And that is why Onkyo claims to have found a solution. The idea sounds simple, but all the more brilliant: In the front speakers drivers are installed, which raises the sound at the ceiling, which reflects it back. This will make the ceiling speaker unnecessary.
The home theater system is announced for months and I was really looking forward to it. The company Onkyo is known primarily for very good quality at a fair price. The now a few years old THX System (HT-S9405THX) is a prime example. Super facility - perfect workmanship - grandiose sound and for under 1.000 EUR.
But - you can anticipate it - this level holds Onkyo not at its new Complete Set flagship. It already starts to unpack. While the HT-S9405 is top handles wire sizes, terminals and processing of the HT-S7705 boxes are clearly inferior.
But is followed by the absolute strength of the system: The installation!
The cables and terminals are color-coded so that a false construction is almost impossible. The whole installation process is accompanied by an assistant. The calibration is carried out as with the other complete system of Onkyo through the automatic calibration (AccuEQ). As half-a layman, I would have been otherwise well screwed. This Onkyo ensures that anyone can install the system.
Unfortunately, the disenchantment begins again now: While in the earlier systems, the automatic calibration has brought into being an excellent result, this failed the HT-S7705 unfortunately partially. A friend took care of the problem and change the setting manually. Behold - the result was much better. In other forums owners complain unfortunately the same.
When connecting falls on next, that the speakers are unfortunately undersized. Per channel 160W are available - the speaker but have a max. Power between 80W and 130W. And unfortunately, these are not sufficient to ensure that the sound actually comes up noticeably from the ceiling back. Onkyo itself recommends a maximum ceiling height of 2.50 meters - but again, the Atmos effect is unfortunately minimal!
Overall, the speakers are also unfortunately otherwise the Achilles heel of the system and the notice foolishly not only professionals: The bass tend to rumble and treble tones are dull, which is primarily due to the not exactly lush lightweight speakers. The strength lies clearly in the speech intelligibility. This is looking really good in the film.
Overall rating:
+ Price
+ Construction
+ 4K / UHD capable
- Malfunctioning automatic calibration
- Average processing of boxes
- Sound of boxes
- Minimal Atmos / 3D effect (with high ceilings no effect)
Conclusion:
After a whole series of outstanding products from Onkyo, the HT-S7705 complete system falls sadly from. For the first time was significantly saving on components and processing. The main reason (Atmos Sound) works only for low rooms and then only minimally. Even a Raufaserdecke should not have.
The problem for buyers is: This system is not recommended - the THX system from Onkyo in the same price range is excellent, but not 4K capable ("only 4k upskaling) and thus not sustainable If you want to really have a Atmos sound in his living room. must rely on individual components of Onkyo Denon or Pioneer ,,. However, there does an Atmos Reciever without speakers already around 1,500 EUR. But but you can tell there in conjunction with a good speaker set a truly magnificent room-filling sound.
Anyone home cinema does not attach importance and "only" want to listen to music, should definitely rely on Onkyo THX System HT-S9405THX!
