Onkyo TX-SR500 5.1 Channels Receiver

Pros: Clean sound, conservative power rating, front panel inputs, extra power outlet
Cons: lacks second "tape" loop, smallish remote

I've always loved Onkyo's corporate philosophy, to produce high quality products without unnecessary frills and sell them at a reasonable price. This unit follows that very closely.

All of the normal "receiver" items are here -- AM/FM tuner...

Pros: Awesome sound quality, great price
Cons: good for small or medium size rooms only

In purchasing audio equipment, I try to find the best quality at the lowest price. This receiver fits the bill. Onkyo is known for its good build quality on high end receivers and it spares no expense for this baby. The sound quality is superb. And it's...

Pros: Responsive, powerfull and versatile sound.
Cons: Remote could be constructed with more imagination.

This amp is one of the best receivers. 18 months ago, I purchased a pioneer 100W x 5 receiver. Over time, I found many shortcomings. When I cranked it for an explosive scene or space ship launch, I didn't explode. Rather it held back a fair bit....

Pros: Fantastic sound! Excellent power all around. Easy setup.
Cons: The remote is small, difficult to use, unless you can memorize all buttons!

I have never written a review for a product, but since I utilize Epinions so often now, I thought it was right to finally give back! Wow, what a reciever. Out of the box, it is not very 'fancy' looking, as my fiance told me. However, I believe in...

Pros: Excellent sound, great power for my living room
Cons: Must turn up to at least 40 to hear good

The Onkyo TX-SR500 is a excellent receiver for small-medium size room and delivers superb performance whether for home theater or stereo application. The receiver includes Dolby Pro Logic II Music or Movie depending on your selection, Dolby Digital, ...

Pros: Tons of inputs and outputs Easy to use Solid
Cons: No component

I got this system in my HT-S650 package from Circuit City. It looked fairly large, but fit conveniently in the space under my TV on the TV cart I have in my dorm room. I managed to run a DVD player (Panasonic CP72) and my Playstation 2 into the dual...

Pros: Powerful, clear sound, great price.
Cons: None.

A lot of people don't know about Onkyo, as they don't build a wide variety of products, choosing to stay only with audio. So don't be afraid if you see this name jump out at you if it's your first time looking for a receiver.

This unit has the most sophisticated processor you can find in this price range. Because it has wider heat sinks and a better power processor, it can handle huge and sudden changes in volume smoothly and without glitches or pops. It will also sound just as loud and just as powerful as another receiver with almost twice the wattage. If you need to test this for yourself, compare a 65 watt Onkyo to a 100 watt Sony or JVC and hear it for yourself.

Obviously, more expensive receivers will give you more for your money, but the bang to buck ratio on this unit will keep you satisfied.

One more small detail that I love about this unit- if you turn up the volume on the remote control, the knob on the machine goes up, too.

Pros: It has many features. Good ENTRY level for surround sound.
Cons: Warrantee work required in the first year.

Fairly easy to hook up for the non-audiophile. Slightly lower in sound quality for music than my previous Yamaha. Not as warm. Many more features though. I upgrade for surround sound. I changed to Onkyo for price versus features over Yamaha. Reliability has been a concern there was a delay in getting it repaired, because so many others needed repair. Now it needs repair again. My previous Yamaha receiver lasted 10 years my Onkyo less than 5 years. An excuse to upgrade to 7.1 surround.

It can jump back and forth between the quiet, subtle sounds of nature to the deafening sound of a plane crash or a gun fight, without raising a sweat. Push it hard and it delivers. It is commonly thought that the "watts" rating of an amp has something to do with its output. This amp proves them wrong. I had a pioneer 100W amp that stuggled and battled along, with no excitement or explosiveness. This amp (65W @ 8ohms) nearly blew my roof off. This is because Onkyo believes in High-current, low impedence. The high current gives the amp its power, not the maximum rated wattage output. This amp is responsive, explosive, easy to use and simply brilliant in every other facet.

The bass this system delivers is something to behold. I am very glad I bought this Onkyo Receiver, you cannot go wrong with this one.

I cross-shopped this receiver with the HK Avr125 and Pioneer 711. I did audition the Avr125 and that receiver sounds very very similar to this TX-SR500. Though the AVR125 has some more features I chose the SR500 because of the price diff. The purity of the sound takes you aback. Very nice. One odd thing about the sound, little light on the bass.Thats why maybe I sometimes feel this thing could use more power. I however was running 5 full range speakers without a sub and that would probably even tax a bigger amp. OnkyUSA has a special on their website (December 2002) where u can get the HTR-500 (TX-SR500 but with 100 watts per channel). and their home theater speaker system includnig a subwoofer.. all for little more than $300 (refurbished). An awesome deal if u ask me.. wish i knew that before i paid 200 odd just for the receiver.

I've had this receiver for about 2 weeks now and love it. It has plenty of power and sounds terrific. Has all the necessary thing for a budget receiver as well as great construction.I would recommend this to my friends and show them what a great value it is.