Home > Consumer Reviews > Onkyo TX-8222 50 Watt Stereo Receiver

I had a 30-year-old, top-of-line Marantz that gave up the ghost altogether after the internal lights started fading. Much as I liked it, the cost of repair was considerably higher than this Onkyo (the internet lists plenty of repair places to send units like the Marantz to), and I no longer use my stereo nearly as much as I used to (I wonder how often the surround-sound, 5-speaker audiophiles actually remain seated in their sonic cocoons).

Anyone with experience with audio knows that manufacturer wattage claims are variable, often essentially meaningless, even when listed as RMS, and that 50 watts is more than adequate for all but the most low-efficiency speakers (Acoustic Research, Bose). So I decided to forego the extra pound and a half and save a few bucks, because the features are practically identical with the 100 watt Onkyo. The latter has a few additional frills (brightness dimmer, effects bypass, FM character naming) along with provisions on back for a studio geek to plug in 3 addition pieces of equipment.

Both Onkyos have a convenient volume knob, but I miss the other knobs and the gyroscope tuning, which was more accurate than digital tuning. Also, the Marantz had a third, mid-range tone control (useful for bringing out vocals), both a loudness and a volume control, and numerous filters that were useful for "smoothing-out" the sound of some old LP records. The handiest feature of the Marantz was two additional phone plug inputs on the front of the machine, intended for plugging in tape recorders for dubbing or musical instruments for recording and monitoring. Most of us don't place units such as this in cabinets where it's convenient or even practical to plug and unplug other equipment to the rear of the machine on a continual basis. And as is the case with most Japanese manufacturers, including Sony, the machine is not actually assembled in Japan (try Malaysia).

The biggest annoyance of both this receiver and the more powerful one is an ill-conceived switch that doubles as both an input and a tape monitor switch. You must avoid even touching the switch (more difficult than it sounds) or you'll activate the monitor function and mute all devices connected to the receiver. (I even placed temporary masking tape over the switch to "quarantine" it from my fingers.) Nevertheless, the 8222 is a fine performer and a top brand (I don't recall ever seeing Onkyo producing cheap, low-end product and catering to the masses, as is frequently the case with Sony and Panasonic). But I'm hanging on to the Marantz in case I decide to get cash-careless and go all-out retro.

I bought this receiver as a replacement for a 25-year-old Technics that served as a slave to an Aiwa bookshelf unit and was driving four speakers. When I put that oddball system together, it took me about ten minutes to dial in a great sound, using a combination of the Aiwa's internal EQ, the Technics "loudness" button, and some unorthodox bass and treble control settings. Basically, my speakers and ears need a deep, warm bass and a natural treble.

When I substituted the Onkyo, I was quite disappointed. I quickly realized the preamp tone circuits of this unit don't cut it. Even after I bought a used ten-band equalizer to compensate, it took me a long time to get a sound close to what the ancient Technics delivered.

Unless you have components and speakers that are perfectly matched to the tone of this receiver, you may find yourself shopping for an equalizer. The bass control has a center peak of 100HZ and the treble is centered on 10KHZ. These are pretty standard settings, but they're not that useful. A good old fashioned "loudness" button to punch up a deeper bottom and a crisper top would have been a welcome addition. If an early '80s Technics of similar ratings had it, why not this modern receiver?

Two star deduction for tone.

I already have an Onkyo receiver as my home theater receiver and have been immensely satisfied with it. I decided to go with Onkyo again when setting up speakers above my kitchen cabinets for CD and radio listening when I am in the kitchen cooking or washing dishes, etc. The TX-8222 has proven to be a worthy purchase. The speaker wire posts are screw-on binding posts, not spring clips as in cheaper models by other manufacturers. Definitely makes it easier to connect wire to the back. The 50 watts are more than powerful enough to power a pair of Sony 3-way bookshelf speakers. FM radio reception is pretty good, and the unit remembers your station presets even if the power cord is unplugged from the outlet. My two complaints about the receiver are minor - there is no numerical volume indicator on the display when you raise or lower the volume, which would have been nice, and the volume dial on the receiver moves rather pointlessly when adjusting the volume by remote. For the price though, this model can't be beat if you're looking for a stereo receiver.

