Onkyo Upgrades Features on the New TX-SR606 Receiver

**Sonnie** · **05-05-08, 09:34 PM**

Onkyo has upgraded the features set of its most popular HDMI-1.3a-capable home theater receiver by adding 1080i video upscaling, two additional HDMI inputs to handle a total of four HDMI sources, Audyssey's new Dynamic EQ loudness compensation technology, and Onkyo's new Music Optimizer circuit. The new Onkyo TX-SR606 replaces the company's best selling TX-SR605.

The Onkyo TX-SR606 provides HDMI 1.3a inputs for up to four high-definition 1080p video sources, plus high definition surround sound processing all over a single HDMI connection. This version of HDMI has greater bandwidth for higher resolution, higher frame rates, and 36-Bit Deep Color. Onkyo's HDMI video upscaling technology converts standard definition signals to 1080i, and Faroudja DCDi Edge (Directional Correlational Deinterlacing) technology effectively eliminates video artifacts.

This receiver also has a powerful 90 watt-per-channel amplifier section, Remote Interactive control over HDMI (RIHD), Audyssey 2EQ automatic room correction, is Sirius Satellite Radio ready, and offers a full range of advance surround sound codecs, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio to provide lossless bit-by-bit audio identical to the master recordings.

"The TX-SR605 was the industry's first home theater receiver with HDMI 1.3a repeaters and a price tag in the $500 range," said Paul Wasek, Onkyo USA's marketing manager. "The marketplace welcomed it as an unbeatable value, and the new TX-SR606 builds on its success with two more HDMI inputs, and great new features such as 1080i video upscaling and Audyssey's new Dynamic EQ, which provides a greatly improved home theater surround sound experience at more normal moderate listening levels. It also has Onkyo's exclusive Music Optimizer for a solid improvement in the dynamics of the music when headphone-oriented sources like iPods are played over loudspeakers."

The Audyssey 2EQ automatic calibration employs an included calibration microphone to analyze the system's acoustical output at three unique positions in the listening area. The receiver sends test signals to each speaker in turn, then uses the inputs from the microphone to adjust channel level and time delay settings for each speaker. By taking readings in three different positions in the theater room, the receiver can be calibrated to the speakers and environment, delivering optimal response throughout the room rather than just at the 'sweet spot' directly in front of the screen.

This receiver is among the first products to employ Audyssey's Dynamic EQ algorithm, which adds moment-by-moment refinement to the receiver's frequency response and surround levels in order to compensate for volume-dependent deteriorations in the listening experience, particularly at low volume levels. When used in combination with the Audyssey 2EQ system, this feature tailors the receiver's output to correct for room acoustics, listening position, and playback-level distortions, delivering an overall experience that is a much closer match to what the audio production engineers originally intended.

The TX-SR606 also includes the company's new Music Optimizer software, which improves the quality of MP3 and AAC encoded audio source material. While these compressed audio formats sound quite acceptable over small headphones or PC speaker systems, when reproduced on a full-scale home theater system the loss of high-frequency information becomes much more apparent. The Music Optimizer employs sophisticated equalization and optimization algorithms to overcome these faults, and enhances the reproduction quality of digitally compressed music.

For sharp and accurate audio reproduction, the TX-SR606 employs 32-bit DSP processing and 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters on all channels. Each includes 7.1-channel surround processing for Dolby Digital EX, Dolby ProLogic IIx, DTS-ES, DTS-96/24, and DTS Neo:6. The receivers also include a user-selectable eight-setting subwoofer crossover adjustment for ideal integration of any subwoofer/satellite speaker system.

The TX-SR606 also features Onkyo's Powered Zone 2 capability, which can be used to power stereo speakers in a second room while listening to 5.1-channel sound in the main zone thanks to a dedicated set of zone 2 L/R speaker terminals. The receiver is capable of processing separate multichannel and stereo sources simultaneously for the main and second zone, or processing a single source for both. There is also a zone 2 pre-out that can be used in conjunction with a dedicated zone amplifier or receiver. For those with main stereo LR loudspeakers that can be bi-amped, the back surround channels can also be reconfigured for this much more powerful operating mode.

The Onkyo TX-SR606's RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) capability allows it to seamlessly integrate with other leading brand-name devices, including all Toshiba CE-Link equipment and selected Panasonic VIERA Link, Sharp, and Samsung products. The receiver is also compatible with Onkyo's RI (Remote Interactive) iPod dock/charger models.

The Onkyo TX-SR606 will be available in black or silver finish in April, and it will have a suggested retail price of $579.

Available now at the Shack Electronics Store!

Source: AVRev News

**bobgpsr** · **05-05-08, 10:02 PM**

Big question is can it be forced to apply DD PLIIx to a 5.1 digital S/PDIF or HDMI input to drive the back surrounds of a 7.1 speaker setup. The previous model 605 could not whereas the higher-end model 805 could.

**MatrixDweller** · **05-06-08, 05:12 PM**

It will be interesting to see what changes they will make to the models above this one. Especially the ever popular TX-SR805. A TX-SR806 with 6 HDMI inputs, better cooling, fixed audio delay issues, network support plus all the changes the 606 has would be welcomed very warmly. Network support might be pushing it, but might be realistic on the TX-SR876.

**Sonnie** · **05-07-08, 11:13 AM**

I'm interested in what improvements will be in the 906 myself. I have really enjoyed our 805 in our great room.

**ShnuggMac** · **05-08-08, 11:49 PM**

I recently saw this receiver myself in the new Crutchfield and couldn't believe just how "quick" the 605 had been updated; I have a 605 running my theater now and didn't really think this class was due for an upgrade -- aside from extra HDMI ports -- so soon from Onkyo; their 600 was also a best seller, which I owned before this 605, so this class from this receiver brand just gets better and better....:raped:

**08-01-08, 06:30 PM**

For those REALLY serious about an ONKYO, check out the TX-SR705. Amazon has them for $512.00. I got one last week and it rocks.

**Sonnie** · **08-01-08, 08:34 PM**

They've gone up a tad... Onkyo 705

The 805 is only $675... a good upgrade from the 705.

**Darius2010** · **12-29-08, 05:01 PM**

Looks good. I have a 604 and its just "okay". I like the EQ and DSP of the Sony ES line. Anyone know an Onkyo receiver with a nice EQ?

-2010

**tonyvdb** · **12-31-08, 10:14 PM**

The new Onkyos along with Denons use what is called Audyssey MultEQ and the Yamaha uses YAPO both are regarded to be very good and work better then any EQ equiped older receivers.

**MatrixDweller** · **01-01-09, 01:49 AM**

Right you are Tony. The thing that makes YAPO and Audyssey better than a parametric EQ is that they compensate for not only frequency but also the time domain and set delays. They compensate for room acoustics across many seating positions and do what would normally take hours with a SPL meter in a matter of minutes.

The Onkyo's and Denon's also have the option to manually set the EQ also and give a few parametric bands to play with per speaker. You miss out on a lot of the features of Audyssey MultEQ if you choose that route though.

http://www.audyssey.com/technology/index.html

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