| | |  | Combo Receivers | Home » » » » » 7.2-Channel 110-Watt Network Home Theater Hdmi Receiver | | | | | | | Description: | | With its bountiful array of connections, the TX-NR709 A/V receiver handles just about any playback device you care to hook up. Eight HDMI inputs give you plenty of scope for high-definition sources, while two HDMI outputs double your display options. HDMI supports pristine lossless audio from Dolby and DTS and video upscaling to stunning 4K resolution via Qdeo technology. Connectivity is further enhanced by a front-panel USB port for digital link-up of iPod/iPhone, and a wide range of analog and digital inputs-including S-Video and 7.1 analog multichannel inputs-for all your legacy components. The network-capable TX-NR709 also brings PC audio and internet radio to your living room, where Audyssey MultEQ XT calibrates the soundfield to match the room's unique dimensions. Onkyo's graphical OSD and navigation GUI make it easy to browse your content and adjust settings on the fly. Finally, bi-amping capability, 7.2 multichannel pre-outs, and a dedicated phono input provide further flexibility for the demanding audiophile and help propel the TX-NR709 to the head of its class. | | | Features: | |
• 110 Watts per Channel at 8 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 Channels Driven, FTC;
• HDMI Support for 3D, Audio Return Channel, Deep Color, x.v.Color, Lip Sync
• HDMI Video Upscaling to 4K with Qdeo Technology by Marvell
• Playback of Audio Files Through Local Network (MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, LPCM)
• THX Select2 Plus Certified
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 14.94 inches | | Product Width:
| 17.13 inches | | Product Height:
| 6.88 inches | | Product Weight:
| 26.9 pounds | | Package Length:
| 22.0 inches | | Package Width:
| 18.2 inches | | Package Height:
| 11.2 inches | | Package Weight:
| 33.1 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 69 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 69 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
142 of 151 found the following review helpful:
 You really should be very careful...Aug 17, 2011
By J. Walker
I hesitate to write this review because I like Onkyo - I bought this receiver (actually two of them - see below) to replace other Onkyo receivers. However, I wish I had listened to some of the other reviewers on here because this turned into a real headache for me. If you read through the reviews here and on other sites, you will see tales of units having to be returned because of video and other issues. I had my first unit for just over 30 days - just outside the Amazon return period - when it failed with exactly the same problem that is described by another reviewer here. First, the HDMI main output failed, so I switched to the HDMI sub output (which, by the way, isn't a long term solution for a variety of reasons), and then shortly thereafter the sub output failed too.
I had ordered a second unit by that time to use in another room and, guess what... I put it into the system and shortly thereafter its HDMI failed too. I'm not going to bore you with the blow by blow of what happened next, but the short story is that I was told, after having the first unit in the shop for almost a month, that the part that was needed to fix the first receiver was backordered for an additional 60+ days. Although in the end Onkyo did authorize the entire HDMI board to be replaced, getting this done took many phone calls and lots of time, and left me without a receiver for 6+ weeks. I simply sent the second one back.
I normally ignore reviews such as this one under the theory that if a company manufactures enough products, some of them will invariably break, and I don't hold the company responsible for these few inevitable defects. However, out of the currently 7 or so reviews that have been posted for this unit on Amazon, it seems that 5 units have not worked in one way or another. I wish I had given this stronger consideration in my purchasing decision, because having two receivers break within a few week period and the resulting mess was unpleasant.
All of that being said, I can tell you that if you manage to actually get a working unit, and if you are lucky enough for it to continue working, then it is great. But you may just be buying a headache.
67 of 71 found the following review helpful:
 Onkyo's Jan Brady might be the Best Sub-$750 Receiver this YearJun 19, 2011
By WDH
In years past, many Onkyo owners (myself included) tended to migrate to either the value-curve melting entry-level 6-series or the full chassis muscle of the 8 series and up. The 7 series has long been an "in-between" model in Onkyo's lineup. It was omitted in 2006 altogether and seems to be an easy step to overlook as prices naturally descend above and below it. To this extent, the 70x was the proverbial Jan Brady - not quite the brawny muscle of the 80x or the entry-level, high bang for your buck 60x.
