With most producers of AV receivers you’ll uncover an intensive vary, from low (cheaper and with fewer channels) to excessive (dearer and with higher and extra versatile amplification). It typically appears a bit advanced, as a result of on one aspect the variations between the more and more costly fashions appear restricted. Alternatively, not everybody needs an intensive encompass setup with an accompanying costly receiver. Then a less complicated mannequin will suffice. However what if you happen to purpose for a encompass setup with most expertise? Each model has a high mannequin that serves this objective and that’s considerably above the following receiver within the line-up. At Onkyo that is the TX-RZ70, an 11.2 AV receiver with a promised 140 Watts per channel – and that may be over all the frequency vary, not simply when a check tone is pushed via the amplifier at 1 kHz. It additionally options IMAX Enhanced assist and a THX Licensed label. The age-old collaboration between Onkyo and THX is actually not over.
The Onkyo TX-RZ70 retails for 3,299 euros. This makes it a competitor for the upcoming and maybe dearer Denon AVR-X6800H, which does assist 4 subs however doesn’t have a Dirac license, and the Yamaha RX-A8A with its personal YPAO system.
The following step
On the subject of design, streaming capabilities and operation, the TX-RZ70 is similar to the TX-RZ50. That’s the reason on this extra compact evaluate we deal with the essence of what makes the TX-RZ70 totally different and we suggest that you simply undoubtedly check the decrease Onkyo mannequin. There we take a better take a look at the app controls and the Play-Fi platform that covers a big a part of the Onkyo’s streaming skills. Not every little thing, as a result of the gadget additionally has AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Bluetooth on board. Roon Prepared also needs to be added later. Nevertheless, throughout the check interval the certification was not but so as.
Additionally current on the TX-RZ70 is the Klipsch Optimized Mode, a particular mode that lets you tune the receiver to particular Reference and Reference Premiere audio system from Klipsch. Each manufacturers are related via the identical dad or mum firm.
Heavy factor
We instantly discover that the TX-RZ70 gives greater than the TX-RZ50 once we slide the gadget into our rack. It carries – actually – extra weight. If you happen to peek via the air flow grilles of the receiver, additionally, you will see one of many causes. This mannequin comes with an immense energy provide that ought to present the strengthening half with ample endurance.
If you happen to speak concerning the design typically, there’s not likely a lot distinction with the cheaper TX-RZ70. Onkyo has as soon as once more opted for a tool that’s effectively geared up with buttons and keys. The place different manufacturers go for a rotary knob to alter inputs, right here you get fifteen separate keys. So switching rapidly is, er, quick, nevertheless it does make the receiver a bit busier. Since AV receivers are sometimes positioned out of sight, this isn’t an issue. If you need much more management: underneath the considerably old-school show with inexperienced characters there’s a massive steel flap that you simply fold right down to reveal many extra buttons. This manner you’ll be able to absolutely modify the TX-RZ70 on the gadget itself. However truthfully: working by way of the TV interface and distant is way more snug.
A lot of flexibility
We do not suppose the appears to be like of an AV receiver are that necessary. Generally, such a tool will find yourself in a rack or AV cupboard. Because of the many cables concerned, it’s merely not that good to put an AV receiver in view. After all it’s potential. Within the case of the TX-RZ70, you’re looking at a classically designed AV receiver that appears a bit extra ‘technical’ and displays respectable construct high quality.
Really, it is the again of an AV receiver that is actually necessary. The TX-RZ70 stands out, along with a sequence of legacy video connections, the six HDMI inputs and three HDMI inputs. Excluding one HDMI output, all are HDMI 2.1 appropriate, and due to this fact prepared for 8K/60 or 4K/120 alerts from a next-gen console. You can even really do HDMI switching to separate zones. You may, for instance, play a recreation on the TV in the lounge and present a YouTube cooking video on the display within the kitchen by way of an Apple TV.
The TX-RZ70 is an 11.2 receiver, however gives extra flexibility than you’ll anticipate. It’s straightforward to arrange a 7.2.4 setup by way of the TV interface, however you too can go for a less complicated setup and management a second or third zone. But another choice is to bi-amp your entrance audio system and/or middle speaker. Together with the complete pre-outs that let you ship channels to separate amplifiers, you’ll be able to go in lots of instructions with this Onkyo. When it comes to audio inputs, the vary is barely extra restricted, though 4 digital and 5 analogue (together with phono) can’t be known as scant.
Full of helpful choices
You may learn extra concerning the controls and the TV interface within the evaluate of the TX-RZ50. It’s nearly fully relevant to the TX-RZ70, which may be operated with the identical apps (Play-Fi and Onkyo Controller) and places the identical TV interface on the display.
Each the Onkyo Controller (with assist for a number of zones) and the TV interface current very glossy and clear. It additionally appears to be like sharp and definitely not old style on a projection display or a really massive TV. Nevertheless, you do not get quite a lot of clarification, so in that space it stays clear. Extra importantly, the interface is sort of logical, so you’ll be able to rapidly get to the suitable setting. It does not overwhelm you both. You begin with about ten primary choices, solely by clicking additional you’ll attain the superior choices. There are some, together with on the stage of encompass codecs. Album artwork while you stream music appears to be like good; there are even various streaming choices you’ll be able to management by way of the TV interface.
