Onkyo TX-NR414 user reviews

Pros + Sound is crystal clear, bass is not booming and the treble is sharp and clear
+ Remote control unit is clear
+ Numerous HDMI inputs
+ Automatic firmware updates
+ Set up was easy

Cons - AUX input in front
- No phono input

Summary I have had this receiver for a short while so this review started with first impressions and I am adding to it. My initial reaction was entirely positive and remains so.

First, the background stuff ...
The receiver is a little taller than the unit it has replaced but other than that has virtually identical dimensions. It fits easily onto the TV stand. Its styling is unobtrusive.

The manual is good: it is supplied on CD, but I downloaded it from the Onkyo website before purchase. I found this a udeful way of checking that all the features required are there without having to rely on the sales blurb or the technical summaries. The manual is in good English, not one of the poor translation efforts that are all too common. There are quick-start guides in the box.

The connections on the back are clearly labelled and it was easy to wire the unit correctly: the use of HDMI cables helps and certainly cuts the spaghetti behind the unit. It has six such connections, which makes it one of the best specified on the market. A nice touch is the sheet of sticky labels supplied to wrap round the many cables that feed into the unit.

Now for the performance ...
The sound the Onkyo produces is crystal clear. I was so pleased: the fidelity of my system is back to what I grew used to with previous equipment and is a vast improvement over the receiver that it has replaced, which in its day was no slouch either. It delivers with an effortless style and is well balanced over the entire frequency range: the bass is not booming and the treble is sharp and clear. The channel separation is good right/left and front/rear meaning that a 5.1 soundtrack is delivered with clarity.

The default audio setting are perfectly acceptable for a normal room: there are many adjustments that can be made and I have started to wade my way through them. Each of these adjustments balances the set-up and offers an incremental improvement on an excellent starting point.

The on-screen menu is a tad clunky but, with some help from the manual, it starts to make sense. The remote control unit is clear and is able to drive many units. I downloaded an app to run on my Android phone and this worked straight away. The network connection (I use a wireless adaptor) worked first time and looks to be a hassle-free solution.

The unit came equipped with a USB stick on which sits the latest firmware. Users are recommended to upgrade: I am not sure what benefit lies in this and will need to research. It looks as if it can be a time-consuming operation.

And a special note ...
The unit was supplied by Richer Sounds. Their courier e-mails to state when the unit will arrive, within a range of just one hour - other delivery companies please copy! The unit was delivered the day after I ordered it.

Summary ...
I am delighted with this purchase. Having spent many weeks agonizing over the specs and being nervous at purchasing a unit I had not heard, I am confident that this was a good decision. For the money it is outstanding.

PS: I suggest check for discount of this receiver at: Networkav-receiverdeals.blogspot.com/p/onkyo-tx-nr414.html

Five Stars!