The Official Onkyo TX-SR705 Thread (FAQ in 1st Post) - Page 210

I normally use the PLIIX or THX Surround EX.

Oh, I couldn't agree more. I'm cringing at the notion; however, $350 for that system is at least more bearable than $700-$1,000, and probably more in line with a price-to-performance spectrum. There's not much out there in 5.1 at $350 price point anyway. How it's all going to work is, well....

mcdon283

It seems that you're set on buying that system because of the price. It's cheap for a reason - $350 shouldn't be a clearance or sale price, that's what the MSRP SHOULD be, and it should be on sale for $199 or something given the performance.

I'm not sure if you've asked in the speaker forum, but if not I'll save you trouble - the responses you'll get are: 1) avoid Bose period; 2) save more money to buy something better, even if you stick with satellites; 3) spend the money on a quality 2.0 system first and add components as you get the money. FL/FR first, then sub, then center, then side surrounds, then back surrounds. 4) to save money, downgrade the AVR and spend more on speakers.

IMO - if you could somehow finagle $500 for a good FL/FR by increasing your budget and/or decreasing the AVR, you can get terrific tower speakers that will annihilate those Bose cubes in every way. Of course, I'm not sure of your room parameters so that makes a difference too.

Hi rcoleman,

I had the same issue recently with a hum as well as interference on the video. I found, for me, that it was being caused by a ground loop coming from the cable-tv cable. My solution was to break off the ground prong on the device that was completing the loop - the projector. Most, or all, would not recommend doing this as it will make your equipement vulnerable. The other option is to get an inline ground-breaker for your cable line. I didn't do this but apparently it eliminates the ground from the cable line and there won't be any more interference.

I would plug everything in so you have the hum and then unscrew the cable coming in to see if the hum disappears. If so then you will have to do one of the options above. This is where I found my information - cinemasource . com / articles / gnd_loop . pdf .. It wouldn't let me post the proper URL

I hope this helps.

woohoo!

For those following, my receiver has been broken for almost 2 months now. Today I got the word from DTR in Denver that the unit has finally shipped and is on its way back to me!!!!! So hopefully by Thursday I'll have it all set up and calibrated! I've got a huge stockpile of movies to catch up on and new (to me) speakers to try!!!!!!

Onkyo customer service is still FTL.....

Is the 1.06 Firmware available for download yet (I am currently running V 1.01 ).

I bought my receiver from Acessories4Less back in December. I can't seem to find the serial number anywhere on the receiver. Where exactly is it supposed to be located?



TIA.
-Quickstrike

On the back, near the power cord as I recall.

To pile on the Bose a bit more. If you don't absolutely have to have the small size, for $350ish, I'd take a look at:

Polk R150 - $50/pair x 3 = $150 for 6.0
Dayton Sub-120 - $155
or this one if you can swing a bit more money and use a screwdriver without hurting yourself.

Fry's also has a Polk 10" sub for $200 and there are probably a number of other subs around $200 that would be more satisfying than the Bose bass module.

As for the R150s, I run them in our living room system. Respectable on their own, but do benefit from a sub below 100hz, as one would expect from a 5.25" woofer. They're not as sweet as my RTi38s in the dedicated theater room, but the 38s cost 6x more. If I'd gotten the R150s first, I'd have had a hard time justifying the 38s...

-Brent

Alright Guys, you talked me out of geting the bose system. I have about a $450-500 budget, so what 5.1 speaker system should I look into geting that will be beautiful for the Onkyo SR705 when I get it in December? I'll use this speaker system with my old Onkyo Receiver via fiber optical until I get the new Onkyo Receiver In December.


Suggestions? Is it true the movies theatres use Klipsch?

What do you guys think of this Klipsch system? I hear Klipsch has incredible sound. "Klipsch Quintet SL Home Theater System (Set of Five, Black)"

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Quinte.../dp/B0011YZ018


Also, this Klipsch Quintet 3 Surround System. http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Synerg...2629006&sr=1-1

What movie and what is the soundtrack signal?
DTSHD ? Or TrueHD or what?
how many speakers do you own?

PCM is the better sounding soundtrack
You can find the list of sound qualities here listed from best to worst
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=760714
This is mentioned in the FAQ in post # 1 (in question # 6 of the Bluray section)

If you have a 7.1 system you can use the PLIIx listening mode if the disc is only 5.1 to simulate 2 more channels) or just use the DTS, or DTSHD or TrueHD modes to match the disc high quality; or if you only have 5.1 speakers you can use the Multichannel DSP listening mode for 5.1 discs (if its a DTS disc use DTS)

PLII is only available if the source is 2 CHANNEL stereo not more than 2 channel
It matrixes 2 channel into 5.1 channels to SIMULATE 5.1 with a 2 channel source

Most movies are in 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS or DTSHD or better high end soundtracks so you pick the best listening mode to get the most out of the source signal


Multichannel setting is fine if you have a 5.1 disc (PCM)

If you dont want the annoying blue light you can DIM it or turn it off
there are 3 settings
read the FAQ to know how to change it

the INTENT of pure audio is NOT to turn off the light but instead its there to use when you are listening to only CDs or MP3 player input and dont need to video processors working and using more heat and electricity

There are so many good choices out there. Best advice is to go audition speakers - even if you have no intention of buying them. Best place to do that is at a pro-audio store. Places like Circuit City and Best Buy, etc., are OK, but you're probably not going to find the best quality for the price. You probably wont at a pro-audio store either, but they will have quality speakers setup in good listening rooms and can give you a ton of information.

