Onkyo TX-N905 Dual HDMI Output?

[Vanhoecke]

Does anyone know if the new Onkyo TX-N905 will output to both HDMI outputs at the same time and whether this operates like a matrix switch (i.e., any one of the four HDMI inputs can be directed to either of the HDMI outputs independent of each other)?

It also appears to me that this unit will upscale all analog and digital signals to 1080p via HDMI. Is that consistent with what others think?

It would be great if we could see a full review and head to head comparison of the Onkyo TX-N905 and the Denon 4308CI.


Thanks

 

[B&W700guy]

Does anyone know if the new Onkyo TX-N905 will output to both HDMI outputs at the same time and whether this operates like a matrix switch (i.e., any one of the four HDMI inputs can be directed to either of the HDMI outputs independent of each other)?

It also appears to me that this unit will upscale all analog and digital signals to 1080p via HDMI. Is that consistent with what others think?

It would be great if we could see a full review and head to head comparison of the Onkyo TX-N905 and the Denon 4308CI.


Thanks

As I remember the people who have the Integra 9.8 were not able to output both HDMI video outputs at the same time

It will upscale everything to 1080p

 

[B&W700guy]

Have you downloaded the Onkyo 2007 Brochure? It is a complete document with all of the features and specs. If you dont have it I can post the link

 

[Vanhoecke]

B&W

Thanks for the confirmation on the upscaling. Yes, I have downloaded the Onkyo user manual for the N905. It is not clear that both outputs can be used at the same time (or better yet that each output can distribute a different source at the same time). It's also not clear that they will not distribute two signals. I talks about the main HDMI out and the sub HDMI out in pretty generic terms. I think the N905s are starting to be delivered this week. Maybe someone who bought one on pre-order will know. Or better yet, maybe we'll see a review of the N905 in the near future.

Thanks

 

[BabelFish]

I think the N905s are starting to be delivered this week. Maybe someone who bought one on pre-order will know. Or better yet, maybe we'll see a review of the N905 in the near future.

I was told late Sept by my local store..

 

[Vanhoecke]

Sorry, I got confused with the 805s. You're right, Onkyo says they will ship the 905s in August, which really means we will not see them until Sept.

 

[BabelFish]

So, besides the Reon chip, why are you guys choosing the 905 over Denon 4308/3808???

 

[Vanhoecke]

I'm not choosing the 905 over the 4308. As I said above, I'd like to see a head-to-head review of the two. The 4308 has a wireless LAN connection, which could be interesting. To me the two units seem fairly close on paper, although it looks like the 4308 will run about $500-$600 more then the 905 which is THX certified. The real question is whether either of these units can deliver what they promise.

 

[B&W700guy]

B&W

Thanks for the confirmation on the upscaling. Yes, I have downloaded the Onkyo user manual for the N905. It is not clear that both outputs can be used at the same time (or better yet that each output can distribute a different source at the same time). It's also not clear that they will not distribute two signals. I talks about the main HDMI out and the sub HDMI out in pretty generic terms. I think the N905s are starting to be delivered this week. Maybe someone who bought one on pre-order will know. Or better yet, maybe we'll see a review of the N905 in the near future.

Thanks

Van...is the 905 manual on the Onko website or in another place?
Thanks

 

[B&W700guy]

Found the manual

 

[Vanhoecke]

Just in case anyone else is interested, here is the link to the Onkyo manual download page.

http://www.onkyousa.com/download/own_manuals.cfm?cat=Receiver

 

[B&W700guy]

also for specs/feature set:
http://www.mediafire.com/?egbre2lj1p9

 

[Vanhoecke]

Just came across a thread on the Axiom forum which indicates that Onkyo's in general (including the new recievers) can not drive 4 ohm speakers like the Axiom M80s and can most likely damage the speakers. See this post and reply from Alan Lofft, Axiom's resident expert.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=175936&Main=175935#Post175936

 

[B&W700guy]

He also mentions these manufacturers....

"The AV receiver brands to avoid if you want to get the 4-ohm M80s are: Sony, Kenwood, Onkyo, JVC, and Yamaha (except for one or two models).

