Questions and help with Onkyo TX-NR646

[Darthkab]

I'm new here (2nd post), so please be gentle and patient with me. While I have enjoyed wonderful surround sound from my A/V receivers over the years, I'm definitely a newbie and not an audiophile geek, that has stumbled through A/V settings and lucked up with what I have considered to be pretty good setups. Or I should say that at the very least, I have a basic understanding and not a complete dummy.

Anyhow, enough about me.

I posted my first comment regarding the Onkyo TX-NR646 after Tony posted his review on the Onkyo TX-NR646 and TX-NR747 on June 22nd and waited with baited breath for a Sharp 4k model TV and Denon's new offering to come out (for personal comparison). Well, the TV finally became available and like an excited child in a toy store, I walked out with my new TX-NR646 and an awesome 70".

So here's the deal. As mentioned in my first post. I have an existing 7.2 speaker setup that was paired up with the Yamaha RX-V673. I have since replaced with the NR646, gone through the auto calibration setup and everything sounds absolutely wonderful (by my non-pro standards). In my initial post, I mentioned that my wiring is behind the walls, so the existing speakers will remain where they are.
As I patiently await the DTS:X firmware update, I'm stoked about the existing Atmos capability and so my first question is, if I add two ceiling speakers and don't mind going into the Onkyo menu and toggling back and forth between the standard 7.1 and Atmos 5.1.2 settings, is there some kind of switch box that can be added to switch between my rears and ceiling speakers, so that either pair is only in use depending on the speaker configuration chosen in the receiver? Or should I just not bother with Atmos and wait it out for DTS:X? With all the hype I've been reading about DTS:X, it's my understanding that it will take my existing 7.1 setup to a whole new level that Atmos cannot accomplish. Wishful thinking? I hope not.

My next question(s) is, my Yamaha receiver was able to drive two subs via two separate connections (is preouts the correct term?). The NR646 is advertised as 7.2, but the onscreen settings menu shows only 7.1. Is the advertizing or menu misleading? Did I miss something? Can I use both preouts on this Onkyo simultaneously for 7.2 or will I need a Y splitter to connect both subs to a single preout? The way the two preouts are shaded separately on the back of the receiver, I'm not sure if it means only one sub per zone or if I can optionally use both at once. I'm confused.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

 

[agarwalro]

if I add two ceiling speakers and don't mind going into the Onkyo menu and toggling back and forth between the standard 7.1 and Atmos 5.1.2 settings, is there some kind of switch box that can be added to switch between my rears and ceiling speakers, so that either pair is only in use depending on the speaker configuration chosen in the receiver?

No! Unfortunately, there is no easy way to toggle. The receiver can save one calibration, regular 7.1 or 5.1.2. To switch, you'll need to rerun auto calibration so that it detects and equalizes the speakers as indicated. Further, if you commit to 5.1.2, all non Atmos tracks will play 5.1 only, even 7.1 encoded tracks.

Or should I just not bother with Atmos and wait it out for DTS:X? With all the hype I've been reading about DTS:X, it's my understanding that it will take my existing 7.1 setup to a whole new level that Atmos cannot accomplish.

Million dollar question. We'll have to wait for a direct comparison to find out .

My next question(s) is, my Yamaha receiver was able to drive two subs via two separate connections (is preouts the correct term?). The NR646 is advertised as 7.2, but the onscreen settings menu shows only 7.1. Is the advertizing or menu misleading? Did I miss something? Can I use both preouts on this Onkyo simultaneously for 7.2 or will I need a Y splitter to connect both subs to a single preout? The way the two preouts are shaded separately on the back of the receiver, I'm not sure if it means only one sub per zone or if I can optionally use both at once. I'm confused.

They're not truly independent. You can connect one sub to each or a Y on one and the subs to the Y. Same effect.

 

[Darthkab]

Thanks a bunch, agarwalro for your awesome feedback! I guess I'll hold off on the Atmos setup and see what DTS:X brings to the table of my existing setup. I certainly do not want to lose my rears and hassle with the calibration more often than I would like. If for nothing else, at least I'm covered for protected 4k content support.

 

[agarwalro]

Glad to help.

I certainly do not want to lose my rears and hassle with the calibration more often than I would like.

I wish more people knew this before committing to Atmos receivers and speaker placement. It is a huge demerit that's been swept under the carpet.