We discover it helpful that you may show a small choices menu concerning the content material by urgent a distant button. Right here you’ll discover a restricted variety of helpful settings, resembling separate ranges per channel, Dirac filters and a well-functioning dialogue enchancment. The Private Preset secret’s one other helpful factor. Urgent this protects the present sound mode and quantity stage for later recall on the contact of a button.
Dirac in AccuEQ
An enormous plus with the Onkyo receivers stays that you simply get a full Dirac license as an alternative of 1 restricted to 500 Hz (as with NAD or Primare) and even none (Denon). After all you’ll be able to talk about whether or not intervention with Dirac at greater frequencies is basically vital or possible for people who find themselves much less aware of the software program. However at the least the complete license is included. As with the opposite Onkyo receivers, you’ll be able to provoke the Dirac measurement from the Onkyo Controller app and with the included microphone. Those that purpose for a top-level encompass setup will, nevertheless, somewhat decide to put in Dirac Dwell on a laptop computer and work with a devoted measurement microphone. The TX-RZ70 additionally not too long ago helps Dirac Bass Management, very attention-grabbing if you’re working with two subs in a house theater. We have not experimented with it a lot ourselves, however with these two subs and the software program you’ll be able to generate smoother bass and deal with acoustic layer issues higher.
Moreover, the TX-RZ70 nonetheless gives the choice of working with AccuEQ with AccuReflex. This calibration software program has historically been included on Onkyo gadgets. That actually does not make it dangerous. Dirac has some property that AccuEQ doesn’t possess; for instance, it may easy out the section variations between particular person drivers of every speaker. However AccuEQ can actually produce good outcomes, as we seen once we began working with this software program.
Highly effective beast
We first related the TX-RZ70 to our DALI Rubicon encompass setup, however throughout the summer season it was quickly changed by a setup with KEF R Meta audio system (whereas retaining our DALI Alteco peak audio system and ELAC Sub 2050 subwoofer). The attractive KEFs want some energy to carry out effectively dynamically, which was clearly barely higher with this dearer Onkyo than with the TX-RZ50.
When operating via various Dolby demos, we heard a really well-defined encompass picture with the R sequence. Even the primary time, with an AccuEQ measurement. The Onkyo sound focuses somewhat extra on precision, which improved the positioning of the tones of ‘Audiosphere’ and the breaking glass of ‘Shattered’. With Dirac we gained some readability and positioning. That is the place the Onkyo excels. The numerous small sound results that create ambiance in Alfonso Cuarón’s ‘Roma’ (Dolby Atmos) have been additionally discreetly and accurately positioned, together with behind us.
Nevertheless, the TX-RZ50 additionally largely possesses the identical expertise. What the TX-RZ70 provides is energy and a little bit of management, which was evident throughout the battle in ‘Dune’. The advanced soundtrack is a mixture of many sound results and futuristic music by Hans Zimmer, which makes it tough to current it effectively by way of soundbars or much less profitable encompass setups. The primary time we noticed this movie in an Antwerp cinema, it wasn’t fairly because it ought to have been, even in that atmosphere, simply to point how tough ‘Dune’ is on this space. Right here, nevertheless, we get pleasure from a superbly built-in complete that places envelopment forward of pure spectacle. It sounds a bit totally different than the marginally extra bombastic Denon AVC-A1H that’s completely within the check room, however actually no worse.
The managed nature of the Onkyo and its pace appeared like one thing for gaming to us. In the direction of the top of the testing interval, Bethesda’s ‘Starfield’ was launched, an area exploration recreation that mixes each first particular person motion and area fight. A superb alternative to check out that encompass setup with the TX-RZ70 with very dynamic content material the place sound results change place all through the room relying on how you progress. Fairly difficult, however one thing that the Onkyo receiver doesn’t have too many issues with. Based mostly on the accurately positioned sound results, it was very straightforward to find out the place of an attacking spaceship (and particularly its lasers) and reply accordingly. Or how an actual encompass setup does way more than simply add an expertise to a gaming session in comparison with a soundbar.
Conclusion
The Onkyo TX-RZ70 is the present high mannequin from the Japanese producer. With an intensive vary of streaming choices, a greater amplification hatch, quite a lot of flexibility when it comes to settings and an included Dirac license with a worth of 349 euros, this gadget has rather a lot to supply. Though it isn’t as useful because the Denon/Marantz items and has fewer choices than Yamaha, the Onkyo manages to tell apart itself with good dealing with and a nostril for element and sound impact positioning.
Is it value that step from the TX-RZ50? After all, it does provide two further amplified channels, which makes constructing a 7.2.4 setup simpler. With the TX-RZ50 it’s important to add a stereo amplifier. Aside from that, it’s primarily concerning the wider and higher amplification that makes it potential to drive harder audio system.