Features
Remote Control
Input and Output Notes

Features

WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology): This technology uses low-negative-feedback circuit topology for accurate signal reproduction, improved dynamic signal-to-noise ratio, and better delivery of power peaks.

CinemaFilter: Using the CinemaFilter you soften overly bright movie soundtracks. Movie soundtracks are typically mixed for a large theater (relative to your home theater) with lots of soft seats and thick curtains on the walls. Home theater settings often lack these high frequency absorbing wall treatments, making the soundtrack sound too bright. CinemaFilter accounts for this and for many movies sounds more natural at home.

HDMI Switching: The TX-SR506 has three HDMI inputs and one HDMI output for connecting DVD players, HDTV set-top boxes, and other video components to your TV or projector. The receiver's HDMI circuitry is a switching pass-through design, and will pass video and 2-channel (stereo) digital audio through to the TV. However, if you want to listen to the soundtrack through the speakers connected to your receiver, you must make a separate analog audio connection (for stereo listening) or digital audio connection (for Dolby Digital 5.1 surround). The HDMI inputs are compatible with DVI, so TVs and displays with a DVI input can be connected by using an HDMI-to-DVI adapter cable, along with audio cables. The receiver uses HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), so only HDCP-compatible components can display the picture. The HDMI inputs can accept and switch 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p signals to a TV, monitor, or projector. Each of the HDMI inputs can be assigned to any of the three rear panel A/V inputs (DVD, VCR/DVR, CBL/SAT).

Component Video Switching: In addition to HDMI, composite video, and S-Video switching, this unit can switch between high definition component video sources. There are 2 component video inputs and 1 component video output. The component video inputs and outputs have a bandwidth of 5Hz to 50MHz.

Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs): To decode and playback high-resolution recordings, this receiver is equipped with 192kHz/24-bit DACs.

Audyssey 2EQ Automatic Speaker Setup: With the supplied speaker setup microphone, Audyssey 2EQ can measure the number of speakers connected, their sizes, crossover frequencies and distances front he listening position and calculate the optimal speaker setting for you automatically. The supplied microphone is approximately 2" in diameter, 1" tall, and has a 19.5' cable that plugs into the front of the receiver. There is a threaded insert on the bottom of the microphone so it can be mounted on a tripod for accurate listening position placement. Three listening position measurements are taken, one primary and two secondary, to optimize the surround effect for a broad area. You can also setup your speaker system manually using the receiver.

• Speaker Size: You can set Large or Small for your front speakers; Large, Small or None for your surround, surround back, and center speakers; and Yes or No for subwoofer. You can also select 1ch or 2ch mode for the connected surround back speakers.
• Speaker Distance: The distance from your listening position to each speaker can also be set manually. The front speaker distance can be set from 1 to 30 feet in 1-foot increments. The center and subwoofer settings can be up to 5 feet more or 5 feet less than the distance you set for the front speakers (30 feet max). The settings for the surround left, surround right, surround back left, and surround back right speakers are each individually adjustable, and they may be up to 5 feet more or 15 feet less than the distance you set for the front speakers (30 feet max).
• Speaker Levels: You can manually adjust the level of individual speakers between -12dB and +12dB; -15dB to +12dB for the subwoofer.

Adjustable Crossover: This receiver has a built-in high-pass crossover for any of the speakers set to Small. This setting is available when the subwoofer is set to Yes. The frequencies that you can choose from are 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, and 200 Hz. Frequencies lower than the set crossover point are output by the subwoofer.

Bass And Treble: You can independently adjust the Bass (50Hz) and Treble (20kHz) of the TX-SR506 from -10 to +10 dB.

Double Bass: You can enhance the bass output by activating the Double Bass function. This function allows you to feed bass frequencies to the front left and right channels and to the subwoofer. Double Bass can be set only when the subwoofer is set to On and the front speakers are set to Large.

Listening Modes: This receiver incorporates a wide variety of listening modes to bring you maximum enjoyment from your audio and video software. The listening modes include:

