Onkyo TX-NR807 and TX-SR707 receivers keep the updates rolling
By Steven Kim 
posted Aug 10th 2009 7:24PM
posted Aug 10th 2009 7:24PM
(8/10/09) -- Onkyo has introduced and begun shipping its first network-capable home theater receiver configured for Pandora, Rhapsody, and Sirius' streaming internet radio services. The new Onkyo TX-NR807 also capable of playing computer music files from networked PCs, is fully compatible with the Digital Living Network Alliance's DLNA 1.5 consumer electronics interoperability specification, and sells for less than half the price of the company's previous network-capable model. With THX Select2 Plus certification and state-of-the-art processing from Dolby, DTS, Audyssey and Faroudja, the Onkyo TX-NR807 offers high definition audio and video performance. The TX-NR807 and non-networking TX-SR707, also introduced today, are Onkyo's first receivers to offer Audyssey DSX soundstage extension processing in addition to Dolby Pro Logic IIz height-capabilities.
The Onkyo TX-NR807 connects directly to the internet or a home network via a rear-panel Ethernet port. The receiver's on-screen user interface allows users direct access to Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius Internet Radio, and vTuner streaming radio services, or to access MP3, WMA, FLAC, Lossless, Ogg Vorbis, and AAC files from any computer or storage device on the network. The receiver is Windows 7 compatible, and its Ethernet port can also be used for firmware updates.
The TX-NR807 also includes Onkyo's new Bi-Directional Preprogrammed RI Remote Control which will impress anyone who has ever been frustrated by the trial-and-error manual data inputs and paper listings usually needed to program associated TV's, disc players, cable boxes, and other components. Onkyo's new system allows users to select from a on-screen list of compatible products, and then automatically transmit the codes from the receiver to the remote control. The remote also offers up to four macro programs for simultaneous activation of multiple components and feature sets.
As a premium home theater receiver, the TX-NR807 is also the perfect match for high definition video displays with Blu-ray players and other HD sources. It has six HDMI 1.3a inputs, 1080p video upscaling of all sources using the powerful Faroudja DCDi Cinema processor chip. On the audio side it has a full suite of surround processing, including lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.
The Onkyo TX-NR807 is one of the first receivers to incorporate Audyssey DSX technology, which allows the back surround channels to be retasked for front-wide speakers to expand the width of the sounds stage, or for front height speakers to provide vertical ambience effects. The receiver also includes Audyssey MultiEQ room calibration technology, plus that company's Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ processing. Dolby ProLogic IIz processing is also included to provide an alternate implementation of height channel technology.
The TX-NR807 has seven powerful 135-watts-per-channel Onkyo WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) amplifier sections for high output and low distortion, offering a dynamic power rating of 300 watts into 3 ohms. It has an extensive array of analog and digital inputs and outputs, including an MM/MC phono input. Its multiroom audio capabilities are similarly extensive with Powered Zone 2 and 3 capabilities, multiple DC triggers, bidirectional RS-232, and Onkyo's exclusive Universal Port for connection of an optional iPod Dock and HD Radio tuner.
The Onkyo TX-NR807 is now shipping to Onkyo dealers and will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,099.
Onkyo Debuts TX-SR707
Onkyo has also introduced the TX-SR707 THX-Select2 Plus home theater receiver, which has the same advanced high definition audio and video processing features as the TX-NR807, but uses a 7 x 100 Watts power amplifier section, Powered Zone 2, conventional preprogrammed remote control, and has no networking capabilities. The Onkyo TX-SR707 is currently available with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $899.
The 807 real spec... 135watts - 70watts( all channels driven @ 1khz) - another 20watts (@20hz - 20khz)=45 watts (per channel) (7 channels).
These companies need to get sued for these inflated power ratings.
Exactly! And people just fall for it especially in big box stores. I love my lowly 85WPC all channels driven HK AVR 745 ;)
But you also have people that just to get the most watts. I can't count how many times I have heard people talking about needing to have an amp with the most watts. They just don't understand that there is a lot that goes into delivering big and clean power. I also like the fact that you need to double the watts to gain a noticeable difference of 3 db, which quickly can get out of control. Making the difference between a 90 watt/channel and a 100 watt/channel amp nothing.
I do think that someone needs to standardise a test to properly and consistently measuring an amps output.
He he, you guys are complaining.
Think about our poor sods in Europe then. The IEC standard only demands that one channel needs to be driven into a 6 Ohm load!
In Europe this amplifier is sold as a 180W amplifier!
Well I have the Onkyo 805. I am assuming that the 807 has at least the same power. I've read several reviews that have measured the 805 with all channels driven:
http://www.hometheatermag.com/compactspeakers/208bwonk/index5.html
"HT Labs Measures: Onkyo TX-SR805 A/V Receiver
Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1 percent distortion at 162.0 watts
1 percent distortion at 184.5 watts
All channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1 percent distortion at 120.4 watts
1 percent distortion at 151.7 watts"
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/receivers/onkyo-tx-sr805-204217/review?artc_pg=1
"Indeed, I challenge you not to do a double-take when you digest its specification: the SR805 is a 7.1-channel THX Ultra2 receiver - not the lower-specified THX Select - and is generously rated at 130W per channel (our own Tech Labs measured it as 146W with five channels driven - a very good performance.)"
No, the TX-NR807 will never match the TX-SR805. You need to understand one thing:
The TX-SR805 was a FREAK.
I love my 805, I just wish it had more HDMI inputs.
I wonder why Onkyo weakened the 807 which is supposed to be a successor to the 805/806? On paper, the power specs look the same. Did they think the 805 was too much of a good deal or something? I got the 805 because it was the best bang for the buck at the 800-900 price range (a year ago).
And yeah, i wished my 805 had more HDMI inputs as well. After hooking up the xbox360, ps3, and my computer, I'm all out of ports. If I ever get a standalone bluray player or HD sat receiver, i would have to use the component connections.
There is no way on this earth these receivers can output those kinda power specs.
Just look at the Emotiva UPA 7 amp. http://www.emotiva.com/upa7.shtm
To produce 125 Watts per channel @ 8ohms (20hz - 20khz), the UPA 7 weighs 71 pounds, requires massive power rails and other amplifier thingy's that I don't know what they are called. But you get the point.
The 807 power supply has to power the rest of the electronics (video and audio processors) plus the amp's output stage. All from one power supply. And it probably only weighs in at 26lbs.
Well, from reviews ive read, the 805 was tested with 5 channels (not 7 like the UPA7), and the unit weighs 51 lbs.
The 807, on the other hand, weighs 38 lbs. I haven't seen any testing on it since it is still new.