Onkyo TX-SR876 VS Denon AVR-989/2809

[-Kevin-]

I think i've narrowed my search down to these two recievers. What are some of the differences between these two recievers which are at about the same price point?
I will be mostly watching Bluray films via a ps3 on a Samsung 61a750 DLP.
I am more concerned with the audio quality than the video capabilities in these two recievers. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ahender]

Not an expert ... but I have read a million threads and reviews.

From a feature standpoint, the Onkyo 875 will come out on top.

The only issue that seems to always rear its ugly head is that Onkyos seem to run hotter than other brands.

From a feature standpoint, they seem to always out distance themselves from their competitors -- at the same price point.

Spend some more time reading reviews before you make your decision.

AVS Forum has threads on specific models.

Lots of good information there.

alan

 

[-Kevin-]

Not an expert ... but I have read a million threads and reviews.

From a feature standpoint, the Onkyo 875 will come out on top.

The only issue that seems to always rear its ugly head is that Onkyos seem to run hotter than other brands.

From a feature standpoint, they seem to always out distance themselves from their competitors -- at the same price point.

Spend some more time reading reviews before you make your decision.

AVS Forum has threads on specific models.

Lots of good information there.

alan

Thanks Alan. The Dynamic EQ feature on both of these recievers seems like a no brainer for me considering i'll be in a Condo. Some of the other features like the ISF video adjustments on the 876 I could do without.
Which of these brands has the better reputation for audio quality in movies and music?

 

[Chopin_Guy]

The comparison of these two models is not quite a fair one as the 2809 is no where near as equiped as the SR876. A closer comparison would be between the 3808ci and the SR876. That being said, the 876 will stomp on the 2809 in terms of power and they both have all the new Audyssey technology...and as a plus the 876 has Reon on-board as well....

If these are your two choices, go with the SR876--just make sure you keep it in an open well ventilated area as these AVRs get very hot....not closed cabinet for that thing. Now if it were between the 876 and the 3808---I would take the 3808

Edit: As for your last question as to reputation, the Denon definitely has a more clean record for reliability...as for sound quality---thats very debatable----Onkyo owners here on Audioholics are very happy with their Onkyos; just as Denon owners are very happy with their Denons...

 

[-Kevin-]

The comparison of these two models is not quite a fair one as the 2809 is no where near as equiped as the SR876. A closer comparison would be between the 3808ci and the SR876. That being said, the 876 will stomp on the 2809 in terms of power and they both have all the new Audyssey technology...and as a plus the 876 has Reon on-board as well....

If these are your two choices, go with the SR876--just make sure you keep it in an open well ventilated area as these AVRs get very hot....not closed cabinet for that thing. Now if it were between the 876 and the 3808---I would take the 3808

Edit: As for your last question as to reputation, the Denon definitely has a more clean record for reliability...as for sound quality---thats very debatable----Onkyo owners here on Audioholics are very happy with their Onkyos; just as Denon owners are very happy with their Denons...

Thanks Chopin guy. I think i'm leaning more towards the 876 at this point. Since im coming from a pioneer elite. I think i'd miss the THX post processing. Although, about 5 minutes ago I came across a UK review that stated the 2809 sounded better than the 876. That complicates things!
http://whathifi.co.uk/Review/Denon-AVR-2809/

 

[Chopin_Guy]

The whole THX thing is another debate in of itself....What kind of speakers are you driving??? Do you need all the power the 876 has to offer...unless you have highly insensitive speakers or 4 ohm speakers....or listen at ear shattering levels you may never need it. I love the sound Denons have to offer, the reliability, also the cosmetics...

There are so many factors that go into your purchase....but I certainly would not base it on a THX rating....

 

[abjonesiii]

I just bought the 876 from Crutchfield. My decision was between the 876 and 3808. They are both tit for tat. Crutchfield knocked $400 off the 876 so it was a no brainer for me.

 

[-Kevin-]

The whole THX thing is another debate in of itself....What kind of speakers are you driving??? Do you need all the power the 876 has to offer...unless you have highly insensitive speakers or 4 ohm speakers....or listen at ear shattering levels you may never need it. I love the sound Denons have to offer, the reliability, also the cosmetics...

There are so many factors that go into your purchase....but I certainly would not base it on a THX rating....

My speakers just started arriving today. I had originally been planning on getting Acculines from TAI. However, I decided on going cheaper with The speaker company. I ordered a pair of the TST3 towers, http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TST3-High-Performance-3-Way-Tower-Speaker-Pair-P58C8.aspx
I got them at last week's overstock price of $399 for the pair.
I also ordered two pairs of TSB bookshelves and a TC2 center channel.

I guess the other question is, does the "cinema EQ" function on the Denon essentially do the same thing as the THX post processing?

I may not need all the power the 876 has. In fact, I probably won't. Its a pretty small room, about '12x'14. And I won't be listening at eat splitting volume levels due to neighbors.
Besides audio reproduction capabilities, one other thing I am concerned about is the recievers ability to pass a 1080p/24p signal unaltered to the TV.

 

[Seth=L]

the AVR-2809 shows many of the same strengths. It's articulate enough to recognise the rhythm being fed to it and tonally enjoyable, but at the same time, a little slower and flabbier in the bass than the class best.

