then make your decision based off of your own sound preference

This is great advice ...........if you can head out the door and give a listen to both if you can. I've had Sony /Pioneer/ and now Onkyo(905) however it was great fun listening to what the others had to offer. I don't think Sony has a chance in the upper end receivers but maybe the lower costs ones are where they stand out. Happy hunting.

[Strannix136]

Originally Posted by sarge1976

Onkyo

Pioneer

[master_8ball]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

From a sound quality and power standpoint Onkyo is generally better than Sony. I've compared them side by side before and I just don't like Sony's lower end receivers. They tend to distort too much at higher volumes. The model you are considering would be a lot better than the ones I've looked at, but I personally wouldn't go with a non-ES Sony receiver. In my opinion you should check out Pioneer VSX919AHK or VSX1019AHK since they are in the same price range. These are very good receivers that I would take over either of the two you mention and I'm an Onkyo owner.

I have this Pioneer which I bought on Boxing Day, I would suggest it to anyone. For the price you can get it at, the features it has, the sound and the power it drives I couldn't pass it up. I looked at Onkyo as they are praised pretty high on this forum but liked this Pioneer much better, I have always stayed away from Sony AV equipment with the exception of the Playstation systems.

[AcePunK]

I've only owned Onkyo but be very happy with them. SO ONKYO

[Scooby Blu]

I switched to the Integra 9.9! One bad machine!

[DiverSpear]

I own nothing but Sony gear. I would would go Onkyo for the price range you are shopping in. All my gear is Sony ES, if you can't go ES go Onkyo.

[SlaughterX]

I have both an Onkyo TX-SR605 and a Sony STR-DG720. Obviously the Onkyo is a higher end model, so it has more features such as DD True HD and DTS-HD decoding, analog upconversion, and s-video inputs. I like them both, but I prefer the Onkyo, even though it has one less HDMI input, and I would definately buy another in the future.

[mtbkr]

i picked up an onkyo 876 and have been absolutly blown away with its audio clarity and the isf has greatly improved my picture quality. the thing that really pissed me off though is that now i have to upgrade all my other stuff just to match the power of the onkyo

[EidolonAlpha]

save up some more money and buy a Marantz, Rotel, or Integra receiver.

[nezff]

sony makes great cameras, camcorders, tvs etc..
but i would go with onkyo for a receiver

[blu_world]

Onkyo's are quite nice,If Heat tends to be a problem (what it shouldn't be if you own a plasma,those heat up the room!)..


the Onkyo will add to the heat,my 706 gets crazy hot that i had to buy a fan for it just to keep it cool to touch,plus Heat is never a good thing for electronics.



But the sound is crisp to me for how high the volume goe's without skipping a beat on you...all remains clear.

[got rice]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

Klipsch speakers are considered bright. You could take a Yamaha(a fairly neutral receiver) and connect it to some Energy speakers and get a warmer sound vs. connecting the receiver to Klipsch speakers. Take those same Klipsch speakers and connect them to a Pioneer and they may sound even brighter than they did with the Yamaha, but if you used the same speakers with a Harman Kardon they will sound warmer and much less "harsh" as some would say about Klipsch. Of course some people hate bright speakers and some prefer them.

My JBL/Harman speakers are just a tad bright, but not to the extent of Klipsch. The warmer Harman receiver made them sound very different than they did with the Onkyo. Onkyo being slightly warm seems to be a great match for my Energy speakers. It is my thinking that in general certain speakers will match up better with certain receivers which is why I always say receivers should be compared using the speakers that you have or will buy to get the best assessment. I happen to like Klipsch and I would've gone with them if I hadn't come across the great deal I got on my Harman speakers at the time.

Haha.. I feel like I'm ordering dinner at a steak house. I'd like my reciever slightly warm, and my speakers warm with a hint of brightness.

All kidding aside, Lojack thanks for the clarification. I wanted to be on the same page and not have any disrepancies between warm vs. bright.

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

Don't forget that your Pioneer Elite SC-07 does have quite a bit of sound-shaping capability in the form of individual 9-band EQs for each individual channel. As you know, I have the SC-05, which utilizes the exact same EQ as the SC-07. I love it!

If you like to tweak, then adjusting it can be right up your alley. It's a bit detailed to work with, but well worth the time. Gradual changes (+/- 2dB adjustments per band) are better than larger adjustments, allowing you to approach and eventually achieve the sound you want. Use several audio sources as well.

Rob your comments and opinions are held with the highest regard. Always helpful, courteous and to the point. I'm still learning the nuances of the SC-07. I just recently ran the Manual MCCAC test for the EQ PRO and EQ 9 Channel adjust. Bumped up the bass a few dB's and lowered the highs a tad and I was on my way. I keep the Expert Mode saved and adjust accordingly depending on the movie or music I'm listening to. The biggest problem I'm having is navigating thorugh the menus to find what i'm looking for. It gets cumbersome at times. Thanks for your input.