Networking, THX certificiation, and quality video processing have all tricked down the lineup even further this year, making model differentiation for the 709 more difficult. That said, the 709 presents a big leap over the 609 in respects of the version of Audyssey auto room callibration (2EQ vs MultiEQ XT); multichannel pre-outs for the connection of a separate amplifier; dual HDMI outs for video toggling between two displays; the historical inclusion of a learning feature in the remote; and a somewhat ridiculous 8 HDMI inputs. These are all (and in particular MultiEQ XT) considerable reasons to opt for the 709 over the 609. The advent of HDMI and rapdily falling prices have led to a scarcity of inputs on most modern mid-range receivers, notably with Denon. The onkyo tx nr709 and upcoming pioneer vsx-1121 probably offer some of the best connectivity in this space.
I have owned numerous Onkyo products in the past and am well aware of their quirks (massive heat, moody HDMI boards, etc), but have always been impressed by their raw power, strong featureset, and intuitive setup menus. Onkyo appears to have addressed a number of its predecessors' shortcomings in the 709. Gone is the easy-bake oven operating temperatures of past models. In fact, I was shocked to compare it to Denons, Marantzs, and Pioneers operation in an enclosed cabinet to find the 709 an incredibly cool-operating machine. I believe there is an internal fan, but its operation is silent from normal distances.
Somewhat strangely, I have always relied on Onkyos exclusively for my mother and mother-in-law as they are the only receiver that can be setup over the telephone easily. Their menus are intuitive and easy to navigate, unlike modern Denon and Marantzs that seem to always hide something at some point. Beginning in 2010, Onkyo introduced an overlain onscreen display similar to Denon, but an abstract of the full menu/GUI (Denon offers overlain access to the full setup menu). In some ways Onkyo's approach is superior in that it offers great aspect adjustments (ie zoom in on blu rays to remove black bars) and the full picture simultaneously (Denon and Marantz gray the picture to some extent). I must admit I am a fan of the quick-reach tweaks to video and audio settings in addition to input (which is largely redundant considering the remote is already in your hand). The 709 relies on video-processing from the highly touted Marvell Qdeo chipset. This is a significant improvement from the long-in-the tooth Farjouda chip Onkyo dragged in various versions since 2008. The Marvell chip was also used in mid-range Pioneer and Pioneer Elite receivers last year and I found performance to be excellent in both. That said, video processing in receivers is helpful, but far from essential - most displays will offer identical or better processing. From a competive perspective, it should be mentioned that Denon (and Marantz) has dropped the very good ABT-2015 chipset in its mid-range receivers in favor of none or an Analog Devices chip. Pioneer continues to rely on the Marvell chip as well.
Speak setup and callibration is very easy with the Onkyo once the setup microphone is plugged in. Initially, the Onkyo confirms the speaker setup (height, wide, rear/normal, or zone 2) and confirms whether you want to run full audyssey or a quick setup. The former is what I strongly recommend as it unlocks the amazing ability of Audyssey to set speaker distances, levels, crossovers, and other equalizer filters to get the most out of your speakers and set reference volume. The current iteration of Audyssey MultiEQ XT foregoes the center/left/right measurements it did two or three years ago. It does offer multi-positional measurement, but I have found from experience that letting it remain in the center of the listening environment throughout the measuremetns yields the best result.
Real-world power and sound quality is excellent for a receiver in this price range. Many people overstimate the actual power they need in real-world usage and rely on ignorant comments such as "it must be less powerful since i have to turn it up to -20 on movies" as anecdotes of amplification power. The 709 provides ample amplification power that will leave all but truly inefficient speakers struggling at reference volume. In mere anecdotes, the 709 seemed to offer power nearly to the level of my Denon AVR-3311ci, which is a complement to its amplification ability. The 709 is a THX Select2 Receiver, which is largely marketing save the listening modes THX offers (they anecdotally provide a thuddier version of the orignal audio).
In respects of networking, the 709 provides what I would classify as the essentials - Pandora, Napster, Rhapsody, and DLNA streaming. It lacks the bleeding edge Airplay Denon introduced last year and Pioneer improved upon this year in respects of multi-zone playback. The lack of Airplay is somewhat disappointing, but could be overcome with an Apple TV2, which offers video-streaming unlike the aforementioned receivers.
All in all, the Onkyo TX NR709 is an incredible value, although it is not perfect. It lacks a dettachable power plug, which is incredibly pedestrian in light of pre-outs and dual hdmi outs. The lack of airplay relegates the 709's appeal in a world where most people's music library now resides on a pc and an ipod/iphone. That said, I would encourage many people to find a receiver that offers the same featureset, power, and connectivity at the same street price ($650). Well done Onkyo even if most people will still end up picking Marcia.
