Onkyo TX-NR709 7.2 Channel 3D/Network Home Theater Receiver - Product Profile

The TX-NR709 is a THX Select2 Plus Certified 7.2 channel home theater receiver (7 channels plus 2 subwoofer outs) delivering 110 Watts into each of 7 channels at .08% THD and features TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and both Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX processing.

On the video side, the TX-NR709 has 8 3D-compatible HDMI inputs with analog to HDMI video conversion and up to 4K upscaling (provided you have a 4K display) via its built-in Marvell QDEO processing chip. Extra bonuses include iPod/iPhone connectivity, Internet Radio, and two subwoofer outputs. For more details, check out the TX-NR709 Product Page.

The TX-NR709 offers a total of eight (7 rear/1 front) HDMI inputs and two outputs, as well as two component inputs and one output. There are four composite video and four S-video inputs (which are paired with analog stereo audio inputs), plus a front panel video input. The TX-NR709 also features a VCR/DVR/DVD Recorder connection loop and a PC monitor input connection.

The TX-NR709 upconverts all standard definition analog video input signals to HDMI video outputs, with upscaling, to simplify Receiver connections to an HDTV.

The receiver has five assignable digital audio inputs ( Three coaxial and two optical) audio inputs. Two additional analog stereo audio connections are provided for a CD player and CD or Cassette audio recorder, and there are two subwoofer preamplifier outputs.

In addition, the TX-NR709 has a dedicated input for a turntable for the playing of vinyl records, as well as a set of 7.1 channel analog audio inputs and 7.2 channel analog preamp outputs (includes two subwoofer pre-outs).

Audio Decoding and Processing:

The TX-NR709 features Audio Decoding for Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1/EX/Pro logic IIx, DTS 5.1/ES, 96/24, Neo:6. DTS Neo:6 and Dolby ProLogic IIx processing enables the TX-NR709 to extract 7.2-channel audio from any stereo or multichannel source.

The TX-NR709 also features Dolby Prologic IIz processing. 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 channel or 7.1 channel setup.

In addition, Audyssey DSX provides for the option of adding either height or an extra set of side placed wide channel speakers set between the front and surround sound speakers.

Speaker connections consist of color-coded dual banana-plug-compatible multi-way binding posts for all main channels.

A useful speaker connection option is the ability for the TX-NR709 to be used in a full 7.2 channel configuration, or in a 5.2 channel setup in the main home theater room, with simultaneous 2 channel operation in a second room. However, if you want to use the full 7.2 channels for your home theater environment, you can still run an additional 2-channel system in another room by using the Zone 2 preamp outputs. in this setup you will have to add a second amplifier to power the speakers in Zone 2.

In addition, for the main zone, speaker connection options are provided for a front left and right channel Bi-amping setup or for height or wide channel speaker setup when using Dolby Pro Logic IIz or Audyssey DSX processing. When using these connections, make sure you go into the TX-NR709's settings menu to reassign the amplifiers for those setup options.

The Onkyo TX-NR709 delivers 110 Watts-per-channel into 8-Ohms via its seven internal high-current WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) power amplifiers. With amplifier frequency response from 5 Hz to 100 kHz the TX-NR709 is up to challenge from any source, including Blu-ray Disc.

Video Processing:

On the video side, the TX-NR709 has eight 3D-compatible HDMI inputs with analog to HDMI video conversion and up to 4K upscaling (provided you have a 4K display) via its built-in Marvell QDEO processing chip.

The fluorescent front panel display makes setup and operation of the receiver easy and fast; wireless remote control provided. Also featured is an adjustable crossover on the Subwoofer LFE (Low Frequency Effects) pre-out channels.

AM/FM/Internet Radio:

The TX-NR709 has the standard AM/FM tuner with 40 station presets provided that can be used for setting any combination of favorite AM/FM stations. The TX-NR709 is also HD Radio-Ready (accessory module required).

