Onkyo TX-NR7100 9.2-Channel THX Certified AV Receiver

Product Information

THX™ Certification: THX™ Certification offers optimal performance, superior quality and seamless integration. THX works with partners from the ground up, so that certified products deliver professional quality audio-visual experiences right out of the box. They only certify the very best products with uncompromised quality, performance and consistency. They ensure that THX certified devices play well with lower performing devices and components. THX listening modes make the receiver to have one speaker set up for movies, music and games. They are tested for power output, bass management, signal-to-noise ratio and feature THX Loudness Plus, Boundary Gain Compensation, Timbre Matching and RE-EQ. Ahh that's definitely better ... in fact it is very good, better than the 876 on its own (I think?)- hard to tell, but at least in the same ballpark - it is sounding good. Denon AVR-X3800H and Onkyo TX-NR7100 support DTS:X. A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling. For starters I just plugged in the 3.4 on its own, simply replacing the 876, and feeding it via HDMI. I really like how the Onkyo TX-NR7100 handles incoming signals. For example, when I am watching something in 5.1 on my Apple TV, it will automatically up-mix it to 5.1.4. Atmos and DTS signals will automatically get the correct container applied, as does stereo music. But if I decided that I wanted to listen to music on all-channel stereo, or another codec or DSP mode, it will remember that and apply it next time.

This is an immediate and noticeable step up on Audissey XT32 which I was using previously on the 70.4 - There is now a clarity which has never been present before - voices/dialog "pop"... - I started with the default Dirac -and later adjusted to a Harman +4db Target curve, with a bit of a tilt after 2k, and a slight rolloff at the high end. The TX-NR7100 is an excellent performer that lets you manage up to nine channels simultaneously. The receiver offers an easy setup, and it is compatible with standard 7.2.2/ 5.1.4 surround sound speaker configuration. You can also take advantage of its two Dolby Atmos channels to drive a 5.1.4-channel for a fascinating and immersive surround sound experience.Ideal for Apple users, AirPlay 2 takes this popular wireless streaming format and makes it better. Controllable by simply asking Siri or using your Apple device, AirPlay 2 lets you effortlessly stream music and podcasts around your home – and all in perfect sync. Chromecast lets you stream music, podcasts and audio apps, including Google Play, at the touch of a button. Klipsch Optimise Mode allows you to easily integrate your Klipsch Reference and Reference Premiere speakers seamlessly with your Onkyo AV receiver. Klipsch and Onkyo teamed up to implement the precise crossover values for specific new Reference Premiere speakers. Now, you can simply select the model speakers you’ll be using for each individual channel, and the optimised crossover setting will be automatically applied. Sound: IMAX and DTS have partnered with award-winning Hollywood sound mixers leveraging DTS:X codec technology integrated in home audio equipment and select televisions to deliver an IMAX signature sound experience with deeper bass and more dynamic range.

Carrying on this Onkyo AVR’s cinematic appeal, it’s compatible with both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Both formats use ceiling or upward firing speakers to deliver an immersive, multi-dimensional sound. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X make an overhead aircraft sound frighteningly realistic or a tropical storm a drenching experience. DTS Neural:X upmixes non-DTS:X signals, giving you a similarly enveloping sound with other sources. Upscaling: Both receivers can upscale up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4 from HDMI sources. Onkyo TX-NR7100 can also upscale from analog sources. Logically, a THX Select amp can only be so far from being THX Ultra certified because the difference between being 10' or 12' from a speaker is only about 1dB due to dispersion loss. A room with 50% more volume will reduce boundary gain though but not by more than 1dB. So in practice a THX Select rated amp should need to be no more than 2dB more capable to be Ultra rated. So it's not as significant a difference as some might think.Denon AVR-X3800H comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and Dirac Live (upgrade) and Onkyo TX-NR7100 comes with Dirac Live™ and AccuEQ room correction system. I subsequently ran Onkyo's own AccuEQ routine, which produced results that were generally similar, by ear, though not identical. As far as I could tell, at least, since there's no way to view AccuEQ's results graphically. Also, A-B listening comparisons between Dirac and AccuEQ were wholly impracticable since you can't store both a Dirac and an AccuEQ "run" in the receiver's memories simultaneously. What's more, a re-test-and-load of either boots whatever previous EQs were stored out in the ether, though the Onkyo Controller app does store either your latest Dirac or AccuEQ "run," enabling the manual tweaking and re-loading of EQ data from the app into the receiver. Onkyo TX-NR7100 comes with 7 HDMI 2.1 inputs with 8K support. It has 2 outputs - 1 Main and 1 Sub/Zone2. We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 91 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Onkyo TX-NR7100 over Denon AVR-X3800H.

Additional Features

This receiver can join your existing Sonos Home Sound System, or be the start of a new one, just by pairing it with a Sonos Port.* This works with Sonos Certified AVR offers a best-in-class tie-in to the Sonos ecosystem, waking, changing inputs, and playing at the volume you want using the Sonos Volume-Pass Through feature from the Sonos app. The TX-NR7100 can work with up to three Sonos Ports—one for each of three independent zones—each playing a completely different streaming service from Sonos Radio. Virtual height channels: The inclusion of Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization channels let you set the right mood for your movie nights. The height channels allow you to remain more flexible when setting up your speakers while ensuring that the sound is distributed uniformly throughout the home. Now, one feature I haven’t gone over yet is the 7100’s inclusion of DIRAC room correction software. The TX-NR7100 ACTUALLY has two different auto room correction options, Onkyo’s own AccuEQ, or the more advanced DIRAC Live. You can get good results with AccuEQ, but let’s be real, if you’re buying a receiver with DIRAC Live support like the 7100, you’re probably going to use it. Unlike say an Emotiva processor or NAD receiver, DIRAC Live’s implementation within the 7100 is WAY more streamlined. It works with the included low-profile microphone and your smartphone –so no dongles or laptops needed here, which is NICE! And the process is largely plug-n-play, only requiring you to make the necessary changes to the microphone’s position when prompted. Dynamic HDR: Dynamic HDR enables a noticeable progression in overall video image quality from SDR to static HDR, and now static HDR to dynamic HDR. Dynamic HDR support ensures every moment of a video is displayed at its ideal values for depth, detail, brightness, contrast, and wider color gamuts - on a scene-by-scene or even a frame-by-frame basis. HDR-enhanced content is available for movies, videos, TV shows, video and PC games and VR. Video Processing: HDMI 2.1/HDCP 2.3 (4K/120, 8K/60, ALLM, VRR, QMS), HDR10+, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG pass-through