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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
138 of 143 people found the following review helpful.
Good Receiver, no Manual
By Kevin
First, my only major complaint, and the reason for only 4 stars. There is no printed manual supplied with this receiver. All you get is a quick start guide that's a few pages long, enough to get you running, but sorely lacking in any real information. I posted a URL to the user manual I found in the comments.
The product pictures are accurate, and the speaker connections in the back fit common banana plugs perfectly. Included accessories are a remote (with batteries), a microphone for the automatic speaker configuration (haven't tried this since my rear speakers aren't placed yet), and AM and FM antennas. The AM antenna is cheap but works well enough. The FM antenna is just one of those little wires and it sucks. If you do any serious FM radio listening, you'll want to acquire a better antenna to use with it.
The OSD is a little primitive, but it looks decent enough and gets the job done. Pandora works well, the setup of it is easy, again the interface is a little primitive but it works, and I won't usually be using it anyway.
SOUND
I'm using this receiver with Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System (Set of Six, Black) and it sounds great. Full bass, detailed highs, the works. The audio is very clean at all volumes that I've tried. It has a plethora of audio settings that you can change, though I was unable to find a way to set the subwoofer frequency cutoff. I suspect that it's in there somewhere though, when I ran the Audyssey auto-configuration it definitely altered my subwoofer, so I imagine there's a way to do it manually too. Anyway, audio is subjective and depends a lot on the speakers too, suffice to say that I am quite pleased with the audio and there are no obvious deficiencies that I've found.
VIDEO
Video is great, clear and sharp. I don't have anything that needs to be upscaled, so I can't judge that functionality. I did have a problem with the component video input though. I hooked up my Wii to the component input and didn't get any video out from it. Upon doing some research, it seems the component input is quite finicky about input/output resolutions. It seems that the only way to get component input sent out via HDMI is to have it in 480i. Anything better and it doesn't go out HDMI, but only out the component outputs. Bit of a letdown, reinforces the 4 stars.
NETWORKING
The receiver has a hard wired ethernet port in it, but does not include built in wireless networking or bluetooth. You can purchase an adapter for either of these; however, you probably won't have a need for bluetooth. Onkyo has apps for both Android and iPhone that allow you to control the receiver as well as stream music to it from your device. Network setup is nearly foolproof, it's configured to use DHCP out of the box, as soon as I plugged in a network cable, it was online and working. No setup from me needed at all. Of course, you may need to make security modifications to your firewall or router depending on your setup.
ANDROID APP
I have used only the Android version, but it is an excellent companion to the receiver. The app doesn't do quite everything that the real remote does, but it does most. You can select the input source, use a directional pad for things such as changing the radio station and navigating OSD menus, change speaker levels, and, naturally, change volume. It will also stream music that's on your device to the receiver, so you probably won't have any use for bluetooth. Using the app also allows selection of network streaming options such as Pandora, vTuner, Slacker, etc. without turning on your TV. It is possible to select these using only the on-unit display, but it's not easy, you really need to use either the OSD on your TV or the app to do it effectively.
One thing to note, you'll probably have a firmware update waiting for you when you connect it to the internet. It warns you that it takes up to an hour, "HAH," I thought, "They always over estimate these things, I have fast internet, how long can it take?" Yeah, it really does take an hour. The download was fast, the flash, not so much. Don't do the firmware update until you have an hour to spare.
175 of 184 people found the following review helpful.
Lots of features, not fully baked yet
By Tary
I am on my second TX-NR616 now, I sent the first one back but both units have the same problem. If the receiver has been off for a while, I am unable to turn it on with the remote control. Once I turn the unit on using the power button on the receiver then the remote is fully functional.
I have been dealing with Onkyo support and there have been two firmware updates since I got the receiver about a month ago but neither update has fixed the problem. I am still waiting on a response to see if this is a problem that can be fixed with a firmware update or I have had two units that are both broken the same way.
Looking beyond this problem, the receiver has a large number of features and I have not had any problems using it to watch Blurays and listen to music. I've got the UWF-1 wireless Lan Adapter and I've streamed music using Pandora on the receiver with good results. Have not tried to watch a movie with the adapter yet.
The receiver uses the older Audyssey 2EQ room correction which works OK but is pretty dated for a brand new mid-range receiver. One thing worth mentioning is that the 616 has two subwoofer outputs but they are identical. So whatever levels you set with the Audyssey 2EQ or even manually the correction only recognizes a single subwoofer. I turned on only my main subwoofer when I ran the the room correction and then turned on the second subwoofer afterwards and set the level manually.
