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Onkyo TX-NR808, TX-NR1008 and Harman Kardon AVR3600 Comparison


Youthman

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I spent most of the afternoon in the Home Theater comparing my current HK AVR3600 with the two Onkyo Receivers (TX-NR808 & TX-NR1008) I picked up recently.

 

Before I began comparing, I anticipated the Onkyo TX-NR1008 and TX-NR808 to sound the best for HT (due to Audyssey) but expected the HK to sound better than the Onkyo's for music.

 

It's been several years since I have not used a 200 watt/ch amp in my HT so I was curious how each sounded with just their internal amps.

 

I began with the 1008, then moved to the 808 and lastly to the HK 3600.

 

onkyo-tx-nr808.jpg

 

For BD, I watched the Galvatron Chase scene from Transformers, Dark of the Moon, and a few scenes from The Dark Knight Rises.

For Music, I used Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds: Live at Radio City, Nora Jones & Eagles: Hell Freezes Over

 

In testing the Onkyo's, I ran Audyssey in the 6 recommended positions and set the crossovers, gains and settings the same for both receivers.  I did not hear any audible difference between the Onkyo TX-NR808 and the TX-NR1008.  I guess that is to be expected since they use the same processing, same power.  The main difference between the two receivers is 7.2 vs 9.2, 1 HDMI Out vs 2 HDMI Out and a few additional inputs, none of which would have effected the SQ.

 

The Onkyo sounded fantastic for both HT and for Music.  As I stated in another thread, the Onkyo has TOTALLY changed my opinion on how they sound for music.  I am very pleased with how the Onkyo handles music.

 

After testing the two Onkyo receivers, I hooked up the HK AVR3600. 

 

harman-kardon-avr3600.jpg

 

The one thing I noticed immediately was that the HK sounded brighter, more detailed than the Onkyo receivers did.  It was crisper, sharper, whereas the Onkyo was more laid back.  It reminded me of how my RF-7's sounded compared to my previous RF-83's.  The 83's were just more laid back, yet still detailed.  Same was true for the Onkyo. 

 

To my ears, I actually prefer the brighter, more detailed sound of the HK.  This really surprised me, especially since the HK had the lowest MSRP ($899 for HK3600, $1099 for Onkyo 808, and $1399 for Onkyo 1008). 

 

With that said, I do realize that I have three LaScalas which are EXTREMELY efficient and easy to drive.  The Onkyo's might have a clear advantage if driving less efficient speakers.  Not sure.  The HK, even though it was only 85/ch, had no problem driving all 7 speakers. 

 

I am very curious how the HK 3600 will compare to my Onkyo TX-NR5008 once it gets back from repair.  I am anxious to find out if the Onkyo TX-NR5008 will sound better due to the much more powerful amp section, Audyssey XT32, THX Ultra2 Certified, Independent 1 Teroidal + 3 Transformers, and had a $2700 MSRP.   You would think with a $899 vs $2699, there should be a significant audible difference.......guess we will have to wait and see.

Edited by Youthman
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The one thing I noticed immediately was that the HK sounded brighter, more detailed than the Onkyo receivers did.  It was crisper, sharper, whereas the Onkyo was more laid back. 

 

Michael, you know your ears but this is the first time I have ever heard HK described as brighter and more detailed, especially compared to Onkyo.  I have always considered Onkyo about as neutral as it gets and not laid back.

 

With that said, your HK may just match better to the highly revealing and efficient LaScalas. 

 

Either way, enjoy.

 

Bill

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Maybe the Onkyo is neutral and the HK is brighter.

 

You may be right.  I just have not heard HK ever described anything else but warm.

 

Now, with that said, maybe Audyssey "warmed" things up a bit on the Onkyos to compensate for the very revealing LaScalas.

 

Bill

Edited by willland
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"Detailed" is a perfect way to explain the HK sound. I was doing A/B testing between my AVR3700 and my Onkyo 818 and I felt the Onkyo had more "oomph" but I preferred the HK sound. I just wish the 3700 had a better system calibration like Audyssey.

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Did you try the "direct" or "pure direct" modes to separate the differences in processing from the amplification?

No, I listened to Music with the THX Music setting and Movies in the THX Movie setting.

 

"Detailed" is a perfect way to explain the HK sound. I was doing A/B testing between my AVR3700 and my Onkyo 818 and I felt the Onkyo had more "oomph" but I preferred the HK sound.

I didn't hear the "omph" difference but my guess is because of the efficiency in the LaScalas.  They don't produce a lot of deep bass by themselves.  The highs and details are where I noticed the difference.  Thinking back to when I first got into HT, I had a Harman Kardon AVR55, then moved up to an Onkyo 703 for DTS processing and more power.  Even then, I described that the HK had better separation of musical instruments (better clarity) and the Onkyo sounded like it blended the sounds together more (smoother).  Guess nothing has changed in the what I have always heard between Onkyo and HK. 

 

I'm definitely curious how the Onkyo TX-NR5008 is going to compare to the HK AVR3600.

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BTW, how do you like your 3700?  I'm really surprised that their top tier receiver is only 7.2.  I'm totally fine with 7.2, but I know with the advent of 9.2 and 11.2 receivers, you would think they would have added that as well.

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Picked the Onkyo TX-NR5008 up today.  Got everything hooked up, ran the Audyssey XT32 with 8 positions and just as I began running some demos, my wife comes in and asks me to turn it down since it was my youngest daughter's bedtime. Onkyo seems to be working good as new.  :D

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Picked the Onkyo TX-NR5008 up today.  Got everything hooked up, ran the Audyssey XT32 with 8 positions and just as I began running some demos, my wife comes in and asks me to turn it down since it was my youngest daughter's bedtime. Onkyo seems to be working good as new.  :D

I see a power amp for sale in your future.... :)

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I remember adding a Parasound HCA2205a (220 x 5) to a Yamaha RX-V1800 (130 x 7). It wasn't night and day difference but it was a noticeable difference. I did question whether it was $750 worth a difference.

What I noticed was better separation of instruments (clarity) for music, better bass even at low volume and I had plenty of clean power to drive my system beyond what my ears could handle.

The Yamaha sounded fantastic with 5 speakers but adding rear surrounds really pulled too much power and the receiver had to be turned up considerably and even with the volume turned up more, didn't sound as dynamic and impactful for HT.

The LaScalas likely will change that equation entirely due to their high sensitivity. I won't get any deep bass from them at low or high volume (with or without an amp). I've tried an Onkyo TX-NR 808, 1008, 5008 and a HK AVR3600 and all of those handled my 7 speakers with no sign of struggle.

Edited by Youthman
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LOL, could be.  I definitely want to try it with and without the amp to see if I can hear a significant difference.

One other thing is the heat that Onkyo's are notorious for. An external amp will help in that regard and add some longevity to the AVR.

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