Entered CNET Catalog: 04/17/2004
SKU: 0051398005726
Manufacturer: Onkyo USA
Manufacturer description
Entry in level but big in features is the perfect way to describe the TX-SR502 from Onkyo. 6.1 channels pump out enough power to show you what you've been missing by just using those speakers on your TV. New additions bring your movie and music enjoyment to entirely new levels, with the enhanced surround sound of Dolby Pro Logic IIx and the near master quality of DTS 96/24. And you won't have to worry about waiting to enjoy these features and more. Set-up is simple, with user-friendly features such as crossover adjustment for bass management and color-coded inputs and outputs for speakers and multi-channel inputs. So if you're looking for an entry-level receiver with an impressive pedigree and features, Onkyo are proud to submit the TX-SR502 for your consideration.Product summary
The good: 6.1-channel A/V receiver; up-to-date surround processing; A/B speaker switching; bass and treble controls; excellent remote control.
The bad: Best suited for smaller rooms and/or efficient speakers; lacks onscreen menus; no automated setup.
The bottom line: The TX-SR502 combines high value, robust construction, useful features, and great sound.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 09/28/2004
Onkyo's large, easy-to-maneuver remote is partially backlit and offers direct access to A/B speaker switching, volume levels for individual speakers, and bass and treble controls. It's among the best remotes that we've seen included with a budget receiver.
As we mentioned, the SR502 lacks automatic setup for speaker levels and delay. Manual setup chores proceeded smoothly, but would have been a little easier if the receiver had been equipped with onscreen menus. Instead, setup info appears on the SR502's main display, which is easily readable from across the room.
We took a peek under the Onkyo TX-SR502's top cover and were mightily impressed by the receiver's build quality. The amplifier offers the sort of generously sized heat sinks that we associate with higher-priced components. The amps deliver 75 watts to each of the SR502's six channels, for 8-ohm or 6-ohm speakers. Surround-processing options include the newest bauble from Dolby, Pro Logic IIx, which produces 6.1-channel sound from CDs, MP3s, and the radio. Onkyo also includes Dolby EX and DTS ES surround.This receiver's bass-management skills are unusually flexible. You can select 60Hz, ideal for large bookshelf or tower speakers, or 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, or 150Hz. The higher settings are for use with smaller satellites--a particularly useful feature in a receiver that will likely be mated with a set of wee sats.
The TX-SR502 boasts component-video switching for two sources, three A/V and S-Video inputs and two outputs, and another front-panel A/V and S-Video input for convenient connection to game systems and cameras. The receiver has four digital audio inputs--one coaxial and three optical--but no digital outputs. Analog stereo connections are provided for a CD player and an audio recorder. There are banana-plug-compatible multiway binding posts for all the speakers, including the front-channel B speakers.
The Onkyo TX-SR502 unraveled the mysteries lurking inside the Taking Lives DVD. This taut thriller sounded remarkably detailed, especially in the scenes from chapter 8, in which detectives search a room in a sleazy hotel. We heard the sound of running water in the distance, and as the detectives navigated the rooms, the sonic perspectives changed. The running water became louder and turned out to be a shower. We felt like we were in the room. It was very effective and scary. We were also impressed by the TX-SR502's bass definition and control.When we attempted some of the Hellboy DVD's more muscular bass workouts at higher volume levels, we heard the TX-SR502 straining to deliver the goods. Easing back on the volume cured that woe, and Hellboy thundered with a bit less gusto. If you really want to feel the noise, we'd recommend using the TX-SR502 in small to midsize rooms (of less than 400 square feet) or considering moving up to a more powerful receiver, such as the Onkyo TX-SR701.
As we played a stack of CDs, we discovered that the receiver wasn't equally fluent with music. Sonny Rollins's bellowing tenor sax, for example, sounded somewhat lightweight on the TX-SR502. Suspecting a mismatch with our Dynaudio Contours, we switched over to the more laid-back NHT SB-1 speakers. That change did the trick (showing the importance of system matching when assembling a home-theater system). We'd guess that JBL's E series speakers would also sound great mated with the SR502, but we'd steer clear of bright-sounding speakers, unless you're looking for a very detailed sound.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21out of 21 user reviews
I was happy to have this unit after a salesman recommended it to me.
Pros: This is a great product. The sound quality is amazing but you have to match it with a good set of speakers.
