Can anyone explain the differences between the highly reviewed Onkyo HT-S580 and its replacement, the HT-S590?

Thank you,

Sam

The 580 has 1 optical and 1 coaxial digital input. The 590 adds one more optical digital input plus component video. Besides that they are basically the same. Onkyo changed the look of the speakers a little but it's the same speakers and sub. I've got the 580, had it since January and for it's price I think it's a great value.

I'd recommend replacing the speaker wire that comes with it with 16ga wire though. Don't go 14. It's to big for the terminals. While the wire they include with it will work I noticed a difference after replacing it. The wire that comes with it reminds me of a bread twister, one stiff strand(very cheap). Lowes and Home Depot are the best places I've found to get speaker wire. 100' 16ga for $19.95.

One thing concerning the 590 I've noticed from sevaral post here is steady humm coming from the receiver. Seems to be something in the grounding of the speaker terminals. On the good side you'll notice it first thing if it is an issue so you can return it asap so nothihing lost. Check out this thread for more information on the issue.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=691847

Without the humm issue, which I doubt you would have, I've only seen a few post on it, but it's still worth investigating. Both are an excellent value. If you don't need the extra digital input or component video I'd go with the 580 as they are clearing them out and you'd probably be able to get it for a steal. Eather way you won't go wrong. Good Luck.

Jakeman, I took your advise a while ago and bought the 580 and am very happy with the receiver. Do you think replacing the speakers would make a big difference in the overall sound quality. My only complain is the audio dialogs, still not very audible unless I boost the center channel volume. But when I do this all other sound effects other than the dialogue are way too loud in the center channel.

Do you think replacing the speakers would make a big difference in the overall sound quality. My only complain is the audio dialogs, still not very audible unless I boost the center channel volume. But when I do this all other sound effects other than the dialogue are way too loud in the center channel.

you answered your own question. the weakest link in the onkyo HTIB's has always been the speakers. with decent speakers, you should never have to boost the center channel up that significantly to hear dialog. this is why onkyo speakers have the reputation as being "muddy"

replace the front three (L/C/R) with a couple of halfway decent bookshelf speakers and you'll be in for a whole new experience. ;)

you answered your own question. the weakest link in the onkyo HTIB's has always been the speakers. with decent speakers, you should never have to boost the center channel up that significantly to hear dialog. this is why onkyo speakers have the reputation as being "muddy"

replace the front three (L/C/R) with a couple of halfway decent bookshelf speakers and you'll be in for a whole new experience. ;)

I have a HT-S570 and I just replaced the fronts with a pair of those Best Buy Insignia bookshelf speakers and it sounds a whole lot better, ESPECIALLY with music. I took out the center and set the receiver to 4.1, and that works well, but with I really want to get another of those insignia's to use as a center. If anybody in the Boston area needs one of these speakers and wants to go halvsies with me on a pair, let me know.

How is the performance of the S580 sub?
I know it is passive.

I have a pair of Insignia that can be used as fronts.

Thanks!

While were at it-can someone tell me what the differences between the 580 and the 680?

Would love to know how much of an improvement the sub on the 680 is to the 580 and the 780 to the 680.
Does the 680 have a powered sub?

While were at it-can someone tell me what the differences between the 580 and the 680?

Would love to know how much of an improvement the sub on the 680 is to the 580 and the 780 to the 680.
Does the 680 have a powered sub?

The 580 has a passive 8" woofer rated at 100 watts. The 680 has a similar sub with an 8" woofer but is now powered at 150 watts. These both extend from 30-150 hz. The 780 has a 10" woofer and is powered at 230 watts and extends down to 25 hz. I would imagine that the 680 sub has more output due to the higher watts. Before I bought the S780, I had owned the S760 for 2-3 years and it has the same sub as the S680. In fact, the S760 and S680 are nearly the same except for the size of the satelites. However, the 10" sub from the S780 has quite a bit more output and was worth upgrading along with added 7.1, Prologic IIx, 3 optical inputs, 1 coax, and 3 component inputs.

I've had all 3 Onkyo systems--I had the 580 only long enough to return it for credit toward the 680. I had the 680 only long enough to return it for a refund. The difference the 780 provided was stunning. The 580 had "thin" sound, and not just b/c of the small main/surround speakers--the subwoofer was not only thin sounding but boomy, too. The 680 had 6.1 but still had the small, thin sounding main/surround speakers, although it did have a powered subwoofer rather than the passive sub.

The 780 had exponentially better main/surround speakers than the 580/680 (not to mention the speakers had 3 db more sensitivity, which when combined with the more powerful receiver went even further in creating a more convincing sound field) and the sub has great sound. There are significant connectivity issues regarding the 3 receivers, too, with the 580 offering much less than either the 680 or the 780.

I understand the dilema here--I sourced the 580 at $150 from Fry Electronics, the 680 at $280 from Fry's, and was reluctant to give up the great deals to get the 780. I ordered the 780 from Onklo's online store, refurbished (minor cosmetic defects??? I can't find them!) at $350. A week later Fry Electronics had the 780 on sale for less than $300.

Sometimes patience can be more than just a virtue. Now I wish I had had more of it :o .

Doug

Is there much of a difference in sound between the two?

Is there much of a difference in sound between the two?

No