40 of 41 found the following review helpful:
best receiver for the price!!!Aug 25, 2011
By J. Lau
"everything guy"
It's hard to keep reviews like this short, because there are SO many features on this thing. I'll go over some of the things that stand out to me.
The internet radio is one of our favorite functions, you can even browse THOUSANDS of internet radio stations and it's seemlessly intergrated in the receiver. We began listening to a radio station in Hong Kong! Pandora sounds great, so does last FM. The music title/artist displays on the receiver's screen while the song is playing... WOW.
DLNA intergration: Ive used the unit to stream music to the receiver and it works well. My windows 7 PC is setup with Tversity (google it) and it found all my files right away. There is a slight lag browsing the files, but the sound is good regardless.
Sound.. well, Im not going to say it sounds better than (insert receiver name in here), HOWEVER, it is up to par...no distortion, nothing that makes it sound bad, only goodness from this thing. I don't claim to have golden ears, there are just TOO many variable in sound (mostly it depends on the SPEAKERS) you have.
Audyssey's MULTIEQ XT is the BIGGEST reason why I chose this receiver, for the price/performance... it cannot beat! If it's one thing that affects your sound quality, is the quality of your analyzer (Audyssey, yamaha's YPAO, pioneer's MCACC). If you look at the audio/video forums, this is a feature that is high sought after. This one is better than the Audyssey 2EQ system because it has better crossover control. Here is the quote from audyssey's website:
"MultEQ has twice the resolution of 2EQ (that was designed to fit within the constraints of smaller processing chips). So, MultEQ will do a much better job correcting the low frequencies of the main speakers. MultEQ XT will do an even better job as it has 8 times higher resolution than MultEQ. You can see the full comparison here: "
Video performance is flawless... perfect 1080p upscaling
It takes about a second to switch inputs, slight lag, but I can live with that. I even set up the HDMI return channel, so we can use the built in Netflix tha the TV has, to automatically "return" the audio signal back via the HDMI input to the TV so that you dont have to have an extra output cable. Nifty.
The unit gets moderately hot, not as hot as my previous onkyo units but not as cool as my pioneers either. Somewhere in between.
There is bi-amp capability, if you want that. I use it, and it's be perfect so far.
BTW: I was previously debating between the Pioneer 1021k because it has 1.) airplay and 2.) they have a nifty ipad/ipod/iphone app. However, what pushed me over was that 1.) airplay does not support video, which I would have just use Apple TV 2 instead, which in the future should be able to do screen mirroring for the ipad :) 2.) As for the app, if u read the reviews, it's just "cool" but not very useful. In contrast, there is an app for Onkyo receivers as well that's on sale at the app store (at the time of writing ) $5. I played with it, but honestly, i'm not going to use my ipad as a remote. Cool, but not practical for me.
All in all, this is excellent receiver for the price. I would also heavily consider the Onkyo RC-370 as it's the same thing as the 709 without an extra output and one less input, and slightly less power. However the 709 most definitely has a "cleaner" exterior look. The 370 has logos all over the face of the unit that's printed on.
As of today 8/25/2011.. ive had the receiver for about a month now it's been working without a hitch.
I also how onkyo updates their receivers as well, they don't just leave their customers hanging. Here are the latest firmware updates from onkyo.. Another reason why I end up choosing Onkyo
As of 8 August 2011
* Adds support for AUPEO! Personal Radio, Internet Music Service;
* Enhances operability with the Remote App for Android.
As of 15 July 2011
* Improves picture output of 1080p/24 sources.
As of 14 June 2011
* Improves audio/video output in HDMI Through mode;
* Stabilizes configuration of static IP address in network settings;
* Improves connectivity of UWF-1 wireless LAN adapter (Supports wireless LAN access points with SSIDs that contain non-alphanumeric characters);
* Reduces noise during audio playback from iPod/iPhone via USB port.
As of 26 April 2011
* Enhances video output when Monitor Out setting is set to "Both";
* Improves update functionality;
* Supports manual setting of hexadecimal WEP keys for UWF-1.
Please input the WEP key again after updating firmware.