I am hoping that Onkyo can solve the power on problem with a firmware update because there are multiple people who are having the same problem.
I have had 3 other Onkyo receivers before and I have always had good luck with them so I am hopeful they can get the initial issues worked out.
Update from October 2012:
I originally wrote the review in May, it is now October and and these problems are not resolved. Visit the Onkyo support forum at [...] to see feedback from many users.
Onkyo seems unable to deal with the technical issues with this family of receivers. They claim that these problems effect only 0.3% of the users, but there are far two many installers seeing problems with every unit they install, or people like myself that get a replacement and it has the same problems as the original.
I've had Onkyo receivers for well over 10 years and I have never had issues with any of them until this model. My impression is that Onkyo understands audio issues but modern receivers are essentially computers, with network connections and apps that are out on the web. And on these issues it appears that they are overwhelmed.
I write computer firmware and software for a living, and I while I don't expect a perfect product, I do expect each new firmware release to address problems and actually improve the product over time. Too many of the releases don't seem to fix anything.
I needed to buy a new receiver for my son for his birthday, and for the first time I looked for a product that was not from Onkyo. I ended up with a product from Yamaha. And while it doesn't claim to have every feature in the world like this one does, it just works and works well.
Watch the Onkyo forum, and if it ever appears that the users are reporting that their problems are actually being fixed, then this product might be worth the risk.
For now, I can't recommend this unit.
106 of 117 people found the following review helpful.
Worst experience ever!
By Wheelie Man
The sound was good on this unit and I loved the feature per price ratio but it has to actually work to be of value.
The 616 was very easy to setup and sounded great but it took only a day or two to realize that this receiver was not ready for prime time. The main issue I had was the video output would not work unless I unplugged the power to the unit and plugged it back in. Once I found the Onkyo forums I found that this is a very big problem for a lot of units. There were people who had purchased 3 units to install for customers and all 3 had the issue. Others had issues with the remote not working to turn on the unit. After several firmware updates one of them finally bricked my receiver completely. I had no picture or sound. Not surprisingly, I found others with the same issue from the last firmware.
Onkyo support was a train wreck. I called and they were supposed to call me back and never did. In the forums they seemed to do little to help other than to say, "Another firmware update will be out soon." To Onkyo's credit, they did offer to replace the unit but by the time I shipped them mine and received the replacement it would have been a couple of weeks and I would have been past my 30 day window to return it.
This receiver may be a good one in the future but for now, it is a NO. There are forums with tons of customers who are just as frustrated as I am as they feel like forced beta testers for Onkyo. If you enjoy gambling, give this one a shot as you just might get one without a problem.
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Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
Escape into THX®-Certified Surround Sound
Movie, music, and gaming enthusiasts can now step up to realistic THX® Select2 Plus™-certified surround sound for less money down with the new TX-NR616 Network A/V Receiver. Onkyo's acclaimed WRAT amplifier delivers cinema-like power in the home. With Audyssey DSX™ expansion, you can add extra Wide or Height channels for more enveloping surround sound, while 2EQ acoustic correction guarantees optimal performance in any room. Eight HDMI® inputs handle 3D content, HD audio, and video display upscaled to 4K with onboard Qdeo™ technology. The MHL/HDMI input lets you connect a smart phone for smooth 1080p playback on your TV. Wireless home networking, meanwhile, opens up an exciting world of internet radio and cloud-based music streaming. You can even enjoy your multi-format PC-based music collection over Wi-Fi with an optional USB adapter. Intuitive system control- including audio distribution in multiple rooms- is provided by Onkyo's remote apps for iPod® touch/ iPhone®, Android phone, and Kindle Fire, or press the Quick Set-Up button on the supplied remote for instant mid-program adjustments. Visual input selection with InstaPrevue™ technology rounds out what is an exceptionally refined and affordable THX receiver. Hear Precisely What The Director Intended THX ensures what you hear through this Onkyo is precisely what was recorded. Select2 Plus certification is specified for rooms where the screen-to-seat viewing distance is ten to twelve feet, and the room volume is around 2000 cubic feet. To achieve THX certification, the TX-NR616 had to meet the most demanding standards for home cinema audio quality and performance. |  Access Endless Music Possibilities Onkyo network receivers, which are also wireless LAN ready, have access to the most internet music content services, including: Pandora®, Slacker™, SIRIUS XM®, Last.fm, vTuner, Rhapsody, Spotify, and AUPEO!. You can even connect to DLNA servers on your network. Internet connectivity also makes firmware updates simpler than ever. | |