• Direct: This mode delivers pure sound with minimum sound quality adjustment and filtration. The sound recorded for the right and left front channels is output to the right and left front speakers only and not output to the subwoofer, center, or rear speakers.
• Stereo: Sound is output from the front left and right speakers and subwoofer.
• Mono: Monaural sound is output from the front left and right speakers and subwoofer
• Dolby Pro Logic II: Dolby Pro Logic II technology processes any high quality stereo (two-channel) movie and music audio into five playback channels of full-bandwidth surround sound. A matrix surround decoding technology, Dolby Pro Logic II detects the directional cues that occur naturally in stereo content and uses these elements to create a five-channel surround sound playback experience. You can choose from the following Dolby Pro Logic II formats - Cinema, Music, or Game.
• Dolby Pro Logic IIx: Pro Logic IIx expands any existing stereo- or 5.1-channel audio for a 6.1- or 7.1- channel playback, creating a seamless, natural surround soundfield that immerses you in the entertainment experience. You can choose from the following Dolby Pro Logic IIx formats - Cinema, Music, or Game.
• Dolby Digital: Dolby Digital is a 5.1 multi-channel digital surround format.
• Dolby Digital EX: Dolby Digital EX is a 6.1 multi-channel digital surround format.
• Dolby Digital+PLIIx Music: Expands 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sources to 6.1 or 7.1-channels.
• Dolby Digital+PLIIx Movie: Expands 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sources to 7.1-channels
• DTS Digital Surround: DTS Digital Surround is a 5.1 multi-channel digital surround sound format used for both commercial/theatrical and consumer grade applications.
• DTS 96/24: DTS 96/24 is a digital audio format enabling high sound quality playback in 5.1-channels with a sampling frequency of 96 kHz and 24 bit quantization of DVD-video.
• DTS-ES Extended Surround: DTS-ES features two 6.1 multi-channel formats:
  • DTS-ES Discrete 6.1: DTS-ES Discrete 6.1-channel is a 6.1-channel discrete digital audio format adding a surround back channel to the DTS digital surround sound.
  • DTS-ES Matrix 6.1: DTS-ES Matrix 6.1-channel is a discrete 6.1 channel digital audio format inserting a surround back channel to the DTS surround sound through matrix encoding.
• DTS Neo:6 Surround: DTS Neo:6 is a matrix decoding technology for achieving 6.1-channel surround playback with 2-channel sources. You can choose from two DTS Neo: 6 Surround formats - Neo: 6 Cinema and Neo: 6 Music
• 5.1Ch Source + Neo:6: This mode uses Neo:6 to expand 5.1-channel sources for 6.1/7.1-channel playback.
• Theater-Dimensional (T-D): Enjoy virtual 5.1 surround with two or three speakers Onkyo's exclusive. Theater-Dimensional circuitry takes the complexity out of conventional surround-sound setups and lets you experience the excitement of surround sound from as few as two ordinary speakers. Theater-Dimensional's unique multi-speaker modes let you place up to five speakers conveniently by the TV, for the most realistic virtual-surround sound possible.
• Onkyo Original DSP Modes:
  • Mono Movie: Suitable for old movies or other mono sources.
  • Orchestra: For classical or operatic music.
  • Unplugged: For acoustic instruments, vocals, and jazz.
  • Studio-Mix: Suitable for rock or pop.
  • TV Logic: Adds realistic acoustics to TV shows.
  • All Ch Stereo: Ideal for background music.
  • Full Mono: All speakers output the same sound in mono.

Dolby Pro Logic II & IIx Music Modes: While listening in the Dolby Pro Logic II or IIx Music format, there are three further enhancements you can adjust:

• Panorama: broadens the front stereo image to the surround speakers to provide a wraparound effect, especially effective when there is limited output from the surround channels, panorama can be turned on/off in the menu
• Dimension: allows you to move the sound field forward or backward
• Center Width: allows you to adjust the width of the center channel

Center Image: In the DTS Neo:6 Music mode, the Center Image feature adjusts the output of the left and right channels relative to the center channel, allowing you to make the center channel more or less dominant as needed. This improves the image of the center channel, especially when the listener is off-center. Adjustment varies from 5 (nothing subtracted from the L/R channels) to 0 (L/R channel output is cut in half).

Late Night Feature: The Late Night feature limits the dynamic range of Dolby Digital recordings. Limiting the dynamic range makes it easier to find a volume that ensures the quiet sounds are not too quiet and the loud sounds are not too loud for night time listening. This allows you to comfortably listen to without the need to constantly adjust the volume to keep from waking family/neighbors. The choices are: Off, Low, and High.

Note: This feature only works with Dolby Digital Encoded software and the depth of the feature will vary based on the individual software package.

Audyssey Dynamic EQ: Audyssey Dynamic EQ solves the problem of deteriorating sound quality as volume is decreased by taking into account human perception and room acoustics. Dynamic EQ selects the best possible frequency response and surround levels moment-by-moment as volume is changed. The result is bass response, tonal balance and surround impression that remain constant despite changes in volume. Audyssey Dynamic EQ combines information from incoming source levels with actual output sound levels in the room, a prerequisite for delivering a loudness correction solution. Audyssey Dynamic EQ works in tandem with Audyssey (2EQ, MultEQ, MultEQ XT) to provide well-balanced sound for every listener at any volume level.

Music Optimizer: The Music Optimizer function enhances the sound quality of compressed music files. The Music Optimizer function only works with PCM digital audio input signals with a sampling rate below 48kHz and analog input signals.