Your best bet at that price is to go internet direct. I haven't heard those Klipsch, but the company has a great reputation and very distinctive sound. You need to browse the speakers forum here on AVSForums. There are tons of reviews, requests for advice just like yours, and a wealth of information. It takes time to learn and research, and you will not find a simple "buy these" solution.

Also, you do not need to buy a subwoofer from the same manufacturer as the speakers. There are some great internet direct companies specializing in subwoofers. Check out the AVSForum sub forum for help there.

Congrats on taking some time to decide before you buy the Bose. You'll be happier that you did.

Movie theaters and concert halls use JBL Pro speakers alot of the times
depends who bids the work
http://www.harman.com/what_we_do/mar...?market_id=PRO

(Im a former Harman International (JBL / Harman Kardon, etc) employee who worked in the OEM automotive division but got to walk over into the aftermarket consumer and Pro areas all the time

Its the new Rambo movie which is in DTSHD and 7.1 surround and i have a 7.1 setup in my apartment using Def Techs.

has anyone plugged a computer, mac mini specifically, into one of the hdmi inputs? any issues with the hdmi handshake?

Yea i also noticed that when I play a blu-ray (7.1) movie in PLIXX mode it wont let me select it. I tried to switch it to that setting but nothing, so since i cant use that what u guys prefer???

thank you !
Another stupid question then, why would I be getting next to no sound when I use the PCM track?

OK, I will be connecting my 705 with a soon-to-be had Pioneer BDP-51FD BR player and a Pro-111FD plasma. The new player has a "Pure" mode that outputs the disc exactly as it is.

Seems to me that the "Pure Audio" mode on the 705 would be the best match according to the manual as it eliminates all video processing.

However, my speakers are not full-band, have crossovers at 100. According to every meaningful post I have read on this thread, bass-management is turned off in this mode.

As I did not like this answer I called Onkyo and spoke with one of the reps....twice. He said that all audio processing remains the same, crossovers etc.

Who to believe?

Thanks,

It's simple enough to prove. Play a CD or a DD 2.0 television broadcast using Pure Audio mode. See if anything comes out of the subwoofer. If Onkyo is correct, the subwoofer will continue to play redirected bass. It won't, but rather than believe me, do the experment and prove it yourself.

Thanks Kplex,

I do believe you, and certainly did not mean to offend anyone here. Just wasn't sure if this was verified by anyone, or just going by information presented elsewhere.

I typed that in a hurry, so again, no offense intended. It's just that the Onkyo rep was quite sure of himself.

Also, not in town to verify on my own.

I appreciate your quick response.

Cheers

^^^ Yep, I was disappointed to find that I could not use "Pure Audio" effectively with my SACD ... this on top of no Audyssey processing in any mode with 192/176kHz inputs ...

No offense taken. But I gotta say, the Onkyo rep's are pathetic.

If you have a limited budget you might want to consider used speakers. Try to find someone selling in your area who will let you listen to them before buying. Even though speakers do age many HT enthusiasts upgrade frequently so you might find something only a few years old at a great price. Unlike electronics, speakers don't become obsolete and they can sound good for many years. As an example I sold a 5 speaker surround set that cost me $2000 new after using them for 5 years. Because I have a small theater I never played them too loud and they were in great shape and still sounded very good. I only got $500 for them on Ebay. You might also try the AVS "Speakers & Subs for Sale" forum or your local Craigs List.

Excellent idea IMO for that budget.

I have to agree with the other posters who say you have a mismatch with what you want to spend on speakers and AVR (Onkyo 705). It's hard to figure your budget because you say $450-500 for 5.1 then show a link for 5 Klipsch selling for $800. Let's assume you have a total budget of $1200 for new equipment. IMHO, you should budget $800 for speakers and $400 for an AVR, a ratio of 2:1. A ratio of 3:1 might even be better. With good used speakers there is more value so these ratios would change.

It looks like you have your heart set on the Onk 705 even though it is going to eat up ~50% of your budget.

bilbo660, not to offend you or be a smart ass, but who pays retail price of $799. Already found the speakers for 525 And what do you think of the other Klipsch ( 3 ), those were only $499

I got this Onkyo 7.1 set off Amazon for my 705 and only $279 !!!



http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-SKS-HT54...5625385&sr=1-1

It's a very impressive set of speakers and 7.1 to boot. I don't use the sub that came with this set but it's still a good sub. I just happen to have a very high-end one. But this 7.1 set is a steal at it's price!

Thanks for the response, tander. I wish it were that easy. I should have specified in my first post that the cable line is not connected to the TV but to the DVR. Even with the DVR and every other non-HDMI device disconnected, the ground loop persists.

I don't know much about electricity, but would it have something to do with the fact that the receiver has a 2-prong plug (floating ground) and the HDMI devices (TV, desktop, laptop) that cause the hum all have 3-prong plugs?

heh heh, I like to shop for the best price too but you didn't say in your post that you could get those $800 speakers for $525.

I'm not familiar with the speakers you reference but when I was auditioning towers last year I noted that Klipsch had a heavier sound than I liked and vocals didn't seem as sharp as other brands. I'm not an audiophile but I've heard mention of the "Klipsch sound" and I guess it's not for me.