Onkyo TX-SR608From real comments

Verdict distilled from 29 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment59%
PROS 59%
CONS 41%

Rank based on 29 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want strong, detailed movie and stereo sound in a medium room
  • You're comfortable with HDMI-based hookups and basic AV setup troubleshooting
  • You want a well-built receiver known to last many years

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You run large floorstanding surround speakers needing independent bass/treble control
  • You need trouble-free HDMI audio (TrueHD/7.1) right out of the box
  • You want a receiver with a more powerful amp than the front channels alone provide

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Value
Panasonic SA-BX500~$599 · similar price
Modern decoding formatsConvenient front-panel S/video accessFlexible speaker configurationMarketing/title inaccuracyPerceived brand decline in receivers
Panasonic SA-BX500~$599 · similar price
Modern decoding formats
Convenient front-panel S/video access
Flexible speaker configuration
Marketing/title inaccuracy
Perceived brand decline in receivers
Best value
2Mid
Marantz NR1711~$949 · 1.5× pricier
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~$949 · 1.5× pricier
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
3Mid
Onkyo TX-NR7100~$1,099 · 1.7× pricier
Dirac Live room correctionClear, detailed sound qualityStrong value for the priceBrand reliability concernsHDMI switching and dropout issuesBluetooth headphone switching is manual
Onkyo TX-NR7100~$1,099 · 1.7× pricier
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
4Value
Yamaha RX-V573~$549 · 1.2× cheaper
Future-Proof HDMI SupportGood DSP Sound ProgramsGood Price-to-Performance ValueMenu System Criticized by Some
Yamaha RX-V573~$549 · 1.2× cheaper
Future-Proof HDMI Support
Good DSP Sound Programs
Good Price-to-Performance Value
Menu System Criticized by Some
5Budget
Sony STR-DH790~$400 · 1.6× cheaper
Dolby Atmos & DTS:X SupportPowerful, Clear Sound QualityStrong Value for PriceWeak Treble/High-Frequency DetailPower Output Lower Than Advertised at 8 OhmsDSP/Configuration Difficulties
Sony STR-DH790~$400 · 1.6× cheaper
Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support
Powerful, Clear Sound Quality
Strong Value for Price
Weak Treble/High-Frequency Detail
Power Output Lower Than Advertised at 8 Ohms
DSP/Configuration Difficulties
6Mid
Pioneer VSX-LX305~$999 · 1.5× pricier
Exceptional Sound QualityStrong Value for PriceEasy SetupFinicky Dirac CalibrationReliability ConcernsNo Individual Crossover Settings
Pioneer VSX-LX305~$999 · 1.5× pricier
Exceptional Sound Quality
Strong Value for Price
Easy Setup
Finicky Dirac Calibration
Reliability Concerns
No Individual Crossover Settings
7Value
Denon AVR-X1700H~$649 · similar price
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~$649 · similar price
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
8Value
Onkyo TX-SR605~$549 · 1.2× cheaper
Excellent long-term sound qualityPreferred operation over newer competitorsReliable over many yearsConfusing TrueHD/DTS-MA display behaviorHDMI output degrades over timeUnexplained mode-switching glitch
Onkyo TX-SR605~$549 · 1.2× cheaper
Excellent long-term sound quality
Preferred operation over newer competitors
Reliable over many years
Confusing TrueHD/DTS-MA display behavior
HDMI output degrades over time
Unexplained mode-switching glitch
9Mid
Pioneer VSX-909~$1,100 · 1.7× pricier
Excellent build qualityLong-term durabilityRepairable designDifficult repairs requiring expertiseProne to blown output stagesOutdated video connectivity
Pioneer VSX-909~$1,100 · 1.7× pricier
Excellent build quality
Long-term durability
Repairable design
Difficult repairs requiring expertise
Prone to blown output stages
Outdated video connectivity
10Value
Yamaha Aventage~$899 · 1.4× pricier
Powerful, Clean SoundExceptional LongevitySolid Build QualityTiny, Hard-to-Read DisplayComplex Menu and SetupInconsistent Quality Control
Yamaha Aventage~$899 · 1.4× pricier
Powerful, Clean Sound
Exceptional Longevity
Solid Build Quality
Tiny, Hard-to-Read Display
Complex Menu and Setup
Inconsistent Quality Control
You are here
12Value
Onkyo TX-SR608~$649
Good value on the used marketLong-term reliabilityDecent 480p upconversionNo bass/treble control for surround/center channelsHDMI audio setup problemsLimited remote/TV input switching
Onkyo TX-SR608~$649
Good value on the used market
Long-term reliability
Decent 480p upconversion
No bass/treble control for surround/center channels
HDMI audio setup problems
Limited remote/TV input switching

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality is a clear strength, especially for movies and stereo listening. Multiple users describe the TX-SR608 as powerful yet controlled, with amazing bass even without a subwoofer and crisp, enjoyable mids and highs. Comparisons to other receivers, including a Denon AVR-791 and a previous Yamaha, favor the Onkyo's sound staging and detail. Stereo audio is called better than average, with open, smooth, natural sound, though one owner notes it slightly lacks attack. Headphone output was also singled out as particularly good.

A recurring frustration is the lack of bass and treble control for surround and center channels. Owners running floorstanding surround speakers report only the front left/right channels get bass and treble adjustment, leaving surround channels under-powered for bass-heavy content like club music. One user was forced to consider adding subwoofers just to compensate. A responder confirmed this is a receiver limitation, not user error, and suggested a more powerful amp for larger surround setups. This limits its appeal for elaborate 6-plus speaker systems.

HDMI, setup, and connectivity issues surface repeatedly in the comments. Users report struggles getting HDMI sound to work, Dolby TrueHD lights not activating despite bitstream settings, and 7.1 audio only displaying as 5.1 with certain Blu-ray discs. One buyer got no sound at all from speaker outputs despite correct HDMI wiring, only working through headphones. Others had trouble with TV input switching using older remotes or wanted a dedicated 3D button. Despite this, HDMI 1.4a does support 3D video and PS3 hookup via a single HDMI cable works well.

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