Onkyo HT S7300 Review
Top-of-the-Line Package with Tall-Boys for More Powerful Audio
Sitting at the top of our range of home theater packages, the Onkyo HT S7300 Review combines today's essential A/V technology with proven Onkyo amplification muscle. Four HDMI 1.4a inputs allow you to hook up all your high-def devices and enjoy spectacular widescreen 1080p resolution on a compatible display. Non-HD video sources, meanwhile, can be upscaled to 1080p via HDMI with Faroudja DCDi Cinema.
This Best-Selling Home Theater tent to SELL OUT VERY FAST!!
If this is a MUST HAVE product, be sure to ORDER NOW to avoid disappointment.
This special Onkyo HT S7300 Review package also includes a 7.1-channel surround sound speaker set, which includes one subwoofer, one center channel speaker, and six satellite speakers--including two tall profile front speakers. It also includes a Dock for iPhone/iPod.
HDMI 1.4a not only provides a handy Audio Return Channel from your TV's tuner to the receiver, it also gives you compatibility with upcoming 3D video content. Among the other connectivity options on the Onkyo HT S7300 Review is a Universal Port for the included Dock for iPhone/iPod. The Onkyo name is synonymous with quality sound, so it's no surprise the HT-S7300 packs stellar audio processing: lossless HD codecs from Dolby and DTS; Dolby ProLogic IIz for overhead ambience; Audyssey room-correction; and specialized audio modes for gaming.
Key Features
DTS-HD Master Audio DTS-HD Audio delivers sound quality that matches the clear and vivid images of high-definition video. Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs deliver five times the video resolution of standard DVD and produce images with stunning realism. But that's only half of the story. You need incredible sound to complete the high definition experience and DTS-HD Audio provides the highest quality multi-channel sound possible. Movies come alive with sound as lifelike as the picture, and music becomes as real as a live performance.
Faroudja DCDi CINEMA The Faroudja name is synonymous with high-quality video processing. The Faroudja technologies incorporated into our 2008 A/V receiver range give you the power to bring out the best from both high-definition and standard-definition video content. The Faroudja DCDi Edge video processor converts interlaced video signals to progressive scan signals and effectively eliminates video artifacts from HDTV images. The Faroudja DCDi Cinema video processor is a more sophisticated version that drastically reduces video noise without sacrificing image quality and sharpness. Both processors can scale standard-definition sources up to 1080i--and DCDi Cinema can additionally upscale to 1080p--for output to HDTVs.
Powered Zone 2 By dedicating a pair of channels on receivers with this capability, you don't need an external amplifier to enjoy an independent stereo audio source in a remote room. For example, on higher-end models this allows for a full 5.1 channel movie to be enjoyed in the home theater, while simultaneously sending a song from a CD (or other source) to speakers in another room.
What's in the Box Onkyo HT S7300 Review, one subwoofer, one center channel speaker, six satellite speakers (two tall front, two short rear, two short surround), iPod/iPhone dock, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions
Specifications
I purchased this system on Black Friday, and noticed shortly after that it was "under review" by Amazon. Several of the other reviews state that the unit overheats and malfunctions if the vent is blocked, and were considering that to be a defect. This system could very well be a popular first home theater receiver/amp, so for those of you who aren't familiar with these kinds of things, think of it this way- the main unit is a video/audio processor packaged in a metal box which ALSO contains the parts that power the center, fronts, and surround speakers. The speakers don't have power plugs, they're powered directly by that unit. In other words, imagine placing a 20-pound power supply in a metal box with your laptop. Get the idea? There's a reason it ships with a warning label which clearly states DO NOT BLOCK THE VENT. I have no doubt that shoehorning it into one of those cubbyhole-style stands or placing a shelf directly above it will cause problems.
All that being said, I have my receiver on the bottom shelf of my TV stand with a good 8" above it before the next shelf, and the stand is open on the sides and back (glass shelves with wooden legs on the corners). I've run the unit for hours at a time with no problems whatsoever. Maybe I'm just lucky, or maybe it's the fact that there's sufficient airflow. Either way, it works.