If you're deciding between the 609 and 809... I didn't get the 609 because I really wanted MultiEQ XT. I didn't get the 809 because it's substantially more money for extra power output (unlikely will make a difference for most people) and the supposedly more powerful video processor. So the 709 hit the spot for me.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Update: Had video problem and maybe found a fix!Aug 22, 2011
By Brad
EDIT (9/11/11): HOLY CRAP! The video problem just happened on my receiver! I managed to fix it on mine, at least temporarily (read on)! I was using it earlier this morning and then tonight, NO video on main out. I switched the HDMI cable to sub out and I was getting video but no audio pass-through, and no on screen menus. I went to the manual in hopes of finding something helpful and noticed the hard reset procedure (Hold VCR/DVR & press ON/STANDBY). Thought it was worth a try and it worked! I lost ALL my settings in the process but main out is working again. I guess I'll wait and see if it happens again before calling Onkyo. If you lose main out give it a try, it was on the first page of the trouble shooting section.
ORIGINAL POST (8/22/11): To be honest I'm a little suspicious of all the complaining going on with this receiver. I've had my Onkyo TX-NR709 for more than a month now and I have had ZERO problems with it. Some of the complaining reviews say "Check the Internet for ONYKO Video problems"; I suggest you search for "Onkyo TX-NR709 video problems" (since it's a more relevant search to this product). What you'll find, if you do the search, is links back to the Amazon review page and people generally discussing the receiver, no complaints (Google search done 8/22/11). Onkyo has had issues in the past, I don't deny that, but this generation of receivers doesn't appear to have its predecessor's video problems. Another example I'll give is the Onkyo TX-NR609, and TX-NR509, which I bet dollars to donuts use very similar if not identical video-boards, do not have any of the same video-problem-reviews people are complaining about here (feel free to quash my theory, with proof, if you find otherwise). In the meantime I'll keep my fingers crossed that my 709 doesn't develop the problem.
I also haven't had any problems with the network connectivity like other people are "experiencing". I have a degree in network engineering but I don't think you'll need one to get this working on your network. I plugged it into my ethernet network, ?????, PROFIT. I don't have any experience with the UWF-1 wireless adapter, but I don't see how it could talk on a network without a MAC address. Maybe turn off your MAC address filtering till you figure it out.
Moving on... I love this receiver! The features list is phenomenal. The sound is great. I love having Audyssey MultEQ® XT take the guess work out of calibration. There really isn't much to say about this amplifier that others haven't already mentioned. If you're looking for a good receiver, have done your homework, and are on this page you probably already know most of the details.
I'm not going to say you won't have a problem with the video or the networking if you buy an Onkyo TX-NR709. You can let the one and two-star reviews scare you away or you can take a chance on it and trust you'll get a good unit like I did (like the majority of people do, I bet).
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 Incomplete concept on two HDMI outputsNov 22, 2011
By DEC
The unit works OK for the most part. I thought I would share the most disappointing aspect I have found so that future buyers might make a more informed decision.
The feature that drove me to favor it over the 609 was that the 709 has two HDMI outputs. I thought they ought to both function completely, as I suspect most people would. After working with the unit for several days, I was certain that in standby only one of the HDMI outputs would pass the sound and it was nearly always the HDMI Sub (secondary) output. The firmware update was installed and the unit cleared several times. I had intended to use the primary HDMI to the local TV and assign the second to a wireless transmitter. But with this condition it was necessary to wire both outputs to the TV. When the receiver was off we used the sub HDMI out to watch and listen through the TV, and when the receiver was on I could access the setup screens only from the primary HDMI out.
I thought I had a bad unit. After 8 days Onkyo confirmed by email that only one HDMI will be sound enabled in standby, but it should be the primary output that has the sound. That's a bit late to provide support which is wrong in my case as to which works correctly.
The manual does not seem to advise that one of the HDMI outputs is crippled, but I think it ought to spell that out very clearly somewhere. If I intended to always use the receiver for sound at the local TV I could get around this problem, but we don't always want the volume level required of our floor mount speakers with children sleeping above the viewing area. I will use a splitter to achieve the result I want, but I am disappointed that a key aspect of this level receiver compared to its lesser sibling is not fully functional. At the price difference, I could have the 609 and a splitter with a fair amount less invested.
UPDATE
A replacement 709 works the same, though depending upon what HDMI pass through option is selected you can change which HDMI out has sound in pass through. Only one of the 4 dual modes permitted the primary to have the sound and it would disable it on the secondary. Why could they not make both funciton 100%?
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