This time I am sharing my thoughts with you all on an Home Theater which I recently bought, along with an 47" LG LCD (Review on it would also subequently follow) I have been doing a lot of research both online, fourms and physically as well for finding a sub 50K HT............
After a thorough search I finally went for ONKYO HTS 6200, through the authorized Onkyo dealer in CR Park Delhi.
Personally I am not a great fan of Onkyo. Infact I used to consider Onkyo to be low grade electronic jap company, but as I said online reviews were pretty in favor of this new offering by Onkyo.
I would skip the usual technical details of the AVR except the most prominent ones.
Full details can be checked at....
onkyoindia.com/products/HT_Packages/home_style/ht-s6200/index-1.htm
160W/C @ 6 Ohms
DTS-HD Master AudioT, DTS-HD High Resolution AudioT, DTS-HD Express, Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz Decoding (that’s an imp update as earlier versions had passthrough)
Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Out for Playback in Another Room (Separate Source)
Universal Port for Single-Cable Connection of UP-A1 Dock for the iPod or Optional Onkyo DAB+ Radio Tuner
When you open the packing completely the very first thing you notice is the Sub Woofer size, its Huge, especially when compared to the Speakers, which I had expected to be a bit big.
Any way the package comes with the ARV, 7 spk, Sub, iPod Dock, color coded Spk cables, Remote, Microphone for Audyssey and a comprehensive manual.
The speaker cables are in one word pathetic. I got oxi free Bandridge cables for speakers and would suggest for the same
iPod dock is seriously a nifty add-on, though I agree it cannot replace (or even come close for that matter) a dedicated stereo set up, but still is very good for some casual listening, and you can control the iPod from the remote itself, and yes it charges the iPod as well.
Remote is one of the best I have seen as far as the design and ease of use is concerned.
Audyssey, I’d say did not impress me at all ( later on this in the review)
Setting up the player is a jiffy, but yes you do need to read the manual for correctly assigning the Audio/Video labels.This is how my set up is connected.
HDMI 1: WD Player (This is a Media Player by Western Digital playes all formatts including MKV)
HDMI 2: BR player
HDMI 3: HTPC (through DVI-to-HDMI cable)
HDMI 4: Empty
HDMI Out: To the LCD.
Coming to the most important aspect “How well the darn thing sounds well I have always believed (infact most of us do) that sound, music is a very subjective and there is no way you can classify if a sound produced by a system is good or bad, it entirely depends on the individual, and so I would not quote how I rate the audio quality in detail, instead give you a very basic picture. The HiTB is well attuned and is able to give the very cinematic experience you would need in any action pack movie. The treble is top notch and you have enough bass from the subs to satisfy most of the bass hungry individuals. Again how well is the Bass/Treable/Mids is something subjective and one has to personally listen to judge, however for me it was well ahead of acceptable limits given the size of the speakers and of course the price.
Audio from the MKVs were produced very well (if compared with the BR). Turning the volume up to about 50-60 really gives the money worth sound, the gun shots are BANG on target, the resonance and shaking effect during the first battle of Gladiator is perfectly produced at 65-70 it starts to sound a bit shrill and above 70 I’d say the audio deteriorate pretty much and touching the max 80 thrashes the sound. I believe Onkyo has spend much of their efforts in to their AVR than Speakers, and I seriously believe given a good floor stands and center to this AVR keeping the surrounds same would bring out an altogether difference experience. If you ask me the setup produced the effects flawlessly between 40-50, I can vouch for the movie 9 played awesomely crystal clear with the much needed subtle bass at around 36-38. If you are looking for a Kick A Transformers earth shaking effect, this setup is not for you.
In a nutshell, just for Spks/Sub
Fronts : Above Average
Center : Average
Surrounds : Good
Sub : Excellent
Lastly, the Audyssey Dynamic EQT, what Audyssey Dynamic EQT does is to use its own algo to enhance the audio per the listening environment. Seems to be a good preposition, but sadly for me it completely ruined the audio, you have to configure the setup using the mic for that optimum listening position and switch on the Audyssey Dynamic EQ for the effect. Unfortunately for me manually setting the listening position and keeping the Audyssey Dynamic EQ OFF worked best. Anyway that’s a feature Onkyo has given so it might be of use to some potential buyers.
Overall, I believe at <50K there might be just a couple of HiTB out there to give a stiff competition to this one. I’d rate 3.5/5.
PRICE: 47K including the oxi free cables
Regards
Sammy