Things are better on the audio connectivity front: there are four digital audio inputs (two coaxial and two optical), but no digital outputs. Plus, there's one stereo analog input, and a record in-out set for use with an analog cassette or CD recorder. The aforementioned 7.1-channel multichannel analog inputs round out the audio section.
The RI (Remote Interactive) jack can be used with the Onkyo DS-A2 iPod docking unit. There are high-quality speaker binding posts for seven amplifier channels; and spring-clip connectors for a set of "B" stereo speakers.
The HT-SR800's receiver is compatible with both XM and Sirius satellite radio. To access the capability you'll need to buy either the SiriusConnect Home Tuner or the XM Mini-Tuner and home dock kit, then sign up for a subscription for the respective service (note that you can't hook up Sirius and XM at the same time--just one or the other). The XM, by the way, includes Neural Surround decoding, for reproduction of Neural-encoded XM broadcasts in discrete 5.1-channel surround sound. Also of note: with our old XM Connect-and-Play antenna, the HT-SR800 flashed "upgrade tuner" on its display, and we couldn't get it to work. The newer XM Mini-Tuner and home dock kit worked fine.
On the speaker front, the HT-SR800's front three speakers feature a pair of 5-inch woofers flanking a 1-inch dome tweeter; the four surround speakers have a single 3.25-inch woofer but no tweeters. The spring-clip speaker wire connectors accept the cables that come with the system.
The subwoofer has a down-firing 10-inch woofer powered by a 230-watt amplifier. The sub's port is located in front, so the bass won't be unduly affected by corner placement. The rear panel houses a single RCA line-level input and a volume control.
Unlike most integrated HTIB systems that require the electronics, the speakers, and the sub to be used together, you can upgrade from the HT-SR800's speakers and subwoofer--we exercised that option in the Performance section of this review (see below). Conversely, the opposite is also true: you can match the speakers with any other standard AV receiver. If you've already got a satisfactory receiver, however, you're probably better just going with the 5.1 Onkyo SKS-HT540 or 7.1 SKS-HT740 speaker systems.
Performance
The Flyboys DVD showed off the Onkyo HT-SR800's home theater moxie. This film, set in the early days of World War I, has a rousing music score that's loaded with crackling snare drums, and the front three speakers sounded quite detailed and richly balanced. The swooping air battle scenes and the rat-tat-tat of machine gun fire had the sort of visceral power few HTIBs ever muster. The center-channel speaker, even in the midst of noisy battles, handled dialogue with rare finesse. The HT-SR800 isn't the most expensive HTIB you can buy, but it's definitely one of the best sounding we've heard in a long time.
CD sound was pretty swell too. Rockabilly great Billy Burnette's Memphis in Manhattan features a particularly well-recorded acoustic bass, and the HT-SR800's subwoofer didn't miss a beat. Each deep bass note was clearly defined and wonderfully weighty in ways that few HTIB subs can match. This HTIB can rock and roll without running out of steam, while the sub and speakers showed no signs of strain up to fairly loud volumes. Above & Beyond, a swinging live jazz CD from violinist Billy Bang, demonstrated the satellite speakers' clear sound. The backing band's piano and sax were beautifully presented--again, few HTIBs are as enjoyable playing music as the SR800.
The Onkyo HTIB's ability to upgrade is another reason we so highly recommend the HT-SR800. With most HTIBs, you're stuck with the speakers and sub that come with it. To finish up, we put aside the Onkyo speakers and subwoofer and hooked up Cerwin Vega's CVHD 5.1 speaker/sub system ($999). Wow--the CV's 12-inch sub has a far more massive, feel-it-in-your-gut impact than does the Onkyo sub, and the CV satellites can play louder and sound more alive.
In the final analysis, only the disappointing shortfalls in the video feature set--no video upconversion, no HDMI audio--are the major drawbacks of the Onkyo HT-SR800. Otherwise, this unit--which is widely available for under $500--represents an amazing home theater value that delivers far better sound and more connectivity options than competing products, including some that cost hundreds of dollars more.
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