Entered CNET Catalog: 02/03/2006
SKU: HT-S680
Manufacturer: Onkyo USA
Manufacturer description
Let's be realistic. While today's home theater can offer an endless list of features, it's definitely in your interests to focus on the fundamental functions that contribute to sublime sound and pristine video images. This is what Onkyo has accomplished with the HT-S680. Using Onkyo's proprietary technology and approach to circuit design - WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) and Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry - Onkyo has the base for a noiseless signal without distortion, even at lower frequencies. The inclusion of 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters for all channels also significantly contributes to the accuracy and purity of the signal. Instead of overloading the receiver with surround sound decoders, Onkyo has included all that you need for your stereo/multichannel audio and video sources. The HT-S680 is equipped for Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio playback, and the HT-S680 is ready for the iPod via RI compatibility.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3
User Rating: 
10/10
Amazing Home Theater System
Pros: Thunderous bass, crystal clear sound, better than a movie theater, versatile
Cons: nothing significant
Review:
User Rating: 10/10
Fabulous .... Absolutely Fabulous !
Pros: Pure Sound; Surround Separation Sounds Live; Easy Set up
Cons: Verify Front Speaker Is OK
Review:
I bought the Creative Xi-Console for the new computer I just built; that's the $350 sound card set-up (it was $100 off). It seemed like a shame to use the most expensive sound card on the planet with my 10 year old computer speakers, so I started shopping for a nice speaker system next. After listening to the ones Creative reccomended, they appeared to be made for gamers - small, limited range speakers with all or nothing bass. I would not even consider spending this kind of money to play games; my computer is used for music and video - a media center with editing abiltities. I decided to look for a Home-Theater-In-A Box set-up. After all, the Creative Xi-Fi has OPTICAL in and out 
. I bought this Onkyo system Open Box and refurbished - someone had purchased, then returned it because the front speaker was bad. It was otherwise new and complete. The retailer also had one on display, but it too had a bad front speaker (we verified that it was indeed the speaker itself, not the receiver).
I took the Open Box system home and (true to form) the front speaker was still bad {distorted high frequencies - I will return it for replacement). I temporarily put the bad speaker in the rear center position, which doesn't drive very hard. After only about 10 minutes of set-up and fine-tuning, I am over-whelmed. Use a source like Boney James, Sting, or Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and it's like being there live. Pure sound, incredible separation and dead silence in the background; wonderfully matched with the bass right where it belongs.
The best results for me were to "zero" all the Xi-Fi software settings (turn-off all the effects), use only the JAZZ pre-set on the (software) graphic equalizer, and use the Panorama and wide settings on the Onkyo. Don't turn up the PCM frequency (in the Creative software) for MP3 files; leave it at 48 (instead of 96) but you can record/ rip CDs at 320.
I can now simply alternate the Onkyo between PLII-Music and PLII-Movie modes and leave the Creative settings unchanged. The high quality of the Xi-Fi and Onkyo components with the optical connection and digital sound sources makes for unreal sound. It was a little pricey, but I'm now set for YEARS of enjoyment - it will take a new discovery in physics to get any better than this .....
. I bought this Onkyo system Open Box and refurbished - someone had purchased, then returned it because the front speaker was bad. It was otherwise new and complete. The retailer also had one on display, but it too had a bad front speaker (we verified that it was indeed the speaker itself, not the receiver).I took the Open Box system home and (true to form) the front speaker was still bad {distorted high frequencies - I will return it for replacement). I temporarily put the bad speaker in the rear center position, which doesn't drive very hard. After only about 10 minutes of set-up and fine-tuning, I am over-whelmed. Use a source like Boney James, Sting, or Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and it's like being there live. Pure sound, incredible separation and dead silence in the background; wonderfully matched with the bass right where it belongs.
The best results for me were to "zero" all the Xi-Fi software settings (turn-off all the effects), use only the JAZZ pre-set on the (software) graphic equalizer, and use the Panorama and wide settings on the Onkyo. Don't turn up the PCM frequency (in the Creative software) for MP3 files; leave it at 48 (instead of 96) but you can record/ rip CDs at 320.
I can now simply alternate the Onkyo between PLII-Music and PLII-Movie modes and leave the Creative settings unchanged. The high quality of the Xi-Fi and Onkyo components with the optical connection and digital sound sources makes for unreal sound. It was a little pricey, but I'm now set for YEARS of enjoyment - it will take a new discovery in physics to get any better than this
.....
User Rating: 10/10
thank you guys !!!
Pros: because of u I 've got the best system
Cons: thank u all, for your opinions
Review:
real clear sound, very satisfied, i just did some adjustments(like everybody else) that's it. U guys were right, onkyo is great(maybe more than great).especially neo6: mode for music. the movie sound seems to me better than the movieTheares.absolutely perfect.
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