Monthly Archives: February 2016

DENON AVR-4520CI 9.2 CHANNEL HOME THEATER RECEIVER WITH APPLE AIRPLAY

FEATURES:
• Audyssey Platinum
• Superior Surround Sound and 3D Pass-Through Technology
• 4K Upscaling for Pristine Picture Quality
• Advanced Functions to Play Streaming Media
• Optimum Sound with Audyssey MultEQ XT32
• Denon Link HD Jitter-Free Audio Transmission Technology
• Built-In IP Control Allows for Custom Integration

REMOTE CONTROL: RC-1165

RATING: 3.7/5.0

Welcome to a review of Denon’s AVR-4520CI, 9.2 Channel Home Theater Receiver. The nine-channel AVR-4520CI helps to make the sonic portion of home theater as realistic as possible, allowing you to add height or width speakers for even greater presence. It is said that surround sound isn’t just something you hear, but something you feel; from those rumbling effects that seem to emerge from deep beneath your room, to the subtle sonic details that re-create each movie’s unique atmosphere. A surround sound receiver needs a bedrock of good, clean power to really move you. Denon’s AVR-4520CI boasts enough amplification to fill even a large room with precise-yet-punchy sound, and dual subwoofer outputs let you add a second sub for bass that’s well-balanced throughout your room.

You will receive a fully functional remote control, part number RC-1165. This remote will help you through the setup process and all the menu options and features, so that you can adjust your AVR-4520CI to the exact specifications that make it your sound.

For the most accurate home theater sound possible in any room, you get Audyssey MultEQ® XT32, which is a sophisticated automatic speaker calibration system. The AVR-4520CI uses an included microphone to analyze sound, then automatically adjusts individual level, equalization, and delay settings for each of your speakers. Audyssey MultEQ® XT32 is equipped with high-resolution equalization filters that allow it to optimize speaker settings even in large or odd-shaped rooms.

Many have said that the AVR-4520CI is a keeper. It sounds great, has almost all the features most are seeking. However, there have been some consumer issues with the AVR-4520CI having a “zone 4” pass through and not having a Zone 2 HDMI independent signal.

PROS:
• Audyssey XT32
• Outstanding sound quality
• Dual subwoofers

CON:
• No Zone 2 HDMI independent signal

MODEL:
• AVR-4520CI – 9.2 Channel HT Receiver w/Apple AirPlay

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Onkyo TX-NR414 5.1-Channel 3-D Ready Network A/V Receiver

FEATURES:

• 5 channel amplifier
• 80 watts per channel
• Front panel USB input
• Multi-room audio
• 6 in/ 1 out HDMI ports
• InstaPrevue technology
• Wifi and Bluetooth ready (requires purchase of adapter)
• Music optimizer

REMOTE: RC-834M

RATING: 4 out of 5 stars

Welcome to a review of the Onkyo TX-NR414 5.1-Channel 3-D Ready Network A/V Receiver. The TX-NR414 is an entry level receiver and does not have all the bells and whistles of higher end receivers but it does have much to offer with the many features it does have. The set-up is easy and straightforward. With the many HDMI ports available, you can connect your blu-ray player, PC, gaming console, and cable/satellite box with ease. The front panel USB input can be used to connect an iPod/iPhone or a flash drive with multiple music file formats to listen to your favorite tunes with the receivers’ power, clarity, and little to no distortion. With the purchase of an adapter, WiFi and Bluetooth are available, enabling you to easily stream music from your favorite online music services including Pandora, Spotify, Rhapsody, internet radio and more.

The part number for the remote control is RC-834M. The remote has a vast number of buttons, many of them very small and hard to push, as noted by many users.

A very nice feature is the Onkyo smart phone app. Once downloaded to your phone, you can control the receiver with your phone instead of the remote control. One large drawback of this receiver is that it does not come equipped with automatic speaker calibration therefore leaving the task of calibrating the speakers to the user. For the novice, this may be a very difficult task.

Many users have noted the poor quality interface on the receiver, very simple with a black background and white lettering. A nicer, more graphic interface is preferred. When it comes to sound quality however, this receiver delivers sharp, clear sound with the power expected from a 5 channel amplifier.

PROS:
• Inexpensive
• Clean, clear sound quality
• Onkyo smart phone app
• Several HDMI inputs

CONS:
• Interface could be better
• Firmware quality issues
• Sometimes emits burning plastic smell
• No automatic calibration for the speakers

For more reviews like this, visit www.remotecontrols.com