Onkyo 608 - a strong buy recommendation!

The receiver is fully equipped and offers over when it comes to connectivity really all it takes. In addition to the 6 HDMI 1.4 connections, all old (Analog, Optical, Scart, etc.) are present.

The speaker can be either as a 7.2 (either 5.2 or 5.2 + Surround Back + Front High + Front Wide or 5.2) or connect a 5.2 with additional Zone 2, so separate and distinct supply of a second chamber. The Front high / wide arrangement is intended specifically for THX, are probably the least need, I have chosen the classic 7.1 arrangement.

Everything is wired carried automatic calibration of the system using the supplied Audyssey system. There was the first confusion, because the Onkyo did not respond to the remote control. I actually had a look at the manual throw to learn that you always have to press the RECEIVER button before the desired command to signal the as multiple FB designed remote control that one would like to operate the receiver and not a (not existing) another Onkyo component. The remote control overall unconvinced, so I have the Onkyo in my Harmony One integrated so that everything works perfectly.

The automatic calibration works very well and is designed more defensive. If that system now delivers too little creaking bass, which can subsequently be measured change the values ​​for each speaker. About the OSD display on the TV all the basic settings of the receiver are ever any problems and possible self-explanatory, even shown on the display names of the inputs can be renamed, because no desire remains open.

The sound in HD master audio tracks from Blu Ray is truly impressive! Since there are only a handful of Blu Rays with 7.1 HD audio tracks, I've only ever tested 5.1, eg Avatar and Iron Man.

The Onkyo is the original idea of ​​the perfect surround sound system to: A dialogue is crystal clear in low volume and suddenly lands next to you a helicopter 'also in the original volume. In a firefight (Iron Man) you hear every bullet individually and even the direction of ricochet is acoustically properly understand. In fact, the big screen !!! This pleasing defensive, ie the landing Hubi you will not break the same window of the living room, but leaves to sonority still no room for doubt that there just has landed a helicopter.

Since probably not all neighbors are thrilled you can limit significantly the late night mode, the differences in volume, a very useful institution, since not everyone has a home in a secluded location.

If you want to see no cinema but listen to music, then the Onkyo plays only really of his qualities. With the Pur Audio button (stupidly to operate only on the receiver, not by remote control) it turns into a Duo-block power amplifier, all systems are not required from (even the display turns off), and provides stereo high fidelity at its best on. In the spirit of a real amplifier you can change the volume now only, all other settings are disabled. The quality of the music rises clearly audible in this setting 'a real treat. However, the front speaker must 'triangle are in perfect stereo, as well as all Audyssey settings are disabled. HiFi Just pure, the sound experience is (at least with my speakers) is tremendously impressive.

Truly a little annoying that the Pur Audio mode is not to control with the remote control, but at least you can pre-program each input source, always start audio eg radio and CD in Pur, TV always surround etc.

A small problem it was in the adaptation of the Blu Ray player, which was initially set so that he himself wanted to decode the sound track and the Onkyo not HD Master got put signals. Ultimately, however, the Bitstrem setting was found on the player, with the player's own encryption is disabled and the Onkyo he leaves the task. The same should be allowed to bestow video input signals, so that the Onkyo can upscale the 'normal' low-resolution TV signals. The quality of standard digital television reception (no HD) thus increases significantly.

Another minor problem has now been found: The Onkyo, an HDMI Audio Return signal received, which means in plain English: if the TV direct image / sound signal gets, so do not have a cable or satellite receiver, but via internet streaming or when it receives DVB-T, then the Onkyo can about the HDMI out cable (which the television leads) a backward-looking audio signal from the TV received so that it automatically takes control over the clay, although this is now actually in television would (so no surround, but only the TV speakers in operation).

A fine thing '' which unfortunately did not work with me. After some research, I then found out that this technique only 1.4 Audio Return works with complete HDMI. Now LG has however meant: Life is good 'with HDMI 1.3, is, after all, not a 3D TV, so why 1.4 ports installed.

Shame '. therefore taken the detour that another optical cable has been set by the TV for Onkyo to grind the tone in this way back. After all, recognizes the Onkyo automatically when the TV produces its own sound and also automatically switches to the selected optical input. Because this option for me only comes into play when the TV is accessing via Internet on MAXDOME total tolerable because MAXDOME eh unable is a HD to transmit sound, so that the restrictions of the optical cable over the HDMI not into drop weight.

As far as my knowledge of the practical test, in spite of the few little problems unrestricted recommendation to buy !!