Onkyo HT-RC160 Home Theater Receiver with Dolby Pro Logic IIz

The Onkyo HT-RC160 Home Theater Receiver offers lots of audio and video features, as well as good audio performance, in an affordable package. With 5 input HDMI switching, analog to HDMI video conversion and up to 1080i video upscaling, on-board Dolby TrueHD and DTS-Master Audio decoders, Dolby Pro Logic IIz processing, iPod connectivity, and a practical automatic speaker setup system, the Onkyo HT-RC160 is certainly worth a look and a listen, but also has some shortcomings.

After reading this review, also check out my supplementary Photo Gallery and Video Performance Test Results Gallery.

1. The HT-RC160 is a 7.2 channel home theater receiver (7 channels plus 2 sub outs) delivering 80 Watts into each of 7 channels at .08% THD.

2. Audio Decoding: Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD, DTS-HD, Dolby Digital 5.1/EX/Pro logic IIx/IIz, DTS 5.1/ES, 96/24, Neo:6.

3. Audio inputs: 7 Stereo Analog, 2 Digital Optical, 2 Digital Coaxial.

4. Speaker connections for Bi-amp, Pro Logic IIz height, Surround Back, and Powered Zone 2 speaker connection options provided. One set of Zone 2 line audio outputs (requires additional amp/speakers for operation).

5. Video Inputs: 5 HDMI, 2 Component, 5 Composite. One set of AV inputs mounted on front panel.

6. Analog to HDMI video conversion (480i to 480p) and upscaling from 480p to 1080i via HDMI. HDMI pass-through of native 1080p signals.

7. Inclusion of Audyssey 2 EQ, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ automatic speaker setup, room correction, and audio equalization technolgies.

8. 40 Preset AM/FM Tuner. HD Radio access via optional HD Radio Tuner.

9. Front connection for portable digital audio players and iPods. Additional iPod connectivity/control available via optional dock plug-in.

10. Wireless remote and onscreen menu system.

For a more close-up look at the features, connections, and onscreen menu of the HT-RC160, also check out my supplementary Onkyo HT-RC160 Photo Gallery.

The Dolby Pro Logic IIz Feature

The Onkyo HT-RC160 is one of an increasing number of home theater receivers that incorporates Dolby Pro Logic IIz. The motivation for Dolby Pro Logic IIz is that humans hear more from the front and sides than from the rear.

In other words, in the effort to create an optimum surround sound listening experience, it is more advantageous to emphasize sound coming from the front, sides, and above the listener than it is to add more more emphasis from sounds originating from the back of the listener.

Dolby Pro Logic IIz processing is an enhancement that extends surround sound vertically and fills the space above and in-front of the listener. Dolby Prologic IIz offers the option of adding two more front speakers that are placed above the left and right main speakers. This feature adds a "vertical" or overhead component to the surround sound field (great for rain, helicopter, plane flyover effects). Dolby Prologic IIz can be added to either a 5.1/5.2 channel or 7.1/7.2 channel setup.

When added to a 7.1 or 7.2 channel setup, you end up with both surround back and front height speakers - However, you would then need amplification for 9 channels. Since the Onkyo HT-RC160 only provides amplification options for 7 channels, you must forgo the surround back channel option when using the Pro Logic IIz feature.

In order to use Dolby Pro Logic IIz to is maximum effect, the front height speakers should be mounted approximately 3 ft directly above the front left and right main speakers. In addition, to retain the character of the original surround sound mix, the speaker level settings for the height channels should be set slightly lower than that of the main left and right front speakers. However, you can tweak the speaker levels to your preference.

For more details, check out the official Dolby Prologic IIz page.

Zone 2 Option

Another option provided is the connection and operation of a 2nd Zone. This allows a second source signal to speakers or a separate audio system in another location. This is not the same as just connecting additional speakers and placing them in another room.

The Zone 2 function allows control of either the same, or separate, source than the one being listened to in the main room, in another location. For example, the user can be watching a Blu-ray Disc or DVD movie with surround sound in the main room, while someone else can listen to a CD player in another, at the same time. Both the Blu-ray Disc or DVD player and CD player are connected to the same Receiver, but are accessed and controlled separately using the same main Receiver. For specific details how the 2nd Zone feature is implemented on the HT-RC160, refer to pages 82 through 85 in the HT-RC160 User Manual.

Hardware Used

Home Theater Receivers used for comparison included, the Onkyo TX-SR705, Harman Kardon AVR147.

Source Components: Sony BD-PS350 and OPPO Digital BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Players and OPPO DV-983H DVD Player

CD-only Players included: Technics SL-PD888 and Denon DCM-370 5-disc CD Changers.

Loudspeakers used included:

Loudspeaker System 1 (7.1 Channels - 2 speakers used for Prologic IIz Height Channels): 2 Klipsch F-2's, 2 Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2 Center , 2 Polk R300s.

Loudspeaker System 2 (5.1 channels): 2 JBL Balboa 30's, JBL Balboa Center Channel, 2 JBL Venue Series 5-inch Monitor speakers.

Loudspeaker System 3 (5.1 Channels): Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 5.1 Speaker/Subwoofer System (on review loan from Boston Acoustics).

Subwoofers: Klipsch Synergy Sub10 - System 1. Polk Audio PSW10 - System 2.

TV/Monitors: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, and Syntax LT-32HV 720p LCD TV. Displays calibrated using SpyderTV Software.

Audio/Video connections made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables. 16 Gauge Speaker Wire used.

Level checks made using a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter

Software Used

Blu-ray Discs: 300, Across The Universe, Bolt, Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian, Hairspray, Iron Man, Night at the Museum, Quarantine, Rush Hour 3, Shakira - Oral Fixation Tour, The Dark Knight, and Wall-E.

Standard DVDs: The Cave, House of the Flying Daggers, Kill Bill - Vol 1/2, Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut), Lord of Rings Trilogy, Master and Commander, Moulin Rouge, Outlander, and U571.

CDs: Al Stewart - Sparks of Ancient Light and A Beach Full of Shells, Beatles - LOVE, Blue Man Group - The Complex, Joshua Bell - Bernstein - West Side Story Suite, Eric Kunzel - 1812 Overture, HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Lisa Loeb - Firecracker, Nora Jones - Come Away With Me.

DVD-Audio discs included: Queen - Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles - Hotel California, and Medeski, Martin, and Wood - Uninvisible.

SACD discs used included: Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon, Steely Dan - Gaucho, The Who - Tommy.

Proceed to Page 2: Audio Performance, Video Performance, Pros/Cons, and Final Take.