I recently assembled my first stereo component system (having had mostly single piece stereos for the last 35 years). I thought I might find "suggested systems" on the web, however, I ended up researching and price comparing for a month or so before my system was completed. Here is what I bought and some comments:
1. The receiver is an Onkyo TX8222 with a "tape monitor function" which you need to be able to use an Equalizer plus to hear what you are recording. Although it has just 50 watts per channel, I have never had the volume over a third of the way up. The components below are all connected to it. From my research, Onkyo has a very good reputation.
2. I already have an 8 year old Pioneer CD File type player which holds 101 CDs. It still works great. If it ever goes, I will probably get another with a larger capacity.
3. A Teac W-600R Dual Full-Logic Cassette Combo. It has two tape decks, is reasonably priced and works fine.
4. A Panasonic Technics SLBD20D Turntable. I found good reviews and this is a simple but solid turntable.
5. SONY SS-MB350H Bookshelf Speakers (These are a Consumer Reports "Best Buy"). These speakers really are too big for a bookshelf and deliver very nice sound. I have them connected to the "A" speaker output of the receiver.
6. SONY SA-WM250 100-Watt Active Subwoofer. I like bass and the addition of this subwoofer connected to the "B" speaker output of the receiver really enhances the sound.
7. A Technical Pro EQ-5150 graphic equalizer. This is a nice unit and lets you fine tune your music. By connecting it through the tape monitoring loop, you can select any input source to your receiver and adjust the sound. This equalizer has 4 inputs labeled DVD, TAPE, TUNER, and AUX. There are two output connections. An equalizer really tops off a system.

You also need something to hold all these components. You may want to look at an OSullivan Black TV VCR Stand - 20222. It has glass doors, three drawers, and adjustable shelves. I put my turntable on top and the other components inside. Try to buy it locally since shipping is otherwise prohibitive. I put caster wheels on it for mobility since it is quite heavy. I also cut a thin plywood backing with larger access holes for the back with access covers that attach with Velcro. I painted the plywood black. The wheels and larger access holes are a real life-saver as you connect all your components.
For phonograph record storage I bought a Sauder TV/VCR Cart, Black 401082. I had to drill some higher shelf pin holes to accommodate the records. I also cut a plywood back which I painted black (much better than the black cardboard that comes with it) This unit has wheels and is a cheap way to store records.

In summary, the above items have really made for a nice system and all the components work well together. The sound is incredible especially compared to the aged single piece system I previously had. My wife noticed the difference right away. I bought several of the components at Amazon and some at other sites when the price was better. The furniture I bought locally.

I bought this unit from Amazon's Warehouse Deals for $94.85. It was brand new and had apparently been returned to Amazon from another customer because the shipping carton was damaged. (Warehouse Deals often has some incredible deals.)

I wanted this unit to replace a 40 watt per channel Sony receiver/amplifier, model ST D390 that is kept in the bedroom. The Onkyo is 50 watts per channel but gives out a significantly superior quality sound than the Sony.

With Sony SS-B3000 speakers (which I also got from Amazon's Warehouse Deals, brand new for $59 and change, reduced only because the shipping carton was damaged) and an Onkyo DX-C390 6-CD carousel player (also from Warehouse Deals), the 12 X 16 bedroom is filled with crystal clear sound and good bass. (16 gauge speaker wire for the speakers, and the Onkyo receiver/amplifier and Onkyo CD player connect so that the remote for the TX-8222 can operate both -- and both have displays which can be dimmed, a must for a bedroom.)

I can't say for sure if it's the speakers or the TX-8222 or what, but I am now hearing highs and details on classical CDs that I never heard before on two different stereo systems in the house (one of which has a $400 pair of JBL bookshelf speakers and a Harmon Kardon HK3370 receiver/amp). Until I heard these details -- a singer's breath, the tinkling of bells, high notes on flutes, etc. -- I honestly thought I was just losing a certain range of my hearing (which I probably am as I'm in my mid-fifties, but apparently it's not as bad as I thought).

I considered buying the Onkyo TX-8522 receiver/amplifier, which is rated at 100 watts per channel. Amazon Warehouse Deals has/had a few reduced to around $180, but when I saw that they had a TX-8222 for $85 less and with less bells and whistles -- which I don't need or want (the more bells and whistles the more that can go wrong) -- I couldn't resist. I don't need a lot of volume on the bedroom stereo, and 50 watts per channel is more than adequate.

A very nice unit that took me about 15 minutes to connect and get powered up. (The FM reception is very good but I'm in a rural area and only listen to one station -- an FM college radio station -- so I can't say that I've really tested the reception.) I'm very pleased with my purchase, very very pleased.