Home > Consumer Reviews > Onkyo TX-SR705 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black)

I bought this receiver because the new technology was there, the price was right, and the reputation of the brand was solid. I did however read the warnings quite a few people were writing about this receiver: there is an audio delay with this receiver when used with different sources such as cable boxes and disc players. I decided to go ahead and get it anyway and hope that I wouldn't be one of those who experienced this. Unfortunately however, I did, and this problem is something I just couldn't live with. With any dialogue that should match up with lips moving on screen, the delay was just barely discernible - but in the world of audio and video, barely discernible tends to mean very distracting. I loved everything else about the receiver - the audio quality is top notch, music is rendered beautifully, and the features cannot be argued with. If you have just read this, let me tell you that although you will most definitely enjoy this receiver's positives, the lip-sync audio delay will be all you see, hear, and think about. Sorry if I just ruined your experience with this one, but I would recommend against it. I replaced this one with another brand and I'm very pleased that the audio matches up with the video 100%. Just not something one should have to deal with when spending this kind of money.

- I had this receiver for more then 2 weeks now. I am using it with my Boss 5.1 speakers. I tried TX-SR605 for 2 weeks before moving up to TX-SR705. I found the power of TX-SR605 was little less (could be I did not setup correctly or something) after switching to this I am very happy with its performance.

- I consider myself reasonably good at setting up this this kind electronic components but it was even difficult for me to understand it the setup. It took me close to 4 hrs to get it right.

- Universal Remote which comes with receiver is also pretty good I easily got it working with my Samsung HDTV, Motorolla Cable Box and Samsung DVD/VHS combo.

This receiver sounds amazing, hands down. I have a 5.1 setup with new Yamaha 225 series speakers and a 315 subwoofer, and the sound is beautiful. The video on the other hand is fine, but I am experiencing audio sync problems.

I haven't upgraded my television or movie player. I have an analog tv set, with composite in only, and a dvd player outputting s, and analog audio. The audio trails the video occasionally, and the unit can only delay audio by 40ms, in 5ms increments, it cannot make the audio go past '0ms'. If I could go to +40ms, it might fix things, but so far, no go. Despite only outputting analog stereo sound, it reproduces or simulates surround sound wonderfully. There are definitely things I'm hearing in films that I haven't heard before.

Granted, I plan on soon upgrading my tv to a Samsung LCD, sending the signal via HDMI 1.3 through an upconverting DVD player, or Blu-Ray player, I am concerned that the receiver cannot function properly on the lowest possible video and audio connection.

The audio sync problem doesn't happen on every movie either. Which is even more odd. I have yet to contact Onkyo as reading the other reviews for the set don't get me excited about talking to their customer service department.

Other than the intermittent audio sync problems, which really is a big problem, everything else is great. Heat is not as much as some others have stated. There is no fan noise of any sort, in fact, I don't believe it even has a fan. The volume knob glows blue, but not too brightly. The remote control is a learning remote, meaning you can program your other remotes to work off of it. The manual is not that bad, as some have stated. To be honest, some of the complaints I've read in the review section have been from user error, or simply not understanding the basics. You don't have to 'read the whole manual before setting things up' though, as long as you have knowledge of the basics.

There is plenty of power, and I have yet to turn the volume past -5db, with the maximum going up to +18db. The audigy automatic speaker setup is tedious, and I'm not sure that it helps that much, but it is a good way to set things up initially. I do not have a perfect listening environment by any means. My couch is off center from the TV, my sub is behind a large bulky chair, and my surround speakers do not have stands yet, and rest on an empty box, and end table, ghetto I know, but it's better than being on the floor.

So, overall, I'm pleased. The price was right, and it seemed like a good deal between the 605, 705 and 805. If I can't figure out the audio sync problems, which could be user error, but so far I have yet to prove that, I'm going to return the unit and spring for the 805, or a yamaha rx series, or Denon.

I will be sure to update my review for your perusal.

It is hard to rate products like this. It is a super duper feature packed product. You get a lot of bells and whistles. Integrated amp has three main parts,

1) Power supply
2) Pre-amp, processor
3) AMP

1) Power Supply: 3/5 stars
It creates lot of noise. It doesn't have very good isolation. There is no easy way to connect a external ground. Also the power rating for the entire unit is very deceiving. 110 W while driving only the main two. In 7.1 it is probably 20 W per channel. 805 and 905 have far better power supply than this puppy. That is the main reason they are so heavy.