Cons: The unit just went dead after about a year and a half of use. No blown fuse but supected a microprocessor problem.
of time.
out of 21 user reviews
Sent for repairs twice in 1 year
Pros: Good sound and connectivity .....When it works
Cons: Not dependable
I have had several other Onkyo products with no issues so I guess I got unlucky this time. This model is out of production and has been replaced by the Onkyo TX sr503
out of 21 user reviews
Compare at twice the price
Pros: good sound and easy to use
Cons: needs more optical inputs
out of 21 user reviews
disappointed
Pros: inexpensive
Cons: average sound quality
out of 21 user reviews
fantastic receiver
Pros: great value, great sound
Cons: bloody remote
out of 21 user reviews
Onkyo doesn't stand behind their warranty
Pros: Sounded good when it worked
Cons: I have to mail it to Utah every other week.
out of 21 user reviews
does more than the dollar
Pros: awsome remote can control everthing without the need to program, large and small speaker options with various subwoofer options like double bass and awsome features crisp and clear brought with onkyo speaker system EX pair!!!
Cons: display only blanks during pure audio
out of 21 user reviews
It worked great for 2 whole hrs
Pros: Easy setup. Good sound. Not bad for the price.
Cons: After setting up the system and watching a movie I decided to call it a night. I pressed the stand by button and nothing happens. Its still shooting out video to my tv and playing sound. I press again nothing. I get up and press the power switch nothing.
out of 21 user reviews
Not A Surprise
Pros: Extremely pleased with sound quality and features. Unit is connected to 4 Bose satellite speakers and a excellent sound Sony SA-WX700 dual 10" powered subwoofer. The neighbors don't like replays of The Fast & The Furious.
Cons: I agree with the reviewers about the size of the immense remote and the pain in the can speaker terminals. The large knobs are to close together to make hooking up the speakers an easy task. My biggestcomplaint is trying to put codes in the remote..... I
out of 21 user reviews
Hardly and Entry Level Receiver!
Pros: Amazing sound quality, 75 true watts per channel. Lots of a/v inputs and options. This is an amazing value, the guys at CNET tell you that you need a $1000 receiver, this proves them wrong!
Cons: Does not have composite/s-video/component interchanging. Then again not something you would expect in this price range!
out of 21 user reviews
Quality of sound reproduction and features very good.
Pros: This was my third a/v receiver purchase in five years. It has improved the clarity and accuracy of what I thought was already a pretty good (if a bit mongrelized) speaker system. The various listening modes provide a range of easily modifiable adjustmen
Cons: If you have a large room (say, 400 sf or more), I suspect you may prefer something with more juice than 75 watts RMS per channel, but unless you want to go deaf early, you will enjoy this receiver for a long time.
out of 21 user reviews
Perfect For Begginer!!!
Pros: Very good clear sound, Easy to use, best vallue !!
Cons: REMOTE CONTROL.... too big, don't glow in dark. trouble to configure TV with it.
out of 21 user reviews
Awesome sound, cheap price, high quality!
Pros: Price. Crisp, neutral sound. Rock solid construction. Nice features.
Cons: "Universal" remote doesn't work with all functions of my Toshiba HDTV.
out of 21 user reviews
FEATURES OF HIGH END RECEIVERS HAVE TO OFFER
Pros: JUST RIGHT FOR THE AVERAGE LISTENER!
Cons: SET UP A LITTLE BIT OF A PAIN
out of 21 user reviews
Quality & Value
Pros: Easy set up- great sound. 5 separate amps make sound distribution better. Remote is fully-functional and can be used for all my other components (easy setup guide in back of manual).
Cons: None
out of 21 user reviews
Pure sound, too big...
Pros: Excelent sound, very good input-output connections
Cons: Not able to configure a CD player with the remote
out of 21 user reviews
Has a subwoofer pre-out
Pros: Great sound, performs well, terrific value.
Cons: Remote is more a universal-type... would be much better if it was a (much smaller) dedicated one.
out of 21 user reviews
No Subwoofer Out Connector!
Pros:
Cons: I made the mistake of buying this Onkyo receiver to power my awesome new Hsu Research Ventriloquist speaker system. I was disappointed to discover that, like other receivers in its price range, the Onkyo receiver does not have a "Sub Out" connector. Ins
out of 21 user reviews
Best Budget Receiver I found
Pros: Good amount of power(75 RMS) Very flexible. Lots of surround options. Very good manual. I had no trouble figuring out how to setup the system. The remote is easier to use than I thought.
Cons: Runs warm No phono input Channel selection does not affect the tuner.
out of 21 user reviews
Great product marred by a terrible remote
Pros: Features for the price! (DD, DDEX, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DPL, DPLII, DPLIIx... Wow!) Menu system well laid out.
Cons: The bulky, counter-intuitive remote control makes using the SR502 a chore.
out of 21 user reviews
Has all the needed power and features for an enjoyable home theater experience.
Pros: Easy set-up. Variety of sound effects. Clear, crisp sound. Excellent price for value.
Cons: Remote has small buttons and is somewhat large.
