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CNET editors' rating:
4.0 stars
Excellent
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 28 reviews
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Product summary
The good: This 7.1-channel A/V receiver offers HDMI video and multichannel audio switching for two HDMI sources and converts analog video sources to the HDMI output. The Audyssey 2EQ automatic calibration is the most advanced autosetup ever offered by Onkyo. Extras include XM Satellite Radio capability with XM HD Surround, as well as an optional iPod dock.
The bad: No phono input.
The bottom line: The Onkyo TX-SR674's stellar feature set and first-rate sound quality put it the top tier of midprice HDMI A/V receivers.
Specifications: Product type: AV receiver; Sound output mode: Surround Sound; Built-in decoders: DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital, DTS decoder, DTS 96/24, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1; See full specs
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 10/04/2006
- Released on: 09/15/2006
The smallish remote is only partially backlit, but it accomplishes a lot with minimum button clutter. It's not the best remote, but it does the job, although we still recommend picking up a universal remote.
The TX-SR674's Audyssey 2EQ automatic system setup feature is the most advanced system ever offered by Onkyo. Unlike Denon's implementation of the Audyssey system that requires the user to run the setup program six times from six different positions in the room, Onkyo's analyzes the room's acoustics from just three positions. The autosetup is easy--just plug in the supplied microphone, and respond to the onscreen prompts. When we ran the Audyssey system in our somewhat noisy Brooklyn home theater, the Onkyo refused to progress through the setup--it informed us via the onscreen display that the ambient noise level of our theater was too high. We closed all the windows to block the street sounds and that satisfied the Audyssey, which then went about its business. The program then took about 10 minutes to run. After the Audyssey finishes sending test tones over all the speakers, the receiver adjusts channel volume level and time-delay settings for each speaker. Other than setting the subwoofer volume too high (not uncommon in autosetup systems), the setup was accurate. The Audyssey 2EQ automatic equalization produced some small tonal balance improvement to the sound of our Dynaudio Contour speakers, but they're already very accurate speakers. Perhaps with more typical speakers, the Audyssey 2EQ might make a bigger difference. It's a decent autosetup system, but Pioneer receivers' MCACC (Multi Channel Acoustic Calibration) is more accurate overall and easier to use. The Onkyo TX-SR674 is a seven-times-95-watt receiver, with a full selection of Dolby and DTS surround modes. Including the front panel's connections you get a total of five A/V inputs, with three component and two HDMI ins. Analog-to-HDMI video conversion is provided for composite, S-Video, and component-video sources. Moreover, the incoming analog signals are automatically deinterlaced--converted from 480i to 480p--if the HDMI input on the connected TV can't handle 480i resolution, something very common in HDTVs sold before 2006. High-def video sources plugged into the component inputs, meanwhile, are passed along at their native resolution (720p or 1080i). Together, those HDMI features make it possible to run just a single HDMI cable from the TX-SR674 to your HDTV, and still view all of your video sources--and that's a huge benefit in terms of convenience.
Digital audio connections run to six inputs--four optical, two coaxial--and one optical output. Analog audio inputs include a stereo CD input as well as a stereo input/output recorder loop--all that's missing is a dedicated turntable input. The TX-SR674 does pass Dolby Digital, DTS, and linear PCM (LPCM) soundtracks via HDMI. LPCM compatibility means you can get the uncompressed HD-DVD or Blu-ray soundtracks. Likewise, the 7.1-channel analog inputs will accept decoded soundtracks from those same next-gen HD disc players, as well as from SACD and DVD-Audio players.
The TX-SR674 is XM-Ready, which means you can just hook up an XM Mini-Tuner or XM Connect-and-Play antenna and receive the satellite signal--with a subscription, of course. The receiver can also process XM's HD Surround encoded channels, although the owner's manual is a little vague about how to actually engage the HD Surround--you have to toggle through the surround Listening modes to get to Neural Surround and thus hear the HD Surround channels at their best. We found the front-to-back surround separation is excellent on XM's two HD Surround channels.
The RI (Remote Interactive) jack can be used with Onkyo's
Instead of the usual B speaker outputs, the TX-SR674 features stereo Zone 2 speaker outputs, which can be fed a different source--say, XM radio--while the main 5.1 system is playing a DVD. Other multizone provisions include analog stereo outputs, a 12-volt trigger output, and infrared input.
Onkyo 2006 A/V receivers compared:
(These models will remain current through the first two quarters of 2007.)
| Model | Quick take | Price |
| Onkyo TX-SR304 | Onkyo's entry-level 5.1-channel A/V receiver offers component video switching between three inputs. | |
| Onkyo TX-SR504 | The step-up to the TX-SR304 is a 7.1-channel model that adds more power, more A/V inputs, and XM satellite radio capability. | |
| Onkyo TX-SR574 | The TX-SR574 improves on the SR504 by adding the ability to convert any composite or S-Video input to component-video output. | |
| Onkyo TX-SR604 | Replacing the earlier TX-SR603X, the SR604 is Onkyo's most affordable receiver to offer Audyssey auto speaker calibration and HDMI switching between two sources. | |
| Onkyo TX-SR674 | One-upping the HDMI switching on the SR604, the Onkyo TX-SR674 adds the ability to convert analog video sources (composite, S-Video, component) to HDMI. | |
| Onkyo TX-SR703 | A 2005 holdover, the TX-SR703 is THX Select2 certified, but it offers no HDMI connectivity and lacks support for the latest XM surround formats. | |
| Onkyo TX-SR803 | Also a holdover from the 2005 line, the TX-SR803 improves upon the SR703 by adding support for two HDMI sources but lacks the TX-SR674's ability to convert analog video to HDMI output. | |
| Onkyo TX-NR1000 | Onkyo's flagship receiver, released in 2005, offers plug-in circuit boards for PC-style upgradeability. |
$149-$199
We used the United 93 DVD to evaluate the TX-SR674's home-theater skills. The film steers clear of flashy special effects, slowly building tension as the events of the fateful day unfold. The film's near-documentary style puts you inside the jet and the various air traffic control towers--the sound is low key, yet startlingly realistic, and the rising terror of the film is palpable. When the hijackers take control of the plane, the panicked screams of the flight attendants and passengers are chilling. The film doesn't overuse the surround channels, but the drama of the doomed plane is absolutely vivid. The TX-SR674's sure-footed clarity added immensely to the experience.
Taking advantage of the TX-SR674's HDMI switching for DVD-Audio, we listened to Led Zeppelin's How The West Was Won disc. Wow--the sound, especially on the acoustic tunes, had the sort of warm, natural detail that's impossible to replicate on CD. The live concert sound of the surround mix was beautifully rendered, and the electric tunes' uninhibited dynamics packed the sort of wallop that we don't expect from $700 A/V receivers. Bass was full, rich, and powerful with excellent definition, perfectly replicating the bottom heavy pulse proved by Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Since we had both the HDMI and six analog cables hooked up between the Marantz DV9600 player and the Onkyo, we compared the sound of the two connections. The differences weren't huge, but we definitely gave the nod to HDMI, because the bass had more weight and the surround mix seemed a little more coherent and seamless. The sense of being there at the concert was that much more complete with the HDMI connection.
CD sound, in plain old stereo, was also superb, and on the Persuasions Sing U2 disc, the TX-SR674 projected a three-dimensional soundstage. It was so good we never even bothered listening to the music in Dolby Pro Logic IIx surround. The Persuasions are an a cappella group, and each of their voices had its own distinctive presence.
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