 Easy, Live Source Selection This AVR incorporates InstaPrevue visual port management technology, making input source selection much easier. InstaPrevue provides a live video thumbnail of the available content on your devices connected via HDMI. You no longer have to remember that your gaming console is connected to Port 3, or your BD player to Port 1, for example- you can see what's playing and choose accordingly. |  Watch Your Smartphone Content on TV The front-panel HDMI port is designed for the connection of mobile phones and other portable electronic devices using the new MHL standard. MHL allows you to display full 1080p video and still images on your HDTV with up to 7.1 channels of surround sound. Use the receiver's remote to control playback from your phone as it receives a handy recharge. | |
 Free Apps: Seamless Control & Streaming The Onkyo Remote App 2 for iPod touch/iPhone∗¹ and Onkyo Remote for Android∗² and Kindle Fire provide an intuitive way to operate Onkyo network A/V receivers. Control input sources, adjust settings, and play audio stored in your device wirelessly (Android and Kindle Fire only) using the application's interactive graphical display. The remote apps are available separately as free downloads. |  Direct Digital Connection: The Cleanest Your iPod Can Sound The front-panel USB port lets you play MP3 and AAC stored in an iPod/iPhone, and MP3, WMA, AAC, and FLAC audio files stored on a flash-memory device, and you can use the system's own remote for track selection and playback. Your music will sound much cleaner and clearer, as the audio signal is transported in digital rather than analog form through the direct digital connection. | |
 The Onkyo remote is preset to control Apple TV. Have an Apple TV? Use it with your Onkyo Network AVR. It's all integrated; it all works together beautifully. |  Audyssey Room Correction: You'll Hear The Difference (1) Audyssey 2EQ tailors multi-channel audio for your home theater speaker set-up by measuring three room positions and applying a resolution filter to the satellite speakers to correct for room acoustics. (2) Audyssey Dynamic EQ® maintains a consistent bass response, tonal balance, and surround-sound effect at different volume levels, so you can enjoy the natural dynamics of your content regardless of the volume. (3) Audyssey Dynamic Volume® automatically compensates for volume fluctuations in different audio content—for example, during commercial breaks—while optimizing the dynamic range. | |
 4k Upscaling: Astoundingly Accurate Detail On a compatible 4K wide-screen display, this receiver will upscale standard video sources, making your Blu-rays and DVDs pop with more cinematic detail than ever before. The versatile Qdeo video processor uses algorithms to enlarge to 4k the video you're playing, while also erasing video jaggies and feathering. The results are dazzlingly detailed images. |  Save Power With Hybrid Standby Hybrid Standby provides 'HDMI through' functionality while the receiver sleeps, so you don't have to fully power up to watch a Blu-ray or play a game using just your TV's sound. The receiver also maintains a local network connection when on Hybrid Standby mode, so you can switch the unit on at any time using the Onkyo remote apps for iPod touch/iPhone, Android, and Kindle Fire. |
Comparison Data
| TX-NR616 | TX-NR515 | TX-NR414 | TX-SR313 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Output (per channel) | 115 W | 100 W | 80 W | 65 W |
| Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| THX Certified | Select2 Plus | — | — | — |
| 3D-ready: HDMI In/Out | 7+1/2 | 7+1/2 | 6/1 | 4/1 |
| WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Surround Sound Formats | Audyssey DSX, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby TueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio | Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby TueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio | Dolby TueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio | Dolby TueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio |
| Audyssey Room Calibration | 2EQ | 2EQ | — | — |
| Cloud Audio Streaming | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
| Internet Radio | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
| Remote App for iPhone / Android / Kindle Fire | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
| HDMI Video Upscaling | Up to 4K | Up to 4K | — | — |
| Video Upconversion (Analog to HDMI) | ✔ | ✔ | — | — |
| InstaPrevue Technology | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
| MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) | ✔ | ✔ | — | — |
| Multi-Zone Playback | Powered Zone 2, Zone 2/3 Line Outs | Powered Zone 2, Zone 2 Line Out | Zone 2 Line Out | — |
| WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Hybrid Standby Energy Saving State | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
| On-Screen Display via HDMI | 1080p | 1080p | Text | Text |
| USB Ports | 2 (Front/Rear) | 2 (Front/Rear) | 1 (Front) | 1 (Front) |
| Wireless Ready | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
© Copyright 2012 Onkyo USA Corporation. All rights reserved.
∗¹Compatible with iPod touch (3rd generation or later) and iPhone 3GS or later. All models require iOS 4.2 or later. ∗² Requires Android OS 2.1 or later.
Onkyo features and specifications subject to change without notice.
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