Onkyo TX-RZ840From real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment52%
PROS 52%
CONS 48%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want strong Atmos/DTS-X sound at a price below Denon or Marantz equivalents
  • You need flexible speaker configs like 5.1.4, 6.1.2, or phantom-center setups
  • You're an existing Onkyo user who has had good long-term luck with the brand

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need guaranteed long-term HDMI reliability without board failures
  • You want simple Zone 2 setup across all inputs including TV
  • You require Xbox One X Atmos passthrough to work correctly

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1
Panasonic SA-BX500
Modern decoding formatsConvenient front-panel S/video accessFlexible speaker configurationMarketing/title inaccuracyPerceived brand decline in receivers
Panasonic SA-BX500
Modern decoding formats
Convenient front-panel S/video access
Flexible speaker configuration
Marketing/title inaccuracy
Perceived brand decline in receivers
Best value
2Mid
Onkyo TX-RZ70
Dirac Live room correctionStrong value for priceExcellent Atmos and multichannel sound qualityHistory of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units4-ohm impedance switch pitfallSteep international price disparities
Onkyo TX-RZ70
Dirac Live room correction
Strong value for price
Excellent Atmos and multichannel sound quality
History of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units
4-ohm impedance switch pitfall
Steep international price disparities
3Premium
Marantz SR8012
Excellent music and movie sound qualityStrong power delivers 11 independent channelsEffective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakersSubwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failureCriticized power supply and component quality for the price
Marantz SR8012
Excellent music and movie sound quality
Strong power delivers 11 independent channels
Effective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakers
Subwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent
4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failure
Criticized power supply and component quality for the price
4Premium
Marantz AV10
Excellent long-term sound quality
Marantz AV10
Excellent long-term sound quality
5Mid
Yamaha RX-V573
Future-Proof HDMI SupportGood DSP Sound ProgramsGood Price-to-Performance ValueMenu System Criticized by Some
Yamaha RX-V573
Future-Proof HDMI Support
Good DSP Sound Programs
Good Price-to-Performance Value
Menu System Criticized by Some
6Premium
Yamaha RX-A3080
High-end DACs and XLR outputsLong-term reliabilityBest-in-class control appComplex menu and setupInconsistent subwoofer bass handlingHDMI and setup issues for some users
Yamaha RX-A3080
High-end DACs and XLR outputs
Long-term reliability
Best-in-class control app
Complex menu and setup
Inconsistent subwoofer bass handling
HDMI and setup issues for some users
7Mid
Onkyo TX-NR7100
Dirac Live room correctionClear, detailed sound qualityStrong value for the priceBrand reliability concernsHDMI switching and dropout issuesBluetooth headphone switching is manual
Onkyo TX-NR7100
Dirac Live room correction
Clear, detailed sound quality
Strong value for the price
Brand reliability concerns
HDMI switching and dropout issues
Bluetooth headphone switching is manual
8Mid
Marantz NR1711
Slim, space-saving form factorBenefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outsWarm, musical Marantz sound signatureLimited power may require an external amp for demanding setupsRuns warmOnly one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support
Marantz NR1711
Slim, space-saving form factor
Benefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outs
Warm, musical Marantz sound signature
Limited power may require an external amp for demanding setups
Runs warm
Only one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support
9Premium
Sony STR-AZ7000ES
Immersive 360 Spatial Sound MappingClear, Detailed Sound QualityStrong Multichannel PowerDated, Uninspired Chassis DesignDim, Hard-to-Read DisplayNo Phono Input
Sony STR-AZ7000ES
Immersive 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
Clear, Detailed Sound Quality
Strong Multichannel Power
Dated, Uninspired Chassis Design
Dim, Hard-to-Read Display
No Phono Input
10Mid
Denon AVR-X1700H
Overall positive owner satisfaction8K future-proofingEasy initial setupConfusing speaker/subwoofer setupHarsh highs out of the boxPerceived sound quality decline vs older models
Denon AVR-X1700H
Overall positive owner satisfaction
8K future-proofing
Easy initial setup
Confusing speaker/subwoofer setup
Harsh highs out of the box
Perceived sound quality decline vs older models
You are here
31Mid
Onkyo TX-RZ840
Good value versus competitorsFlexible speaker configuration supportStrong Atmos/IMAX sound qualityConfusing Zone 2 input restrictionsHDMI board failuresAccuEQ room correction criticized
Onkyo TX-RZ840
Good value versus competitors
Flexible speaker configuration support
Strong Atmos/IMAX sound quality
Confusing Zone 2 input restrictions
HDMI board failures
AccuEQ room correction criticized

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality and features earn consistent praise. Commenters repeatedly call the TX-RZ840 sound 'very very good' and highlight the IMAX Enhanced support as 'sick.' The 15-band graphic EQ beats Denon's 9-band offering, and support for unconventional layouts like 6.1.2 phantom-center is built in as a preset, something owners note is missing on comparable Denon models. Several buyers switched from Denon or were tempted away from Denon specifically because of this feature set and value.

HDMI reliability is a real gamble for some owners. Multiple commenters describe HDMI board failures, including one unit that 'crapped out in less than 3 weeks' with sparks from the HDMI board, and another arriving dead out of the box. Others report failures after two years across four units owned, while a different owner says their unit lasted almost 10 years. The inconsistency in reported reliability makes this a notable risk factor for buyers.

Zone 2 setup and input handling frustrate many users. A recurring complaint is that Zone 2 audio only works through the first three HDMI inputs, tripping up owners trying to use a stream box or Apple TV on input four. Some had to drop to 5.1.2 to enable Zone 2, and others found Zone 2 controls affecting main zone speakers instead. One user gave up entirely and switched to Bluetooth speakers rather than fight the Zone 2 configuration.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?