Yeah, I'm not buying into his biased nonsense.

 

[-Kevin-]

Yeah, I'm not buying into his biased nonsense.

Should I just disregard his entire review?

 

[Seth=L]

Should I just disregard his entire review?

For the most part yes. It's a very short biased review. The only good points he makes are concerning features (which he doesn't cover hardly of those either.).

 

[-Kevin-]

For the most part yes. It's a very short biased review. The only good points he makes are concerning features (which he doesn't cover hardly of those either.).

Okay. Can anyone point me in the direction of some quality reviews for these receivers?

 

[Seth=L]

Okay. Can anyone point me in the direction of some quality reviews for these receivers?

http://www.hometheatermag.com/equipmentreviews/

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/sitemap/receivers/

Both mags offer benchtests of the receivers that show meaningful performance. Denon receivers don't sound warm and flabby in the bass, Onkyo's aren't harsh, H/Ks don't have sweet soft highs and mids, and Yamaha doesn't sound cold (unless they mean accurate, in which case that's true of all the above). Receivers and amplifiers are pretty much all sonically unidentifiable from one another in level matched Double Blind Tests assuming they are being driven under their electrical limits. Check the measurements for the TX-SR875 as it uses the same amp section as the present TX-SR876 as well as the TX-SR805. The TX-SR806 unfortunately lost the nice amp.

 

[-Kevin-]

http://www.hometheatermag.com/equipmentreviews/

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/sitemap/receivers/

Both mags offer benchtests of the receivers that show meaningful performance. Denon receivers don't sound warm and flabby in the bass, Onkyo's aren't harsh, H/Ks don't have sweet soft highs and mids, and Yamaha doesn't sound cold (unless they mean accurate, in which case that's true of all the above). Receivers and amplifiers are pretty much all sonically unidentifiable from one another in level matched Double Blind Tests assuming they are being driven under their electrical limits. Check the measurements for the TX-SR875 as it uses the same amp section as the present TX-SR876 as well as the TX-SR805. The TX-SR806 unfortunately lost the nice amp.

Thanks Seth. The guys in the Pioneer SC-05/07 thread ever at the AVS forum are doing a good job of convincing me that the ICE amps in those receivers is "better" than the competition from Onkyo/denon in that price range. After all, I don't really need a lot of these extra functions that Onkyo provides, including its fancy video scaling chip.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

The Pioneer is a very good choice as well...I would certainly choose it over the 2809 (they are quite easy pleasing AVRs). But as always, it comes down to the feature set you need most. As Seth pointed out, all amps are going to sound sonically the same largely---it comes down to the user's needs really. I don't know what kind of room correction the Pioneer comes with...so that would be something to consider as well. The ICE amps are nice, but I would not place the decision solely on that technology. The 876 has a beast of an amp and it also has the Audyssey XT room correction which is nice....although as you already stated you don't really need the Reon. Kind of leaves you in a toss up between the Onkyo and Pioneer...unless you are considering going up the Denon line at all....

 

[-Kevin-]

Thanks Chopin guy. I think i've ruled out the denon, if for no other reason than because i'd probably miss the THX post processing. I guess the deciding factor will be about which system has better bass management for my situation.

I've got these towers that are supposed to be capable of outputting some bass, down to 20hz. I've got a less than steller sub woofer in a Klipsch KSW-12. So, my thinking is that rather than setting the towers as small with an x-over of 80hz, i'd be getting better performance if I could set them a little lower like 50 or 60hz? And if that is the case, then wouldn't it be a no brainer for the Onkyo?

Or I could set them as "large" with the pioneer..but from what i've read that would negatively impact the performance of the towers.

Anyone have advice on my dilemma?

Thanks again!

 

[Chopin_Guy]

I looked at the speakers you bought and they will not have any usable output at 20hz despite what the specifications say....Only towers with independently amplified subwoofers sections can even hope to have usable output at that frequency range---maybe something like a Def Tech BP7000sc. That aside, you will want to use bass management from your AVR with these....but it will take some time and tweaking to see what sounds best in your room and with your speakers as well. However, I would definitely say that some where in the 50-80hz range will be appropriate....

And if that is the case, and you do want the better room correction and bass management capabilities, then you Onkyo 876 is your choice for sure....I suppose the next thing to start looking and saving for will be a new subwoofer to match the performance of the rest of your system...

 

[jeorgy]

TST3 and the TC2

Hi Kevin I have a question about the speakers,How is the Sound and Built Quality for comparable price range speakers.

 

[-Kevin-]

Hi Kevin I have a question about the speakers,How is the Sound and Built Quality for comparable price range speakers.

Jeorgy, unfortunately I cannot yet give any impressions and comparisons on these speakers. They're still boxed up and will remain so for at least another week or so. They only just arrived a few days ago. What I can tell you is that the boxes with the towers in them...they're heavy. Over 70lbs, I believe!

 

[jeorgy]

Thanks for all your Reply

Thanks for Your Quick Reply I am About to pull the Trigger and Buy them , I will a Wait To here Your Comments On them to make My decision.
Many Thanks