Audio Sync: Occasionally the audio and video signals are not properly synchronized, typically when using a progressive scanning DVD player. You can correct this by delaying the audio; options are 0 (no delay) to 100 milliseconds, in 20 millisecond steps.

Zone 2: In addition to the main listening room, you can also enjoy audio playback from a different source in another room of your home using the receiver's Zone 2 capabilities. Using the receiver's supplied remote control, you can adjust the volume of Zone 2 independently from the main zone. The receiver features Zone 2 speaker terminals as well as Zone 2 pre-outs.

• Zone 2 Speaker Terminals: This setup allows you to power a set of Zone 2 speakers using the receiver's built-in amplifier. This setup allows 5.1-channel playback in your main room and 2-channel stereo playback in Zone 2, with a different source in each room.
• Zone 2 Pre-Outs: This setup allows you to connect a set of Zone 2 speakers to the receiver using a separate amplifier to amplify the Zone 2 speakers. This setup allows continuous 7.1-channel playback in your main listening room and 2-channel stereo playback in Zone 2, with a different source in each room

Bi-Amping Front Speakers: The Front L/R and Surround Back L/R terminal posts can be used with front speakers and surround back speakers respectively, or bi-amped to provide separate tweeter and woofer feeds for the front speaker, providing improved bass and treble performance. When the bi-amp feature is used, the AV receiver is able to drive up to 5.1 speakers in the main room.

Multi-Channel Input: The receiver is equipped with a 7.1 multi-channel input for compatibility with external decoders or high resolution audio players such as DVD-Audio or SACD. The input consists of left front, right front, center, subwoofer, left surround, right surround, left surround back and right surround back RCA inputs.

iPod Compatible: The DS-A2x Remote Interactive Dock for iPod (item # 580DSA2X) provides an interface between an iPod digital media player and Onkyo TX-SR506. Once the iPod is docked you can control basic functions such as volume control, play, stop, and skip via the Onkyo system's RI-compatible wireless remote control. The dock also charges the battery in the iPod, and allows you to view digital photos and video on an Onkyo home theater system.

Sleep Function: From the remote, you can set the unit to automatically turn off after as much as 90 minutes or as little as 10 minutes; choices are presented in 10 minute increments.

Display Information: You can display various information about the current input source such as Input Source and Volume; Signal Format or Sampling Frequency; and Input Source and Listening Mode.

Display Dimmer: The display brightness has three settings; Dim, Dimmer, and Normal.

Remote Control

Multi-brand Remote: The supplied RC-709M wireless remote is a multi-brand remote. The remote is pre-programmed to operate Onkyo components, as well as other popular brands of equipment, including DVD players, satellite receivers, cable boxes, VCRs, and televisions. The IR wireless remote control will operate up to 16-feet away from the receiver at an angle of 30-degrees left or right of the receiver as long as the remote is within the line of sight of the TX-SR506.

Input and Output Notes

HDMI: The TX-SR506 is equipped with three assignable HDMI inputs and one HDMI monitor output. The HDMI inputs will support uncompressed standard or high definition digital video along with the following audio signals: 2-channel linear PCM, Multichannel linear PCM, and Bitstream. Audio signals received by the unit's HDMI jacks are output only by the HDMI out of the receiver. HDMI sources are not output by the speakers connected to this receiver. If you want to listen through the speakers connected to the AV receiver, in addition to an HDMI connection, you will also need to make a separate analog (RCA) or digital audio (optical/coaxial) connection. Audio and video signals received via inputs other than HDMI are not output by the receiver's HDMI output.

Assignable Digital Inputs: The Onkyo receiver is equipped with two optical digital inputs and two coaxial digital inputs. All four digital inputs are assignable.

Multi-channel Input: Labeled DVD, the TX-SR506 has a multi-channel input for connecting a DVD player, a high resolution audio player (such as a DVD-Audio or SACD player), or an external decoder. The input consists of left front, right front, center, subwoofer, left surround, right surround, left surround back and right surround back RCA inputs. You can also connect a component using only left and right audio jacks, if desired. Additionally there are composite video, S-video, and component video jacks for this input. Note: This DVD input is included in the total of 6 A/V inputs.

Speaker Outputs: There are color-coded binding post connectors for the left front, right front, center, left surround, right surround, left surround back, and right surround back speakers. The binding posts are not 5-way because a plastic collar prevents their use with spade lugs. There are spring terminals for the Zone 2 speakers.

RI Remote Control Jack: The 1/8" RI remote control jack allows you to connect this receiver to other compatible Onkyo components.

Front Panel A/V Input: The receiver features a composite video terminal and a set of stereo audio RCA terminals on the unit's front-panel.

Headphone Output: This receiver has a standard 1/4" headphone output on the front panel. The speaker outputs are muted when headphones are plugged in.