Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Onkyo HT-S5200 7.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker Package with iPod Dock (Black)

Onkyo HT-S5200 7.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker Package with iPod Dock (Black) Review



This 7.1 sound system is an excellent choice for under 0. We wanted to update our old Sony 5.1 system (still rocks downstairs in the man cave) after purchasing a new tv as the Sony lacked HDMI connections and other modern updates. The sound system I really wanted (Denon receiver, Polk or Klipsch speakers and Polk sub-woofer) was running way over budget. Onkyo was suggested as a solid brand and while searching their receivers, I ran across this system. Looked like a great deal (I purchased direct) and I eagerly awaited its arrival.

This box was huge(!) and was too heavy for me to even attempt carrying. I opened it up on my front steps and carried several items in (2 levels) before I could carry the entire box inside. Everything is packaged tight and well insulated. Now that I had all the items laid out on my living room floor, I was a little daunted by all the components involved but the easy-to-follow quick installation guide made it look do-able. The included wires are all color coded which made it even easier. The back of the receiver has screw in connections for the speaker wires but the speaker backs have the lower end clip attachment. Hmmm. 45 minutes later, mission accomplished.

There are 8 connections available for this receiver: (1) dvd, (2) vcr/dvr, (3) CBL/SAT, (4) AUX, (5) TV/Tape, (6) tuner, (7) cd and (8) port. There are 4 HDMI connections in and 1 HDMI going out. We keep it in an enclosed wooden entertainment center with 3" clearance on top and glass window pane doors. It runs a little warm but nothing worrisome. The three front speakers are large which makes the center one beneath my flat screen tv look too bulky. I am not a fan! and this contributed to my 4 star rating. The 4 remaining speakers are smaller and bookshelf ready. Another little pick is the sub-woofer only has a volume control in back. I would have liked a tone control as well. The speakers and sub-woofer together perform beautifully! Usually, I keep the volume in the 30s. When turned up past 65, we are talking eardrum thumping loud. This system has not distorted even when played this loud, noting that I have not ventured past 73. One last point, my husband fiddled with the connections to allow us use of the tv without having to turn this system on. This means the sound for straight television viewing is through our tv's speakers (ugh) but it does away with the need for turning on this system just to watch tv (our babysitting Nana would never figure out the extra remote). The sub-woofer stays on all the time but investing in an efficient power strip Smart Strip LCG4 Energy Saving Power Strip with Autoswitching Technology and Fax/Modem Surge Protection helps.

We had a basic LG blu-ray player connected but recently purchased an upgraded Onkyo version which works smoothly with this system. It makes for an amazing movie experience.

FM radio requires tricky placement for the wire antenna included but this can be easily upgraded. We get several stations but then I live in the NYC area. The customization for set stations is nice.

We kept our old Sony 5 disc cd system and the remote works just fine. I really love that they include an ipod dock. It's great to just slip my nano onto the dock and it have it charge at the same time. The remote does not work for the docked ipod but this is not that big a deal for me.

Bottom line, we love it! I think it is a great bargain at under 0 and I am very pleased with the level of performance. The Onkyo 5200 was ranked #1 by Consumer Reports as the best under 0 system only to be pushed to the #2 spot by the Onkyo 7200. You will not regret purchasing this system.



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Onkyo HT-S5200 7.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker Package with iPod Dock (Black) Feature


  • 130 Watts per Channel at 6 Ohms, 1 kHz, 1%
  • DTS-ES™ Discrete/Matrix, DTS Neo:6®, DTS 96/24™, Dolby® Digital EX™, Dolby® Pro Logic® IIx Decoding
  • 4 HDMI™ Inputs and 1 Output for Video, HDMI Pass-Thru*1 (Version 1.3 Compatible with 1080p, Deep Color™, and x.v.Color™)
  • Dedicated Port for Single-Cable Connection of the Dock for the iPod
  • SIRIUS™ Satellite Radio Ready



Onkyo HT-S5200 7.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker Package with iPod Dock (Black) Overview


If you want an idea of where Onkyo’s home theater packages are heading, the HT-S5200 is well worth checking out. Like previous Onkyo 7.1-channel receiver/speaker packages, the HT-S5200 delivers reassuringly hefty amounts of power and all-round performance. And in line with other recent offerings, it’s also perfectly suited for high-definition entertainment in the home: 1080p video takes center stage from sources such as Blu-ray Disc, DVD, HD broadcasting, and gaming. The emphasis is still on Onkyo’s audio prowess, so the HT-S5200 is equipped with three groundbreaking Audyssey technologies that will give you the edge in terms of surround sound. It also features some exciting innovations from Onkyo: a dedicated port that connects the iPod via the Dock for the iPod and DSP modes specifically designed for gaming.


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