We do not have enough customer feedback on Marantz and Pioneer to make a recommendation. The one previous Pioneer with Mosfet output devices that would drive the M80s is no longer available."

Wow that really limits your customer base for a $1,400.00 set of speakers.

 

[Vanhoecke]

I think those comments only apply when you are using Axiom M80 speakers. They are 4 ohm and require significant power. The other Axiom tower speakers, like the M60 or M50 are 8 ohm.

Most people that run M80s will probably also use the Axiom QS8 surrounds and VP150 center -- both of these are listed as 6 ohm speakers with a note that they are compatible with 8 ohm receivers.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs8_main.html

 

[B&W700guy]

I think those comments only apply when you are using Axiom M80 speakers. They are 4 ohm and require significant power. The other Axiom tower speakers, like the M60 or M50 are 8 ohm.

Most people that run M80s will probably also use the Axiom QS8 surrounds and VP150 center -- both of these are listed as 6 ohm speakers with a note that they are compatible with 8 ohm receivers.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs8_main.html

From my post:
"The AV receiver brands to avoid if you want to get the 4-ohm M80s"

Deja Vu....
I know that, it what was in my post....M80/4ohm? So...they have 6ohm speakers, that is not what the Onkyo notice was about. 6oms are ok with the Onkyo and I presume with the other receivers.

 

[davo]

He also mentions these manufacturers....

"The AV receiver brands to avoid if you want to get the 4-ohm M80s are: Sony, Kenwood, Onkyo, JVC, and Yamaha (except for one or two models).

Hmmm, that seems to be a very sweeping generalization. I'm sure that there are many more brands with lower end models that would have difficulties driving M80's - Denon seems to be a glaring omission. (Must be a Denon luva)

So what would be the basic requirements for an amp design to be able to push speakers like the M80's?

 

[B&W700guy]

Hmmm, that seems to be a very sweeping generalization. I'm sure that there are many more brands with lower end models that would have difficulties driving M80's - Denon seems to be a glaring omission. (Must be a Denon luva)

This is Alan Lofft’s Axiom quote not mine. On the amp, I don’t know. I was reacting to Vanhoecke post on the Axiom article.

 

[davo]

This is Alan Lofft’s Axiom quote not mine. On the amp, I don’t know. I was reacting to Vanhoecke post on the Axiom article.

I know, you were quoting the guy from Axiom forum.

It would have been more appropriate if Alan Lofft had said "Any amp design that doesn't reach 'X' criteria would be really struggling to drive the M80's without damage to speaker and/or amp."

 

[Vanhoecke]

Maybe we can all cool down just a bit. If you go back look at the prior postings, B&W and I were discussing the comparison of the Onkyo 905 to the Denon 4308. (Obviously, no one knows for sure how these two units will actually perform becuase they are not being shipped yet. )

During that discussion, I stumbled across the thread on the Axiom web site where a M80 owner was complaining about a blown tweeter. Long story short, during a reply to this person Alan Lofft, Axiom's resident expert indicated that he doesn't recommend using an Onkyo to drive the M80s. So I posted a link to the thread, because we were discussing a comparison of Onkyo to Denon. M&K correctly updated my post to list some of the other receiver manufacturers that Alan did not recommend. I then also pointed out the the problem was an issue specific to the 4 ohm load of the M80s and was not a global recommendation by Lofft that applies to all Axiom speakers.

I agree it would have been helpful if Alan would have provided a detailed technical specification of the requirements for driving the M80s. Alan does list several receiver brands that he does recommend and Denon is one of those. I suspect that Alan was making a general comment from his many years of experience. I have spoken with Alan in the past and have found him to be very knowledgable, I wouldn't expect him to make this type of comment without having a good reason. But I don't want to speak for Alan Lofft. It is probably best for anyone that is interested in this issue to go read the link posted above or even contact Alan directly -- his contact info is posted on the Axiom site.

I will also note that during my review of the Axiom forum, it appears that there are other users of M80s that are driving them with an Onkyo.