Internet Radio and Network Connectivity via Ethernet:

The TX-NR709 has internet radio access (including vTuner, Pandora, and Rhapsody). Sirius Internet Radio, vTuner). The TX-NR709 is also Windows 7 Compatible and DLNA Certified for access to digital media files stored on PCs, Media Servers, and other compatible network-connected devices.

This is a very practical feature that has been introduced in HDMI ver1.4. What this function allows, if the TV is also HDMI 1.4-enabled. is that you can transfer audio from the TV back to the TX-NR709 and listen to your TV's audio through your home theater audio system instead of the TV's speakers without having to connect a second cable between the TV and home theater system.

For example, if you receive your TV signals over the air, the audio from those signals goes directly to your TV. Ordinarily to get the audio from those signals to your Home Theater receiver, you would have to connect an extra cable from the TV to the home theater receiver for this purpose. However, with audio return channel, you can simply take advantage of the cable you already have connected between the TV and the home theater receiver to transfer audio in both directions.

The TX-NR709 allows for 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 room, 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.

The TX-NR709 also features an automated speaker setup function called MultiEQ. By connecting the provided microphone to the TX-NR709 and following the instructions outlined in the user manual. The MultiEQ uses a series of test tones to determine the proper speaker levels, based on how it reads the speaker placement in relation to the acoustical properties of your room. However, keep in mind that you may still have to some minor adjustments manually after the automatic set up is completed in order to conform to you own listening tastes.

Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume:

The Onkyo TX-NR709 also incorporates the Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume features. Dynamic EQ allows for real-time frequency response compensation when the user changes volume settings, For more specifics on how Dynamic EQ works in relation to volume settings and room characteristics, and how this can benefit the user, check out the official Audyssey Dynamic EQ page.

Audyssey Dynamic Volume stabilizes the sound listening labels so that the softer parts of a soundtrack, such as dialog, is not overwhelmed by the impact of loud portions of the soundtrack. For more details, check out the Audyssey Dynamic Volume page.

Final Take:

With the TX-NR709, Onkyo has really packed in the features on this home theater receiver, including 3D pass-through, eight HDMI inputs, two HDMI outputs, HDMI video and audio switching with analog-to-HDMI video conversion and upscaling, advanced HDMI audio capabilities, as well as Internet Radio, HD Radio, and iPod compatibility.

Also, the TX-NR709 has a "Universal Connection Port" on the rear panel that will accept an accessory Onkyo HD-Radio Tuner or iPod Dock. Another connection feature that is included is a front-mounted HDMI input, which is great for Game Systems, such as the Sony Playstation 3 or high definition Camcorders. For more added flexibility, the TX-NR709 also has two subwoofer line outputs (thus the .2 reference in the 7.2 channel description). There is also a front-mounted USB port for connection of flash drives and other compatible devices containing media files.

Four things that I am very glad to see on the TX-NR709 are the 7.1 channel analog audio inputs, 7.2 channel analog preamp outputs, inclusion of S-Video connections, and a dedicated phono turntable input.

Having a set of 7.1 channel analog inputs is important. What this means is that if you have a 3D Blu-ray Disc player has only has one HDMI output, but does have a set of 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog audio outputs, you can still access Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Blu-ray soundtracks. In addition if you have an SACD player or DVD-Audio compatible DVD player that does not have an HDMI output, you can still access access multi-channel SACD or DVD-Audio content from those devices using analog audio connections.

If you are planning to purchase home theater receiver that offer a lot for price, the TX-NR709 is THX Select2 Plus Certified may be just the ticket. It definitely offers practical features that complement the new generation of source devices, such as 3D-enabled Blu-ray Disc Players and Televisions, iPods, the internet, and your network-connected devices, while still offering extensive audio capabilities. The TX-NR709 is even ready for 4K resolution TVs or video projectors, should that be a need in the future.

The TX-NR709 has a suggested retail price of $899. Compare Prices