Onkyo TX-SR706 7.1 Channel THX Select2 Plus Home Theater Receiver - Profile

The Onkyo TX-SR706 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver brings THX Certification, high-end audio and video performance, as well as flexibility to a reasonable price. This receiver is THX Select2 Plus Certified and is rated to deliver 100 wpc, and features Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD processing. On the video side, the TX-SR706 has 4 HDMI inputs, 1080p pass-through, and Faroudja video processing and up to 1080p upscaling. Extra bonuses include iPOD connectivity and both XM and Sirius Satellite Radio Compatibility. The TX-SR706 has an MSRP of $899.

The TX-SR706 offers Four HDMI inputs and one output, as well as Two HD Component inputs and one output. There are four Composite Video and S-Video inputs, two additional analog audio-only inputs, plus a front panel A/V input for connection of an additional source, such as a camcorder. The TX-SR706 also features a VCR/DVR/DVD Recorder connection loop.

The TX-SR706 can also upconvert all standard definition analog video input signals to HDMI video outputs to simplify Receiver connections to an HDTV.

This receiver has five assignable digital audio inputs (Three Coaxial and two Optical), Analog stereo audio connections for a CD player and CD or Cassette audio recorder, and a subwoofer preamplifier output. The SR706 also has a set of 5.1/7.1 channel audio inputs to accommodate DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray, or HD-DVD 5.1 channel analog audio connection options. The TX-SR706 can also access multi-channel audio via its HDMI 1.3a connections. This receiver also has a set of analog 5/7 channel preamp outputs, as well as Zone 2 stereo outputs. Lastly, the TX-SR706 has a dedicated phone turntable input.

The TX-SR706 features extensive surround sound processing options, including: Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24. Also, DTS Neo:6 and Dolby ProLogic IIx processing enables the TX-SR706 to extract 7.1-channel audio from absolutely any stereo or multichannel source. In addition, the TX-SR706 is also has the ability to decode DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby TrueHD soundtracks on Blu-ray Discs and HD-DVDs via its HDMI 1.3a compatible inputs. Also, the 706 also offers THX audio enhancements including THX Surround EX and THX Loudness Plus.

Another useful audio feature is the ability for the TS-SR706 to be used in a full 7.1 channel configuration, or in a 5.1 channel configuration in the main home theater room, with simultaneous 2 channel operation in a second room. However, if you want to use the full 7.1 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. However, you will have to add a secondary amplifier to power the speakers in Zone 2.

The Onkyo TX-SR706 delivers 100 Watts-per-channel into 8-Ohms via its seven internal high-current WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) power amplifiers. With amplifier frequency response from 10 Hz to 100 kHz the SR706 is up to challenge from any source, including SACD and DVD-Audio, Blu-ray Disc, or HD-DVD.

Speaker Connections

Speaker connections consist of dual banana-plug-compatible multi-way speaker binding posts for all main channels with color-coding for simplified wiring.

The Onkyo TX-SR706 features HDMI pass through of high definition signals up to 1080p. Also, all standard definition video input signals are deinterlaced using Faroudja DCDi video processing and upscaled up to 1080p via the HDMI monitor outputs.

Additional Features - Front Panel Display and LFE Features

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

The TX-SR706 has a standard AM/FM tuner, as well as XM/Sirius Radio connectivity. There are also 40 station presets provided that can be used for setting any combination of favorite AM/FM/XM or Sirius stations or channels.

iPOD Connectivity and Lip Synch Adjustment

With the optional iPOD dock, in conjunction with the TX-SR706, you can incorporate your iPOD listening right into your home theater system.

The incorporation of Lip-Synch adjustment allows the user to compensate for audio/video time discrepancies that may be encountered from various sources.

The SR706 also features an automated speaker setup function called Audyssey MultiEQ. By connecting the provided microphone to the SR706 and following the instructions outlined in the user manual. The Audyssey 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.

In addition to the automatic speaker setup system offered by the Audyssey MultiEQ feature, the Onkyo TX-SR706 also incorporates the Audyssey Dynamic EQ feature. 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.

Final Take

With the TX-SR706, Onkyo has incorporated high end features in a reasonbly priced home theater receiver, such as four HDMI video inputs, HDMI video and audio switching with analog-to-HDMI video conversion and upscaling, advanced HDMI audio capabilities, and both XM and Sirius satellite radio and iPOD compatibility.

One of the best design features of the TX-SR706 is the way the speaker connections are laid out on the rear panel. Instead of clumping all the speaker connections in a rectangular configuration, the speaker connections on the TX-SR706 are logically, and spaciously, laid out along the bottom of the entire rear connection panel. This makes it easier to connect the speaker wires and reduces wire clutter by placing it on the bottom of the rear panel instead of creating a messy clump of speaker wires higher up on the receiver connection panel.

The only caution I have about Onkyo receivers is that in the previous "5" series (605, 705, 805, etc...) there were some definite heat generation issues. Hopefully, Onkyo has addressed this issue in the new "6" series receivers, such as the TX-SR706. As product reviews come in, we shall see if this is the case.

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