And it works really well. I'm not sure how the setup could be difficult, all of the ports on the receiver are clearly marked and the remote uses the same labels (the "Game" HDMI port and "Game" optical audio port are controlled by the "Game" buttons on the unit itself and the remote). The various audio modes are well described and the Audyssey setup is easy too (and highly recommended, it makes a difference). The subwoofer is huge, which is good or bad depending on your situation. I'm in a third floor apartment, so turning the knob to anything beyond 3 (out of 10) is inappropriately loud. On the other hand, in a "man cave" or home theater you can really crank the thing up and feel the soundtrack in your chest. For comparison, the subwoofer is slightly taller and a few inches wider than my Antec 900 computer case.
A few additional notes: as another reviewer stated, the Atlantic stands that are listed at the bottom of this page DO NOT directly attach to the speakers. The speakers have a wall-mount bracket towards the top of the back, but nothing on the lower-back or bottom. I just used the included double-sided tape and the speakers aren't going anywhere. If you have kids or rowdy pets you might want to look into another solution.
Also, Onkyo is kind enough to ship some speaker wire with the system, but it's super thin. Upgrading to some 14-gauge wire is a good idea, at the very least for the rear surrounds. You could probably get away with using the thin stuff for the front three, but you can get a spool of 100' 14-gauge wire for under $40. Also, don't bother with banana clips; you can't use them on the speaker end, and they don't seem to make a good connection on the receiver end. Just wire everything directly- it's quick, easy, and reliable.
Sitting at the top of our range of home theater packages, the Onkyo HT S7300 Review combines today's essential A/V technology with proven Onkyo amplification muscle. Four HDMI 1.4a inputs allow you to hook up all your high-def devices and enjoy spectacular widescreen 1080p resolution on a compatible display. Non-HD video sources, meanwhile, can be upscaled to 1080p via HDMI with Faroudja DCDi Cinema.
This Best-Selling Home Theater tent to SELL OUT VERY FAST!!
If this is a MUST HAVE product, be sure to ORDER NOW to avoid disappointment.
This special Onkyo HT S7300 Review package also includes a 7.1-channel surround sound speaker set, which includes one subwoofer, one center channel speaker, and six satellite speakers--including two tall profile front speakers. It also includes a Dock for iPhone/iPod.
HDMI 1.4a not only provides a handy Audio Return Channel from your TV's tuner to the receiver, it also gives you compatibility with upcoming 3D video content. Among the other connectivity options on the Onkyo HT S7300 Review is a Universal Port for the included Dock for iPhone/iPod. The Onkyo name is synonymous with quality sound, so it's no surprise the HT-S7300 packs stellar audio processing: lossless HD codecs from Dolby and DTS; Dolby ProLogic IIz for overhead ambience; Audyssey room-correction; and specialized audio modes for gaming.
Key Features
DTS-HD Master Audio DTS-HD Audio delivers sound quality that matches the clear and vivid images of high-definition video. Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs deliver five times the video resolution of standard DVD and produce images with stunning realism. But that's only half of the story. You need incredible sound to complete the high definition experience and DTS-HD Audio provides the highest quality multi-channel sound possible. Movies come alive with sound as lifelike as the picture, and music becomes as real as a live performance.
Faroudja DCDi CINEMA The Faroudja name is synonymous with high-quality video processing. The Faroudja technologies incorporated into our 2008 A/V receiver range give you the power to bring out the best from both high-definition and standard-definition video content. The Faroudja DCDi Edge video processor converts interlaced video signals to progressive scan signals and effectively eliminates video artifacts from HDTV images. The Faroudja DCDi Cinema video processor is a more sophisticated version that drastically reduces video noise without sacrificing image quality and sharpness. Both processors can scale standard-definition sources up to 1080i--and DCDi Cinema can additionally upscale to 1080p--for output to HDTVs.
Powered Zone 2 By dedicating a pair of channels on receivers with this capability, you don't need an external amplifier to enjoy an independent stereo audio source in a remote room. For example, on higher-end models this allows for a full 5.1 channel movie to be enjoyed in the home theater, while simultaneously sending a song from a CD (or other source) to speakers in another room.