2) Pre-amp, processor: 4.5/5 stars
Number of input connections, hdmi control, all the DSP and format support. Wow Wow... there is no other receiver in this price range that handle it all. Dolby True HD, DTS, LPCM, TOS Link any thing you ever want is available here.

Iam taking 1/2 a start out because of the input impedance. It is quite low for a active pre-amp. It will require a nice sturdy analog source to provide the full punch. Phono inputs are OK at best. Other Stereo only receivers that sell for 1/3rd of the price does it better. Also the unit is not very linear. It adds its own color to the music.

3) Amplifier: 2/5 stars

It has a huge feedback circuit. The dynamic slam is almost non existent. Especially when you play SACD driving all the 5 channels. It does fare well when i connect only my two fronts. To get the best power, i just connect my two fronts in bi-amp mode. The bass seems lot clear and music flows more naturally. Similar to the pre-amp, the amp is not linear. There is a lot of coloration going on.

Also the bass seems to vary a lot. For movies I have to turn the bass down. For music I have to increase it. I never had this problem with NAD integrated and other amps. There is some thing going on at lower frequency range.. It colors it pretty bad. This could be mainly due to the feedback. On a large explosion that lasts for few seconds the feedback just builds upon itself and makes it too loud. In music bass is fast and tight, feedback is not fast enough to provide the punch.

Another big complaint is the channel isolation. It is less than 20 db. So stereo image seems to float. Sound transition from speaker to speaker is never crisp and clear. Sound always seems to leak to rest of the speakers in the system. It is not ideal for SACD or DVD-Audio.

Over all rating: 4/5 stars

For this price, you cant ask for more. This amp is clearly meant for HT Movies. Dont bother playing music in it, a big waste of time. I would suggest getting a 905 with toroidal transformer. It has much more smooth sound. Dont get fooled by numbers. Music is art, not technology. You need a amp that can be fast, responsiveness and color less.

A simple analogy is a automobile, it may have 500 HP(dumptruck). When 0-60 takes 5 min, it is not fun driving it around. Just power rating and numbers are not enough. Dynamic slam, agility are also important for a receiver. If you can spend more, buy a 805 or 905. It is a huge difference in performance. If you are looking for stereo only amp, look at Creek Audio 5350SE.

Well I've owned this receiver for about a month now so I think I can give it a fair review. If you do your research you will know what you are getting. (highly recommended for any receiver)
For the price this receiver had everything I wanted at an absolute bargain:
HDMI 1.3
Onboard decoding of HD audio formats
Custom input labels
Good balance of power consumption and output

The sound is excellent, especially when you have a good source. (duh) Now I have a fairly small place, so I didn't need the additional watts per channel that the 805 or 875 offer, All my devices can output via HDMI so my video doesn't suffer with the Farouja chips down/up conversion of all other inputs to 720p. (if you have HD feeds via component they will look a little soft if your eye is discerning enough) I would recommend the 875 if that is an issue.

Now for the often mentioned lip sync issue: DO YOUR RESEARCH! It depends on your source. (if it has sync issues now whether you realize it or not it will get worse with this receiver on the default settings) This is actually a problem with almost all the new receivers Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer etc.. they each behave a little differently though.
On the bright side the lip sync adjustment on these Onkyo receivers is very easy to manipulate and you can get it near perfect. I recommend a visit to the AVS Forum for detailed instructions and additional tips and tricks for any reciever.

Anyway to sum it up I think this is an excellent receiver. I have owned Denon, Pioneer, Yamaha receivers in the past and this Onkyo can easily hold its own in the bang for the buck category. If you put a little time into the setup (greatly simplified with the Audessy speaker setup) you will be very happy.

Currently connected devices: Panasonic 50PZ77U (50" plasma), Xbox 360 Elite, Panasonic DMP-BD30 (blu-ray player), DirecTV HR-20

Additional note 02/21/08: I've read of a few people complaining of extreme heat from this model. With the modest power consumption of this unit that should not be happening. Mine doesn't, it is so cool I could probably set another piece of equipment on top of it and not worry. Cool relative to other receivers anyway. A friend of mine has one and it runs cool as well. If it is getting so hot it hurts to touch I'd say you probably have a defective untit.