What's in the Box Onkyo HT S7300 Review, one subwoofer, one center channel speaker, six satellite speakers (two tall front, two short rear, two short surround), iPod/iPhone dock, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions
Specifications
- Output power: 1200W total system power (130W x 7 channels, plus 290W subwoofer power)
- Dolby decoder: TrueHD, DD Plus, PLIIz
- DTS decoder: DTS-HD Master Audio, HD-High Resolution Audio, NEO:6
- iPod/iPhone ready: UP-A1 dock for iPod included
- U-port: Yes
- HD radio: via optional UP-HT1
- Receiver dimensions: 17-1/8 x 5-15/16 x 12-15/16 inches (WxHxD)
- Subwoofer dimensions: 10-13/16 x 19-15/16 x 16-3/16 inches (WxHxD)
- Center channel dimensions: 11-7/16 x 4-13/16 x 4-7/16 inches (WxHxD)
- Satellite front dimensions: 10-5/16 x 41-1/8 x 10-5/16 inches (WxHxD)
- Satellite surround/back dimensions: 4-3/4 x 11-7/16 x 4 inches (WxHxD)
- Warranty: 2 years, limited
- HDMI (1.4a): 4 input, 1 audio output
- Component (Y/Pb/Pr): 2 input, 1 output
- Composite (AV): 4 input, 1 output
- Analog audio: 6 input, 2 output
- Digital audio: 2 optical input, 2 coaxial input
I purchased this system on Black Friday, and noticed shortly after that it was "under review" by Amazon. Several of the other reviews state that the unit overheats and malfunctions if the vent is blocked, and were considering that to be a defect. This system could very well be a popular first home theater receiver/amp, so for those of you who aren't familiar with these kinds of things, think of it this way- the main unit is a video/audio processor packaged in a metal box which ALSO contains the parts that power the center, fronts, and surround speakers. The speakers don't have power plugs, they're powered directly by that unit. In other words, imagine placing a 20-pound power supply in a metal box with your laptop. Get the idea? There's a reason it ships with a warning label which clearly states DO NOT BLOCK THE VENT. I have no doubt that shoehorning it into one of those cubbyhole-style stands or placing a shelf directly above it will cause problems.
All that being said, I have my receiver on the bottom shelf of my TV stand with a good 8" above it before the next shelf, and the stand is open on the sides and back (glass shelves with wooden legs on the corners). I've run the unit for hours at a time with no problems whatsoever. Maybe I'm just lucky, or maybe it's the fact that there's sufficient airflow. Either way, it works.
And it works really well. I'm not sure how the setup could be difficult, all of the ports on the receiver are clearly marked and the remote uses the same labels (the "Game" HDMI port and "Game" optical audio port are controlled by the "Game" buttons on the unit itself and the remote). The various audio modes are well described and the Audyssey setup is easy too (and highly recommended, it makes a difference). The subwoofer is huge, which is good or bad depending on your situation. I'm in a third floor apartment, so turning the knob to anything beyond 3 (out of 10) is inappropriately loud. On the other hand, in a "man cave" or home theater you can really crank the thing up and feel the soundtrack in your chest. For comparison, the subwoofer is slightly taller and a few inches wider than my Antec 900 computer case.
A few additional notes: as another reviewer stated, the Atlantic stands that are listed at the bottom of this page DO NOT directly attach to the speakers. The speakers have a wall-mount bracket towards the top of the back, but nothing on the lower-back or bottom. I just used the included double-sided tape and the speakers aren't going anywhere. If you have kids or rowdy pets you might want to look into another solution.
Also, Onkyo is kind enough to ship some speaker wire with the system, but it's super thin. Upgrading to some 14-gauge wire is a good idea, at the very least for the rear surrounds. You could probably get away with using the thin stuff for the front three, but you can get a spool of 100' 14-gauge wire for under $40. Also, don't bother with banana clips; you can't use them on the speaker end, and they don't seem to make a good connection on the receiver end. Just wire everything directly- it's quick, easy, and reliable.
